[Okay. This is different. This is new. Usually kids either come hug you or they don't and you have no say over it either way. You hope they hug you because it's the best feeling in the world and you want them to always feel safe and comforted but it's not like they ask you first. Since they don't know you're alive. And he'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little cuddle starved. Bonnie's ignored him so often lately. Last night (was it only last night?) when she'd cuddled him in her sleep it'd been the first time in what felt like ages. And it was only because she'd been reaching for Forky.]
[Stacia's not a little kid but she's still young. Woody'd put her at about 15 or 16, maybe 17 at most. (He's not bad at pinging ages on sight alone with how many kids he's been around). Even if she's 17, it's young. 17 had been how old Andy had been when they'd angled for one last play time before he went to college. Children are children are children, and as far as Woody is concerned even 18 still seems awfully young in his eyes.]
...I maybe wouldn't say no to that [He says it slowly as he works through the idea in his head, the ways it would be different.] But I also know I'm a stranger. It's a bit different hugging someone strange that you've just met when you know they're a person and not just a doll. I don't want you to feel obligated, miss.
[Wait, does she need a hug, too?]
Do you need a hug? You're awfully young to be in this mess. Are your parents here or are you alone?
[The concern is genuine and palpable. Woody believes with all his cotton stuffing that his calling in life is comforting children and that means he hates to see them in distress or danger. He can't even stomach movies or TV shows where a kid might be exposed to real harm, even in fiction. Was she ripped away from home and her parents and forced into this without even having them here to comfort and guide her?]
no subject
[Stacia's not a little kid but she's still young. Woody'd put her at about 15 or 16, maybe 17 at most. (He's not bad at pinging ages on sight alone with how many kids he's been around). Even if she's 17, it's young. 17 had been how old Andy had been when they'd angled for one last play time before he went to college. Children are children are children, and as far as Woody is concerned even 18 still seems awfully young in his eyes.]
...I maybe wouldn't say no to that [He says it slowly as he works through the idea in his head, the ways it would be different.] But I also know I'm a stranger. It's a bit different hugging someone strange that you've just met when you know they're a person and not just a doll. I don't want you to feel obligated, miss.
[Wait, does she need a hug, too?]
Do you need a hug? You're awfully young to be in this mess. Are your parents here or are you alone?
[The concern is genuine and palpable. Woody believes with all his cotton stuffing that his calling in life is comforting children and that means he hates to see them in distress or danger. He can't even stomach movies or TV shows where a kid might be exposed to real harm, even in fiction. Was she ripped away from home and her parents and forced into this without even having them here to comfort and guide her?]