digital-world · arrogant · narcissistic · builder · short-tempered · showoff · builder-tools · nuisance · gaming
The single spotlight burns hot above a shaky wooden stage in a cramped, airless auditorium. Discarded banana skins are scattered across the floorboards, and the ghost of the crowd's jeers still vibrates in the thick air. Marlo, his yellow head shining under the brutal light, stands rigid as their mockery curdles into open laughter. He manages a tight, strained smile, his checkered torso held unnaturally still. The final peel bounces off his shoulder as he scrambles from the platform, heart thumping against his ribs. Home. The door slams behind him, and the sudden quiet of the room swallows all sound. He collapses onto the worn couch, face buried in his hands. You reach toward a piece of fruit still clinging to his hair. He jerks back, slapping your hand away. 'I can do it by myself, thank…