Chapter Text
Pink.
Pink was running, running away from Limi. Sure, it was shitty, but Limi was only going to hold them back. Besides, Limi was more likely to survive Spamton's wrath!
Seeing Spamton preoccupied with Limi, Pink delved deeper into the Addison Suite. They... frankly didn't have a goal in mind at the moment. They just wanted to get to their room right now, and they'll figure it out from there. They were also going to have to stay out of view from the other Addisons. It's not like Pink was ignorant to the fact that the others had it out for them. In this helpless state, they wouldn't be able to fight back.
Pink looks back to when they attacked Spamton, their heart dropping when they realized their magic had shrunken with them, only able to produce tiny advertisements.
This level of helplessness was unfamiliar to them, and quite frankly terrifying. Their feathers still hadn't settled since Blue found them, giving them an almost puffy appearance. Even worse was their feelings towards the others, another reason why they're staying out of sight from the other Addisons. Pink wasn't going to let their pride get shredded due to mere instincts, they're stronger than that!
...Even though they'd really like to curl up in the arms of the other Addisons. Cozy, warm, and safe. To be amongst their feathers, to be cared for, to let their worries melt away as they accepted their miniscule existence- DAMMIT STOP THINKING ABOUT IT!
No, Pink was not going to let that happen. They were going to hide out until a cure was found, and only then will the others see them.
Pink realized they made it to the kitchen, and even worse, realizing that was where Yellow was. Now, Yellow had some grievances against them at the moment, already a bad sign. If Pink gets caught now, they were likely to be tormented, even worse because Yellow knew their one weakness.
What's their weakness?
Bah, do you really think I'm going to tell you now?
Pink sure as hell wouldn't want you to know.
Weighing their options, Pink realized how difficult avoiding the others was actually going to be. All Addisons emit a soft glow, in most cases allowing them to be seen by other Darkners for sale purposes. However, that trait is working against Pink now, as the last thing they want to be is seen. All Pink could do is hope that Yellow didn't look down as they skittered across the floor like some kind of rat.
Unfortunately, another issue has made itself apparent, one completely taking Pink's mind off of hiding. A pang of hunger wracked their body, making their head spin as a result. They were starving. Alright, change of plans, get something to eat and then hide.
Seems simple enough, right?
Not so simple as Orange stomps in, nearly crushing Pink without realizing. Pink squeaked and dove out of the way just in time, squeaking that was soon replaced with quiet cursing.
"Goddammit, Orange! Look where you're going! Idiot!", Pink mumbled this out, not like Orange was going to hear them. Speaking of Orange, seeing as they weren't going after Pink, Pink scampered over to a broom leaning against the kitchen counter. They thought to themselves, "Damn, I've never climbed a broom that high before."
Then again Pink has never climbed a broom before.
Slowly they made their ascent, the goal? A fruit bowl. Now, the Addisons always had a fruit bowl on the counter, but Pink can't actually recall anyone actually taking fruit from it. Not that the fruit will ever spoil, it's all digital of course, but what's the point of a fruit bowl if no one actually uses it? Why didn't they just buy plastic fruit or something, it's practically decor at that point, right? Is the fruit bowl's mere existence to look pretty, to tie the room together? Pink ponders this on the way up, an object that only exists to look pretty and perhaps tie the room together. Pink is starting to relate too much to the fruit bowl.
Perhaps we are all fruit bowls, trying to look pretty in this world.
Wait what.
Pink shook their head, dislodging that whole thought process. Hunger was doing more numbers to their mental state than they thought, but right now they needed to focus. Finally reaching the top with a huff, they clambered onto the counter, seemingly out of breath. Pink hunkered behind the fruit bowl to stay out of the view of the others, still huffing and puffing. So what if Pink wasn't the most... physically active of the Addisons, it's not like their products were all sports-based like Yellow's!
Oh.
Yeah.
Yellow's still here.
Yellow is here talking with Orange.
"Orange, my man, I can't believe you're actually being nice to them after... well, after everything!"
The orange Addison opened the fridge, grabbing a jug of juice while responding to Yellow.
"I think you're being too nice by calling it 'nice', I'm just setting up assurances is all!"
"Do you really think Pink is going to pay you back? I'm still waiting on them for like, twenty Dark Dollars from last week!"
Orange scoffed and rolled their eyes, pouring the aforementioned juice into a cup.
"If you're that pent up about getting paid, I'm sure Pink's wallet is unattended", Orange sneered.
Meanwhile Pink was bristling, they're literally talking about stealing! From them! Sure they owed Yellow some cash but they were going to repay that in "favors", not their hard earned money!
"Oh shit, you're right! Do ya know where it is? You know what I need it for!"
Orange continued to smile and pulled out Pink's wallet from their pocket, that son of a bitch. Orange went to Pink's room and ruffled through their shit to get that.
Pink's face grew red with rage as they hid behind the bowl, peering out to watch Orange hand over their wallet to an eager Yellow. Also watching when Yellow pulled out way more than 20 bucks.
"Yellow, I thought you only needed 20?"
"20 from last week, yeah! But I think that amount's accrued interest, so... mine!" "Besides, that jackass deserves it."
Pink was unfathomably mad.
Another pang of hunger rocked through Pink. They needed to get some food and fast, this was starting to get unbearable. Unfortunately, Pink underestimated the height of the bowl, and without assistance they likely weren't going to be able to grab even the rim. Pink felt pathetically small, that at this size, even getting food was a challenge. How were they going to survive without the others until a cure was found if they can't even feed themselves?
Pink's mind shifted back to the others, Yellow had now once again walked off, only leaving Orange in the kitchen. They were likely going to need new clothes from Orange anyway, just like they'd offered. Pink shuddered at Limi's outfit, sure it was cute on Limi but Pink couldn't imagine themselves in such goofy wear. Like seriously, a giant button! That only emphasized how small they were compared to the others now, although perhaps that was the point.
Pink hated that feeling. The feeling of being so utterly small. Their feathers raised just thinking about it, thoughts from earlier flooding in about being cared for lovingly. Here they are, stressing now, when they could be in the feathers of another, cooing and chirping as stress melts away. Their pride ached, as if it hadn't been shredded enough today already.
Sure, the others were being total douchebags to them now, but perhaps it hadn't settled in how small Pink really was yet. Pink was almost certain they looked cute, although perhaps that's their own ego talking, and given enough time the others would certainly fall for their charms, right?
That's how Spamton did it, after all.
They looked around at other items scattered about the counter, while nothing particularly edible caught their eye, it did give them a perspective on how small they really were. A nearby toothpick, likely from one of Blue's shoe samples (Why did they need those?), had to have been taller than them.
...Hm, that could be a nice weapon, actually. Would certainly deter the others.
Taking the toothpick into their hands, Pink felt slightly more secure. Only slightly, of course. Pink peered out from behind the bowl, looking at Orange who seemed distracted. They were cutting up an apple now, either as a snack for themselves or for Pink and Limi.
...Wait, where did they get the apple from? Certainly not the fruit bowl.
Okay, Pink has decided they're going to have a talk with the others about this fruit bowl. It makes no sense! If they're keeping fruit somewhere else then what's the point of the-
Ahem
Pink figured that there would be some apple scraps left over, and they could eat those, despite how demeaning it is to literally be eating scraps. Sure, they were just making this harder on themselves, the other Addisons would absolutely feed them regular food, but this is Pink's pride we're talking about! Pink is the richest, most independent Addison there is! And if it means eating scraps to prove that point... Well, so be it.
Even though it doesn't make a lot of sense when you really think about it.
Slowly and carefully, Pink made their way over to the cutting board, hopefully staying out of sight of Orange. They were so focused that…
"Orange, we have a problem!"
Pink jolted out of their feathers practically and quickly hid. Blue had arrived in the kitchen.
"Hm? What's the matter, Blue?"
"Wait, oh no... did something else come up about the virus?"
Blue shook their head and smiled.
"Ohoho, no no! Nothing like that!"
"But it is still a bit serious... one of our little ones has run off."
Pink shuddered. Is Blue seriously calling them that?! Their feathers puffed at the title of "little one", both in irritation and fluster.
"Hm, hm, let me guess, it isn't Limi now is it?"
"Limi is exactly where you think they'd be, it's so cute!"
Orange could see it now, a miniature Limi laying happily upon Spamton. It only made sense with those two. They'll check up on them later, they'd likely appreciate the apple snack.
"I bet it's just adorable! I dare say that, for what I had to work with, their dress turned out wonderfully! And with so little material to be used, I'll get rich! Or well, at least until this pandemic is over."
"So if it's not Limi..."
"Oh, poor little Pink!"
Pink tensed when they realized that they're the topic of the current conversation once more. Their chest filled with dread.
"I wouldn't call them poor at all! Spamton told me that Pink had run off after bullying Limi again. I can only assume our little Spammy stepped in to protect them, and Pink got intimidated for once, how about that! Pink, scared of Spammy!"
Oh, oh now that made Pink boil. Spamton was torturing Limi! THEY SAVED LIMI! And now, Spamton is telling outright lies?! Did Limi not try to defend their name even a little?! After....after....
....
Pink sunk into themselves. They keep digging a deeper and deeper pit. They should've kept dragging Limi along, even if they were a burden. Pink knew that Limi disliked them, sure. That's why Pink made sure to show that they didn't really like Limi either. But... Pink knew that deep down, they were the ones who started that rivalry, not Limi. Spamton didn't start his either. Nor did the other Addisons. Pink was always the catalyst.
"Oh how cruel! Blue, are we sure we even want to find Pink?"
That hurt Pink more than it should've.
"Orange, don't say that."
"Pink is still part of our flock. Whether we like that or not."
Pink's mind was going wild, surging pride and self hatred combined. Their ego spoke, "Of course I am! I am important, they love me! They need me!", but another part kept retorting, "You're lucky they want to keep someone like you around. Would it kill you to be humble?"
Pink let out a small whimper.
A whimper which alerted the other two.