HOTEL LEX - FLOOR 5 (8/?) (Patreon)

You quickly think of something to use to coax your way out of this situation. Your mind lands on the one thing that is also from this floor.

You dig into your pocket and pull out a button to show to the cat who peers at it in surprise. He waddles over and picks it up.

"How do you have this?" he says, his voice soft just like Mother's.

You explain running into Charly the toy fox and how you helped him out and he gave you that as a token. You don't mention the timekeeper. The cat looks even more confused, "This button once belonged to the previous caretaker here. It's golden, just like hers. No one else except her has golden buttons." The cat gestures to his own brown, buttoned eye.

You pause, not sure what to make of that information. You rub your hands together nervously, wanting to get that button back as it is your only way to fixing your pocketwatch. You gingerly ask for it back but the cat's eyes are fixed onto the button. He looks up at you. "Mother will be overjoyed to recover this. After a huge mishap a while ago, Pillowfort has lost quite a lot of cherished possessions. Many of which, we are still missing."

He tosses the button from paw to paw, watching it glimmer. His eyes widen slightly as he takes delight in this little activity. You bite your lip, getting more anxious as your eyes trail the button from left to right.

"When the last caretaker disappeared, Mother was distraught. She kind of upped and vanished without a trace until a little while later when parts of her started turning up. Mother reclaimed as much as she could but most of it was lost again... well, destroyed in a fire. Mother hasn't really been the same after that; the only things left are a ribbon and the sewing kit she gave Mother." The cat holds up the button and both of you admire it's beauty.

"After all, the last caretaker was the one who loved Mother enough for her to come to life. This button will definitely make her happy; you should really give it to her."

He unexpectedly tosses you the button, "But that's your choice to make. She only told me to watch you, if you stay put, I won't have to do a thing."

You pocket the button and sit awkwardly next to the cat who starts humming and rocking back and forth. His story weighs on your mind, torn between something that means so much to someone and what could be your ticket back home. But... you look around the soft environment. Pillows with patchwork stitches, each one neat and tidy. Of all the places you've run around, this one feels the calmest, most inviting. You sigh, wishing to ask your companion their thoughts. Eventually, Mother does return.

"My, my, sorry dearies." She tidies herself up, waddles over and plops down in front of you. She gives the cat a few pets and he purrs happily in return.

"Now, where were we?" She peers over at you, "Ah yes. Now, I've been half-mindin' to let you go on your way, seeing as yer a toy and all now. Though, I think you'll fit in here at Pillowfort just like a hand in a glove. You go ahead and take yer friend back too. Truth be told, I've got a whole mess of my own to look after."

You gently hold the bunny doll in your soft arms.

> Choose to stay here at Pillowfort.> Take your friend and ask to leave.> Item - show her the golden button.

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