Agent Pennsylvania

Heavy Sniper for Project Freelancer | AI Program Mu

[agent-pennsylvania]

Project Freelancer (Price actually) said I should keep one of these things... something about team building. If anything it will make a great place for me to keep my puns and dad jokes for later use...you can call me Penn or Penny.

OOC: I am making this for my first ever OC! Est. 3/22/2023 If you'd like to RP send me a message. I would be more then happy to talk about it. Avatar by @clockworksir ty! Banner render by @alonewolf343!! It's awesome!!

Name: Unknown/Uno/Agent Pennsylvania (Penn or Penny)

Affiliation: Spartan/Freelancer

Description: 6’8” with no armor 7’ 2” with armor. Dark brown hair cut into a short mohawk. Left eye is brown while the right eye is a white glass prosthetic. He has heavy scaring and burns all over his right side from what looks to be some kind of fragmenting explosive but is actually "freezer burn" from being cryo'd combined with his body's rejection of the process. The skin that isn't scared is a light honey color. His right arm from the elbow down is replaced with a mechanical prosthetic made specifically for Spartans. He tends to use this arm as a shield. He's a southpaw.

Enjoys a good dad joke or pun whenever possible this has earned him the nickname “Pa” with any teammates or subordinates he ends up working with. Uses a heavy-sniper also known as an anti-material rifle, unless an enemy gets too close then reverts to dual wielding combat knives. Very proficient with most long guns but is terrible with a pistol…hates them in-fact...likes to frisbee them.

Suffers from high anxiety levels and panic attacks. Due to his memory loss he keeps a journal hidden within the files of his helmet. He's hard-of-hearing and will sometimes go non-verbal and speak in sign, when stressed. Next in line along with South to receive the AI Iota (happiness) until Carolina took both. No longer able to hold out he confronts Price and things don't go so well after…

Backstory:

UNSC Medical Logs

SPARTAN-U086 Journal Entries

Playlist

Shorts

Urchin

Fourteen

Open RPs/Lore

Sick

Waking

Calm for now

Unremembered

Acceptable Loses- Part 1

Penn/Vergil AUs

First Contact

One more moment, please.

Surprise! It's Trouble

My main is @bearbait-adventures feel free to chat.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn nodded his head with a grin. "Of course... But I'm sure it'll be fun... Everyday I've been here... Has been fun... Even whennI was real sick there... For a bit."

Penn had pretty much almost died at the beginning. But between Caboose and Grif and the rest of red team he had managed to pull through.

He listened to Caboose talk about box cake mixes and the red team with a grinnon his face the whole time. Something about Caboose being happy made him happy too.

"How bout both... Since it's a double birthday... It needs double the cake... Plus... I like both those options." Penn laughs. "If they decide not to share though... We could try making our own? That could be fun too." He suggested, he knew they were going to make a mess but he'd clean it up afterwards, so noone would get in trouble.

[rollie-muses]

Caboose nodded at that. The memory made him feel sad so he pushed it away. " But you didn't die," he quickly pointed out.

Caboose bounced excitedly as he reached out for Penny's hand. Wanting to hold onto it again. Maybe swing Penn's arm from side to side if they were allowed to.

" Hrmm... Double cake? " he suggested. Caboose's eyes sparkled. " You're really smart, Penny! This is a great idea," he nodded his head.

" I would like a rainbow cake but... I'm not supposed to eat red food dye. So I dunno how we would make a rainbow without red. " he paused. " Sarge would be very mad if we left out Red. "

@agent-pennsylvania

[agent-pennsylvania]

Penn tilted his head as he let Caboose swing his arm from side to side. The red food dye thing was new, he hadn't yet known that about Michael but he's glad he knows now. As it would avoid mess ups in the future. He thought for a second, his fave blushing slightly with more of Caboose's insistent praise, you'd think he'd be used to it by now. Caboose is going to give him a big head.

"We could use... Fruit juice to dye it... Sometimes that's already red like... Beet or Cranberry juice?" He suggested. "Think... I saw Cranberry juice... In the fridge?"

@rollie-muses

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn takes a second to process Caboose's answer and his reasoning at least the one he gave. He exhaled calming himself down. "Well... I can't say... I have had many... Parties... Either... The ones I did have... Were thrown by ODST... So I'm not sure... They were proper." He chuckled at that. "I doubt you would... Mess anything up."

He listened to Caboose get excited about his idea and the smile came right back. "Yeah... I'm glad you like it." He laughed again getting a little flustered with the praise once again. He really wasn't used to it.

"Don't you have the stuff... To make cakes here? He asked lookingnaround at what he could see around them.

[rollie-muses]

And just like that, Caboose felt at ease. He was not sure what it was about Penny, but this strange person seemed to be very good at calming them down.

" Well, if the party sucks, then it will be okay. Because at least we had fun making plans for it together? " he offered with a lopsided smile.

Caboose pondered the question, sticking out his tongue a bit as they thought about it. "I think so! There's a bunch of cake mix at the Red Based that I am sure that Donut will not mind sharing with me on account of us being good friends," they chirped.

" But, Penny! What kind of cake would you want? Confetti party cake or chocolate," he purposely did not mention anything with a lot of red food dye because he was allergic to that. Or he was pretty sure that he was.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn nodded his head with a grin. "Of course... But I'm sure it'll be fun... Everyday I've been here... Has been fun... Even whennI was real sick there... For a bit."

Penn had pretty much almost died at the beginning. But between Caboose and Grif and the rest of red team he had managed to pull through.

He listened to Caboose talk about box cake mixes and the red team with a grinnon his face the whole time. Something about Caboose being happy made him happy too.

"How bout both... Since it's a double birthday... It needs double the cake... Plus... I like both those options." Penn laughs. "If they decide not to share though... We could try making our own? That could be fun too." He suggested, he knew they were going to make a mess but he'd clean it up afterwards, so noone would get in trouble.

[agent-pennsylvania]

" Wait, Penny. Is it your birthday? " Dex squeaked. " Uhn... Hold on. I'm going to go find that snack cake I was saving. " ( Don't eat it Penny. You'll die )

Penn looks up at Grif with some confusion. "Kind of... It's the day I picked as my birthday... I least." He chuckled as he answered the other man. He can't help but smile at the squeak Grif made, thinking it was cute.

"What? No... You don't have to do that." Penn said concerned. "If you were saving it... It must be for something special right?" Penn doesn't think he's that special surely Grif can use it for something else.

@rollie-muses

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn squeezed Caboose's hand, grateful thst he was here with him. He wanted to laugh with Grif's flustered look, but he's pretty sure if he did he'd probably get sicker so he refrained from joking about it further.

"Not jealous... Just joking." Penn said reassuringly while at the same time bracing himself for Grif's magic scanner device. "Thanks, Caboose... I hope I can live up to such high expectations." He snorted with a grin he'd tey his best not to die, if only because Caboose seemed to want him around.

[rollie-muses]

Caboose's face flushed a bit, but he smiled awkwardly at Penny. He was almost worried about Penny not getting better, but he trusted Dex's medical knowledge.

" I know. I was also joking. "Caboose said with a short laugh.

Dex blinked at the two of them. "Damn. You only just got air dropped here, but you're already besties? " he commented. Dexterity remembered meeting and easily befriending Penny in less time and felt bitter about it.

He ran the scanner and frowned at the results. Caboose was aware that Dex worked as fast as he could while being careful. Caboose looked like he would hold onto Penny's hand all the same.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

"I like to think... I'm a likeable guy." Penn jokes with Grif's statement. His hand shakes as the scanner works, He's sweating bullets and his face is a bit paler as he tries his best not to puke.

The scanner throws much worse results then one would hope for the only reason Penn is still alive is because he is a spartan. If he was just a regular guy it's very clear he would be dead. If Grif compares them to the old scans he had of Penn they're similar in a way. He can definitely tell whatever was happening now was just an extension from back then. Stress, starvation, dehydration, he's also seemingly still in the middle of an allergic reaction from the drug they used on him witout his knowledge.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn noticed how Caboose had frozen up, and the smile faded from his lips. Did he say something wrong? Then there was that tone and Caboose's obviously forced smile. Maybe someone else might not have noticed but Penn had been getting real smiles up until that one, and this one didn't go to Caboose's eyes.

"What so you mean... Your birthdays not important?" Penn questioned sounding a little upset. "Who told you that?" It sounds like he might fight the person Caboose named. "Of course.. It is important... If you think mine is important... Then yours should be just as important... To me." Isn't that what friends do? Did Caboose not think of him as a friend?

"If you don't care... When we celebrate it... That's fine... But we are going to celebrate it... In fact... Let's do a double birthday... Since we missed it this time... And then you can pick a day... For next time." Penn thought it was a good idea, he seemed pretty excited about it actually.

[rollie-muses]

Caboose felt panic kick in when Penny's face fell.

Oh no, he thought. I am being difficult. I should not have said anything~! No one wants to hear about that. Stupid. Idiot.

Caboose smiled even more than before and shook his head. " Huh? No, we can do whatever you want, Penny! " he said. Anything to keep that smile on Penn's face. They did not want to make their new best friend sad.

" I just... uhn... meant that... " - DON'T ! " I...haven't really been thrown a party for just fun before. And um... I dunno how birthday parties work... so... I might... mess up yours. "

His eyes lit up at the Double birthday idea that Penny threw out. " Yes. That is a good idea! You are very smart and many people agree with me so it's true. "

@agent-pennsylvania

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn takes a second to process Caboose's answer and his reasoning at least the one he gave. He exhaled calming himself down. "Well... I can't say... I have had many... Parties... Either... The ones I did have... Were thrown by ODST... So I'm not sure... They were proper." He chuckled at that. "I doubt you would... Mess anything up."

He listened to Caboose get excited about his idea and the smile came right back. "Yeah... I'm glad you like it." He laughed again getting a little flustered with the praise once again. He really wasn't used to it.

"Don't you have the stuff... To make cakes here? He asked lookingnaround at what he could see around them.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn grunted as Caboose helped him sit down. Although it barely helped with the dizziness. Penn snorted at Grif's name calling. "I... I'm sorry... You can... Go a...head... Thanks."

Penn takes a deep breath trying to steady himself and not get sicker. He chuckles softly when Caboose and Grif start their little argument. "Hey... Can you guys have... Your... Lovers spat... Later?" He teased. That's what Penn does after all he makes jokes even when he's dying.

[rollie-muses]

Caboose looked at Penny with a worried expression. They looked at Dex with a pleading expression. " Please save Penny. "

They did not want to be alone again. Tucker and Church went somewhere, and he was left to guard the flag alone. Penny coming in caused mixed feelings because he was given mean orders, but he wanted a friend.

Dex sputtered when Penny thanked him and again when the joke landed. " Oh god. Th-that..." he felt his face flush. Penny did not know how accurate that joke was.

Caboose looked at him with a confused expression. " Don't be jealous, Penny. You're always going to be my best partner ever. "

@agent-pennsylvania

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn squeezed Caboose's hand, grateful thst he was here with him. He wanted to laugh with Grif's flustered look, but he's pretty sure if he did he'd probably get sicker so he refrained from joking about it further.

"Not jealous... Just joking." Penn said reassuringly while at the same time bracing himself for Grif's magic scanner device. "Thanks, Caboose... I hope I can live up to such high expectations." He snorted with a grin he'd tey his best not to die, if only because Caboose seemed to want him around.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn blushed as Caboose showered him with compliments and praise. He can't say he's gotten a lot of that. He can't help but laugh again. "Well... Thanks Caboose... But I really don't need a whole month... Just a day would be more... Than I've gotten... In a long time."

When was the last time he'd celebrated anything like that? He can't really remember, but he's pretty sure he and his ODST had celebrated once or twice, before they died.

"It seems like we've... Missed yours though." Penn said as he kept going it was already passed April after all. "You wann a make up for it? ...A slightly belated birthday party?" Penn said with a smile grin.

[rollie-muses]

Caboose had a special talent for flustering others by accident. " Aw. If you say so! " Michael shrugged his shoulders. He could probably squeeze a lot of fun times into one day. " I'll just have to wake you up super early then! "

When Penny spoke about their birthday, Caboose froze for a moment. A strange expression flickered over his face. " ...Oh, that's okay," he said in a hollow tone of voice. His face scrunched up into a well-rehearsed smile. " My birthday isn't that important. I don't even really remember when it is. " they admitted. " So we could just say it's in May instead... if you want? " He did not want to be difficult or cause Penny problems. No one had ever offered to celebrate him before today.

They could not remember a single time when their birthday was celebrated. They could barely remember getting a present that was not a new gun or a new weapon. The other Blue Team members never asked when his was. He was not sure that Church had a birthday.

@agent-pennsylvania

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn noticed how Caboose had frozen up, and the smile faded from his lips. Did he say something wrong? Then there was that tone and Caboose's obviously forced smile. Maybe someone else might not have noticed but Penn had been getting real smiles up until that one, and this one didn't go to Caboose's eyes.

"What so you mean... Your birthdays not important?" Penn questioned sounding a little upset. "Who told you that?" It sounds like he might fight the person Caboose named. "Of course.. It is important... If you think mine is important... Then yours should be just as important... To me." Isn't that what friends do? Did Caboose not think of him as a friend?

"If you don't care... When we celebrate it... That's fine... But we are going to celebrate it... In fact... Let's do a double birthday... Since we missed it this time... And then you can pick a day... For next time." Penn thought it was a good idea, he seemed pretty excited about it actually.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn was not upset about being here. What he was upset about is how or why he was in such bad shape all the sudden. He didn't remember being bad like this he didn't remember his wrists being this thin or his fingers shaking this badly while his vison tried it's best not to focus on anything in a sea of blur and dark shapes.

"I don't think... I could get... Any dizzier." Penn wanted to throw up at this point and closing his eye didn't help with the wushy feeling. He patted Caboose weakly wanting to be put down, to sit so he didn't fall.

"I'm good... At keeping secrets... I don't even have... Anyone to tell." He snorted a laugh trying to cover up how bad he felt. Also not realizing Grif wouldn't believe him since the man already thought he was guilty. He hoped he'd be able to keep anything Caboose made him down at all.

[rollie-muses]

Dex let out a sigh and looked at Penny with a serious expression. " Let me help you, Doofus." he grumbled. Dexterity had all the medical knowledge and scientific knowledge to help. But people so rarely saw it because of Dex's own acting ability. He was too convincing as an idiot who knew nothing and was lazy.

Caboose stopped and looked at Dex. They looked at Penny and puffed out their cheeks. Caboose very carefully propped Penny against the edge of the Warthog's tire and looked at Dex. " I'm trusting you, Dex. You better not mess up. " they said. Caboose took hold of Penny's hand to comfort him. " Do you want me to get a bucket? "

Dex huffed and rolled his eyes. " Thanks, Mike... That really helps," he said sarcastically. Caboose blinked at him and quickly punched Dex in the shoulder. Dex winced and looked at him. It took him a moment to realize what he did wrong. ".... What I can't give you nicknames? "

" We're enemies... so no. I'm supposed to hate you.... and want to take your flag away from you. And maybe set your base on fire." Caboose mumbled.

" We have a truce. After Church got killed by...' Friendly fire ' we all agreed not to fight til we could figure out what to do with his dead body. " Dex exposited. Dex looked at Penny. Which is why he was here. To replace Church?

The Director and Price were cruel bastards. " But right now, I want to help Penny to not die on his first day. So... can you chill for a bit? "

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn grunted as Caboose helped him sit down. Although it barely helped with the dizziness. Penn snorted at Grif's name calling. "I... I'm sorry... You can... Go a...head... Thanks."

Penn takes a deep breath trying to steady himself and not get sicker. He chuckles softly when Caboose and Grif start their little argument. "Hey... Can you guys have... Your... Lovers spat... Later?" He teased. That's what Penn does after all he makes jokes even when he's dying.

[agent-pennsylvania]

Penn was surprised as Caboose got excited about the idea and moved towards him with that very excited glee. His eye, the only one he had wide as a saucer before he broke into laughter once again.

"Caboose... I don't even know what I'd do... With a whole month of birthdays." He patted Caboose's hands back with his robotic one mostly because of the gesture he was trying to portray. "Why don't we... Just stick with the week... That way it's fair... Okay?" Penn didn't want more than anyone else he just wanted to be treated fairly.

[rollie-muses]

Caboose's face lit up with warmth and excitement at the prospect of a whole day celebrating their new, cool, and nice friend : Penny. They shook their head and pouted at the denial of a whole month.

" But, Penny. You're so great and cool that you deserve a whole month! " they said. It was good to hear Penny laugh. It made Caboose feel better about the decision to ignore orders from the high-up people.

" Aw... okay. A week isn't enough time, but I get it. You're just really shy and humble. That's why you're so cool! " they said with absolute sincerity.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn blushed as Caboose showered him with compliments and praise. He can't say he's gotten a lot of that. He can't help but laugh again. "Well... Thanks Caboose... But I really don't need a whole month... Just a day would be more... Than I've gotten... In a long time."

When was the last time he'd celebrated anything like that? He can't really remember, but he's pretty sure he and his ODST had celebrated once or twice, before they died.

"It seems like we've... Missed yours though." Penn said as he kept going it was already passed April after all. "You wann a make up for it? ...A slightly belated birthday party?" Penn said with a smile grin.

[agent-pennsylvania]

"Look. I'm not saying he isn't good. Just saying what everyone's been told about him." Washington caught himself he didn't want to run a smear campaign. He was just trying to be helpful.

Washington raised an eyebrow with the request for cigarettes. "Well, probably not from just anyone, but if you talk to 479er. She can probably smuggle you in some. For a price of course." Washington offered. 479er was the one everyone went to for smuggled goods. They were the only one of them that could go off the MoI when not on a mission.

He shook his head. "They don't bother with it when you're not on a mission." He waved off the concern and the birdie Grif threw him or rather his helmet camera. "So you're safe if your off duty." He continued.

"I'm telling you this because, i wish someone had told me back when I was the rookie. He sputtered in surprise with Grif's take on things. His cheeks flared red with the suggestion. "No! That's not why." Washington exclaimed covering his face in embarrassment.

*****

[rollie-muses]

@agent-pennsylvania

"Huh? What are the standards for good and scores here? " Grif asked, motioning to the scoreboard in the middle of the cafeteria with names and points on it. It felt off here. Washington was nice. Too nice, and Surgence acted like Grif was a threat.

" Damn. So this person is where - Exactly? How do I contact her? " he asked. Washington talked about this in front of the security camera. It was strange. The explanation just brought up more questions.

Why only off duty? Were they just letting people here do whatever they wanted off duty? Was that why Surgence bullied him immediately? He wondered if he should find that Texas guy.

" Sure, Boss," Grif grinned at Washington. He enjoyed messing with this weird new guy who, for some reason, is nice to him. " I'll buy that. " Grif shoveled some food in his mouth. " Do they let you get seconds? " Grif asked as he viewed his empty tray.

---

Texas huffed as she walked out onto the launchpad for troops to be released for missions. The loud hum of the engines interfered with the cameras installed. And that Dexter nerd had done something to her helmet that allowed her to mute the microphone without the spies noticing.

" Mike, I need you to do something," Texas grumbled. A sharp, hoarse voice came onto the communicator. " Yeah? Whatever you want, Mrs Texas . "

" We talked about this...code names." Texas let out an annoyed groan. "...If the Blood Gulch plan goes into action, I'm going to make sure you're put there. When you are, I'm going to try to get P out of here. "

" Okie Dokie, Mrs... uhn... not Texas. "

"... Good boy," Texas grumbled before she hung up. She let out a sigh. This was going to be risky, but she refused to let others be hurt by that man. He had to go down, even if it got her killed.

"... You really shouldn't talk here. " Surgence said, helmet off and face full of a smug grin. " Mind your own business, or I'll make you. "

" How are you gonna do that if I tell Pri-" Surgence did not have time to continue the sentence because her hand went to his neck.

" And how would that help you? " Texas asked. " Considering you're a mole. "

".... Shit. You know about that? " Surgence flinched. " Everyone knows about it. Price knows. He'll more likely kill you than me. You don't have any friends here. I do. "

"... Is that why you're talking when you know it's being recorded? " Loco asked as they tapped on her shoulder. Texas turned and looked at the stranger. " Who the hell is that? "

" I think it's time for a reset." Loco said. And Texas's lights went out.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

"I-" Washington pauses not sure how to answer that. "I honestly, don't know how exactly they score us... It seems different everytime." He says this as if he hadn't actually thought about it that much before. CT was always says how nothing felt right or fair, he had always felt she might be over reacting, but maybe if this Grif person saw that too... Maybe there was something to it.

He was disturbed from his thoughts by Grif's next question however. "Oh, yeah. She hangs out innthe hanger bay. Usually yelling at someone for something. You'll hear her before you see her. Promise." He laughted again but then sputtered when called boss.

"I'm not the boss, believe me." He waved the thought away. He looked back up towards the line and shrugged. "I mean... Worse they can say is no. They let Maine get seconds, so I don't see why not as long as you don't over do it." He really didn't know actually not many agents went up for seconds the food here was mediocre at best.

****

(This is the response I forgot before, but it's basically just to end the scene.)

Price did not pay any heed to Agent Texas' acting he knew it was a farse. He was only here to warn her about talking to Agent Pennsylvania, as she would ruin the experiment he was a part of if she continued to interfere. What she put together from his warning was none of his concern. He just kept walking that was until Florida showed up. He hadn't called for the other agent but it seems he was using the excuse to get a meeting with him off the books it seemed.

He only turned back once Texas had left. Raisign a brow at his questions. "That last mission, was enlightening to say the least." He admitted to watching the footage on Agent Pennsylvania's helmet. "Obviously it's because you'll do your utmost to protect him... Won't you?" He suspected the father would protect the son after all. That was the theory anyway.

"Now if you'll excuse me. I have a mission breifing to start." Agent Pennsylvania would be waiting on him.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

"Right....I wasn't really planning on it." Penn let out a tired chuckle. He didn't even know why he was here and seems he was in no condition to be killing anyone, much less even standing on his own. "That seems like a good rule." He snorted, he had no issues with following that.

Penn thought the pause Grif took after his question seemed strange. Maybe he didn't know where to start either. Then there was his stumble. He didn't know why but all the sudden his legs just didn't want to listen anymore. Much less hold him up. Luckily Caboose had caught him before he could faceplant into the ground, small mercies. The grumpy Grif character even came to his aid picking up his other side.

"I'm sorry." He repeated his apology with a shaky breath. Grif's scan will show that he's in bad shape. He was bad before in Freelancer but it's worse now. It didn't seem like the project took very good care of him at all.

"Oh? You have... A healing unit? I thought... I thought they said I failed... That mission?" Penn seemed confused they definitely said he failed, but maybe he still did and somehow another agent succeeded. "I mean... Feeling weird... Is the least of my worries." Penn chuckled again dispite his bad luck.

Caboose's comment though. It hit a little different. It seemed he was worried. Had anyone ever... Been worried about him before? Yeah, they did his ODST used to care, but that was before Freelancer wasn't it? "I-I'll try... Not to..." Penn rested his head against Caboose's shoulder, he was really tired.

[rollie-muses]

Caboose tilted their head at Penn with a concerned look. They hoped that Penny was not upset about being here.

Blood Gulch Alpha post really was a very bad spot. It was a big canyon of nothing with very few resources to use to grow things. The garden only worked because Simmons and Donut did some magic on the soil here. Tucker had been trying for years to grow anything here. That was why Caboose often stole from their garden. But Grif let them do it, so it was fine. " No. It's fine. " Grif said. He wanted to help Penny, despite his problems with how Project Freelancer found out about his secrets. He was still not sure about trusting Penny. A lot of people there told him to stay away from Agent Pennsylvania. Caboose blinked at the mention of a Healing unit. They looked at Grif with a suspicious look. There were a few things about their previous post that they forgot, but before they were kicked out of the plane and landed here, the nice lady explained some things. " Will it hurt? " they asked. Grif shook his head. "It's really good at mending wounds on a cellular level with a scan. But it can be really disorienting. " Grif paused. That sounded too smart. " I mean like… that's what the manual said, I think it just makes you dizzy," he said quickly. Caboose made a face. " Grif is a healer, but that's a secret. " Caboose whispered a bit too loudly. " You'll be okay. We will be home soon , and we can make something good for you to eat. " Caboose said.

@agent-pennsylvania

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn was not upset about being here. What he was upset about is how or why he was in such bad shape all the sudden. He didn't remember being bad like this he didn't remember his wrists being this thin or his fingers shaking this badly while his vison tried it's best not to focus on anything in a sea of blur and dark shapes.

"I don't think... I could get... Any dizzier." Penn wanted to throw up at this point and closing his eye didn't help with the wushy feeling. He patted Caboose weakly wanting to be put down, to sit so he didn't fall.

"I'm good... At keeping secrets... I don't even have... Anyone to tell." He snorted a laugh trying to cover up how bad he felt. Also not realizing Grif wouldn't believe him since the man already thought he was guilty. He hoped he'd be able to keep anything Caboose made him down at all.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn watch Caboose repeat his words and smiled a bit, he could tell by now that the other man was trying to remember it for later and it made him feel good, like someone cared enough to commit something like that to memory.

"April 10th or 14th huh?" He also said aloud. "Sounds like we should just give ya... The whole week." Penn chuckled at the idea of a whole birthday week. "I'll write it down... So I don't forget." Penn said shortly after reaching for his helmet so he could make a quick reminder for later.

[rollie-muses]

The concept of a birthday week made Caboose's eyes lit up. They gasped sharply with glee. " Is that possible?! "they asked excitedly.

Caboose paused and looked at Penn, their expression shifted to a very serious one. They walked up and clasped Penny's hand with both of theirs.

" Well, Penny. If we're giving me a whole birthday week, then you have to have a whole birthday month! " they said.

@agent-pennsylvania

[agent-pennsylvania]

Penn was surprised as Caboose got excited about the idea and moved towards him with that very excited glee. His eye, the only one he had wide as a saucer before he broke into laughter once again.

"Caboose... I don't even know what I'd do... With a whole month of birthdays." He patted Caboose's hands back with his robotic one mostly because of the gesture he was trying to portray. "Why don't we... Just stick with the week... That way it's fair... Okay?" Penn didn't want more than anyone else he just wanted to be treated fairly.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn chuckled as Caboose just took his hand. He was good with that option as well. "Thanks... I feel better already." He even wiggled his hand a bit, just for funsies. Penn had no idea what Caboose was thinking about, until he spoke up that is. He seemed to think about it for a moment.

"Really? I get that feeling a lot too... Like I should know you from somewhere else? It's... Nice to know... I'm not the only one... Who feels that way." He squeezes Michael's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry... I'm not mad." He says as they walk together now hand in hand. "We're here now... And that's what matters." He said with a small smile. He liked Caboose quite a lot, he imagined if he had met him before this he probably liked him then too.

[rollie-muses]

Caboose smiled softly as their hand was wiggled around and giggled as they wiggled their hand back. He was glad that Penny was willing to be silly with them. "Really? I'm very glad! "

They felt a strange, fuzzy feeling in their chest. Like a bunch of cotton balls was rattling around in there. " Is it? I feel really bad about not remembering things. And if you also don't remember ...Don't you also feel bad about it? " They asked.

Caboose swung their hands as they walked. " I would like to remember but I worry..." they trailed off and looked into space for a long thirty minutes. Lost in thought until they shook their head and came back. " Sorry... I...forgot what I was going to say. "

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn didn't take long to answer. "Yes... Sometimes... I feel bad about it... Lots of times... But." He sighed sadly. "It doesn't do any good to dwell on it... Maybe if we keep going... We'll remember later?" Penn mused perking up after coming up with that. He swings his arm in time with Caboose's match his pace or lack thereof.

Penn had filled in the blanks himself while he waited for Caboose to come back from 'the zone' as he liked to call it. To himself anyway he didn't say that outloud. "It's okay Caboose... I think I understand." Penn didn't seem bothered but he tugged at Caboose's hand pulling him the redt of the way into the base.

"Come on... I'm hungry." Penn chuckled reminding Caboose what they were doing in the first place.

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn had a saint's level of patience with many things and Caboose was someone he felt deserved that patience more than most. Especially if what he'd been learning little pieces at a time was anything to go by.

"Hey... It's alright... I get it... You weren't ready... It was an accident after all." Penn said he didn't want Caboose to worry himself too much over it. He held out his hand letting Caboose see it and decide for himself if he'd allow him to pat his shoulder or not. Caboose could just move into it and he'd know it was okay to touch him.

Penn couldn't help but grin with Caboose's silly comment. It was totally like him and it made perfect sense... To him anyway. "Okay... I will keep you close... Always." Penn said as he patted his own chest with his mechanical fist over his heart.

"Where would I be without... My bestie... For restie?" Penn laughed as he joked with Caboose.

[rollie-muses]

Caboose stared at Penny. They were amazed by how patient Penny had been so far. The way that Griff acted around Penny made it seem like something about the agent was off, and he was secretly a bad guy. But when Penny was alone with Caboose, he seemed to be really sweet and kind despite being part of the horrible project.

Caboose did not realize what Penny was doing and just took hold of Penny's outstretched hand. He let out a huff and smiled brightly. " It's okay, Penny. I'll hold your hand so you don't feel bad. "

The smile on Penny's face made Caboose feel a weird but familiar sense of warmth. When Caboose was around Penn it felt like reuniting with an old friend. " ... Bestie for... I think we might've met before.. But I can't remember. I hope you're not mad at me for not remembering..." Caboose said softly.

" Griff...seems to know you, too. But you don't remember him... so you probably forgot me too. Which is probably fine. We can just start over and become besties all over again. "

@agent-pennsylvania

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn chuckled as Caboose just took his hand. He was good with that option as well. "Thanks... I feel better already." He even wiggled his hand a bit, just for funsies. Penn had no idea what Caboose was thinking about, until he spoke up that is. He seemed to think about it for a moment.

"Really? I get that feeling a lot too... Like I should know you from somewhere else? It's... Nice to know... I'm not the only one... Who feels that way." He squeezes Michael's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry... I'm not mad." He says as they walk together now hand in hand. "We're here now... And that's what matters." He said with a small smile. He liked Caboose quite a lot, he imagined if he had met him before this he probably liked him then too.

[rollie-muses]

@agent-pennsylvania :

Penn paused and looked up a Caboose with a bit of surprise. "Um…" He thought the sound merely a stalling method. "I don't… Really have one… That I remember… So I just go by the day I woke up… Which was August 27th." He had also started his journal that day since apparently he had never had one before that. Which was sad because he couldn't go back and read anything to remember what he had forgot. Nevermind that the journaling hadn't really helped either… Mostly because someone kept resetting him and taking away his ability to tell the dates. His HUD never displayed the right date or times, always faulty somehow. "When is yours?" He asked in return if Caboose was wanting to celebrate his maybe they should do something for Caboose's as well. Fair is fair after all.

---

Caboose wondered if Penny's memory issues were because someone had deleted their records from the Military data banks. That happened with Caboose's records. And the rest of the Blue team. So, it could have happened to Penny, too.

" Oh? August 27th? " They repeated the date, trying to put the date into memory.

Caboose asked a very silly question about Penny's birthday. They were not expecting to be asked about their own. When it came out of Penny's mouth, they blinked in confusion and sat back.

" I don't know either..." Caboose admitted, " But, I think it's April 10th...or April 14th... or in May..." Caboose shrugged their shoulders. " I usually celebrate it on the 10th or 14th...if I remember. "

[agent-pennsylvania]

@rollie-muses

Penn watch Caboose repeat his words and smiled a bit, he could tell by now that the other man was trying to remember it for later and it made him feel good, like someone cared enough to commit something like that to memory.

"April 10th or 14th huh?" He also said aloud. "Sounds like we should just give ya... The whole week." Penn chuckled at the idea of a whole birthday week. "I'll write it down... So I don't forget." Penn said shortly after reaching for his helmet so he could make a quick reminder for later.

[agent-pennsylvania]

" Hey. Penny!? When is your birthday? Caboose asked. " We need to celebrate."

Penn paused and looked up a Caboose with a bit of surprise. "Um..." He thought the sound merely a stalling method.

"I don't... Really have one... That I remember... So I just go by the day I woke up... Which was August 27th." He had also started his journal that day since apparently he had never had one before that. Which was sad because he couldn't go back and read anything to remember what he had forgot. Nevermind that the journaling hadn't really helped either... Mostly because someone kept resetting him and taking away his ability to tell the dates. His HUD never displayed the right date or times, always faulty somehow.

"When is yours?" He asked in return if Caboose was wanting to celebrate his maybe they should do something for Caboose's as well. Fair is fair after all.

@rollie-muses