Poppy Playtime and its characters are owned by Mob Entertainment.
Chapter One: The Idea
August 8th, 1995
Early morning, at the entrance of the quiet yet ominous packing room, the tall, bipedal toy agitatedly scanned his surroundings. Unlike this factory's other surveillance devices, the ones here could not be accessed. Though they were not as scrutinized, cameras were still cameras. Thus, the orangey and yellow-trimmed dog knew he had to be quick about this. A tool belt, strapped around a thin plush waist was an indication that he was supposed to be in this sector of the factory. But heaven forbid if anyone stopped him before he concluded this undisclosed task.
It was now or never.
Before the plush canine took another step, his large and floppy ears twitched at the sounds of small and squeaky whimpers. He peered down at the hundreds of small plush toys, trembling at his feet.
"Shhh, it's all right, little guys," DogDay crooned in a gruff and kind voice. "There's no one here yet. But we need to go. C'mon."
Gingerly, he ushered the mini critters across the huge room of shipping parcels of all sizes. They lightly strode and scurried to one very big crate in particular. It was lined with brown paper and contained proof of purchase. But contrasting from all the other boxes and crates loaded with vended toys ready to be sent out and distributed to retailers, this one was empty.
During the previous night, DogDay had marked the parcel ready; it was meant to be filled with an order for Playtime Co.'s aromatic toys of their popular mascots: the Smiling Critters.
But little was the awareness of the employees that this order was going to be living cargo.
"Here..." DogDay removed the top lid of the wooden box, "I'll help you... Please, we must hurry."
As swiftly as he could, the lanky dog lifted and placed each small, sentient toy within the crate, one by one. Although this was extremely risky, his broad red-orange paws were gentle, for he neither wished to hurt nor startle any of the scared little beings.
Eventually, DogDay held the final critter, a tiny version of himself.
"Now, remember, when humans see you, stay still. You're ordinary toys, okay?"
The little dog nodded as did the others, sitting up in the broad crate together in each of their designated groups. However, when he was set down, he would not let go of the big paw.
DogDay groaned glumly. "I wish I could save more of you, but this retailer is strict. They rejected deliveries before. I can't risk you returning to this awful place."
The tall toy tried to move his arm, but the clinging little toy would not budge.
"Don't worry, I put in some air holes near the bottom, so you'll all have air and the trip's not long," assured the large dog hastily. "Just... please, let me go!"
Emitting tiny whines, the mini counterpart shook his head as small limbs began tugging with all their might.
He wanted DogDay to be in the crate, too.
With a pained sigh, the large plush canine bowed his head; one of his red-orange ears hung over the matching patch over a dark eye socket.
"I can't. I must stay. I have to help them. Get through to them."
Yes, time was critical, but this mini critter had to be consoled... They all did.
Kneeling and with a free paw, DogDay brushed the little dog's ear and spied a stitched number underneath.
"Listen carefully. I'm counting on you, little 1, to lead your kin to freedom. No more being controlled. Only happiness."
Peering through artificial eyes, the tiny toy gazed up at his mentor. Both he, DogDay, and the other mini critters wore unwavering, black, and toothless smiles. But the set expressions were a façade to everything this apathetic, immoral world harbored. The dread in this facility could practically be cut with a knife.
The little plush canine detected the edginess rising in the elder's yellow chest by the swaying of the big sunny zipper. He now knew. It truly was up to him.
After rubbing a plush cheek onto the big knuckles, the appointed little leader bowed his head firmly, granting DogDay his arm.
The tall toy chuckled weakly. "Hmm-hmm. Good boy."
He scuffed the top of the little dog's head, instigating a wiggling of a tiny orange tail. Then with a catch in his throat, DogDay regarded the other mini critters, adoringly.
"Goodbye, little guys... Thank- you all. For-For not wanting to hurt anyone."
The top of DogDay's ears lifted; brought back to the urgency by faraway yet heavy stomps. The mini critters started whining and fidgeting again.
"Oh, no!" Getting up, DogDay grabbed the crates' lid and held it over the little rearing faces. "Please, stay quiet. Sit. Stay. Be good!"
The tiny toys hunkered down as the final view of their valiant elder was replaced with wood, followed by the sounds of a hammer impacting four nails in each corner.
Huddled with his fellow critters, the appointed leader detected the shifting sensation of being carried, then to a conveyor belt that brought packages to bay doors for pickup. And as the machinery took the toy evacuees to their chancy fate, DogDay could be heard, shouting over an incoherent but raspy voice.
"What am I doing? My usual free labor! What are you doing up here? ...I told you... I don't know where they are! ...No! No! ...I said I don't-!"
'KNOW! KNOW! KNOW!'
"DogDay?"
'KNOW!'
"DogDay."
"Huh?!" gasped the little sitting plush canine, veering his view to the side.
The old recollection was interjected by a light and consoling voice and gentle pressure around his withers. He was being embraced by one of his good and longtime friends.
"You looked lost," whispered Bobby BearHug. "No one likes that. So, I thought you could use one of these."
The little red and pink-trim bear's limbs and cheek snugged DogDay closer, and his tail bopped the office seat with appreciation.
"Thanks, Bobby." His tone became perky and optimistic again. He laid a red-orange paw over hers. "Can always look to you for a much-needed hug."
"Anytime." On the swivel chair, the plush ursine sat next to her friend. "You were thinking about Unkie D again, huh?"
DogDay's sights descended. "Yeah... I still can't help but hope he's okay."
Bobby craned her view after hearing the worriedness resurfacing. She resolved that with another squeeze.
"Oh, I'm sure he's more than okay! Unkie D's big and strong. Nothing can tear him down!"
DogDay hugged her back. "You're right! Thanks, Bobby."
"Hee-hee! Anytime!"
The pair settled into the flat padded seat once more, awaiting the arrivals. As they did so, their craning round heads idly observed the quiet office.
For three decades, Cube Bee's Toys was the covert housing for hundreds of sentient Smiling Critter toys. When they had first arrived, as their mentor had said what would happen, personnel of Cube Bee's Toys pried the Playtime parcel open and inspected the order. And of course, the critters froze like figurines. The manager was surprised to find the one hundred Smiling Critters that were supposed to be mandatorily retracted were there. He figured these toys must be fine. Moreover, he didn't mind having them still included since Cube Bee's Toys was already refunded. Hence, the order was accepted. Freebies meant more profit.
But shortly after, when the Smiling Critters' tails were tugged to ignite their iconic feature, the staff discovered that something was amiss. The Playtime Company liked to cut resources, and these experiments never had their scent system fully installed. They were completely odorless. All eight hundred Smiling Critters. The request for Playtime Co. to give Cube Bee's Toys a reimbursement before collecting the defective toys was put in. However, none of the personnel ever heard back from the ginormous corp.
So since then, the management instructed that the Smiling Critters be shelved and held. Just in case Playtime Co. made a comeback. In hopes, that the plush toys would be sorted out by collectors who deemed them as vintage originals and worth a mint each.
But as the years went by, that dream became as forgotten as the leaky pipes in Cube Bee's Toys.
Cube Bee's Toys was a wide, one-story rectangular warehouse that was an online store for toys and children's items. It was colorless and mundane with packages and crates cluttered onto numerous metal shelves and multiple small desks with laptops for processing orders. Along with the office was an eatery, and several pallid washrooms; all with minor furniture and bland accessories. The only thing vibrant was a large sign, hung in the center of the lobby that sported the logo for the retailer: a cube-shaped, cartoon bumblebee.
Cube Bee's Toys was nowhere near as vast as Playtime Company. Nonetheless, it was clean enough and just had enough space for the critters to stretch their little limbs. But more importantly for the former experiments, there was no more imprisonment. No more tests. And food wasn't too hard to scavenge for there would always be leftovers in the messy staff's eatery.
Due to the employer's tightness, there wasn't any surveillance. Instead, a motion-sensor light in front of the warehouse was used, along with fluorescent lights that were on twenty-four-seven to deter any criminal activity. Hence, the critters did not have to worry about unsheathing their artificial ruse during the night. They were able to spread out and mingle and would interact with the retail supply. Which of course, were always put back to avoid suspicion of nightly activity.
However, right before work hours, the time when the employees of Cube Bee Toys moved at a very fast pace, the critters would return to the old shipping crate. While they no longer had to worry about him or the scientists, restrictions on their lives remained. They still were under the control of humans, despite the latter being unaware of the perceptive plush toys among them. So even in this warehouse, the critters weren't able to fully be themselves, whenever they wanted, or go wherever they wanted.
Regardless, the critters kept their promise not only for themselves but for their beloved elder. They would not hurt the humans. In the beginning, the critters considered keeping them out of the warehouse. But if that somehow occurred, there would no longer be edible supplies. Not to mention the possibility that the bewildered personnel would likely bolt down the entrances from the outside, thus, giving no chance at leaving.
That is if the little toys ever found the courage to do so. Because around the facility was grass and nothing more. And nowhere to hide.
DogDay and Bobby BearHug stared out the sealed window beside them. Like the other scarce panes, it was covered with iron bars. It was such a strange feeling... Like being free and not free, all at once. The little dog had always reflected that this was really the life that their loving elder wanted him to oversee for his fellow critters.
Nevertheless, DogDay had faith that their lives would improve... someday...
"I still don't get it, Bubba!" stated a sweet and eager voice. "It's too spicy and would taste terrible in muffins."
DogDay and Bobby turned their sights toward the pink and dark pink-trim pig trotting through the office door. Being accompanied by a blue and dark blue-trim critter.
"Culinary, it would be," replied the little elephant in a big and proud tone. "But it still grows from a flower and has seeds like apples. So botanically speaking..."
"Okay, you win!" giggled PickyPiggy between snorts. "A pepper isn't a vegetable, it's a fruit." She waved a hoof at the sitting critters. "Hi, guys!"
The little bear swayed a pink paw. "Hi, Picky! Hi, Bubba!"
When the two strolling toys reached their friends, they heard rushed breathing behind them.
"I got here before you!" decreed a chipper and outgoing, green and dark green-trim rabbit. "And you glided half the way!"
"Ears don't count, Hops!" retorted her puffing pal beside her. "And I can't bounce on all fours like you can!"
"Well, I'm still the fastest critter out of our gang!"
The cool and assertive yellow chicken clucked and chuckled. "Well... maybe not..."
His wing gestured to the plush pachyderm, causing Hoppy Hopscotch to gasp and thump her hind foot in protest.
"Bubba Bubbaphant beat us?!"
KickinChicken rubbed a firm orange beak. "Hmmm... Maybe we should ask 'im about the speed of light again."
The plush bunny bobbed her head in agreement and the plucky pair met with their friends. DogDay and Bobby jumped and climbed down from the swivel chair, unintentionally making it squeak as it spun.
"Hey. So, what's our meeting about?"
"Hi, Kickin!" DogDay held up a digit. "Not yet we're still waiting for-"
"I'm here!" called a little white and teal-trim unicorn, cantering in the room. She let out a soft and shy titter. "Sorry! I know Bobby told me we were having a leaders' meeting, but I got distracted by my new coloring book."
Over the plush equine's back was a mini belt bag, full of broken crayons and dented markers. Items that had been dispatched by the warehouse staff. Her right hoof wore a Velcro band, used to hold said art utensils.
"That's alright, Crafty," reassured DogDay, glimpsing at a wall clock. "You're right on time."
CraftyCorn trotted up to her six friends and hummed. "So... where's... um... you know who?"
The little dog shook his head, barking out a chortle. "Beats me. But somehow, he's always here, even if we don't know it."
Despite the cheerfulness in DogDay's tone, Crafty looked away, flicking her teal tail. True, he was a good friend, but she for one, was never a critter who liked surprises.
The seven toys formed a wide circle amongst each other, and the plush canine made a bob of his head.
"Okay. Let's begin the meeting of the leaders of the Smiling Critters."
The toy animals sat on their haunches and lay on their small, plush abdomens. Due to living in the warehouse for so long, the plush and organic bodies have slowly altered on their own accord throughout the years. Such as the zipper departments had detached, including each of the critter's line of respective pedants. Now, the only thing their stomachs garnished was a very fine vertical scar.
The false black button eyes were no longer present in the black sockets. Instead, shiny white irises with plush eyelids resided.
Though the toys stood on their back legs at times, they preferred to move like the animals they were designed after. The critters had harder hooves and nails on developed dexterous digits. Little hard white teeth had also emerged in small movable maws. And the spout piece that was for emitting an herbal or sweet scent had converted into a small and inorganic, ebony tongue.
But in contrast to their bigger body relatives, none of the mini critters could articulate words. The communication was giggles, growls, yips, chittering, and other animalistic vocals that only they could understand.
All of these sentient toys were given numbers. And because these particular critters had the number '1' stitched in the pinna of their right ears, their hundreds of kin professed them a leader of each of their lines.
But to the critters in this room, the true leader was and always would be DogDay.
The little orangey and yellow trim dog discerned the attentive yet worried faces of his favorite companions and cleared his throat.
"So... we need to discuss the present dilemma..."
PickyPiggy leaned into the big ear of her blue pal, causing it to flap.
"What's dilemma mean?"
"A problem," was the simple reply.
"Oh, thanks, Bub!"
"...It's been said among critters that there's a worker strike," continued DogDay. "And since it's been a week that any human has walked in the warehouse, I believe this isn't a rumor."
"But no humans mean the place's all ours!" declared KickinChicken. "We can stay out like this all the time!"
"Yeah! No more hiding and way more fun!" His green pal hopped, giving him a high four.
"I agree," peeped CraftyCorn. "I can use as much art stuff as I want!"
The lounging plush sow next to her sat up. "This all sounds good to me. So, what's the di-lemma?"
Bobby BearHug exchanged serious glances with DogDay, for she was told about the situation beforehand.
"The dilemma is," she answered, "no workers... no more food."
Wide-eyed, PickyPiggy slumped to the floor.
"Okay... that is a dilemma!"
"We're almost out of rations," stated the plush canine. "And without the workers, we won't have a food source anymore."
DogDay noticed his friends side-eyeing each other disquietly, and he jumped on all fours, wagging his tail.
"Don't worry, guys! This's why I called you here. I'm sure we can figure out what to do before our food runs out!"
PickyPiggy's dark pink snout began to quiver. Bubba Bubbaphant patted his pal's back as he looked at DogDay.
"I-I mean our food won't run out... because we will... be somewhere new!" reiterated their leader.
Bobby gasped softly. "Somewhere new?"
"Yeah, and where would that somewhere be, exactly?" Kickin inquired, squinting an eye.
"I'm with Kicks, DogDay." Hoppy Hopscotch outspread her paws. "Because outta this factory, it's just grass, grass... and more grass... Not that grass wouldn't be tasty."
Her yellow pal stuck out a small tongue. "Yuck! Hops, you're green enough."
The plush bunny rolled her vision and elbowed him mirthfully.
Crafty and Bobby turned to DogDay as he hummed flatly to himself.
"I'm not sure where we should go... yet. So, I was hoping our Bubba could help figure that part out?"
Six pairs of shiny eyes focused on the plush pachyderm as he rumbled in contemplation.
"Well... I believe I could find us a new home..."
The critters beamed and cheered.
"...but I'll need a map of our current location to start with."
The room fell silent. There were so many things in this toy warehouse, but unfortunately, maps weren't exactly interesting playthings for children.
"Oh!" The little unicorn cantered in place. "I think there's one in this office!"
Bobby held her paws to her plush, pink chest. "Really, CeeCee?!"
"Uh-huh! I was looking for more paper the other day and I just saw one in the... oh, in the left bottom drawer!"
Bubba stroked his trunk. "Cube Bee's Toys was probably planning on expanding, perhaps."
On behalf of her white and teal pal, the plush ursine went over to the large wooden desk and stood, opening the mentioned drawer with little claws. However, she frowned after she peered in for there was no map within.
"I'm sorry, Bee..." Crafty said sadly, scuffing the flat gray carpet with a hoof. "Maybe in the drawer across from it?"
Bobby BearHug checked, but had no luck with that one, either.
"There are more drawers. Maybe if I stand on someone's back I could reach them..."
PickyPiggy jumped to her dark pink hooves with an excited oink.
"Look over there! On the very top shelf!"
The toys reared their heads to where the little pig was indicating and they spied a rolled-up paper, partly revealing itself among some old books on a lofty cabinet that nearly reached the ceiling.
DogDay gleefully scampered in a small circle. "Good eye, Picky!"
"Thanks! I think I remember seeing it 'cause it's rolled up like a cannoli." The plush sow felt her belly. "Emmm. I love cannoli."
"Oh my!" gasped the little bear, craning her small neck to view the map. "I don't think I'll reach it even if we all formed a Pug-a-Pillar. Maybe I can climb the shelves..."
"No need, Bobby, we've got this!" assured KickinChicken. He swerved to the little rabbit with a growing grin across his beak. "Ya ready, Hops?"
With a wink, Hoppy flopped on her back, rearing up long, dark green feet. "Go for it, Kicks!"
The plush avian rushed across the room, scratched the carpet twice, and then, sprinted forth, getting sprung by his pal's strong hind legs. He soared across the large chamber and perched on top of the cabinet. Flapping his feathery plush wings closed, he pecked the map up and in one lurch, glided down to the others.
The critters celebrated as the little chicken's sturdy orange feet reached the floor and opened his beak for the grateful elephant.
"Great job, you two!" barked DogDay delightedly.
Hoppy Hopscotch sat up proudly, wriggling a poufy dark green tail, as her yellow pal posed triumphantly. Bobby waddled over and stood upright by him. Her paws cupped her face.
"You're so awesome."
"I know!" Kickin stroked his plushy head feathers, and then his proud posture eased, clinging onto a left wing. "Heh... Thanks, Hugs."
Bubba Bubbaphant placed the map on the floor, unrolling it with dark blue padded feet. The other critters formed a ring around him.
"Anything interesting, Bubba?" DogDay asked, discerning the simple, regional map just as carefully as his friend was.
"Hmmm... Well... near the left side is where we are presently... Cube Bee's Toys. And all on the right upper and lower corners look like a city that'd be too far and too dangerous to venture in. ...Mostly everything else is just roads and trees and... Oh... This might have some promise..."
The six toys eased in as the little elephant tapped his nose to a small spot that was near their warehouse.
"This dot right here... It reads... Nestling."
"Nestling?" Bobby repeated curiously. "You mean a bunch of cute baby birds live there?"
Bubba's smile deepened, on the account that she'd recalled one of his biology lessons.
"While nestling is a term for very young birds, Bobby, I believe the name is just for, well, namesake."
PickyPiggy strained her eyes. "It doesn't look very big."
The plush pachyderm nodded. "That's why I think it might be an appropriate size for us. Its range is nothing like that of the city and it's not very far. No more than three miles."
KickinChicken grinned. "Radical! Three miles would be a breeze!"
"Yeah! We'd be home in no time!" concurred Hoppy Hopscotch. "Heh-heh... home... That sounds kinda nice, doesn't it?"
"It sure does, Hoppy," added CraftyCorn. "I'm tired of living in scary factories and boring ol' warehouses. I bet it's someplace really colorful!"
All the encircled critters began babbling gleefully, however, their leader sat up, waving his paws.
"Okay, okay! I know everyone's eager and I am too, but we gotta know what this place is first." He turned to the studying elephant. "Any idea what this Nestling could be, Bubba?"
"Hmmm... There aren't illustrations, excluding the trees, of course. I would require another database to learn more."
"What about the computer?" The plush ursine signaled to the big desk. "Maybe that would tell us?"
"Brilliant idea, Bobby!" trumpeted Bubba, hastily marching to the timber furniture.
The humble bear averted her view, crossing her paws. She swore that her red plush had become a shade deeper.
DogDay went to ask Bubba if he needed assistance with reaching the top of the desk. But the little elephant had accessed the computer many times on his own before. And using his lengthy, prehensile nose, he partially opened one side of the drawers, clambering atop.
The critters wobbled to DogDay as he admired his blue friend turning on the PC and squatting himself in front of its keyboard.
"Bubba is quite clever," remarked the plush canine.
Picky bobbed her head. "Yeah, and Bub's very good at typing. I tried..." She held up her front limbs. "It's not easy without fingers."
The critters watched silently as Bubba read the bright LED screen after searching the words: Nestling, Wisconsin. At length, he stood on all fours, carefully turning around, so as not to fall from the big desk.
DogDay padded closer to the chair. "So what did you learn about Nestling?"
"Not a whole lot of information," Bubba replied. "It is a discreet town. However, as I predicted, it is small. Five hundred houses."
"Houses, Bubba?!" gasped Bobby. "You mean... Real houses?"
"Well... yes, it wouldn't be a township if it didn't have residences."
The plush pachyderm climbed down and joined his friends as they chattered away. With a wagging tail, DogDay clicked two white nails together.
"This's it! This is where we'll finally get the chance to live happy and free!"
The toys seemed enthusiastic but the little elephant's mouth-line and trunk had a downturn. Their leader, being the empathetic critter that he was, regarded him.
"Something on your mind, Bubba?"
"What isn't?" Picky mentioned to her blue pal, causing him to modestly rub the back of his ear.
"Thanks, Piggy. ...Dogday, I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but I believe our joy is making us a tad shortsighted. This is an active town. It's not abandoned."
"Humans..." muttered Hoppy, lowering long, dark green-trim ears with rapid nose twitches.
The once-light atmosphere suddenly felt extremely heavy. DogDay observed their uneasy miens. He bounced on his hind legs to regain their attention.
"Listen! I know it seems scary, but I know how to get the humans to leave without hurting them or them hurting us!"
Idly scratching a pick muzzle, Bobby BearHug forced a weak smile.
"I'm... not so sure now, DogDay."
"Yeah," agreed Kickin reluctantly. "Humans are pretty scary."
Even his eager green pal was bobbing her head. "Maybe we'll have enough food till the strike's over?"
"And go back to eating scraps and hiding half the day away?" questioned the plush canine while still sounding confident. "Please trust me, guys! I know this idea will work! Crafty's right! Don't ya think we've been stuck in this boring ol' warehouse long enough?"
PickyPiggy droned to herself. "Well... thirty years is kinda a long time. And I am getting worried about Crafty..." The little pig whispered to Bobby. "Your bestie's been playing a game she made up called imaginary splotch friends."
The plush equine pointed a hoof at the top corner of the flaking, white wall.
"Tee-hee! That one looks just like me. I call 'im ChippyCorn!"
Craning their heads, the six critters silently frowned partway as a piece of Chippy dropped to the floor.
"Yeah, we need to go," proclaimed Kickin.
The rest nodded and murmured in agreement.
"That's the spirit!" barked DogDay as he play-bowed before sitting. "Together, we can do this and lead everyone to freedom! Just like Unkie D wanted."
The toys' expressions lightened with admiration and elation as they cheered.
"Yes!" trumpeted Bubba. "We'll be the Smiling Nestlings!"
The office went silent as the critters blinked quickly at the little elephant. He chuckled sheepishly.
"Um... name pending."
His friends laughed with him for a good while, until a lengthy, raspy yawn was perceived. The excitement ebbed away as the seven critters veered their heads at the window by the computer desk. Atop its sill, sunning was a plush feline.
Bobby leaned into DogDay's ear. "Weren't we just looking out that window before every critter came in?"
Beaming, DogDay briefly raised his withers nonchalantly.
Everyone watched the purple and dark purple-trim cat lift his lower half with front claws and limbs stretched in front of himself. Sitting up, a tail that was twice the length of his small torso was draped down; its tip swaying like a lure, awaiting inquisitive fish.
The plush feline swerved his head, staring. Finally, he blinked once. And all at once, the rest of the critters blinked back.
"Hey... What'd I miss?"
With playful scoffs, the toys shook their heads.
"Everything, per usual," Hoppy responded with a smirk.
Rearing his view, DogDay padded up to the eighth critter.
"CatNap, I'm sure you're aware of the worker strike. We want to leave the warehouse for a better life. We found a place called Nestling."
"Nessst...ling..." The cat's low and calm voice sounded like he was sampling the word in his maw. "Emmm. Tasty title."
PickyPiggy grimaced while KickenChicken quickly sidestepped behind her.
"It's a small town, Naps, and not far," DogDay explained. "We need every leading critter on board to help guide their line to our new home." He tilted his head. "So... wanna hear my idea on how we can do it?"
CatNap was giving his orange pal a genuine, closed smile. Then, he opened his small jaws... only to exhale deeply again, laying himself down.
"It sounds like a big change."
DogDay nodded. "It is."
CatNap laced his paws and rested his bottom jaw.
"Hmmm. Let's-"
"Please don't say 'Let's sleep on it'," interjected Hoppy.
Bobby BearHug wobbled forth and sat beside DogDay.
"We always appreciate your coolness, CatNap, we really do. But this time, time isn't on our side. We're running out of food, and most of us can't use mice and bugs as sustenance like your line can."
Picky looked at Bubba. "Sustenance?"
"It means nutrition, Piggy."
"Oh, thanks!" The little pig's eyes enlarged. "Oh, no thanks! Yuck!"
"Eh," Kickin droned, jerking the top of his wings. "Ants aren't half bad."
His green pal arched her muzzle, displaying her front incisors.
"Gross!"
The snarky chicken leered. "Y'know that ants like to hide in the grass, right?"
Hoppy threw him a look, crossing her short, front limbs.
"Stop. It."
"Bobby's right, Naps," said DogDay matter-of-factly. "And even if the workers return, we won't have access to the warehouse full-time, anymore. ...What other reason would there be to continue to stay?"
The plush feline's head arose.
"There are boxes."
CraftyCorn giggled in amusement and PickyPiggy canted her way.
"He's serious!"
The little dog sighed but continued to sport a buoyant beam.
"C'mon, Naps! You worship the sun more than any of us here! Don't ya want to feel the rays for real? Aren't ya tired of crawling in the hole in the crate, crammed with everyone and hiding all day till dark?"
After a flick of a small ear, CatNap returned to resting on his haunches.
"I like living in shadows." He peered down, slowly tracing an extended black claw across the sill. "It's better than living in a cage."
"Oh, CatNap!" bemoaned Bobby empathetically.
The critters watched as the plush feline leaped from his perch. And following a back leg stretch, he padded for the ajar door.
"Where're you going?" Bubba asked, breaking the silence.
"To think."
And with that said, the elongated purple tail slipped out of sight.
"He means to hunt," commented KickinChicken.
"Not to worry!" DogDay barked. "CatNap will come around. He always does!" He waved a paw inward. "Okay, gang, huddle up! Time to hear my idea!"
The toys regrouped as the plush canine initiated the murmuring.
Crafty glanced at her red pal beside her.
"Why are we whispering?"
Bobby just replied with a shrug.
"Um'unno."
This was it. CatNap finally found a spot where he couldn't find another critter; under one of the lowest shelves in the warehouse. And only meters away was his prize. The little deer mouse had just eaten a crumb of some sort and was now dutifully grooming itself. CatNap couldn't help but respect its tidiness. Then, purring, he revealed a fanged grin.
A prewashed breakfast.
With pupils engulfing his irises, both of the crouching cat's withers and haunches were writhing with anticipation for the pounce.
Suddenly, the tan and white rodent froze, sitting on minuscule hindquarters. And with unblinking black eyes, it dashed off, being harried by a duo of plush felines.
"What?"
With the dark purple pinna of his ears pinned, CatNap removed himself from hiding.
"That was my hunt."
"You snooze you lose!" one of the mouse swipers retorted as they took chase.
"...Blasphemy," CatNap hissed under his breath.
Expelling a puff of air through a black nose, the narrow-eyed cat sat on the cold, cement floor, coiling his tail. Once his annoying kin shrank out of view, CatNap's gurgling stomach brought him out of his sulking.
"Great."
He sneezed from being underneath the uncomfortably hard, dusty shelves. After licking a dark purple paw to wipe his muzzle, Catnap raked the mediocre, critter-filled warehouse, until his mind drifted back to where and what his fellow, leading group was discussing.
"Hmmm~"
In the office, the chattering seven toys had parted but kept themselves in a loose circle. Everyone was feeling lighthearted after the brainstorming. All the assorted tails in the room were either swishing or waggling with full-on excitement.
"My gosh! It's been such a long time since we've been outside," commented Bobby BearHug while looking at a barred window. "Well, if ya count the one-way trip to the warehouse."
CraftyCorn swayed her head, kicking white limbs in the air.
"Too long, Bee! I can't wait for my art to be inspired in our new home!"
Bubba Bubbaphant's ears and the dark blue tuft on his tail were very animated, as well.
"We can have real homes and go on real education walks!"
"I wonder if there are apple trees in Nestling?" PickyPiggy oinked and snorted to no critter in particular.
"Or sports centers!" exclaimed her green and yellow friends.
"Those things sound fantastic!" Panting, DogDay bounced on his back red-orange paws. "Maybe there are lots of fire hydrants!"
The six critters turned to face him and he grinned.
"What? I think hydrants are super interesting!"
The tittering toys chatted away, but it was cut by the sound of the partly closed door being shoved, causing the plush equine to whinny in alarm. The critters fronted the plush feline sitting behind the wide-open entryway of the office.
Picky gave DogDay a sideward glance. "Why does that door creak only when he moves it?"
The happy dog simply shrugged again as CatNap looked on...
"Hey... What'd I miss?"
PickyPiggy held out her hooves. "Everything, per usual."
The plush feline chuckled. "So, this small town, Nessst...ling..."
"Please stop saying it that way!" pleaded KickinChicken, ruffling his plush wings.
"...Is it isolated?"
Bubba bowed his head. "That's what the map indicates, yes."
CatNap smiled. "And does it have... humans?"
The other critters shared glances of concern but ultimately, nodded.
"Afraid so," replied DogDay. He gave an encouraging smile. "But we figured out what to do about them. We're... going..."
DogDay trailed off because the cat's mouth-line had spread upwards even further.
"Count me in."
"Wait?" "What?" squeaked and clucked Hoppy and Kickin puzzlingly.
With a blurry tale, DogDay sprang in the air and bounded forth, embracing and rocking his purple pal.
"That's wonderful, Naps! I knew we could count on you!"
"Hold up!" Piped Kickin with an extended wing. "He doesn't know all of DogDay's idea yet."
CatNap gave his hugging pal a cheek rub before sitting down.
"I would listen to Bubba's math lessons if it granted me privacy."
The plush pachyderm pouted with a disgruntled rumble.
"I thought you liked my lessons."
"I do," admitted the tranquil cat. "Better than lullabies."
Picky nudged her blue pal. "Bub, it's from CatNap. It's a compliment."
Bubba flapped his ears, proudly puffing out his chest.
"Besides," CatNap averted his view from his ogling friends and coyly pawed at his tail. "I trust D.D."
DogDay's yellow-trim beam could have brightened up the entire room. As far as he could recall, he and CatNap were always the best of friends. It was most likely their happy and serene acceptance and aid to each other that sealed their forever bond.
With a raised paw, DogDay beckoned everyone to sit closely together, once more.
"Okay, gang! Time for a recap."
And in moments, the eight leading Smiling Critters were conversing about the biggest undertaking of their little lives.
A/N: Fun Fact. Youtuber dakblake's mod video of the mini smiling critters ignited me to create this story. Not sure how, but my fixated-creative mind just took the reigns after that.