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seasonsrpg2025-05-08 07:54 pm
sonic_wachowski) wrote in seasonsrpg2025-05-08 07:54 pm
Entry tags:
(no subject)
WHO: Sonic Wachowski and Chipp
WHAT: Ice Cream Meeting
WHEN: After IC Anon Confessions
WHERE: Ice cream shop in Blossomcrown
WARNINGS: Talk of loneliness and isolation probably.
The plan had been to get some advice on a problem Sonic had been having without having to out his damage to the people he was close to. Its not...its not like Sonic doesn't trust them or anything like that. Like gun to his head, Sonic would admit to his damage in a second to those people he's close to because its really not about trust.
Its because he doesn't like people being sad.
He doesn't like being sad.
He prefers to think of the happier things. The good things he had in his life now. He doesn't want to bring the people who make him happy down by talking about things no one can change now.
Its just sometimes those sad things catch up, one way or another.
Back home, Tom and Maddie were smart. They could put together the clues. The fact he hadn't seen Longclaw since he was a kid. Living in a cave. All the reports of the Blue Devil and weird, unsolved petty crimes.
They're not stupid, and they could put enough together to try and help some of his worst struggles without having to really...TALK about it. Not often anyway. Sometimes things would slip and they would talk, and he hated it. Hated seeing them sad. Hated seeing how hurt they were he had to suffer like that.
Because they cared and loved him and he understood that they didn't begrudge learning this about him, but it still wasn't something he enjoyed.
But if there was one thing he hated more than anything else, it was someone feeling resigned to loneliness.
There was nothing stronger. It was that same feeling of empathy that had made him forgive Shadow when his blinding rage cooled. It was what made him think he could connect with Knuckles. The same thing that made him reach out to Rinku and Evangeline in different ways.
Loneliness was terrible.
Feeling trapped in it was worse.
So even if it meant someone would be sad for him, it was worth it if he could help someone who had that same feeling.
So he ran to the ice cream shop. Thought about it for a bit, before getting praline and butter pecan. And then it was lemon sorbet and strawberry for him. Then he would wait at a table, starting to eat his.
Because hey, he's hungry.
WHAT: Ice Cream Meeting
WHEN: After IC Anon Confessions
WHERE: Ice cream shop in Blossomcrown
WARNINGS: Talk of loneliness and isolation probably.
The plan had been to get some advice on a problem Sonic had been having without having to out his damage to the people he was close to. Its not...its not like Sonic doesn't trust them or anything like that. Like gun to his head, Sonic would admit to his damage in a second to those people he's close to because its really not about trust.
Its because he doesn't like people being sad.
He doesn't like being sad.
He prefers to think of the happier things. The good things he had in his life now. He doesn't want to bring the people who make him happy down by talking about things no one can change now.
Its just sometimes those sad things catch up, one way or another.
Back home, Tom and Maddie were smart. They could put together the clues. The fact he hadn't seen Longclaw since he was a kid. Living in a cave. All the reports of the Blue Devil and weird, unsolved petty crimes.
They're not stupid, and they could put enough together to try and help some of his worst struggles without having to really...TALK about it. Not often anyway. Sometimes things would slip and they would talk, and he hated it. Hated seeing them sad. Hated seeing how hurt they were he had to suffer like that.
Because they cared and loved him and he understood that they didn't begrudge learning this about him, but it still wasn't something he enjoyed.
But if there was one thing he hated more than anything else, it was someone feeling resigned to loneliness.
There was nothing stronger. It was that same feeling of empathy that had made him forgive Shadow when his blinding rage cooled. It was what made him think he could connect with Knuckles. The same thing that made him reach out to Rinku and Evangeline in different ways.
Loneliness was terrible.
Feeling trapped in it was worse.
So even if it meant someone would be sad for him, it was worth it if he could help someone who had that same feeling.
So he ran to the ice cream shop. Thought about it for a bit, before getting praline and butter pecan. And then it was lemon sorbet and strawberry for him. Then he would wait at a table, starting to eat his.
Because hey, he's hungry.
no subject
He's forgotten what the pain of it even feels like.
But, meeting Sonic like he had... even he can't argue with what he's said. "There's a difference between surviving and being happy"... does he even know what that feels like?
Being happy?
Maybe he does. But that's something he'd rather discuss over ice cream.
It's easy to spot when someone that is emphatically not Ellipsan wanders into the little parlor properly, the big guy towering at nearly seven feet - he has to duck a little to walk in through the door, just to keep his screen from bonking on its frame.
But likewise, the little Blue Blur is just as easy to spot, already digging into the serving he's ordered himself... and seeing that, a big, LED grin spreads out on Chipp's screen under that big ol' eye of his.
When he waves, it's with his metal prosthetic, sharp claws spreading in a "hello".]
Bonsoir! I take it you that anon, talkin' up how he gonna pay for his own ice cream?
'Cause I meant that, y'know. I wanna pay; my treat!
no subject
[It is hard to miss the robot and there is a bit of a whistle because boy, he's a TALL one. They must make a funny picture. Sonic is used to looking up, but he's pretty sure this guy is more than twice his size.]
[He waves back though. At least he's used to odd looking robots. Mecha Sonic was a whole missmash.]
Hello. And yeah, I am.
If you really want to insist, you'll have to figure out the math for the servings. [He teases with a grin.] Ice cream places charge when you get them and I wasn't gonna hold up the line.
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[Said as he pulls out a chair - magically, because of course the weird robot guy's got magic - and plops himself right down in it, moving to cross his arms on the tabletop.
Notably, one arm isn't metal. It's definitely still grey, but not metal!]
... So.
Name's Chipp. You?
no subject
[...oh, lab experiment also sad empathy points.]
....it occurs to me challenging a robot person to a math problem was not the best plan.
I'm Sonic the Hedgehog Wachowski. Wachowski might be the easiest if you ever have to contact me, there's another Sonic and there's just....so many The Hedgehogs now. But I'm the only Wachowski so far!
no subject
Don't mind him, he's just gonna snag his bowl and drag it over.
And... the whole ordeal with his name does get a big LED blink in Sonic's direction, of course.]
... Awright, I'ma be real with ya -
I don't understand a damn thing 'bout all o' what you just said. But s'okay, I'll just call ya Wachowski if you want me to.
Or, ehhh... if I like ya, could give you a nickname. I'm not usually a last name kinda guy, me.
["If", as if he's not so soft for the little guy already.]
no subject
Or other Sonic is around. Other Sonic is another version of me. You know, blue quills, speedy, not super tall, but he's lived through a whoooooole different kind of life.
[Like not a super lonely one, to start.]
And don't worry about not understanding what I say. I get that a lot. Mostly because I say too much. I used to be a lot worse about it, I've cut down my talking by at least half I think.
[So those coping mechanisms-]
But Sonic, Wachowski, or a nickname is totally fine. I like nicknames, it can just take a bit to find one that fits.
no subject
I'll get to the rest, but -
You ain't cuttin' down on your talkin' 'cause people been tellin' ya to, have you?
[He just... wants to make sure. If only because ouch, that hits WAY too close to home--]
no subject
Oh, no.
Well, not like all the time? Or....there's no one pressuring me to, I guess. I do get complaints. Especially when I first meet people and honestly that's fair because its...
Its a lot.
[He taps his spoon into his ice cream. Idly, there isn't splatter.]
I process oxygen super efficiently. At least that's what mom thinks. But I can talk for literal minutes at a time without breathing, so when I get going, I can go on and on.
And it annoys people. Though a lot of people usually just get used to me and learn that sometimes they just have to filter things out. And when people figure out why I talk so much, they get a lot nicer about it.
Mostly I try to cut down because I'm, uh....new to needing to filter anything.
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Most people hate it. Don't like me changin' subjects all the time 'cause my brain don't like stickin' to just one.
Usually just don't talk at all, me.
[... Which is probably easy to tell, just from how hoarse his voice is.]
I'm glad you got folks who're nice about it, but man... 'least I can promise you ain't gotta filter nothin' with me.
Might not say much; I ain't good at talkin'. But still, I like listenin'.
no subject
[He chuckles.] Nothing about me is particularly slow, including my attention span.
Mom's also wondered if alien hedgehogs can have ADHD, but its not like they can medicate me, medicines clear out of my system in minutes, so it would have to be therapy tools and boy, we're still working on that whole tangled web between three of us and the alien bit.
[A pause.] Basically, you can give me all the subjects. I might even be good at picking out the ones you actually want to talk about, or keep up the pace, whichever way you're going about it!
There is that though. I try to cut down partially because I like talking with people. Its nice to hear someone else's voice. So its important I give them gaps to say stuff too.
Still important I learn to filter. Like....I'm pretty good at telling when people are trust worthy. I did a lot of people watching, so apparently I picked that up, so its not like I'm worried about it being used against me. Its just....
Well, that's also a lot. [He shrugged and takes a bite of his ice cream.]
no subject
(His brain moves fast, but being social isn't quite his forte. He's trying though, bless him.)]
... I don't think I got many subjects you'd wanna hear about. Unless you wanna tell me you into robotics, even though you 'fraid of'em.
Uh -
Speakin' of...
[Yeah, he wants to finally dig into his ice cream... but that means he's gotta take off his helmet.
The whole thing comes off in one motion, and he'll go ahead and put that on the floor by his feet -
And it'll take less than a second for Sonic to get why he wears it. That scowl is all his face can really do, and his voice is nearly monotone without the helmet's modulator adding emotion to his voice for him...
He's more robotic without the helmet than he is with it.
... But at least it means he's gonna get a spoonful of that ice cream!
And through a mouthful of it, because manners are for squares -]
Don't be afraid to just bring shit to me, though, ouais? Don't care what it is - if you wanna talk to me, I wanna hear it.
We both know what it's like, bein' stuck alone. Might as well stick together, at least a li'l.
no subject
I actually listen to robotics a lot! I don't understand like most of it, but my little brother, Tails, he's a genius. He isn't making ROBOTS-robots yet, he's more focused on gadgets, but gadgets have like robot stuff in them. When he gets going about the stuff he makes, its pretty adorable.
So I've picked up bits and pieces. Sometimes I can even ask him a question! Most of the time I'm just his rubber ducky for problem solving.
[His relationship with robotics is complex. On one hand, the thing that's tried to kill him most. On the other, Tails adores tech and sharing what he loves and Sonic loves making his little brother happy. Also Mecha Sonic has been a nice guy and not tried to kill him once!]
[Sonic tilts his head when he removes the helmet and-]
[Scowly face, rather flat affectation, even the dark complexion?]
[
[Suffice to say, he hasn't actually picked up the real reason for the helmet.]
[Sonic kicks his feet back and forth, taking a bite of his ice cream.]
I'll remember that. Its not like I try to be, you know, cagey. Its just...hard.
But I think its easier when someone understands. It doesn't feel like I'm bringing the mood down so much when someone gets it, you know?
That's what I want to offer you. Along with the understanding sometimes the words are just hard.
no subject
[That gets something of a laugh out of the big guy, even though it's more like a couple of little wheezes - but he understands exactly what he means by that, too.
Of course, the ducks he uses for his debugging tend to be whoever's nearby, instead... he's definitely subjected random Ellipsans to his coding woes before.
But still. He gets it.]
Mm. Words're harder for me than most folks; I usually don't talk when I ain't wearin' that stupid box.
But... I wanna yammer at'cha, 'n I want ice cream. If I wanna do both, the helmet's gotta go.
And, eh... bein' real honest with ya, here. I can't really tell "the mood" much, anyhow.
So that ain't somethin' you gotta worry 'bout with me. I think.
[It could also be something Sonic really has to worry about with Chipp, he's frankly got no idea.]
no subject
[Oooh, that sounds like when he almost gets Shadow to laugh. At least he's pretty sure he's getting Shadow to almost laugh.]
[He grins.]
Its pretty fun to watch. I'll have no idea what he's saying, and there's this whole rollercoaster of him looking frustrated and annoyed and then he lights up like a Christmas tree, and going on about like a transistor or soldering. Its always a surprise when it happens.
Really? What does the helmet do? Does it like...make the word you're looking for pop up or something? I've had that. I can ramble around a concept for a while until I finally figure out the word.
[He chuckles.] Yeah, honestly, the mood can be hard. I didn't realize how much harder it is to pick apart when you're in the conversation versus watching it from some hidden perch like a ghoul.
And that only covers like ninety percent of mood types. Anything that's more...I dunno. Is intimate the word? Something harder to observe from the outside, it takes a while for me to figure out. I usually just prattle on about something dumb until the person reacts in a way I can peg down and use as a reference.
no subject
Hell, right now 's just the shell. Insides take a long time.
But I been thinkin' 'bout makin' my helper bots here in Ellipsa... maybe givin'em out to folks I can trust with'em.
That'd be... somethin' you interested in?
[Y'know, if Sonic could handle being in The Murder Shed:tm: full of power tools and robotic parts --]
As for the helmet... naw. It ain't thinkin' 'bout the words that's hard. It's sayin'em.
The helmet, it's, ehh...
Like puttin' my face on. Sometimes.
You can't talk if you ain't gotta face, can ya? No mouth to talk with.
no subject
[A pause.]
As long as I don't need to stand completely still for like two minutes. Gotta be doing something with my hands or feet, or my attention just likes to fly out the window. I try my best! Just...you know. Consistency not guaranteed.
But I'm great at copying people motions and stuff! Tails won't let me do any of the soldering stuff, but putting together shells, tab A into slot B stuff, I'm great.
And helper bots can be great.
[He tilts his head. Looks to his face, looks to the helmet, another spoonful of ice cream in his mouth.]
But you have a face?
no subject
So I built me a better one. And it's so good, sometimes the talkin' part o' my brain won't work without it.
That make any sense?
[He sure hopes it makes sense, because honestly, he's not sure how else to explain it?
There's all sorts of terms for what he goes through, but it's not like he remembers them. Whatever his brain is doing is a mystery to him even on a good day, he doesn't need big fancy textbook terminology to make it even harder to follow??]
That said... you ain't gotta worry 'bout puttin' things together. The chips they need, those're delicate stuff.
I gott go in with my magic to do it, me. Hands're too big otherwise.
I just wanna show'em to ya.
But it ain't like I got nothin' for you to do in there. You like music?
I'll letcha fuck 'round with my keyboard 'n shit. Got guitars, too.
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[He frowns.] Because your face reminds me a lot of Shadow's face. Like he doesn't emote a lot, but I mean... [He shrugs.] Its just how his face is.
Ooooh, so that is magic. I thought it was like magnets or something.
But yeah! I'd love to see them. Robots are only a problem if I'm really not expecting them.
[He nods.] I love music! Music's great. [Gasp.] You have actual instruments? Only one I've really gotten to see was this acoustic guitar dad has.
no subject
Don't help that I can't smile.
Prolly don't seem like it, but I'm in a great mood right now.
[But! That's kind of depressing, isn't it? Even though he's not completely sure... he feels like it's gotta be.
The few friends he's made here don't usually like hearing him talk like this, after all, even if it's the truth...
But Sonic's apparent excitement does give him an idea for a better topic.]
Hmm... I mean, you wanna get all technical 'bout it, I actually gotta instrument with me right now.
Magic one, even.
You wanna see it? It'll be too heavy for you to lift... but hell, most people think it's cool to look at.
Or interestin', at least.
no subject
I mean, I assumed there was positive going on, but it takes a while to refine the ability to read specific people, you know?
And sometimes its just about meeting the right people. Knuckles doesn't smile a ton. He can, but like....okay, Shadow I think just doesn't know how to emote so much. Knuckles wants to look serious and intimidating most of the time, so he's scowly in that way.
But people do get used to Knuckles and realize that's just his face. I think Shadow has much the same, its just everyone is also used to the older Shadow, who even if he emotes a bit better, is still really scowly.
People just gotta get used to your face.
[He chuckles.] Well, now I wanna try lifting it. I'm stronger than I look. [A lot stronger.]
But I totally want to see it!
no subject
Like it'll make the smile that isn't there somehow more visible.
... But after a moment, he'll go ahead and reach up with both of his hands, purely so he can use his index fingers to push the corners of his mouth up into a "smile".
It looks incredibly goofy on him.]
Good luck gettin' used to this mess. Only one person here ever managed it, 'n... they ain't here no more.
Anyway, though... lemme pull it out for ya, then.
[His instrument, he means. It entails holding his hand out to the side, away from Sonic and away from the table - his palm faces upward, and after just a second, a little bit of violet-colored light starts to gather above it.
Only for that light to suddenly spread and take the form of...
A tombstone? A guitar? A banjo? A buzzsaw??
It's hard to say, just looking at it.
But once he's got it summoned, he'll go ahead and plunk it on the table between them. It... it definitely sounds heavy.
Looks heavy, too - like it's made of cast iron and steel.
The eye on its body blinks, looking up at Sonic.]
... This here's Spin Jockey. You free to touch it, try 'n lift it -
Just be a li'l careful. Li'l guy's a part o' me.
no subject
[When people watching is the closest thing you've had to social interaction, trying to figure out how people tick becomes an important interest.]
[He chuckles a bit at the smile.] You don't have to force yourself to smile. I want to learn what your smile looks like.
[Though his expression sombers at that.] Well...there's still new people to learn.
Shadow's newer in my life. But he's pretty important to me already. You always have a chance to have new important people to understand you.
[He shifts things away to make room for the instrument, looking it over with a whistle.] Ooooh, very Hot Topic.
[He stares at the eye.]
[There's a memory at the back of his head, the dream, with far too much meat and green blood-]
[He shakes his head. That's not a now issue, even if that curiosity keeps nagging at him.]
Yeah, don't worry! I'm real careful.
[He reaches out to touch it. He does a test shift and then he nods. Had to be sure it wasn't abnormally heavy, but if its just cast iron and steel?]
[That he can lift.]
[Little guy is A Lot stronger than he looks.]
[He might not lift cars one handed like Knuckles, but he's still got a lot of power in that little body.]
no subject
It's not a new sentiment, though; just... rare. Impossibly rare. Something he's only heard from one other person - the one who went and disappeared while Chipp was away from Ellipsa.
There Sonic goes again, managing to punch the big guy right in the gut.]
Ahh... J'ai gros coeur.
[It's half muttered to himself, and despite what it means - "I'm gonna cry", more or less - there's little to no change in his tone of voice at all.
As for the weight?
It's cast iron and steel, sure; Sonic's going to be able to lift it just fine, either way. But there's just something... a little heavier in there, too.
Or maybe it's more like something's pulling on it from below - almost as if it wants to be dropped.
Weird!!
Either way, Chipp's crossing his arms on the table again, leaning forward as he watches Sonic heft up his soul just fine.]
Mais, you got some real power to ya. Last time I let someone hold Spin Jockey, they fell right over the moment I stopped holdin' onto it.
You a fighter? Or you just lucky, born strong like that?
no subject
[He does offer a smile at those raised brows. He isn't sure the full reaction, but he knows raised brows means he said something with an impact. An impact is usually good.]
No habla espanol. [It probably wasn't Spanish? Either way, he really doesn't know what he said.]
Huh. [He adjusts it. Like it wants to be dropped.] Some kinda gravity thing...? [The closest sensation he can think of is being in that gravity trap, except its just the instrument.]
[Still, he is handling it with care, carefully balancing it with the help of the chair and plucking the strings.]
Born lucky, getting more experience with the fighter thing.
[And....well. There was a reason to this meeting.]
That's why I ended up on my own. When you're born special, people want to use you. [The plucking is slow, delicate. Not really a tune, he doesn't know how to play, just hearing the noise.] I had a guardian. She tried to keep me from those people, until she finally had to send me so far away, no one would have an inkling about me. They weren't looking for my kind of energy, and anyone who talked about three foot tall blue hedgehogs would be called crazy. As long as I didn't let people see me, no one would even think to look for me, let alone use me.
Well...
In theory.
Kiiiiind of caused a massive power outage that got the government's attention, so they knew where I was, and then shenanigans happened that led to the found family situation.
no subject
And that eye on its body stares up at Sonic, as if it's studying him.
(Jury's still out on if it's sentient or not.)]
... Mm; now, see, thing is... you ain't even gotta be born special for shit like that, neither.
I mean, I was just a measly li'l human while I was still alive. Stronger than most; lot stronger.
But still just a human.
Folks found a way to wring a use outta me, anyhow.
Glad you got yourself a family outta the whole thing, at least. You seem like a good kid... even if you covered in fur.
no subject
Though from what I've got of alien hedgehogs, I dunno how much different I am. Being a lot stronger isn't anything to sneeze at.
Like....sure, being an alien hedgehog meant the humans wanted to study me just for being an alien, but where I was, I wasn't an alien. Just special powers. Just special enough to be a problem.
[He shrugged.] Wherever there's a big enough group of people, there'll be people who want to control power. If you stand out, they'll make it a problem.
Unfortunately.
And its a process to get that to not be a thing. Well...eventually be a thing. Hopefully.
Hate trying to get it to stop, but if it means keeping my family, I'll keep working at it.
[He looks up.] Did you ever get away? From the people trying to use you?
no subject
But take it from me.
Don't lose'em.
[... At this point, though, he can feel it - some eerie, metaphorical thing crawling up his back, as he thinks about how to answer Sonic's question.
He ends up having to take in a deep breath, hold it... and let it out as a sigh as he moves to put his helmet back on.
It's his safety blanket.]
I did, ouais. Took me dyin' to make it happen.
But I did.
no subject
I could destroy GUN if I wanted. I could, if I was that ruthless. But I'm not. I could run. I do have options. But then I would lose my family. So I have to play politics. Find the ways to manipulate GUN.
Find the ways where our cooperation is necessary for them to get what they want out of us, versus what they can just take. And hope over time I can win enough agents on my side to change things.
Its exhausting.
[He breathes in sharply.]
....literal or fake dying....?
no subject
It's a soft one.]
Aw, hun...
You don't get a soul that heavy [- pointing a metal claw at Spin Jockey -] from just fakin' your death.
You a smart one, though, bein' diplomatic 'bout it all where you can. 'Cause me, that's how I died.
I weren't bein' used as a tool or nothin'... I was a weapon. Aimed at the folks who kept gettin' away with hurtin' others.
And when the day came I got caught, y'know...
Governments don't like keepin' 'round folks who destroy, even if you had a good reason.
So... 's good that you takin' the good-hearted path. Real good.
You savin' folks, that way.
[He's trying very hard to sidestep the obvious, here - he doesn't want to say what all he's done outright and scare the poor kid.
But at the same time... what other crimes are there where the punishment is death?]
no subject
[He squeaks.] Its your soul?! Should I be touching it?! [Immediate concern! He can't like...break it, can he?!]
[Oh.]
So used by another group until the government found you....?
[Also doing some MATH from those words.]
....the good path is more sustainable if I get it to work. If GUN could recognize us as people, it means other people can't replace them, and it means we could have allies against other groups. I can do a lot when it comes to a fight, but like....logistical stuff, or finding people, and anything that isn't just straight fight gets a lot harder.
Plus it'd be better for Earth if they're accepting of aliens before any like...groups find them, instead of one offs.
no subject
Though it's more like a round of wheezes that ends with a coughing fit into his elbow, having to push his helmet up and everything.
But that helmet falls back over his head again, the biggest, dumbest grin spread across it as he reaches over and pats the back of Sonic's hand.]
Naw, naw - you fine, hun, 's all good! Not like you gonna hurt it any, and besides...
'S only the core o' my soul, anyhow. Not the whole thing!
[For the rest, though... he draws his hand back again, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.]
... Y'know. We got other Otherworlders kickin' 'round this place, they got the ability back in their world to go hoppin' into others.
Can't do it here, but... once everyone all done savin' Ellipsa or whatever, they plan to go hopping world to world, lookin' for their friends.
Which is to say... if ya meet anyone here you think could help you with that quest, then remember you might actually be able to have'em pop up in your world to help.
I'd offer, bein' that I am a logistics kinda fella... but I ain't made to play nice, neither.
Even in the land of the dead, my job's killin' folks. ... Well - my second job's killin' folks, anyhow.