Through the Hoop: Poke-Testing (Preview)

It's a new Patron tale and SepTOONber tale rolled all into one! Please enjoy this small preview of this story, featuring some ring-based TFing~




“David? I’m looking for a David. Is there a David?” David glanced around. He was the only one sitting in the waiting area.

“Ummm… I guess that’s me,” he said, standing up and turning towards the door. A woman in a white lab coat and long grey skirt approached, her twin, black ponytails bouncing with each step she took

.She held out her hand. “My name is Emiko Urasawa, head of our main laboratory here at Happy Feeling Company. Thank you for coming in today. Just follow me and I’ll lead you to the testing room.”

He nodded and without further ado, she took him through the door she entered and down a series of hallways. He felt anxious, nervous, and even a little nauseous as well. He had volunteered for this company’s new experimental product, so, of course, he did feel off and knew why. Didn’t make things better, even though he was fairly certain he’d be alright.

As they walked along, Emiko started giving this spiel. “We at Happy Feeling Co. have been watching and studying recent trends with great interest. Many TF enthusiasts have been expressing interest in hoop transformations through various art pieces and stories.”

You may be a few months off. The trend cooled off a little…

“So, we here are hoping to provide everyone with a wonderful new product called the Happy Hoop. This way, people don’t need to go for unlicensed, untested, and potentially life altering products from witches and toons.”

She continued on like this, David half-listening the entire time. He wasn’t much into corporate-speak or being marketed to. He was there to get some much needed money… and also see what exactly this transforming hoop could do.

“And in conclusion… we’re here!” The two stood in front of a double door, Emiko pushing through it. Inside was a wide, white, sterile room. It was mostly empty, except for a small table, a chair, and a pedestal that held a certain, testing-required item.

There was the Happy Hoop itself. The look of it was… unimpressive. It looked like a generic hula hoop, made from feeble plastic. The only thing to note was its yellow and blue stripes.

Dave looked at the item and then at Emiko, who took a seat at the table and took the clipboard from it. “Alright now, let’s begin. Take the hoop and let’s start this party.”

He felt his heart race, beating heavily in his chest. He approached the ring and gulped. This is it. He took hold of the ring. Here goes nothing.

He stepped back and held the ring up in front of him with one arm. He raised the other hand, which shook and shivered. He let out a low sigh and slowly slipped his hand towards it. His fingers stopped in front of the ring for a few moments and then, he pushed on through.