#but if it does then oh well jkfdgkj

[smalltimidbean]

tell us about key lime please! They're so silly :D

(Although probably gonna break some of said paragraphs into bullet points so it's not too daunting jkfdgkjs)

First part is backstory stuff!;

Key Lime Pie - usually just shortened to Key - was clone number #04963, and is predominantly insect DNA, such as dragonflies, ants and beetles (haven't decided specifics yet)

They managed to escaped containment when all clones were being moved from an off-site lab to one in the Tower - thanks to their small size, they were able to sneak past any security and make their way into some vents

Unfortunately - or perhaps fortunately - they fell down said vents and ended up on the third floor of the Tower - specifically what is known to us as the level 'Deep-Dish 9'

From the scientists' perspective, no one noticed Key was gone until they were moving clones into their rooms, and since most of the clones were unfortunately seen as expendable, no one looked for them and Key was quickly presumed dead, and thus a failure

But Key was alive - although a little shaken up by the fall and suddenly in a new and unfamiliar place - but they were a brave little guy!!!

They explored around for a while, and they found an unused spaceship, along with a spacesuit

Unbeknownst to them, these were intended for Peppino, but upon seeing a portrait of Peppino in previously mentioned spacesuit, by previously mentioned spaceship (where did this portrait come from? idk), Key had convinced themselves that the image was of them and these were their space things

Key had also changed their form to more resemble the portrait - mainly losing the chef's hat and tank top

Key donned the spacesuit - and despite the size/number of arms discrepancy between themselves and Peppino, the suit fit them just fine (bc it's super advanced or something)

However the ship was not in the best condition, and could not fly, but it was fitted with some accommodations - like a little kitchen and bedroom - so Key decided to make the ship's current location their base of operations until it was fixed up enough to fly

There was... A lot of trial and error as Key figured out how all the technology worked, but Key was probably one of the more intelligent clones, so it didn't take terribly long for them to understand it

They would frequently leave their ship to explore and look for supplies and parts - often 'borrowing' from the Olive Aliens or dismantling the larger, crashed ships and salvaging the things they needed

Key has also snagged an Olive Trooper's blaster as a means of defending themselves - although they have never actually used it as a weapon yet. Luckily for them, they haven't come across many threats and most run away when faced with a blaster (or Key just runs away first)

Key lived like this for a while, and they did eventually manage to get their ship working enough to fly, occasionally exploring the other planets that were nearby

They were on one of these explorations when Peppino went through the level, so they did not see him nor were they aware of his mission

Key had returned just in time for the Crumbling of the Tower, not sure what was happening, but they attempted to make an escape, just as all the other beings were doing

Unfortunately, Key's ship was hit by falling debris, and crashed, also knocking Key unconscious in the process

By the time Key woke up, the Tower was completely destroyed, and the ship was part of the debris

However to Key, they thought that they'd just crash-landed on a new planet, completely unaware that they were just simply outside the Tower

And now, Key is currently working on fixing up their spaceship (again) to try and get home - also completely unaware that there is no 'home' to return to...

This part is character things!;

As mentioned, Key is very smart - when they were in the lab, they'd frequently ace any tests given to them, and had great potential to the scientists - although, it was also this intelligence that helped them escape in the first place

They can figure out new technology fairly quickly - albeit with a lot of trial and error - and they enjoy taking things part and putting them back together, just to see how it works

While they are very curious, and love to explore, Key is incredibly anxious around other living beings, and usually avoids any interaction if they can help it

They are mostly mute, and cannot speak any human language - if they do need to communicate, they 'talk' via chirping (akin to a cricket)

They are pretty non-expressive in the face, but their antennae usually gives away to how they are feeling - ie curled is neutral, crooked is distressed, completely curled up and pressed to the sides of their head is overwhelmed, twitching slightly is happy etc

Along with the pair on their head, Key's 'moustache' are also antennae - these are all extremely sensitive and can be used to smell, hear or touch things

Key has a hardened shell on their back (known as an elytra), which can open up to reveal a set of dragonfly-like wings (how do wings longer than the elytra fit in there? idk, clone bullshit kjdfgk)

While they can fly with these wings, Key rarely does so, usually only hovering to reach something high or to give themselves a boost while jumping - they also tend to flare their wings out when surprised, frightened, or performing a threat display as a means to appear larger than they are

Speaking of threat displays, while Key also rarely uses theirs, they tend to split their face open while performing one

Despite being a 'flight' over 'fight' being, Key has a lot of abilities that they could use in a fight, if they so wanted to, thanks to their various DNAs - they have very large teeth, a fairly potent venom which can cause burning hot hives and itchiness, and although they have a very small stature, they are incredibly strong, able to lift roughly 50 times their own weight

But as implied, they do not like to fight, and prefer to keep others at a distance with the help of their blaster - any attacks are made in self-defence

Also as implied, unlike most clones' 'clothing', Key's spacesuit is not part of them and can be removed - not that they like to take it off

They also rarely remove their helmet as of currently, believing that the planet's air could be poisonous to them (which isn't wrong but y'know), and they will only remove it while in their ship

The large pocket on the front of Key's suit works similarly to a clone's pouch - as in it is a small hammerspace - but Key's can be opened from the inside, allowing them to interact with outside objects from the safety of their suit (i.e. they put something in the pocket from the outside, close it and then open the pocket from the inside)

They mostly use this pocket (and the other pockets on their suit) to carry parts and their blaster, they have recently started collecting other things, such as lost jewellery, coins and shiny rocks

They also have an interest in the local flora, frequently taking flowers back to drink the nectar in them - this may or may not have caused the sudden boom of new plants growing around the remains of the Tower, as Key is both planting them and pollinating them, albeit unintentionally

Much like flowers, Key very much enjoys the rain, finding it very soothing, and they will either sit out in it with their suit on, or have a nap to the sounds while in their ship - however, they don't like to get wet, mostly bc of the unpleasant sensation on their skin, and they cannot fly if their wings get wet

While there usually is rain when it happens, Key is terrified of thunder and gets overwhelmed to the point of a panic attack during thunderstorms - they usually hide in their room when one happens, but they'll find anywhere they can if they are away from their ship

Key has yet to experience other weather phenomenon such as snow, but they are confused and somewhat unsettled about hail (hard rain? how?)

Key has also yet to see another clone at this time, nor have they seen the real Peppino despite living nearby

This part is just fun facts about their creation!;

As previously mentioned, Key is based on another OC of mine called Kyp, who also believes themselves to be from another planet and has several bug-like features. But unlike Key, Kyp is just a baby and was adopted by a couple, and has a weird cat

Kyp is also from the same world that Satoshi (Linguine's OG form) is from! While they have never interacted in that world, they might in this one, hehe

Key's spacesuit and the idea it was meant for Peppino is based on Deep-Dish 9's title card, where Peppino is wearing a white suit with red gloves/accents

Similarly, the idea that the spaceship was also intended for Peppino is from the scrapped mechanic that Peppino would deliver (a) pizza, presumably while in one like the title card (but that's just personal speculation) - so Key taking the suit and ship is why Peppino doesn't do that in this AU hkjgdjkl

Originally, Key was going to believe themselves to be an Olive Alien, but I thought that was too farfetched and came up with them seeing a picture of Peppino instead

As with most clones, Key is a giant metaphor for the 'tism, can you tell dgkljsghk

And I think that's all I got for now! So if you read all that, then thank you jkfgkfg