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Assimilation was suprised by Collin's non-violent demeanor at being given his stolen items back. It was expecting a more...explosive reaction from the man, but this was fine. Maybe this had something to do with the decorations Collin had put up around his base. Andre was giving the soggy, sparse lights and wreaths a once over on the way to his house. Perhaps he knew something it did not.
Collin opened the door before Assimilation could finish knocking.
"Hey, you fucks. Come to steal some more shit? Or are we chatting more eldritch horrors, again."
The entity sighed then moved out of the way. Andre stood there, emotionless, holding out a now slightly damp bundle of the various items he hadn't yet consumed from Collin. Hopefully, the yellow player would not notice a significant amount of his items missing but that was highly unlikely.
"Merry Christmas. Holidays. Or. Whatever you want."
Collin did not hesitate to snatch the bundle from Andre's hands. He took a quick glance inside it before giving the android a scrutinizing glare.
"Uh, thanks? Pro tip though: don't ever give my own shit back to me as a present."
"Just a coincidence."
"Riiiight..."
The yellow player looked between the two just standing there in the rain outside his door. They probably looked pathetic but he was not letting them in his house again. Assimilation knew that much. It was about to reach out and teleport them back home before Collin gasped and put his hands together like he just came up with the greatest idea in the world.
"Hey, instead of like standing on my property, menacingly, and annoying the fuck out of me all the time, how about you guys go visit my friend!"
Assimilation and Andre glanced at each other before giving their attention back to Collin. They were not very keen on being introduced to any character that Collin was friendly with. That was probably a death sentence.
"And why should we do that, Collin?"
Colling shrugged.
"I don't know. Like, since you guys are apparently in the Christmas spirit you'll love it there! Vitri lives in a winter wonderland. Snow and shit, ya know? She'd love to hunt you for sport-"
He coughed.
"I mean- well... no yeah she'd love to hunt you for sport. I really wish I could do the same."
It was a death sentence. Assimilation narrowed its eye at the player. The gall of him to suggest they go to the realm of a paranormal hunter. Only Collin would confidently do that.
"What a nice environment, Collin."
Collin beamed, nodding enthusiastically.
"Yeah, exactly! I would visit too but she always says my rain 'ruins the aesthetic' or some bullshit. But the snow is nice I guess. For the first few minutes until it gets fucked up and soggy."
The entity put a hand on Andre's shoulder, ready to leave.
"We will decline that offer, Collin. I'm not in the mood to make more enemies."
Andre turned to Assimilation, stalling its hand with his own. The entity gave a questioning hum at the sudden touch.
"We can look around. At least."
Assimilation gave its player an incredulous look, hoping that would be enough to snap the android back to reality and its consequences. But Andre just steadily held its gaze, a flicker of curiousity recognizable behind the glowing, cyan irises. Assimilation shook its head. No. Andre stared at it a moment before giving a small smile with those stupid puppy dog eyes. The entity growled.
-
Vitri's world wasn't that bad. It was obvious where she resided so they made sure to steer clear of her property. It was lightly snowing but better than the depressing rain of Collin's world. Assimilation actually quite enjoyed the crunch of the snow beneath its feet. Even if slightly slippery, it was delightful to walk around on. If only there wasn't the possibility of a person nearby who would shoot them on sight.
While Assimilation was constantly on high alert, Andre seemed to be having the time of his life. He also appreciated the sound of footsteps on snow, purposefully taking slower steps at times when the snow was thicker. Unlike Assimilation, the snowflakes did not immediately melt when coming to contact with Andre's skin so he was able to admire them for a longer period of time. Even if the android didn't display the widest arrange of emotions, the small smile that accompanied him throughout their stroll was enough to convince Assimilation to not regret coming here after all.
A rustling noise came from the left. Assimilation whipped around to survey, ready to get them out of there on a seconds notice. The noise stopped as soon as it did. It took a step forward only to be greeted with a rabbit darting out of the bush and deeper into the forest. The tension in the entity's shoulders released. Noises from wildlife seemed to be amplified in the quiet of winter which made Assimilation worry less about someone being able to sneak up on them. Until something small and cold hit its shoulderblade. The entity jumped, letting out a nightmarish shriek and scrambled to get its bearings only to find Andre silently laughing.
"ANDRE, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
The android revealed a fist full of snow packed into a ball.
"Snowball."
Assimilation stared at the amalgamation in his hand. Did he throw one at it? The question was quickly answered by Andre tossing the ball into the air before weakly throwing it at Assimilation. It hit its collarbone and slid down to the ground with an unceremonious 'plop'. The entity narrowed its eye before swiftly ducking to grab a fistful of snow and teleport behind Andre, promptly dropping it on his head. Its player simply laughed while shaking the snow out of his hair. He backed away from the entity and playfully kicked up the untrampled snow on the ground at Assimilation then darted.
"So that's how it's going to be, Andre."
Assimilation was not one to give Andre a headstart but it let him this time. Its been a while since it had any type of fun like this. And yes, chasing players was fun especially if it was Andre. He knows pretty much every trick Assimilation has pulled and knows how to counter it. He was a challenge. It started towards Andre after a few seconds which did slow him down since he was not expecting the levity. He was halfway to turning back around when Assimilation leaped at him only for him to dodge at the last second and circle the entity around a tree. When it decided to finally teleport behind the android instead of this looping Andre kicked the tree trunk, sending snow hurtling down on top of Assimilation. Andre chuckled at the sight of his entity covered in snow and desperately trying to get it all off. Assimilation noticed and took this distraction as an advantage, lunged forward, and blocked the android's escape with its claws on either side of his shoulders against the tree. It huffed.
"You annoy me with this, Andre."
Andre gave a sly smile, tilting his head back against the trunk in mock defeat.
"You enjoy it."
"Unfortunately, Andre, I do."
The entity let him go and they continued back to their peaceful exploration of the white woods. Assimilation noticed that after a while the woods started to appear more organized and well tracked. It was a sign they were getting a bit too close to the hunters base. Assimilation stepped a bit further down the path, scouting for any signs of hostile life up ahead. Nothing. But what it did hear was Andre slowly and methodically making his way to the entity's side. There's no way he was suprising it a second time but he was getting too close to throw anything at it. At the last second, the android basically collapsed into Assimilation, his hands behind his back and his cheek against its shoulder.
"Oh. Would you look at that. Assim."
Assimilation's brow furrowed as it looked down at Andre. He had an uncharistically mischievous smrik. It quickly glanced around them. Had the android spotted something it had not? Was he distracting him?
"There's nothing out of the ordinary, Andre."
Andre let out a soft chuckle before simply pointing a finger upward. Assimilation followed suit to examine the dead canopy above them. It appeared Vitri had been through here as the lowest of the branches were decorated with wreaths of various plants. Probably to represent these holidays the players celebrated.
"Yes, Andre, these are lovely decorations. Although, mistletoe is an odd choice."
It looked back down at its player who was still giving it that shit eating grin. Assimilation's eye narrowed.
"What."
Andre tilted his head slightly, feigning innocence.
"Do you not know?"
Assimilation glanced up at the decorations once more before turning its attention back to the player.
"That it's a parasite, Andre?"
The android rolled his eyes. Assimilation had not the slightest clue what the cyan haired player could possibly be hinting at. It hoped this wasn't another snowball prank about to happen. Andre would not be prepared for the backlash this time around.
"Well. Yes. But no. It comes with rules. Assim."
Assimilation stared at him like he had lost his mind. As far as it knew as long as the parasite was up there it would have no ill effect on them.
"How could a plant possibly have rules, Andre."
Andre lifted his head off its shoulder while still keeping his proximity. He wound one hand around to intertwine his fingers with the entity's claws. Assimilation felt a small rise in temperature beneath its skin but kept its puzzled look directed at Andre and not their now connected hands.
"If two people are under it. They have to... You know."
Andre leaned closer, slightly putting himself in front of Assimilation so he could look at it easier. The act definitely did not help Assimilation keep its stoicness. What the hell was its player's problem today? It let out a frustrated sigh.
"I- no, Andre, I do not know what 'you know' means."
Andre smiled and raised his other hand to the entity's chin, tilting its head down. Assimilation was having a hard time discerning what its player was insinuating. And it wasn't hindered at all by the sudden physical contact. But then Andre moved his hand to cup the entity's cheek and well... perhaps it was because of the physical contact.
"Hm."
The android continued to stare at Assimilation as if looking for something. His mouth contorted in a slight pout that didn't reflect at all in his eyes as he started to move away.
"A shame. Really. You would have quite liked it."
Assimilation quickly put a hand up to the one cupping its cheek, refusing to let Andre leave so quickly. It stuttered.
"W-wait, wait."
Andre paused, raising one eyebrow in compliance. Assimilation blinked rapidly.
"No keep explaining, Andre. What is this... rule?"
That shit eating grin returned.
"Well. The rule is. Whoever's caught underneath mistletoe. Owes the other a kiss."
Assimilation stared at him for a long moment before letting out a laugh. Andre's smile faltered for a moment at the unexpected reaction.
"That is a creative way to ask me to kiss you, Andre."
The android leaned back in, the smile back in full force.
"But it's true. Collin told me."
The entity softened its gaze not believing a word he says but playing along anyways.
"Ah, and since when did Collin start telling you random facts, Andre?"
"Since it started benefiting me."
Assimilation chuckled softly. There was so much... life in the android's eyes. Playfulness. Adoration. Fighting off admins and other horrors alike was tiring but it would not trade that task for the world if it meant Andre could stand right here and look at it like that. Assimilation could get lost in this feeling. Simply staring into its player's eyes forever. Whisk them away to an unused dimension and spend the rest of time's eternity soaking up every bit of Andre's attention. The daydream was dispersed by Andre tilting his head expectantly. Oh, right. It was supposed to be doing something.
"So. Are we going to just stand here. Or are you-"
Andre's statement was interrupted with a suprised noise as Assimilation wrapped a clawed hand around the players waist and pulled them in the rest of the way in a gentle yet firm kiss. The android's eyes widened briefly before fluttering closed and returning the welcomed affection. Assimilation pulled back, only meaning for it to be brief, until Andre wrapped his arms around the entity's shoulders with one hand finding its way behind its neck and pulled it back into the embrace. The entity would never admit it out loud but this was... very nice. More enjoyable than what they had come here to do originally.
When Assimilation pulled back the second time, Andre let it. He looked smug with his entity's arms still wrapped around him.
"Satisfied, Andre?"
"Actually. We did pass more on the way over. According to the rules. You do owe me another one. Assim."
Assimilation chuckled.
"So be it, Andre."