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@storiesyetuntold
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Blog Status
Semi-active, based on availability outside of work hours
Basic Links
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Starter Calls/Interest Trackers
Lil' | Gold | Charmy | Otto | The Lamb
Extras
Promo | Wishlist
"We always loved you, Charmy." He smiles. "Still do very much. We were always nervous about being bad parents because of what we couldn't afford back then, but it's good to know that you grew up to be a good kid... erm, I mean adult." He sneezes into his blanket. He groans because that made his head spin.
"Whatever you and Mori do, we're here to protect you and the baby too. We're family."
"it was never about what we could or couldn't afford and you know it. And thank you." He had a bit of a worried look after Espio sneezed so hard. "Maybe you should take some of that medicine. That looked like it hurt." He poured the chameleon another cup of tea.
"And I will protect you all as well. I love you, Esp. And you're right, we are family."
"I would. I can and will revive a pack of Utahraptors to pursue your enemies if you ask." The younger bee says it in such an innocent way but... sometimes its easy to forget she has all the makings of a mad scientist herself if anything ever breaks her. Charmette was intimidating in her own way... "We're well aware of what a great detective you've become Charmy. We're very proud of you for that." Espia could be proud of him, that's her nephew. She loves their other side of the family. "While you're here, if you haven't eaten yet I was going to make a batch a ramen for lunch. If you want to stay for a meal I can make another bowl." "YEAH!!! Mom's cooking's the best!" Charmette threw her hands in the air followed by a yelp and crash as she fell off the desk she had been sitting on. "I'm okay!"
Charmette would get of a somewhat concerned look from the older bee at the mention of reviving a pack of Utahraptors. He didn't know much about the other bee's exploits, but something about that didn't sit right with him. Still, she meant well.
"Well, I won't say no to free food." He chuckled a bit, before looking over towards the younger bee as he heard the crashing sound. "I sure hope so!" He turned back to Espia and shrugged. "Well...she is my alternate. Although I grew out of most of my hyperness by the time I reached my late teens."
"Otto, what are you getting all ready for?" The silver simian asked, curious as to what the team's chief mechanic had been giddy and distracted by as of late.
"Oh, just going to visit Arrow. He said he wanted me to drop by."
"Didn't realize you two were talking so much."
"Yeah...I mean, it's no biggie really. After all, we talk to many of our friends from time to time."
"Is that so? So your distracted demeanor during our meeting was no biggie either then?"
"Antauriiii...I said I was sorry. Got a lot on my mind lately."
"Then why don't you tell me what's going on. Maybe I can help."
"I...I-" The green simian paused, trying to hide the blush that he felt forming on his face. Oh Shuggazoom, he had been lucky enough to hide things up to this point. He had to think of something. He wasn't ready for them to know. "-I think I can handle it myself. I don't want to impose."
"Otto, you're not imposing on me at all. Please, I won't judge."
"Well I-Look, I'm just not ready to talk about it, okay? Give me some time, please?"
"But you can talk to Arrow about it freely?" The question came out of the blue for someone like Antauri, unless one recognized that he was playing an angle; one that Otto didn't realize and thus was stammering to reply.
"Th-That's not what I meant!"
"Oh, I see then." Antauri simply closed his eyes and smiled, hovering in his meditative seating position. "Well, I won't keep you waiting then. I apologize for working you up a little."
"...Apology accepted." Otto was a bit suspicious of the silver monkey as he finished getting ready. But he would stop as he was leaving with the sound of the other's voice telling him what he had feared.
"Keep your radio on and try not to push thing with Arrow too much." The face on Otto was confirmation enough for Antauri's suspicions. "We'll talk about it when you get back."
"I'm glad you're thinking about her. Pregnancies can be scary. I've heard some crazy stuff myself happen to healthy people. And here's the thing. You can never be too sure if you're in a good part in life to have a child. I would say now's not the time but, when would there be a time to have them?" He coughs for a moment.
"I guess the best thing to do is prepare. And have a few backup plans in case either side tries to attack. I think because you live on Angel Island, the ninja wont try to get there since that would require wings, so there's some comfort. If anything happens, you guys are free to live with me. And Charmy... you and Mori aren't alone in this. We're all here for you too."
"I wouldn't want to impose unless we are in dire need. You're right, Angel Island is safe than most places. Eggman would have to send his bots up there and I don't think either them or the Royal Hive would be able to make it there undetected...But I could be wrong in that assumption."
The Royal Hive was known to be great at infiltration. In the bee's mind, they rivaled the ninja clans in many ways. While their styles and tactics were different (and their choice of equipment), it didn't make either of them less dangerous. Not to mention the hive and Eggman were both willing to solicit third-parties into the mix.
"Maybe when the time is right, Mori and I can have a frank conversation about it. Perhaps there are things we can do to better our situation, but it's a decision we need to make together. And I don't want to take adoption off that table entirely. We'll see how it goes when the conversation happens."
"Hey now, I'm here for you all as well. We're in this together, as a family. You're stuck with me." The bee chuckled. He then looked into Espio's eyes for a moment. "Thank you...For everything. You and Vec both helped me become the person I am today."
"I'm sure she'd rather have her own kid. She's mentioned about having a baby of her own some day, before you and her have ever even met. I mean it would be good for you because she would have to step down from being a ninja for a while. Im unsure if she would give it up completely, but I'm sure she would do anything for your child... assuming you're not going to have triplets. Imagine 3 of you running around." He tried to make light of the situation.
"That would require 24/7 care with all that energy."
"Good thing we have you and Vec for grandparent duty." He would joke right back to the chameleon, even if it would catch the sick ninja off-guard even more.
"But it's not just about me. Sure, she'll be around more often for a bit, but I don't see her giving up being a ninja completely either. Neither of you two will." It was a fact he learned to accept. While he didn't trust the Shinobi, he trusted both of them. Hopefully one day those two could make a difference in how he felt about the clan, but that was a long ways away
"It's about what she wants as well. I am also worried about what a pregnancy might do to her physically. I have heard stories about the physical toll it can have to someone and it's asking a lot of her if it's a possibility."
"Again, my main concern is what would happen to the kid that we bring into this world with all the targets we have on our heads...It's scary to think about."
"Kids?" He looked rather surprised when he heard that. Good thing he was done eating or else he would have choked on it. "Thats a lot of responsibility. I mean... it's been a while since you or her have had someone target either of you. Are you sure you want a baby?"
"Yeah...That's what I'm worried about. Just because it's been a while doesn't mean it won't happen again. The Royal Hive is still a problem and of course there is still Eggman. I am worried about bringing a little one into our lives and in this world, only to have something like that happen to us...Or worse."
"I'm not sure what I want, but I feel like it's a conversation Mori and I need to have at some point. We're not getting any younger, but it also might be hard on her. Adoption is always a route we can take, but it still doesn't make my concerns go away."
Charmy shrugged a little. It did seem out of the blue, but maybe talking about himself growing up and how they were all a family got him thinking about it a tad.
"I don't even know how she would feel about it."
The village was as busy as usual that afternoon. The residents take their time walking the cobbled paths to their destinations, occasionally stopping to chat with one another about one thing or another, or to share juicy gossip. A few had even waved to the smaller hedgehog as he made his way towards the Inn.
None had stopped him, clearly seeing that he had something to do that involved one or both hybrids who lived there.
Harmony had been out and about all afternoon, running errands for her father and helping out some of the locals with anything they needed done that her strength could handle. It left Volt to himself in the lobby, cleaning some of the furniture and dusting as he usually did.
Although it was Fafo's head lifting from his sunny window spot with a soft 'mrrrrp' that drew his attention to the open doorway as Lil arrived. His smile soft as he let out a chuckle.
"Unless ya count chores as busy, ya ain't interruptin' much. Shoulda seen the place durin' the solstice. What can I do for ya?" A joke for a joke, but the hybrid's expression shifted to concerned curiosity as the hedgehog continued.
"Yeah. I got time. Shut the doors, and we can take a seat in the back." He went behind the counter to set a small bell and a card on it before opening the door leading to his and Harmony's residence. A gesture was made for Lil to make himself comfortable at the table.
The small hedgehog quickly did what he was asked before making his way into the hybrid's residence. He took a seat at the table as he waited for Volt to get comfortable himself. It was clear this wasn't going to be easy for Lil', not least because of the subject matter...
But he also hated relying on others for help.
"Look, I'm just going to cut to the chase. I'm having issues with controlling some of my abilities... Chaos abilities, to be precise. Word is that you're one of the few people in this zone that has some of those innate abilities and you're the one I know the best."
Lil' sighed and leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on the table. He was already uncomfortable with this conversation, but it was one that needed to be had; if nothing else but to try to get somewhere.
"Unlike other blue hedgehogs, it seems I have the potential to channel Chaos energy much like the one you call Shadow does, without the need for the Emeralds. Problem is, I can't seem to do it consistently, or very well for that matter. When I do, I quickly sputter out or enter some sort of blackout where I have no memory of what happens. I'm worried I'm going to hurt myself, or someone else, sooner rather than later."
"I've already tried to ask Arrow and a few that he considered experts on the subject, but they weren't much help, despite how much they tried to come up with ideas on what was going on. When I try to make sense of everything...It all is just overwhelming. Makes my head hurt, if I am honest."
Another sigh came from the blue hedgehog.
"I really hate to ask you this, but I am kind of desperate. Is there anything you can do to help?"
{➹} – IT WOULD HAVE been an entirely other tale to tell if the hedgehog explained what had led him to finally assemble a team. Far too much for the current moment, if ever in such a big group. Not that he didn't like the simians, but they weren't quite there yet in terms of connection. Not all of them, anyway.
The idea of all of their teammates coming together was one that Arrow could, oddly enough, entertain. Not just for the notion of having a sort of interdimensional hero team, but because he knew that his team would get a kick out of seeing just who the hedgehog ran into on some of his adventures.
"Can't argue that. Though I also can't promise that at least two of my teammates won't want t' ask you guys half a million questions about them. They're int' that sort of thing." Which was putting it mildly, and really the only one he was slightly worried about getting a little too out of hand was Tekno. Porker at least was typically too shy to be too direct with strangers.
In a similar vein, he would be glad to explain a little more about Chaos Energy. At least the parts that hadn't already been covered, another time. A glance at Otto earned a slightly raised brow, more playful than anything. The hedgehog knew well that some people could feel it, just the same that some machines could sense the same. Luckily, the majority of that raw power was something the hero could hide well, but there would always be traces. Always fluctuations.
Nothing that should affect anything, fortunately.
He bade farewell to the members off to do patrol, and whatever else the remaining members had to set off to do. The idea of touring the city was a tempting one, but he didn't want to force Otto to do anything. They seemed comfortable sitting there talking with the others and after a bit of a rough start to the hero's visit he didn't want to impose.
"Lively bunch." Not at all said as a bad thing, there was a smile aimed Otto's way once again. "'S good there's still enough energy for shenanigans around here. Might seem silly t' some but 's those little moments that make the team stronger. Not that it seems you lot could be much closer."
Of course he knew he was still an outsider looking in, but he saw nothing wrong with calling it how he saw it. "I think I can spare a few questions for now, but I'll leave what's next up t' you. My night is pretty much free."
"We have our moments, but generally I agree with you. A strong team is what we need, now more than ever."
"And it helps keep our spirits up, that's for sure." Otto would chime in with a beaming smile. "We wouldn't want our fight with the Skeleton King to change us all that much..." He paused, realizing something that perhaps the hedgehog didn't. A small glance was given to the robo-simian, who seemed to not notice the slip-up or was pretending to for the other's sake.
Their ongoing war of attrition had changed them more than they would like to admit.
"I think I will let Otto make that decision then. After all, wouldn't want to steal you away from our chief mechanic."
"Since when did you become a jokester, Antauri?" The green simian spoke playfully back. Perhaps a bit of the changes weren't too bad. "Come on, let's go take a look around Shuggazoom. I promise there's still some stuff you'll probably recognize."
"Keep your radio on, Otto, just in case."
"Will do, Antauri!"
Otto would motion for the hedgehog to follow him out of the Super Robot and into the wider city of Shuggazoom; a whole new world to explore.
To see what the Hyperforce had spent their lives protecting.
END
"You're absolutely right, Charmy." He took the time to eat as well. He didn't really feel like eating, but he wasn't going to give Charmy a hard time in not doing so. He finishes his tea and then his breakfast. He always preferred something light. "I'm glad you're not hurt. At least I dont think you look hurt."
"Of course I'm not. You think a few henchmen could take me on? Please, we've been up against worse." The bee chuckled. "Threw one of the big fellas across the room. It was too bad the rest of the Chaotix couldn't see. Mori would be swooning over me." The last bit was played up with a dramatic, playful effect.
"When you're ready, I have something that should help you feel better." He offered the medicine he prepared to the chameleon. His mind couldn't help but wonder in that moment. He would wait for the Espio to finish taking his medicine before speaking again.
"Say, Esp...Do you think Mori and I are ready? For a kid of our own?"
"Alright... That would not surprise me." He sniffles. But somehow it turns into a small fit of coughing. He groans. Espio was sitting up. He didn't want to lay back down. "You're grown up so much. Now you're taking care of me."
"We take care of each other now." Charmy corrected the chameleon with a smile, even if he couldn't see it under the mask. "That's what family is for." He spoke as he prepared some of the remedies Espio preferred to use for this sort of thing, although he wasn't afraid to give the other something less traditional and more modern, should these not be effective enough. "You taught me that family is important and who your family truly is...You and Vec both."
Espio cracks another smile. "Damn. You know me too well. I was going to." He didn't feel like pretending that he wasn't going to try and turn invisible on him. Of course, Charmy knew him. Espio covers the blanket over his face and sneeze. He probably didn't need to do that because he already had a mask on. He groans.
"My head..."
"Well you did raise me, after all. Just rest up, you're not going to get better pushing yourself. You should follow the advice you gave me as a kid." He couldn't help but crack a smile of his own. There was something about being able to turn Espio's parenting back on himself that was amusing.
"You know, I haven't taken your temperature yet, but it sound like you got a nasty cold."
"You were something else when you were sick. I remember there were times where you thought you were actually dying from a simple cold. Vec and I had to calm you down. And it was one of the few times you weren't as active. We did our best to entertain you while you were recovering." He flashes a faint smile at the memories. "Thanks for the food and tea, Charmy."
He starts off by drinking the tea first.
"You don't truly know better as a kid, huh? I must made you both feel like you were as worn down as I was." Charmy quietly chuckled. "I still remember the look Vector would give when he tried to calm me down and only made it worse. At least he tried."
Charmy would nod at Espio's thanks. "The least I can do. I'm just glad you're not trying to push yourself like Mori does...I guess that's one thing we have in common; beeing stubborn to a fault."
"When you're ready, I would like to get your temperature. I brought a few things that we might need. Just promise me you won't go hopping out of bed when I'm not looking, alright?"
☼ starter >> @storiesyetuntold > lil
❝ should i even bother to ask what's up or do you wanna be left alone to...think, or whatever it is you're doing? ❞
basswood wasn't the best at talking about feelings, or even listening to people really, but he could recognize when something needed to be said to that effect. plus, he was working on all that so who better to practice on than his own alternate?
"I mean, I'm not sure how much you would be able to help. Doubt this would be within the wheelhouse of things you've dealt with before."
It was true that something was up, but he wasn't sure if Basswood would really be willing to delve into all the crazy he felt like he was in. His mind felt clouded, confused, like there were millions of voices trying to tell him different things. It made his current predicament nearly impossible to sort out for himself.
But music helped, so he picked an isolated spot on the island that Basswood and Wisteria lived and brought his trusty guitar he found years ago to just practice and let his mind settle. He felt like himself again when he was playing or creating music, as if everything else didn't matter anymore.
For a bit of time anyway.
"I just came out here to get a bit of practice in. The band and I have a few suits coming into the studio for some big deals and we want to be on our best. Figured the scenery and practice might help clear my head a little from what else I have going on. You're welcome to listen in, if you want."
And of course, he was avoiding the village. He didn't feel very welcomed there.
Doodles from here and there and everywhere
Espio sighs. "I know, I know. I've been out of it for a few days now. I think I've taken something last night.... from what I remember. I lost track of time. Is it the afternoon, already? I usually make green tea, but I haven't been able to get out of bed today." He's usually on top of things.
"Yeah, it is." Charmy would try to offer a smile behind the mask. "Let me get you some tea to start, and something to eat for that matter."
The bee would gently offer the chameleon reassurance that he was in good hands before going off to handle getting Espio some tea and something to eat; something that his stomach could handle, in case the other was having issues there. Until he knew exactly what was ailing the other, he wouldn't take any chances.
After a few moments, he would be back with a tray for the tea and food. Along with grabbing a thermometer and a few other things from the medicine cabinet.
"Funny, this reminds me of when I used to get sick as a kid." The bee reminisced as he set the tray down where Espio could relax and enjoy something rather than feeling weathered down. "I don't know how you managed to put up with me when I was sick."
