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Truth Or Dare

Summary:

While Riley takes a nap, the emotions play truth or dare!

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Riley lounges on the couch as the movie she was watching ends and the credits roll. Before long, a new movie starts. "We can find something better to watch than this.," says Disgust, touching the console, causing Riley to turn the channel.

"Let's look for a feel-good show!" Joy announces, though turns out the choices are sparse.

"Let's just put that movie back.," says Ennui, opening the console app. With a slide of her finger across her phone screen, she makes Riley resort back to the movie she had turned. The movie is barely better than staring at the wall, causing Riley to doze off from boredom.

"She's napping. Now what do we do?" Sadness says.

"We could play a game.," suggests Fear.

"That's a great idea, Fear!" exclaims Joy. "Ooh, I know! Truth or dare!"

Fear gives a slight eye roll. "Truth or dare? Are we at a slumber party? A bit cliche, don't you think?" Fear's snarky attitude is a cover-up for being scared to play truth or dare.

"I don't like the sound of this.," says Anxiety. "What if someone gets hurt from a dare? What if a question puts someone on the spot? What if someone doesn't like the truth?" Her thoughts race with the possible outcomes, her expression speaking volumes about how anxious she is.

Fear gently holds Anxiety's hand to calm her. "I agree with her there. Truth or dare tends to get out of hand in most cases."

"Come on, it'll be fun!" Joy insists. "I'll go easy on all of you. Fear, truth or dare?"

"Oh, fine. Truth I guess."

"Hmmm..." Joy ponders what to ask Fear.

"I got one for him.," says Disgust. "Fear, is it true the movie Shoes Of Doom kept you up at night?"

"What?! No! That's ridiculous!"

"Ugh, you're breaking the rule. You have to answer the truth to any question."

"Fine, yes.," Fear admits. "Her feet feeling possessed was so creepy." Fear's eyes widen as he shudders at the memory.

"I'm sorry, Fear.," says Sadness. "Remember, haunted shoes don't exist in real life."

"Yeah, I know...but the movie seemed too real. Anyway, on with the game."

Joy says, "Anxiety! Truth or dare?"

"Uhhh..." Anxiety nervously pulls on her collar. "Dare."

"Let's see..." Joy looks around the room and spots a stack of paper. "Write the words 'truth or dare' on each sheet of paper--in under 30 seconds!"

"Okay.," Anxiety says, already worrying of failure. However, with a blur of scribbling and papers flying, she quickly completes the dare. "Done!" she announces with an expectant smile, her hair still slightly frizzy from anxious energy.

Joy sticks out her stopwatch. "Five seconds! That was amazing!"

"Aww, thanks Joy."

"Does anyone want to give me a turn?" Joy asks eagerly.

"Okay.," says Sadness. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare!"

"Okay. Um...I don't know..." Sadness starts to pout.

"It's okay, I got one.," Fear says with a smirk.

"Ooh! What is it?" says Joy excitedly.

"Sing the most annoying song you can think of as loud as you possibly can."

Joy blinks and stares blankly for a moment before bursting into song. "TRIPLEDENT GUM WILL MAKE YOU SMILE!"

Embarrassment hides in the corner from secondhand embarrassment. Anger and Disgust cover their ears and grimace.

"Ugh, don't remind me of that jingle.," says Disgust.

Fear laughs and applauds. "Bravo! Good work, Joy!"

"Okay, who's next?" says Joy.

"Am I ever going to get a turn?" Envy says.

"Envy!" says Joy.

"Woo hoo, me! Dare, just like you and Anxiety!"

"Okay, I dare you to do the most embarrassing thing you can think of off the top of your head. Go at it!"

Envy pouts. "I'm not as tall as all of you, I don't have hair like Disgust, and I didn't get a fun dare! There, I said everything I don't have! That's the most embarrassing thing I can think of doing! Are you happy?"

The other emotions just stare, stunned. "So you're just going to do a big pity party for your dare?," Disgust remarks.

Envy stomps off and bumps into Embarrassment, who cuddles her and makes her feel better.

Joy coos at them and turns back to the group. "Okay, Disgust, your turn. Can you handle the truth, or a dare?"

"Dare. I can handle a dare no problem, Joy."

Joy thinks, then smiles a bit mischievously. "Aha! I got an idea..." Disgust eyes her suspiciously. "It's an epic dare! You have to..." Disgust doesn't like the implications of the build up. "Eat a bite of broccoli."

Disgust looks like she's ready to throw up as Joy presents her with a broccoli floret. "You're evil.," Disgust says.

"Just one bite. I dare you."

Disgust slowly grabs it, almost horrified. She stares at it a moment, feeling like she's holding the grossest thing in the world. Her face twists in disgust as she takes a bite and chews.

Joy claps. "Whoa! How daring! I'm proud!"

Fear busts up laughing. "I never thought I'd see the day where Disgust eats broccoli!"

Joy, Anger, Envy, and Anxiety all crack up. "The world has gone mad!" says Joy.

Disgust makes a face at them as she chews.

"Come on, Disgust.," Joy says. "Making a face at us just puts the icing on the cake."

Disgust swallows. "Cake. I need to cleanse my palate." She leaves.

"Anger, you next!"

Anger is suddenly super excited when Joy picks him. "Heck yeah! Give me a dare so outrageous it'll blow my mind!"

Joy taps her chin. "How about this: you can't get angry for the rest of the game. No snapping, no yelling, no raging. Can you do that?"

"WHAT!? THAT'S MY DARE!?"

"You're already losing."

"Fine. Yes. No getting angry."

"Are you sure? Because this game involves a lot of things that can make one angry."

Calmly, Anger says, "Yes. I. Can."

"Are you really sure?"

"I. Said. Yes.," Anger says, composed.

"Ennui! Truth or dare?"

Ennui slowly looks up at Joy. "Dare...I choose a dare..." She looks back down at her phone. She figures she might as well play, since Joy would cheerfully urge her to until she did anyway.

"I know! I dare you to give up your phone for the rest of the game." Ennui's usually sleepy eyes suddenly widen.

"Joy, no, that's too mean!" protests Anxiety. "She'll lose her mind!"

"Okay, maybe that's a little much.," Joy says. "How about this...hmm...Ennui, I dare you...to talk for a whole minute straight. No long pauses, no trailing off, just keep talking for one whole minute."

"She is not going to be able to do this.," says Disgust. "She's barely interested in talking to us for one second."

"Yeah, I agree.," Anger says. "Impossible."

"Impossible?" says Ennui. She begins telling about what she sees on her phone. Joy starts her stopwatch. Everyone is stunned as she keeps talking. They can't believe Ennui is actually talking for a full minute without losing interest.

"Ennui! I wish you were like this whenever I want help with my plans!" Anxiety expresses.

"You're lucky I said this much now."

"Well, great job, Ennui!" Joy says enthusiastically. "It's wonderful to have you interact with us! I loved hearing about what you do on your phone! And did I ever tell you your French accent is lovely?"

Ennui looks at Joy as if she's trying to silently say "you're so annoying" before turning back to her phone. "Thanks.," she says apathetically.

Joy looks around the room to see who's left. "Sadness! Truth or dare?"

"Truth...I'm not feeling very risky..."

"What are you going to ask her?" Anxiety asks Joy. "It can't be too rough, or she'll cry."

Joy furrows her brow for a moment, thinking, before perking up. "Ah I got one! Sadness, how do you honestly view yourself?"

"Well, I know I'm important to Riley.," says Sadness, actually smiling.

"I'm surprised you actually view yourself positively.," remarks Fear.

"What, do you think I'm not?" Sadness begins to cry, teardrops sprinkling from her eyes.

Fear looks shocked and horrified. "No no no no! I didn't mean it like that! I agree you're important to Riley!"

"Yeah, Sadness.," Joy says. "You know you're sad, well, all the time, and you have confidence issues."

Fear silently begs for Joy to stop before Sadness becomes even more upset. "I think she got the point..."

"Yeah.," Sadness says with a sniffle. "I get what Fear meant now."

Fear sighs in relief and whispers under his breath, "Thank goodness."

"I'm glad you still remember the lesson we both learned.," Joy says to Sadness, and they share a special smile.

"Okay, back to the game.," announces Joy. "Disgust? Truth or dare?"

"Me? Hello? I already had to eat broccoli!" Disgust gags.

Joy laughs at the memory. "How did I forget?"

"It's Embarrassment's turn. He's the only one left."

"How are we going to get him to play?" asks Fear.

Joy calls to Embarrassment, who is still hiding in the corner. "Embarrassment? Do you want to play truth or dare? It's really fun! I promise we won't embarrass you!"

Embarrassment slowly peeks up at her, glances at the other emotions, and says, "Truth."

Everyone gasps. Joy is so happy she could burst, but she knows Embarrassment will get embarrassed if she makes a big deal out of it. "Great! Your question is: What's your favorite memory helping Riley?"

"I like whenever I make her embarrassed of doing something mean or bad, because then she can apologize."

"I like how you do that, too.," Sadness tells Embarrassment, causing him to blush a little.

"Great answer!" says Joy. "Right everyone?" All the emotions nod as Embarrassment blushes.

"Everybody's had a turn now, so I guess the next turn goes back to--" Joy stops. "Okay, everyone, Riley is waking up! Our game is over, but wasn't it fun?"

"Already?!" Fear says. "I was starting to get really into it. Oh well, time for Riley to wake up."