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Living in the City - Jack-the-Hedgie - 12-18-2008 07:06 PM
“And it can be yours for only twelve easy payments of-“
Click.
“John… I’m pregnant with yo-“
Click
“Gotta go fast! Gotta go fast! Gotta go faster faster fasterfasterfa-“
CLICKCLICKCLICK
Jack wasn’t the kind of person to fall into a routine. Much less, he wasn’t the kind of person to spend longer then a weekend as a couch potato. Then again, after all that Sarath business, the poor hedgie was physically and emotionally exhausted. For the first time in a long time, Jack just didn’t have the strength or will to carry out another adventure. He was content spending this little time lapse at home, in that poorly decorated apartment. That ugly 1970’s couch with the holes punched in it from Jack rolling over one too many times had become all too familiar territory. That old TV, sitting on the 2x4 and cinderblock stand became a relaxing form of entertainment. However, boredom was starting to set back in, and the hedgehog was starting to feel antsy again, that itch to get back out in the world becoming harder to ignore. It eventually boiled over when Jack clicked onto a certain news report.
“…However, there have been few clues to the whereabouts of these missing people, and the hopes they are still alive are starting to grow dim. If there is anyone who might have a lead on this mysterious case, police urge that they be contacted immediately.
Today marks the fourteenth day since the mysterious alien invader known as Sarath Crescents apparent demise. Investigations still go slow, due to the outbreak of what scientists call Phase Particles. Sarah Welker is with us live as she stands outside the boarder of what used to be our Nations capital. Sarah?”
“Thank you, Jen. It’s been two weeks since the saga of Sarath Crescents invasion of earth was brought to an end. Capitol City, hit hardest by this mysterious invaders still remains closed off to civilians, as the military continues its investigations and cleanup…”
As the young woman reporter onscreen continued her broadcast, Jack found himself briefly losing himself in thought.
“It’s really been two weeks, huh? I guess time flies when you’re half dead on the couch, watching sit come reruns. Pfft. Some adventurer I am. Here the military is, risking their lives as they clean up the mess I helped make, while I’m sitting here. Hell. The only thing I’ve done in the last two weeks is started watch TV from the comfort of the ceiling!”
Desiring a break from the suffocating embrace of that tacky sofa, Jack had since resigned himself to spending his TV time puffed up like a big, furry balloon, resting on the ceiling and watching his shows upside down. It certainly was a change, but even that can get dull after a while. Thankfully, someone would soon come along to push Jack in the right direction.
“Jack! Open the door! I know you’re in there!”
Jacks ears perked to the sound of a loud knock on his door. Outside, his landlord impatiently waited, banging on the door with a meaty fist. His booming voice began again, shaking the air filled hedgehog to the bone.
“I said open the damn door, you rubbery freak! You’re a week behind rent! I want my money, NOW!”
“It’s strange,” Jack thought with a puffy hand to his chin “All of a sudden, I have a strong urge to get out of here and get back to adventuring. Like. Now!”
Jack let out a comical grunt as his balloon body wedged itself into the open window. “Maybe this wasn’t the best idea” he thought, sheepishly. His landlord audibly growing more and more impatient, Jack began to frantically pull and squeeze as, inch by inch, the furry blimp struggled to freedom. Finally, with the sound of a freshly pulled cork, the elastic hedgehog popped free from the confining ventilator, and rose up into the air. Before long, the skyscrapers of Station Square stood under his feet.
“I should probably head downtown…” Jack thought to himself, as the comforting quiet of being a few hundred feet from the ground allowed him to get his thoughts in order. “Maybe I can find a way to make a few rings and get that fat bear off my back.”
With that, Jack swam his way back to the ground below, and thirty minutes later, many a Station Square urbanite found themselves scratching their heads as a rotund hedgehog drifted along, several feet overhead.
RE: Living in the City - Huu B. - 12-18-2008 10:49 PM
That last theft didn't go so well... thankfully the police are never particularly thorough in searching for thieves.
So went the thoughts of Huu Benjiski, master thief and quick-change artist, who took a moment to hide on a rooftop not far from Jack's position. The object disguising his position was a large billboard decorated with a clown's face, beside which was printed some information about the local circus. Not the noblest of hiding places, but beggars can't be choosers.
Peering out from behind the billboard, Huu spotted Jack floating down the street.
That has got to be the ugliest Thanksgiving Day parade balloon I've ever seen... and it's not even November yet. Let's see how realistic it really is.
Picking up a shard of broken glass which he'd brought with him for self-defense, Huu chucked it at the inflated hedgehog like a throwing knife. Thankfully he still remembered something about throwing knives from when he'd Mirrored Semyl Lowell two weeks back.
RE: Living in the City - Amy Rose - 12-19-2008 04:02 PM
I met him outside the debriefing room. He looked like he'd been waiting for me this entire time. I wouldn't have been surprised. He stood up as I walked in. I let him talk first. He was my higher up, after all, and despite everything that had happened the day prior, I still had respect for him. He told me right away that GUN might not be suited for me. He was really brief and to the point, but the anger I'd expected to be kindling underneath his words remained absent. I'd gone against him a few times during our last mission, after all. I was kind of shocked, but only slightly. Maybe he was ashamed of himself for everything that occurred on the dropship. But even so, in the end, when I looked back, I realized that perhaps GUN wasn't for me. I didn't think I could ever follow the beliefs they shared under their banner. And as harsh as what Shadow said, at points, it wasn't far from the truth about GUN.
So, painfully, I told him that I was already out. I had already planned to resign. That I had learned so much from him, so much from joining the organization, so much that I have to leave. That it wasn't for me, even though I tried so hard. But I felt maybe I was right in the first place. Perhaps that comfort zone I developed over time for handling things, though in need of fine tuning, was my rightful path to take.
He kind of looked with me with resolve. He wasn't mad at me. Looking back, I think he'd known my decision from the start, before I'd even uttered a word that day. Yet, he held no spite in his gaze. I'd grown in his eyes from being that frivolous pink powder puff he'd met weeks ago. So, we talked for a little while longer. It was just idle chit chat, followed by a question I knew he was going to ask.
'What do you plan to do from here?'
And I simply looked at him. And I told him.
'I'm gonna do what I always do.'
"Oh, look at that one!"
I pointed several times in the direction of the nearest display window on that block. Inside, a mannequin was fashioning a bright violet skirt, very contemporary in design with its gold accents.
"Let's go, Tutley!"
I didn't even give the turtle a chance to reply as I rushed inside the shop. It'd been two weeks since my resignation with GUN, fourteen days I had let pass before my check had finally come in. In that time, I had reunited with MTP and ran shop while Tifa was out, though where she was I hadn't the slightest idea. This was my day off though and with a check to burn, I was going to use it.
Tutley had just happened to be in town when I'd called him. We'd exchanged contact information prior to going our separate ways. He'd agreed to meet me out here. I used to know the reason why, but I guess I got so caught in my shopping spree, I just clear forgot. He was being helpful at any rate.
[If that's a bit too much assuming, please send me a line. ;D]
RE: Living in the City - Mathias 'Slick' Greyer - 12-20-2008 07:33 PM
[Not at all, I don't think I could have put it any better myself.]
To say I was distracted would be putting things mildly. I had so many things on my mind right now it would be difficult to list them all out. I guess the first and for most thing on my mind was the alien attack. I had been keeping tabs on all the news reports and it worried me when I read just how many lives had been lost during the massive battle. Roughly 5, 000 GUN casualties, most of which came when the aliens had turned Bradsford Air base into the smoking crater it now is. I knew a lot people at that base. And the truly frightening thing was there was nothing of their bodies left to even bury. They were vaporized on the spot.
And apparently almost 128 GUN aircraft had been shot down or damaged and only a small percentage of those downed aircraft pilot's would survive. Sure, barely a hundred and thirty aircraft may not sound like much, but when considering that the GUN air force only had around 400 planes total, that suddenly meant they lost almost a quarter of their standing air force; especially on the Western Continent.
5,000 dead, and that's not even counting civilians. Latest tallies estimate the civilian death count to be in the tens of thousands, maybe even in the hundreds. It certainly was a shock. In all my years, I'd never seen such devastation and loss of life. Not even from the numerous attacks by Robotnik. But that wasn't really at the foremost of my concerns. Sure, it certainly wasn't easy to cope with such a shock and loss, but its not like I haven't had to deal with such feelings before. And I did at least take some comfort in that all those lives weren't wasted. GUN, along with Sonic and his friends, had managed to win against all odds. So, at least their noble sacrifice was not in vain.
That, and I still had a shoulder to cry on. My husband was still waiting for me when I came home. I told him what I went through, what I could tell him that is, and he listened like a good husband should. And then he held me. It wasn't a very complicated gesture, but it gave me such relief. Just to be held.
And that brings me to my next biggest concern. A few days after the battle over Capitol ended a dear friend of mine found out that his parents had been killed there. They just happened to be unlucky enough to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Needless to say, I immediately expressed my consolations to him and offered to help any way I could. But, be it pride or perhaps repressed grief, he kindly refused. Saying, he could deal with it himself.
Now I'm no psychiatrist, but I've always believed that emotions shouldn't remain bottled. And what troubled me most was that he seemed off somehow at that moment. I don't know any other way to describe it. But it was almost like that faint spark, that little twinkle in his eyes was just... gone now. What's funny though is that, until that moment, I don't think I'd ever noticed that spark before. And now, only when its gone did I actually notice. I guess what hurts the most though in seeing this... change in him is that i also know he doesn't really have any other family. Unlike me, he doesn't have that shoulder to cry on. He's a proud man. So, knowing him as well as I do, I'm sure he's just bottling up his grief and sorrow. And it hurts to see him like this and know that he's unwilling to let out his feelings to someone, anyone, even if the opportunity is offered freely; if only so that he could move on.
I've seen my friend several times since that day. And every time he's quieter now. Almost... like a shadow of himself. Like a part of him died with his parents. And I fear for him. Not only for his mental well-being. But also because his job is very dangerous. And I'm worried that one day his grief might make him sloppy just once and then something terrible might happen to him.
But then, a tug on my arm pulls me back to reality and now, my most pressing issue on my mind now has my full attention: The two little ones running and skipping merrily around me, urging me to move faster. I smile, seeing the two happy, excited faces of my children. And for the moment all my other worries are gone. Right now, my only concern is to take my seven year old son, Josh, and my five year old daughter, Sara, to the toy store so my son could pick out the new bike he would be getting for his birthday. And just so my daughter doesn't feel left out, I'd let her pick out a nice new doll for her to play with.
It wasn't easy being a mother, and a career mother at that. My one regret was that I couldn't spend more time with them as I'd like. But it was without doubt the most satisfying thing I'd ever done. And perhaps my proudest achievement in life. So, when I got the chance to spend time with my kids, I made the absolute most of it. And right now was one of those times.
Taking both their hands I led them across the street when the traffic light changed for us, first reminding them both to look both ways. When we had fully crossed the street and arrived on the opposite sidewalk, I let go of my son's hand, knowing he liked the feeling of being independent. I let him run up ahead a ways till he came to one of the trees planted in the sidewalk planters. He'd spin around it and circle it a few times waiting for me to catch up before running up to the next one. My daughter, well, she felt safer holding my hand the whole time. And truly, I didn't mind at all.
My son started running up a little too far this time. And just as I was about to call out to him to tell him to come back, sure enough he runs straight into someone while he wasn't paying attention. The strange thing was, I thought I recognized the person Josh had run into. "Amy?"
RE: Living in the City - Tutley Sakamoto - 12-23-2008 11:43 AM
Tutley was stumbleing behind Amy carring a stack of various colored packages that was so high, his chao had to point out which way for the turtle to walk. Not that he minded, since half of it was his own, his boxes packed full of candies and sweets for his coworkers. Chocolate didn't exist on his homeworld, and with one bite into a cookie, he was hooked. He wound up buying a large amount the baker's cookies, cakes and other sweets, while Amy just stared awkwardly at him. He whistled to himself as he walked down the street with the stack, the top of the tower swaying every few steps.
Let's go, Tutley!"
He had intended on telling Amy where his home is, but he never got the chance due to a few unfortunate circumstances after they enchanged contact information on Prison Island. Sure she was quiting, which slightly bummed out the turtle, but thats life. He gave the hedgehog a number to reach his computer's built in phone, and she the same with her cell phone.
Before he could spill the beans however, they argured over where that hammer was going. Tutley was planning on taking it back to the hq where it belonged, in the hands of a TA, but Amy persisted that it was hers. After about 5 minutes of argueing, Amy had proved the victor walking away with her hammer, while the turtle was being carted off to sick bay with a lump on his head. Aparently, it WAS hers, which filled in a few gaps on just HOW that hammer was listed as lost in the database. His next two weeks involved him sitting in said sick bay, finding out his DNA was altered for the better by phase particles, picking up on new magic, and even takeing out time to upgrade his backpack. Needless to say, he hadnt slept much in a few days, but with the help of caffine, and occosinal slap on the face by his chao, he managed. He made sure he was rested for today however, due to the EX Gear GP signup he was waiting for was today, in Station Square. Ironically, Amy had asked if he was busy just as he entered the city. With a few hours to burn before the signup booth opened in the Central Square, he hapily agreed to tag along. He was about to turn into the shop, when he noticed a familiar voice nearby. "Era...what was it...", he asked himself as he wracked his brain to match the voice with the right person. "Cutter?", he called out, as he peeked out from the side of the boxes.
RE: Living in the City - Jack-the-Hedgie - 12-23-2008 12:36 PM
Jack let out a sigh as his search went on fruitlessly. Every shop on the street looked fully employed, and no one looked like they had any reason to just go handing out rings to a parade balloon.
"Can't see anything from up here" Thought the hedgie "[i]Maybe no one will mind me sleeping on a park bench tonight..[i]"
Jack let out a depressed sigh, laying his chin on crossed arms. However, before he got too depressed, he saw a familiar patch of pink fur. Beside it, a turtle. Beside that, a German shepherd, whom he recognized, despite limited conversation with her. Jack smiled as he gave the trio a wave.
"Heeey! Amy! Tutley! Er... What was her name... Cutter!" He called as loud as he could, his body giving a comical series of rubbery squeaks as he waved to them. Excited to see them, the hedgehog deflated slightly, allowing his weight to slowly lower him to the pavement below. It would have been an easier landing, but a sudden hit to the side of his head sent him spiraling. Huus random piece of glass, though missing its target due to a sudden movement, did manage to embed itself into one of Jacks spines, the force causing the almost weightless hedgehog to do a flip before he could land. The balloonhog bounced across the sidewalk like a beachball before faceplanting into the wall.
"...Ow." was all he said before, dazed, Jack rolled onto his back, looking up at his three friends, and the two kids nearby. When he world around him came into focus, Jack could do little more then give a sheepish grin and wave.
RE: Living in the City - Huu B. - 12-24-2008 12:57 AM
Huu was hoping to see Jack get punctured and deflate comically... too bad that wasn't quite the way it happened. Still, the way it went, it was still pretty dang hilarious. By now he was laughing hysterically from his hiding place behind the billboard... which probably defeated the purpose of him hiding in the first place, not that he cared at the moment.
It wouldn't be unusual if Amy and the others could hear him from their position.
RE: Living in the City - Amy Rose - 12-27-2008 03:34 PM
I looked down at the kid before me, awkwardness washing over me. Only briefly though. Soon after, I was smiling at him. On the inside, I was a bit annoyed and half tempted to give him a wack on the head for not watching where he was going, but then I guess I'd been the same way. That and a familiar voice distracted me from the thought.
"Amy?
"Cutter? Hi!"
I hadn't seen her since the incident two weeks ago. In fact, the last time I'd been with her was while we were in the dropship we'd used to escape the impending destruction of one of Sarath's flagships. Being in such a hurry to leave after my resignation, I hadn't given a blink of my time to consider her and Boomer until I had already boarded the ship back to Station Square. By then, it had been way too late.
Part of my hurry I could also attest to Tutley though. Least to say, I hadn't been pleased about his display on the ship. Why had he had my hammer and since when could anyone else I knew wield it? He'd even had the guts to try and take it off me, saying something about egg timers or time eggents. Sounded fishy to me, whatever he said. Of course, I hadn't been paying too much attention. I was already angry at the time, what with Slick and Shadow's shouting match. Least to say, I hadn't had a hammer rampage like that in a long time and Tutley gave up soon afterward. I'd forgiven him since then. I mean what's one quarrel between friends?
"Heeey! Amy! Tutley! Er... What was her name... Cutter!"
A new voice interrupted by thoughts and I looked up to where the squeaking resounded from. There, floating above us, was Jack of all people.
"Jack, what are you doing here? For that matter, why are you..."
I trailed off as the inflated hedgehog suddenly steered out of control, slamming into the pavement before meeting the nearest wall. I ran to him with a look of concern, but the fellow hedgehog was quick to give a cheesy grin and my steps turned more into a hurried walk. In the background, I heard someone laugh and rolled my eyes. Stupid kids. Well, okay, so I had to admit. It had looked really funny. I just wasn't going to embarrass Jack more than he must have already felt. Come to think of it, I didn't really know him well, too.
I offered him a hand up, although I looked back briefly and nodded at Tutley and Cutter to join us. What a strange reunion. And a fast one at that.
RE: Living in the City - Mathias 'Slick' Greyer - 12-29-2008 06:05 PM
I smiled when my question was answered. Several times over in fact. Glancing over around the edge of the stack of boxes, I could see Tutley was here as well. I was relieved to see them both. In Amy's case I'd only spent a few weeks with her before she'd suddenly resigned. With the other two, I'd only meet them that day, but I guess deep down, I always regretted not taking the time to get to know any of them better before parting ways. I guess old army habits held me back. Being a long time soldier like Slick, I'd seen my fair share of friends killed in action and the replacements who take their place. I'd get to know them, make new friends, only for those friends to be killed too.
I guess that's one reason why I keep my work life seperate from my home life. My kids only know that I'm a soldier with GUN. I don't talk about the things I've done as a soldier. My kids look at me with a great deal of awe and respect when they talk of how I'm a soldier. They'd be mortified to hear the stories of the carnage and terror that came with my job. I couldn't bear the thought of them thinking less of me or worse, hating me because of what I'm forced to do in order to keep them safe. Slick's argument aboard the drop ship two weeks ago rang all too true for me, as it did with all of us. A soldier's life could be tough and force you to do things that go against many of your own personal morals. But for us especially, the people in the special forces, we have to go against societal beliefs on a very regular basis in order to do our job.
"Amy, it is you! Tutley! Jack! Jeez, its been ages. Its good to see all of you again." I'm actually amazed any of them had recognized me at all. After all, for some, we'd only met once weeks ago, so that they might even remember what my voice sounded like was certainly impressive. But the thing that many of even my closest friends have told me was just how different I looked when in and out of uniform. And what's more, when someone within my military circle of friends finds out for the first time that not only am I married, but have kids as well, I'm usually met many shocked and disbelieving stares and comments. On the job, I apparently put up a very convincing mask. And only when I'm home with my family does that mask ever come off.
"Mommy, who are these people?" I looked down to see a very puzzled look on my son, Josh's face. A squeeze in my right hand and a glance to my right and I see my daughter huddling closer to me out of shyness, and yet, I see a smile and hear some giggles coming out of her from seeing Jack tumble about.
"These are... some people I met through work." I explain, unsure just how much I should really tell them.
"You mean their solders; like you?"
"Well...." Curse the eternal curiosity of youth.
RE: Living in the City - Tutley Sakamoto - 12-31-2008 10:10 AM
"Heeey! Amy! Tutley! Er... What was her name... Cutter!"
"What the-?", the turtle asked himself as he looked for the person behind that familar, squeaky pitched voice. "No way...", he thought to himself as he looked up. "Jack!", he said setting down the stack of boxes. "Quite a reunion we got going here!", he said with a smile as Jack was lowering himself. "Great to see your alive and flo-", which the turtle cut himself off from finishing when the glass shard landed in Jack's spine, sending his buddy flying like a deflated baloon. "...floating.", he finished, trying to hold in his laughter. Then he noticed the assilant who threw said glass, and became rather annoyed.
Focusing on his right hand, he formed a light ball, pulling his hammer out. Despite how funny the scene was, he hurt his friend, and the turtle was out for revenge. He tossed the ball up in the air like a tennis ball, and whacked it with his hammer, sending it careening up the building Huu was on, aiming straight for the sign the tannoki was hiding behind. He intended to give the kid quite a nice bump on the noggin for messing with his friend.