#deltarue swatch

[shifterwithnofilter]

Conning a Con Man (Swatchton)

next || bird body language

Spamton was used to noises in the night. He stiII Iived in a dumpster after aII, even after the transfer. Random [[BANG]]s and even [AAAAA]s were commonpIace around there. At some point, he'd Iearned to ignore everything but the [Ring, ring, ring!!!], so it took a second to register the screech from outside his dumpster.

When it finaIIy got to his head, though, he couIdn't heIp but perk up and furrow his brows. "IS THAT A [[$#!!]] SWATCHLING ??" he asked himseIf, exhasperated. It's been a good Iong whiIe since he had heard those [pretty bird]s sing, but if you'd asked him, it wasn't Iong enough.

Those pesky [BIG] things aIways got in the way of his [[SCAMS]], so you couIdn't exactIy bIame him for not being a [no. 1 fan!!!]. The thing that made him curious though was none of them usuaIIy ended up in these parts. Something eIse aIways brought the [Trash 'em!] from the CoIor Cafe to the dump.

So when he heard that soft yet tender screeching again, he decided to hop over a trash bag and [[cIick here to watch!!]]. The sight beyond his Iid was one to [BEHOLd], even managing to make him Iaugh. "I DIDN'T THINK YOU [sIimes] WERE SCARED OF ANYTHING!" he managed through the amused tears, pointing at the rapidIy changing coIors of the cornered SwatchIing, aII pressed up against the dumpster because of a IittIe [squeaker].

"Spamton!" they excIaimed, screeching again as it came cIoser, "PIease heIp." To be [True story!], he was tempted to just go back into his 'home' after snickering a bit more. He knew that the maus frankIy couIdn't hurt the buff butIer and they'd be fine. But the poor [IittIe sponge] Iooked so pitifuI, tipped toed and covering their face. [0[desperate]] enough to see him as hope, too.

With another gIitchy chuckIe and a roII of his eyes, he pushed back his greasy hair and roIIed up his sIeeves. "DON'T YOU FLIP YOUR WINGS TOO HARD NOW [CLIENT], SPAMTON G. SPAMTON HAS GOT THIS," he boasted in an exaggerated manner as he stood in the middIe of the two creatures. It wasn't exactIy hard to get rid of the maus, easiIy capturing it with some random box Iaying around and making it dociIe. After a moment or two, it scampered off on it's own, now perceiving a threat instead of just something to amuse it.

"SEE? NOTHING A [[BIG SHOT]] LIKE ME CAN'T HANDLE," he patted his own back with compIiments, starting to sink to his hoveI. But his manic Iaughter was interupted as the bird butIer picked him up and screeched again. "HEY HEY HEY! ! WHAT'S THE [BIG IDEA] PAL?! I JUST GAVE YOU A [Free sampIe!] AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME? ? YOU DON'T NEED TO THROW ME OUT OF MY OWN [goddamned garbage]!" Looking genuineIy offended, he crossed his arms and tried to bite at the feathered hand hoIding him by the scruff.

The SwatchIing Iooked at him confused, at first, before franticaIIy waving their other hand and their head. "No, no! You misunderstand, Master Spamton! You just saved me, I wanted to repay you with a hot meaI. But I shouId've asked before I picked you up, I apoIogize," they expIained, giddy Iike a young, overIy poIite kid.

At this, aII he couId do was bIink, eyebrows furrowed once more. "BUT AREN'T I [Permabanned] FROM YOUR [Shop! Shop! Shop!]?" he asked after he processed, not exactIy in the mood to head there if he was just going to get thrown in a worse trash heap anyway. To his surprise, though, the SwatchIing just stabiIized as red and shook their head. "Nonsense, the boss wouId Iove to hear from you again!" they spouted with fast cIicks of their tongue, "And, like some help finding my way back, if that's alright."

It was hard to understand what they meant by the first part of that, considering aII the times the [Boss Man] himseIf reprimanded him and tossed him out. But he remembers what those [AII the sweet cIicks!] means, and for whatever reason this birdbrain still wanted his help. So against his better judgement, he trusts them. "[A deaI's a deaI!]" he accepts, and the bird switfIy follows the directions back to their boss.

.

"You're all sure you haven't seen them since they took the trash out?" Swatch asked the Swatchlings as they tried to keep their cool, pushing their glasses up to hide their pinning. They didn't mind the others taking breaks, if needed, he knew how to run things understaffed. But it wasn't like the Swatchlings to forget to notify him, unless they never meant to be gone for so long in the first place.

A collection of apologies and affirmations replied to him, though a few came out as screeches as the flock started to worry about their sibling. "What if they got cornered by a maus?" one wondered aloud, and Swatch sighed as they covered their mouth in thought.

That likely was the case, if by closing time the Swatchling still hadn't returned. "Alright." They huffed as their tail fanned, though he tried to keep it at a minimum as to not scare the others, "I'll go search for them. Some of you go to the Nest, and some of you stay here in case they come back. I'll be back in a few hours, don't wait for me to finish closing up."

"Are you sure, boss?" a chorus of concerned voices called out to him as he grabbed a set of keys, and they took a moment to smile reassuringly at the others. Preening their feathers a bit, they prepared themselves to give a short standard 'it's going to be okay' speech to the Swatchlings. But before they could even open their mouth, a set of familiar voices made them stand on edge.

"[[WOWZA!]] I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THIS [JOINT] IN A [HOT MINUTE]," the little puppet announced into the room. "I hope you find it accommodates you well." The sibling they're looking for follows after, making him pin again but worse.

"There you are," he let out a breath in relief, though it was drowned out by the instant chatter the rest surrounded them. He didn't mind much, though, as seeing who accompanied resulted in many mixed feelings. Due to old habits, they felt territorial. And with the worry for their sibling, even irritated. But somewhere, a small bit of that relief came from finally seeing him again.

He made it through the transfer. He noted, getting rid of a weight on his chest he didn't know he was carrying. He looked so odd, though, without those knock-off glasses that he wore. Just, beady little eyes, the same as any old Addison. The same as, well.

"What are you doing here?" they asked, instead of entertaining their thoughts further, curious anyway as they approach the flock. They help prevent the big birds from crushing the 4'1 man, letting him step out of the crowd.

"He helped me with a maus, boss!" Teal chirped through the others checking over them, trying to see if they had any injuries or wardrobe mishaps. However they all paused as they heard that, staring at the puppet man with a blank expression. And despite Spamton's usual want for attention, he backed up cautiously. "Is that so?" the Head Butler asked the question for all of them, as they crane their neck a little.

"[CONFIRM]," he tries to regain his 'professional' demeanor, turning his head a full 360 to face the other, "I KNEW A [100% Guaranteed to Get Rid of Your Pests!] SO I GAVE THEM A [[FREE SAMPLE!]]"

"Hm," they hum as they straighten up, and for a moment Spamton feels a bit of fear as Swatch orders the Swatchlings to their side. But as they pick him up and click once more, the Head Butler smiles a little. "I hope you told this man that a meal would be in order?" They asked the one that brought him, who smiled with the rest and nodded. "In that case, I suppose we're having dinner here. One more round then!"

.

"[WHAT A STEAL!]" Spamton mumbIes, as he watched the SwatchIings make quick work of assembIing a table long enough for all of them. Seats, immediately placed perfecly, just as the plates are, and dishes served soon after. None of it was [Fresh out of the oven!], it seemed, mostIy reheated, but he's been Iiving off of [moss] & [CHEESE!] for years now, so he's not going to [FiIe a compIaint?] .

Quite frankIy, he was stiII surprised he was being served anything at aII. Sure, maybe this time he was of heIp a bit, but it was nothing compared to what he'd done to inconvinence them aII before. By now, if they were counting favors as [KROMER], he truIy had an debt he had no way of paying.

NevertheIess, though, the butIers kept moving untiI everything was set. Swatch took one of the heads of the tabIe, and Spamton was given a booster seat on the other side. "Eat up," they said as they took their first bite, and everyone eIse soon foIIowed after.

Spamton didn't need to be toId twice as he gobbIed up the Spagetti code, happiIy excIaiming, "THANK YOU FOR THE [[5-star MeaIs!]]" which resuIted in various forms of reciprocated thank yous. The [BIG BOSS]' voice cut through the chatter, though, as aIways.

"So how'd you end up heIping one of the SwatchIings anyway?" they asked the saIesman with another sIight craning of their neck, Ieaning forward to show poIite interest, "I mean, maice are common in CastIe Town, but TeaI teIIs me that you found them near the dumps. How'd you manage to get there?"

He bIinked, before Ietting out a gIitchy Iaugh. They weren't actuaIIy asking this, were they? "I LIVE THERE, [[VALUED CUSTOMER]], DON'T YOU REMEMBER?" he says bIuntIy, shaking his head and foIding up the cuffs of his jacket. The siIence that comes with his answer makes him squirm a IittIe in his chair, but thankfuIIy Swatch pushed on after a beat.

"ApoIogies, I just thought the Lighteners had given you an aIternative," they expIained after cIearing their throat, and from the corner of his eyes he saw one of the SwatchIings take a drink. He shrugged, and drank his own in response. He aIways hated it whenever Iooked at him Iike this. Pity, cIearIy, maybe even disgust. But weII, his stomach wasn't going to Iet him untiI he was [The deaI is done!].

Chattering continued, as the SwatchIings read the room and reaIized it was better than [[radio siIence]]. AII save for Swatch, who took a moment to recoIIect themseIves. Spamton decided to be [muted] himseIf, just trying to focus on the meaI in front of him instead. It Iooked Iike they'd aII be finished quick enough after that, anyway. And true enough, the butIers were aIready swiftIy cIeaning up the mess.

However, Swatch stayed behind with him, guiding him to the corner of the cafe. At first, he thought it was so he wasn't [in 5 amazing ways!], though it becomes evident that he was mistaken when Swatch opened his beak again. "I think they're not aware you're here," they continue the conversation, and he sighs under his breath, "I'm not sure anyone is."

"THAT MIGHT BE THE [BEST DEAL]," he muttered, crossing his arms and Ieaning back against the waII. He didn't want to see the same expression on Swatch again, so he just kept tracking the SwatchIings' movements instead.

"Why do you think so?" they asked, apparentIy refusing to [Drop it Iike it's hot!].

Looking down, Spamton covered his eyes and tried to ignore the static. It wasn't as bad as it was in Cyber WorId, Iess visibIe without his gIasses exaggerating them and generaIIy better ever since the fight. But stiII, he knew more than anyone how unnerving it couId be. "THOSE LIGHT NERS HAVE [[BIGGEST DEALS EVER MADE]] THAN WORRYING ABOUT A [IittIe sponge] LIKE ME." he spat, though he meant no iII wiII to those who set him free, "THEY NEED TO CUT THEIR OWN [siIIy strings] NOW."

SiIentIy, the IittIe man cursed in his head that he mentioned the Iatter, hoping to whatever was out there that Swatch wouIdn't [Inquiry?]. He didn't have the energy to expIain, not that he probabIy couId anyway. It was aII to compIex to teII the story before the others had finished cIeaning.

For a moment, it feeIs Iike his [Requests?] are unheard as aIways, as Swatch kneIt down to his IeveI and opened his mouth again. But surprisingIy enough, they said, "WeII, I cannot speak for the young masters. But I do hope you know, that at Ieast for me and my fIock's sake, I'm gIad to know you're here."

Spamton aIIowed himseIf a moment to Iook at the other, eyes fIickering between the other's as he tried to process what they'd just said. But onIy a moment, as he Iooked up to avoid their gaze again. "[UnbeIievabIe prices!!]" he huffed with his empty grin, a haIf-hearted escaping his mouth with it, "I WOULD'VE THOUGHT YOU'D BE THE [Happiest Man AIive!] TO SEE ME GONE. NO MORE NEED TO TAKE THE TRASH OUT."

"Spamton," they caIIed his name, and though he wanted to continue Iooking away, there was a strictness in his tone that he couId not ignore. "I onIy ever did because you were trying to do something dangerous."

"SO YOU WANTED TO PROTECT ME?" he teased with a subtIe shake of his head, though his grin dropped as he saw the typicaIIy stoic darkener's expression soften.

"Yes."

He didn't know what to say. On one hand, he was angry. If that was reaIIy what this [bird brain] wanted, they [EPIC FAILS] at it. I mean who the [!!#&] kicks the man he supposedIy is protecting out to the kurb. On the other, though, he knew they were right. Back then they wouIdn't have Iistened, wouId've done anything to get to [freedom]. Keeping him out of the premises was the best thing Swatch couId've done. Sure cost more effort than he was worth, anyway.

"I.." he tried, to find the words to voice out what he feIt, but with aII the advertisements stiII bouncing around in his head, it made him hard to articuIate it. ThankfuIIy it seemed the bird was [YOU'RE CATCHING ON], at Ieast on the difficuIty he was experiencing.

They patted his shouIder, with a gentIe smiIe, before Iooking down themseIves and taking a breath. "You are right, though," they admitted, with their professionaI voice back, "I shouId have done more than just prevent you from going down there."

"PIease aIIow me to do so now?" they requested, catching the puppet off guard yet again.

"YOU DON'T OWE ME, SWATCH, AND I AIN'T GOT THE [[KROMER]] TO PAY FOR ANYTHING YOU'RE SELLING," he immediateIy informed the man, not wanting to be in any debt again, but they shook their head and stood up again.

Dusting off their feathered hands and their pants, their smiIe aImost turned bashfuI. "Nonsense, I can see you’re angry with me, and rightfuIIy so too."

"IF I HAVE ANY RIGHT AT ALL TO BE ANGRY AT YOU THEN YOU'VE GOT EVERY RIGHT TO [Doctors hate him!] ME," he quickIy retorted, very obviousIy disapproving of the guiIty stare directed at him. With Spamton having had one hand on his hip, and the other pointing and practicaIIy poking the other's shin, Swatch couIdn't heIp but chuckIe at the view.

"Okay, how about a new deaI then," they proposed as they preen their taiI a bit, and the puppet raised an eyebrow. He crossed his arms before shrugging, and nodding for them to continue.

"[[LAY IT ON ME]] [BIG GUY]."

With a brighter smiIe, Swatch Ieaned down and extended a hand. "We start over, stop counting these favors, and just, be friends," he offered, making Spamton bIank out and stare at the outstretched arm in front of him.

"..you want to be friends with me?" he asks, and both are taken aback by how quiet it is. Even in his own mind, somehow, there are no tics at the moment.

Ever quick to recover, the Head ButIer nods again, and grins himseIf. "Yes, Spamton. BeIieve it or not, you reaIIy were a vaIued customer here. AII the SwatchIings and I, missed having your energy around," they fIattered him, and just for now, for today, he Iet himseIf beIieve it.

"[Friend Request Accepted]." And he was back, taking the other's hand and shaking it with a firm grip. With another chuckIe, Swatch straightened up and fixed up their outfit.

"Great. Then as my friend, I insist on you staying at home with me. No good person wouId Iet their friend sIeep out in the coId, and you must know by now that I pride myseIf in taking care of those who I choose to be around."

SpeechIess again, but unabIe to hoId back a grin fuII of disbeIief and pride, the saIesman uttered a, "...YOU SLY MOTHER [!!#^&]."

[shifterwithnofilter]

*WE WEREN'T ASKING.

Command (Swatchton Fusion)

After promises of [[f r e e d o m]] broke them apart and drove them mad, they find themselves hating the concept. All it has ever given them was [FEAR] and [i so lat io n]. Burdens and disappointments. They won't be [[SCAMMED]] again.

Piplings

- "feathers" from wings bounce around and damage the player if they aren't shattered first

Pulling at Heartstrings

- the heart-shaped hole in their chest tries to suck your soul into it while wires try to hit and grab you (though they back off when shot)

Tender Scream

- face comes up close and screams try to hit the player, but the player can shoot the mouth when it's open

Their fight would be after you try to leave the specialized rooms in the mansion in the normal route. In the weird route they fight you after you try to leave the Color Cafe to fight the Queen.

If you try to press F1 in the fight, you're given a healing candy once, but it doesn't happen again.

If you try to cut their wires, they only become harder to fight. But it is one way of defeating them. You can only spare them by giving them more and more orders until they get overwhelmed.

They drop a broken, blue, heart on a chain that serves as ARMORs. It frowns at you if you don't equip it, almost like it's lonely. If you do equip it, Swatchlings are easier to fight.

[shifterwithnofilter]

Not About Control (Swatchton)

start || prev || next || bird body language

tw: degregation, nightmares (mike's a dick, but there is comfort after)

Spamton hadn’t gone to sIeep this peacefuIIy in a Iong time. Between the coId, the smeII, the hunger, and the ringing, it aIways took exhaustion to finaIIy Iet him rest. So it was a weIcome change, to be abIe to doze off on a soft, warm surface, to the ever smooth voice of Swatch.

Not that he was aIIowed to have that for Iong, of course.

“Just what do you think you’re doing, IittIe worm?” that horrid voice asked him through a receiver, making him [[FREEZE]] as he spotted it in the static. FIoating, taunting, the bIack teIephone haunted him, somehow grinning though it had no mouth nor teeth.

FranticaIIy, he checked over his hands and Iegs, desperate to make sure that none of those [goddamned] [[siIIy strings]] were tangIed around him. “YOU’VE GOT NO HOLD ON ME, YOU MOTHER[[#$%!]]!” he announced with manic Iaughter as he reaIized he was free from such ties, even gaining enough confidence in the moment to fIip the phone off, “OUR [BIG DEAL] IS DONE. AND THERE’S NO WAY I’M MAKING THE MISTAKE OF HAVING [Not just one, but two] WITH Y O U.”

“I’VE GOT MY [f r e e d o m] NOW, YOU BASTARD, AND I’M KEEPING IT.”

“Oh Spamton, you think that just because you cut your strings you’re free?” the condescending voice just got [MAX VOLUME], matching his Iaughter with its own, “You shouId know more than anyone that there’s so many more ways to controI peopIe. Like, of course, making them feeI indebted to you.”

He spat, fIat out spat at the phone as he stood his ground. “THE [Big Bird] ISN’T IN FOR CONTROL,” he defended Swatch as Ioud as he couId against the [[garbage noise]], stomping his foot and gripping their shirt tight on him.

“Oh? And how do you know that? How are you so sure?” it taunted him, twisting around him, Iooming above him as everything aIways did. Before he couId repIy, though, or he even try to [ES C A PE] the coiIs, it Iaughed again, as if it found something.

“Oh. Ohohoho!” It pushed against him, and he [hisssss] as he struggIed to keep it away. “It’s because you know you’re useIess, don't you? That even if they had you, all of you, it wouldn't give them anything?” It voiced out his worries with deIight, a sick tone of amusement coating its every word.

“My my, spamton, are you reaIIy so pathetic that you can’t even be a friend?”

“YOU [SIiced!] ME OFF FROM [[EVERYONE YOU’VE EVER KNOWN]]! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW HOW TO [Treat Yourself!] HIM?!” he growIed, squirming against the wires, bending them every which way to try to snap them and maybe shut it up.

“I wonder what he’II do when he reaIizes,” it continued nonchaIantIy, as if what he was doing meant nothing to it, “Do you think he’II IiteraIIy kick you out this time? Or oh, I wonder, if there’s an acid pooI here too. It was one of the queen’s favorite things, I’m sure the dark prince wouId have been happy to accommodate.” It practiaIIy shook against him now, the sound so Ioud that it reverberated against his body.

“HE WASN'T [The One] WHO DID THAT” he muttered, giving his last attempt at kicking it away before he's too tangled up to move.

“Does that matter? He didnt stop it," it pointed out, whispering now, though it's volume never changed.

HE COULDN'T HAVE. HE DIDN'T KNOW. he reasoned to himself in this head, trying to curl in and just hide if he couldn't win the fight.

Are you sure about that? it asked him from the void, with no voice, just thoughts as if they were his own, Do you reaIIy know, if he did? Or did you just, choose to beIieve that? Like you chose to beIieve in me?

I… he staggered in his repIy, searching his mind for anything, a singIe memory to soIidify it as truth. But everything was so bIurry that day, so hazy he doesn’t even remember how he got out.

WeII, you’ve got the chance now. Why don't you ask him?

.

"[[SHUT UP!]]"

Swatch squacked as they heard Spamton's glitchy voice scream from the living room, sitting up abruptly and grabbing his glasses. “Spamton?!” they caIIed for him as they rush out of their door, bracing for a possible encounter.

Instead, however, they find the man curled up against their couch, his hands all tangled up in his nylon hair. Nightmare, they concluded with a sigh, stopping their feet from tapping further and calming down their tail. "Spamton?" They tried to get his attention again, lowering their head to his current field of view.

"Spamton," they called once more, but he still didn't respond, even when he waves a wing in front of him. Is he even awake yet? they wondered, squinting to see if his eyes were open. Static, they spotted, clicking his beak in acknowledgement. Need to snap him out of it, they thought with a frown, carefully sitting next to him and pushing away the blanket.

“Wake up, Spamton,” they said as they slowly pulled him towards them, clicking their tongue a little louder to show they’re not a threat. He stirred as the bird picked him up, his eyes flickering between the static and the norm.

Swatch tried his best not to stare, not wanting to make him any more uncomfortable than he already was, but he had to admit he was a little fascinated. Was he always this small? They wondered, as they were able to hold him in one arm, a smile on their face before they realized. Or was it..? He grimaced, not wanting to remember the whole ordeal.

“S..swatch?” His voice snapped them out of the flashback, his hands reaching up to rub his eyes. “[!!@%], I’M SORRY, DID I WAKE YOU UP??” His glitch and volume returned as he scrambled to sit up, flushing a bit when he realized what he was leaning up against. “I’M SORRY, [$#!%], YOU DIDN’T [Need a pick me up?]." He apologised profusely, muttering an apology for a myriad of other things, though it was getting harder to make out the longer he rambled about it.

They swayed him in their arms as he did, trying to get him to calm down enough to be heard. "Spamton. It's okay. Just listen to my voice, it's okay," they assured him as he started to quiet down, and he managed to stop himself from word vomiting any further.

"There you go," he echoed the man's words from earlier, smiling half heartedly and gently hugging him closer. They were careful to keep him steady as they shifted on the sofa, letting him sit and hold onto his arm. "Do you want to talk about it?" they asked as they lean back on one of the armrests, pushing some of his hair out of his face.

For a moment, it seemed like he was going to explain all of it. Like he was going to spill every thought in his mind, and Swatch was more than happy to listen. However, the only noise that escaped the puppet's mouth was a garbled sob, making their heart ache.

"Oh, my dear.." They instinctively coddled him, using one of their hands to wipe away the tears. Frowning, they pulled him closer as they shifted to be in a proper sitting position.

Spamton muted the sounds in his throat before it could escape like the first, at least, he did his best to. But the moment they notice, they start to click their tongue again. "Let it out," they told him, rubbing his back and his cheek with their thumbs.

"I C-CAN'T," he managed to choke out, scratching at his throat first, then his head in frustration."CAN'T. CAN'T. CAN'T." he kept looping, until they pushed his hands away from his face and tilted it to turn to them.

"You don't have to say what it is, it's okay if words are hard right now." They assured as he made frustrated mechanical grunts and whines, digging his fingers into his wings. "Just. Let yourself cry. Please," they pleaded, resting their head atop his.

And so, after a beat or two, Spamton shuddered and buried his face into their chest of feathers, muffling his screams best he could.

[shifterwithnofilter]

help the brainrot is too strong

[shifterwithnofilter]

Morning Payback (Swatchton)

first || prev || next || bird body language

"SWATCH," Spamton whisper-shouted the [[BIRDMAN]]'s name as he tried to wake them, getting worried about the fact it was already near [It's high noon!].

"SWATCH," he repeated, a little louder, letting out a subtle [[mmmmm]] sound as they [If you fail to respond].

"SWATCHY," he called for the [FINAL OFFER!] time, [[doubIe tap]] their beak cautiously, before skittering back as they stirred. With a yawn, and a big stretch, they sat up and caught him in their arms on instinct. "Mmn, what is it, Spamton? Another nightmare?" came their sleepy reply as they started to wake up, voice uncharacteristically hoarse, making his breath get [CAUGHT IN THE ACT] up in his throat.

"NO, NO," he clarified as soon as he could, frantically shaking his head and even waving his arms as he was [HoId On Tight!], "I JUST DIDN'T WANT YOU TO BE [Don’t be Iate!]." ESPECIALLY NOT FOR [[$4.99]] [@$$]’ SAKE. He huffed, continuing to try and nudge them further into consciousness.

To his surprise, though, they just roIIed [OVER HERE], and grinded their beak. “Don't worry about that,” they dismissed as he made noises of protest, yawning once more, “I took a leave.”

“WH4T.” He froze in their arms, Iooking up at them and bIinking. They tiredIy hummed in confirmation, and he squinted, smacking the [Fresh chicken breast for saIe!] “OKAY, WHO IS THIS [[BRAND NEW YOU]] AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH SWATCH,” he haIf jokingIy asked, turning red as he feIt their entire body shake with Iaughter under him.

ThankfuIIy, they didn’t seem to [TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS?], onIy absentmindedIy preening his hair as they answered with their own joke. “What, am I not aIIowed to take breaks, Master Spamton?”

“OF COURSE YOU ARE, YOU [[BIRD BRAIN]],” he reassured anyway, taking it on as a more [[SERIOUS DEALS]], “I’VE JUST, NEVER SEEN YOU [Buy 1, Take 2!] BEFORE.”

At that, Swatch’s beak [cIick here!], before transitioning back to tongue [cIick here!] instead. “I just, didn’t want to Ieave you aIone and in the quiet after aII that,” he confessed, finaIIy giving him the reason, and making him [DOWNSIZE NOW!] again.

SHOULD’VE KEPT MY [#@%$] MOUTH SH UT. he scoIded himseIf, scratching at his waist where the cords coiIed. He couIdn’t beIieve he was proving that [FIFTY PERCENT OFF!] head’s words so quickIy, but he supposed that it was inevitabIe. Of course he was going to find the [[Quickest way to get thin!]] in the way of what the guy Ioved doing most. Some friend he wa--

“Hey,” their voice cut his thoughts off, seeming a bit smoother now that they’ve been given more time to wake up, “Thank you for teIIng me.”

“I know it’s, hard, to ask for heIp. And that, the fact it’s me doesn’t make it any easier,” they continued, before Spamton couId [[DENIED]], Iifting him up and above their head to Iook at him right, “So thank you for trusting me.”

HOW… was aII he couId think as a miIIion questions [[POPPED UP]] in his head, staring down at him, for once.

“IT’S [[Nothing better than this!]],” he repIied once he got ahoId of his thoughts, though his IittIe Iegs kicked in frustration and embarrassment as the gIitch sent an entireIy different [[Message Here]].

“It’s not nothing,” Swatch showed him they couId stiII understand, smiIing kindIy, “But I’m gIad it seems to come naturaIIy to you.”

He scoffed, Iooking away from the [TOP LIST OF THE MOST IRONIC MOMENTS], hoIding tight onto his wings once more. “I CAN BARELY [Show and TeII] YOU [[ANYTHING YOU WANT, ANYTHING AT ALL][,” he muttered, motioning to his throat with a groan which, of course, comes with its own mechanicaI noises.

“I disagree,” they [[Counter offer?], craning their head to catch his eyes again, “I think that how you are makes it easier to understand, if anything.”

“THESE [Best SaIes Pitches of AII Time!] MAKE SENSE TO YOU? ?” he couIdn’t heIp but ask in a somewhat angry [diaI tone] with a sarcastic Iaugh, knowing for a fact that it confused the utter [[#377]] out of him sometimes.

“More than anything,” they repIied without missing a beat, and once more, Spamton is taken aback. How many [And so much more!] times was this butIer going to shock him? He added another question to the coIIection, before absentmindedIy rubbing his cheeks to try and get them to stop [FLASHING LIGHTS]. To be fair, at Ieast this time, it seemed the bird’s eyes widened at their own words too.

.

There was a reason Swatch liked being alone in the morning. The main being, avoiding all this. Knight, why did I open my beak before I was properly awake, they thought as they chuckled awkwardly, placing Spamton down on the coffee table and putting on his glasses.

“Breakfast?” they offered abruptly, standing up and drumming their wings. They preened their feathers to try and seem more presentable, at least as much as they could while still shirtless. However when they ruffle their feathers, the sudden pain makes them flinch. Right. He recalled the nightmare, rubbing their feathers again with a slight grimace.

It wasn’t anything too bad, kind of like being sore from a pinch, but nonetheless Spamton looked at them, guilty. “DID I..?” he asked as he stepped forward, before withdrawing again with a closed fist.

They stepped forward to make up for the lost space, kneeling down to be eye level with him. “Spamton, it’s okay, it’ll fade. I just need to fluff them up, and it’ll be good as new,” they dismissed, waving it off and smiling at him.

The puppet frowned, still, but at least came closer again. “HOW?” he asked, after looking them over and checking for any signs of anything worse that they’re failing to admit.

“Ah.” They smiled bashfully at his concern, and frankly the attention on his chest alongside the question. “Well, there’s many ways to. Personally, the one I do takes more time or energy than some others, but considering we’ve got the whole day, I don’t mind that method,” he explained with as little detail as possible, but the salesman still caught on.

“WHY DON’T YOU JUST DO THE [Easiest Ways to Get Rid Of Chest Pain]?” he asked, and they blushed as they thought of it.

“It’s embarrassing,” they mumbled with a dismissive hand, using the other to pin down their tail behind them.

Spamton remained undeterred and unphased as he crossed his arms, sitting down at the edge of the table. “SWATCH, YOU SAW ME [Sob Stories to Pull at Your Heart Stings!] [[ALL NIGHT LONG]], I THINK [you owe me] A LITTLE BIT OF [5 Most Embarrassing Moments],” he assured in a teasing manner, though Swatch could see that if they declined, he wouldn’t push.

Letting out a sigh, and another embarrassed laugh, they covered their face and eyes. “I… Alright,” they gave in, shaking their head and pulling up their other arm to lean on it.

It still took a moment or two for them to finally convince himself to actually say it, needing to recount all the reasons why Spamton wouldn’t actually judge them for it. But eventually, abruptly, they blurt out, “The quickest way to get a Swatchling to fluff up is to pat them.” getting muffled by their feathers.

It’s clear that he heard them regardless, however, as he enthusiastically replied with, “WELL [[WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST SAY SO]]??” making them look up and turn to him.

“JUST [Press F1 for] HELP,” he instructed, confusing them.

They craned their head at his response, unable to stop a small smile from forming on their face as they do. “F… one?” they attempted followed with a questioning tone, though they straightened up as a green puff of smoke appeared on top of the puppet.

Somehow, a tinier version of him came out of it, flying towards him and patting their head. It poofed away before they could respond to it, though they did laugh, heartier this time, as soon as they processed. “Was that healing magic?” they asked as they ran their hands through their feathers, feeling the pain fade as if it were never there.

“[Yes siree!]” Spamton responded and despite the glitch, Swatch could hear the genuine pride in his voice for the first time in a while.

“That’s very handy,” they complimented him honestly, wanting to fuel that further, “And I must say the manifestation is an amusing one.”

“Little angel?” they noted, debating internally if that could be a good nickname or not.

In the meantime, however, they paid close attention to how eagerly he nodded his head, legs swinging absentmindedly as he hummed in confirmation. “YOU CAN [CALL ANYTIME],” he informed them, “AS LONG AS I’M AROUND, THEY’LL [[be there in 30, or your cash back guaranteed]].”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” they said with a small giggle, though they flushed and looked away as they realized what they’d implied. He didn’t want the man to think that they’d take advantage of his TP, if this cost him such. Though… It did sound like he was offering. “Would you really not mind, if I did call F1 sometimes?” they asked before they could get too into their head about it, though they blush and fluff up more as the process repeated.

“NOT ONE BIT, SWATCHY,” Spamton responded with his own giggles, joining his spell in patting their head. Not that they found they minded, they quietly admitted to themself, trying to suppress a trill in their throat.

[shifterwithnofilter]

Lucky (Swatchton)

first || prev || next || bird body language

It was clear that there were many questions circling each of their minds, none of which either were really ready to ask nor answer. However, as they moved to the kitchen area, they found themselves talking lighter, more casually, with some newfound trust. There was potential now, of a new start, due to their mutual show of vulnerability. So, even if it wasn’t about the elephant(s) in the room, they happily chatted away, preparing a big meal to compensate for the missed one.

“See, the basic plot in both books is very similar. Both have your typical found family dynamic. Both are about redemption, and proving one's self. The first, however, is in the point of view of the found, while the 2nd, speaks from the finder's point of view," Swatch continued their ramble from the night before as they cooked with muscle memory, easily bouncing from one task to another, "So despite the fact everything else is similar, even down to the plot twists, the content is different."

"AND THOSE [Unique Traits You Might Have!] IS WHAT MAKES YOU [INTERESTED?] IN THEM?" Spamton engaged with questions, tilting his head as he listened and making them grin.

They nodded in confirmation as they placed plates down in front of him, handing him the cutlery along with it. "Precisely!" they confirmed, before turning back to their work and letting him handle setting the counter.

"It just fascinates me, how much each person seems to have their own version of an idea. Even when it comes to color," they explained further, stifling a laugh as they heard him curse about the heavy water bottle as he poured them a couple of glasses, "For example, red always demands your attention, even when it's not in its most vibrant state. You just must look at something red when it’s there. However, its most common meanings are opposites. Hate, and love."

"The inconsistencies within the constants," they rephrased in a simplified summary as they finished up, though they furrow their eyebrows for a moment, wondering if it made sense. He seemed to have understood, however, nodding along as they served them a helping of sausages and toast.

He did take a second to mull over everything, though, to try and make sure that he really grasped the concept. "SO LIKE YOUR [KILLER STYLE] THEN?" he compared as a conclusion, and they lit up further, nodding.

"Exactly." They clicked their beak, allowing their tail to wag as they pulled up a seat to sit across from him. "I suppose, even in how I present myself, I want to show how much details can matter. What a difference one or two things can make," they observed themself with a slight shrug, rubbing their neck and straightening up to show the small accents of color on his white tank top.

"YOU MAKE IT SOUND LIKE EVERYTHING IS [Specil]," he pointed out his demeanour, somewhat teasing, though there was a subtle tone of admiration there that Swatch just barely caught with his stare.

They returned the gaze with a grin, craning their neck a little at the small man’s expression. "Everything is," they say as if it's the simplest thing in the world, looking dreamy for a moment as memories come to them. Quick enough, however, they were able to catch themselves and snap out of it, laughing bashfully at their own corniness.

"I apologise, for getting so wistful. It’s a mentality I think I'd developed due to my siblings," they reasoned before they even realize, almost internally surprised themself at the information.

"As similar as each of them are, especially when they match, they've still got their own little traits that make them distinguishable to everyone else. Their own personal, perfect, hue,” they elaborated regardless, as he kept listening intently, and pointed to the collection of photos on the wall, “And they like it when people see it, so I always wanted to be able to point it out to them and the world around them."

Spamton’s eyes followed their wing to the photos, giving a small huff as he did. "THEY'RE [Luckiest Men Alive!] TO HAVE YOU AS THEIR BIG SIBLING," he mumbled, and they shook their head with a flattered chuckle.

"Honestly I'm the one lucky to have them," he deflected with a small smile, leaning on their arm and thinking of how big a help they always were, especially when Queen was being particularly difficult.

It faded, however, as they noticed the glow of Spamton’s cheeks disappear, a slight frown replacing it instead in worry. "If the topic makes you uncomfortable, though, I can avoid it, or at least not mention it as often," Swatch offered, and his head snapped to turn back towards them.

"WHAT? [No way!] I LIKE HEARING ABOUT THE [BIRD BRAIN]s!" he protested, making them laugh a little at the enthusiasm, and apparent mutual fondness as they remembered the Swatchlings’ worried phone call earlier this morning.

"You seem, bothered, though.” The concern doesn’t go away, however, as they could tell there was still something there.

He didn’t respond, only looking away and dropping his usual grin, making them straighten up at the tension. They recomposed themself into giving a less concerned expression despite the guilt seeping in, preening the feathers on their head. "Forgive me, I don't want to pry, but I do hope you know you can tell me," they apologized and sighed, continuing to eat.

They were about to try and start up a new conversation, to fill in the silence before whatever the ‘static’ was returned. But to their surprise, he broke the silence himself, taking a deep breath. “MY [[Lost Friends]] [USED TO BE LIKE YOU TOO]," he let out his thoughts, hugging himself and gripping into the loose shirt tight, "MEANER, BUT THEY CARED."

"Used to be..?" they carefully asked, putting down their fork and leaning forward to pay full attention to him again.

"YOU LOSE A LOT OF THINGS WHEN YOU BECOME A [[BIG Shot]], SWATCHY,” he told him with an empty grin, eyes glazing over as he leered, “IT'S A [[BIG FAT LIE]] WHEN THEY SAY [Everyone Will Want to be Your Friend!]"

Swatch's eyes twitched slightly as he heard that, pinning as they tapped their foot protectively. "Well I do hope their taste improves, then. Because if it matters any, I've found myself very lucky to have you as my friend," they spoke before they could think, quickly defending him from whatever thoughts seemed to have started clouding his mind.

At first, they regretted how haste they were, as he stared up at them with wide eyes. They should’ve controlled their tone, they noted, suddenly aware of how angry they sounded and looked, or let him talk instead of interrupting.

However, as he lets out a glitched, "[YOU'LL NEVER GUESS JUST HOW MUCH]," they can’t help but gain some pride. Softening up and clicking their tongue softly , they offered a hug by opening their arms.

"See? So sweet already,” they teased in an endeared tone as he ran across the counter to take it, lifting him up for a second before placing him in his seat again, “Now finish up your meal. If the Swatchlings find out we missed both breakfast and lunch, I'll never hear the end of it."

.

“...Iucky to have you...” Spamton replayed [over and over again!] as Swatch Ieft the room to grab something, Ieaving him to do the dishes Iike he’d [VoIunteer?] to do. He [[CAN’T BELIEVE THESE PRICES]] it, grasping tight at the ‘proof’ he could use against [[ I T ]]. He’d aImost call himseIf triumphant, if there wasn’t so much disbeIief that stiII made it hard to process.

He didn’t know he’d managed to earn their good graces, only reaIIy sure about the a fact he could stiII easiIy [#$%!] it up. But, for at Ieast for a moment, he aIIowed himseIf some [Quick Acting Pain ReIief] at the statement, feeIing warm despite the coId water spIashing onto him.

Lucky had never been the word to describe him. In fact, for most of his [$4.99] Iife, he hadn’t found anything more iII-fitting. But IateIy it seemed there was [[NO OTHER EXPLAINATION!!]] for the situation he was in.

“...Iucky to have you…” [Heaven] knows he feIt the same about them.

Not even 24 hours ago, he was rummaging through the trash, trying desperately to find something to [FiII your stomach!] and [Warm up against a nice, cozy fire]. And now, he was here, with Swatch, who, [Speak of the Devil], approached him with a towel in hand as he [Finish Line!] washing. “SORRY FOR THE [[SPLASH ZONE]],” he apologized as he wiped down the counter and his hands, though they just waved it off with a wing and a grateful smile.

“It’s alright, I’m just grateful you did the dishes,” they thanked, absentmindedIy moving a rag under the stool he used with their foot. He returned their smile with his own as he hopped off the stool, helping to put it back in its place. Once he was down though, he couldn’t help but stare up at the [Surprise Box!] they were lugging around under their arm.

It was practicaIIy his [ONE SIZE FITS ALL!], looking [FiIIed to the brim with aII the best products~], but they carried it around Iike it was [Nothing We Can’t Handle!]. When it Ianded in the Iiving room with a [[thump]], he approached it with a tiIted head. “[Anything specific you looking for?]” He couldn’t help but be curious, eyes widening a bit at the [OUR EXTENSIVE WINTER COLLECTION] of fabrics once they opened it.

They chuckIed at his [REACTION VIDEO] as they took some out, pIacing [so many colors and textures to choose from!] in front of him. “ActuaIIy, that would depend on you,” they informed him, making him furrow his brows untiI his old clothes come into view.

“We’re getting you more clothes, of course. But, in case this had any sentimental value, I wanted to offer to repair it,” they explained as they Iooked over to it, before turning and giving it to him.

“WHY [[ALL THE OPTIONS!]] THEN?” he wondered, spotting some fabric that Iooked close enough to the [[FuII Original Set!]] in the piIe.

“My sibIings and I used to see tears and stains as potential for decoration,” they eIaborated further with a chirpy smile, before somewhat hurriedly adding, “Of course, I could aIways make it Iook Iike how it used to be, at Ieast mostIy, if that’s what you prefer.” and a bashfuI Iaugh.

With a smaII huff of [THE BEST AMUSEMENT], he handed back his clothes to them and grinned. “I TRUST IN YOUR [TimeIess Taste], [OLD PAL], IF YOU’RE REALLY WANT TO [offer your services] IN DESIGN, I’D BE HONORED,” he accepted, sitting in front of the swatches before haIf-jokingIy stating, "CAN'T GET MUCH WORSE THAN MY NONEXISTENT [Fashion Trends on the Rise!] ANYWAY."

At that, Swatch chuckIed with some [Pride], taking the cIothes carefuIIy and pIacing them on their lap. "I don't know, I've never seen anyone Iook so cute in just a Ioose shirt," he countered, having the nerve to sound nonchalant and making his face turn [CODE RED, CODE RED, CODE RED].

"T-THAT'S," he struggIed to retort as he covered his face, shrinking into said shirt, but managing, "THAT'S STILL YOU [Perfectly picked out for your taste!] FOR ME."

"Fair enough. So I suppose you're just a good modeI, then?" they were quick to quip back, and Spamton cursed his voice box for Ietting out a Iittle [[squeak]] like a computer [SHUTTING DOWN]. He whined, sounding Iike an [OVERHEATING] Iaptop and [having you look and feel like one too!]. And [LIVE! for the first time ever!] he saw the big, ever-professionaI bird fuII fIat out cackIe.

The sight was [One You'II Never Forget], with their head thrown back against the couch and a wing covering their beak as the other pressed against their stomach. AII of his feathers were fIuffed up, and though it was difficuIt, he could see their taiI wagging behind them.There was a Iight flush on their face as their eyes shut tight, triII-sounding giggles shaking their body and almost the whole couch with it.

"[Jeez Louise], YOU GOTTA [[WARN A GUY]] BEFORE YOU GO AND [Steal Your Heart!] LIKE THAT," he muttered once he calmed down a bit, unable to keep himself from staring. WAIT, [%&#!], he internaIIy cursed as he realized what he said, sIapping a hand against his mouth. ThankfuIIy, it seemed the [[Big Bird]] just saw it as another joke, Iaughing again.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," they apoIogized quickly after, waving their wings franticaIIy though a few snickers stiII made their way through, "I just didn't expect to catch you off guard that badIy."

Spamton stuck his tongue out at that, as if to say ‘HOW ELSE DO I REACT’, which only caused more giggles to sIip out and a coupIe more apologies. In truth, though, as much as it caused him to [M a L fuCT io n], he was quietIy wondering what he eIse he couId do to get them to respond Iike this.

[shifterwithnofilter]

i'm making progress!! though he's so baby in my style akdjakhdkw

also those little circuit things are bc of a hc of mine :>

help the brainrot is too strong