shellphones | MISSION 2

Entry tags:

MISSION 2

Type: Text
Sender ID: readytogo (Espio)
To: All
Subject: Missing persons
Warnings: N/A

Salutations.

There are two missing individuals that I have been attempting to track down for sometime. Please advise if you have seen them.

[IMG ATTCH: surge.png]

This is Surge. It would be difficult to miss her, I imagine. Nonetheless, please advise if you have seen her. She is loud, stubborn, and generally unapologetic for her actions. For good or for ill.

[IMG ATTCH: kit.png]

This is Kitsunami, otherwise called Kit. He is much more quiet, but rarely away from Surge's side.

Please advise if you have seen either recently. Thank you.

Espio out.

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Are you okay, Espio?

[ Because, yeah, it sucks that they might be gone. But it sucks more because they were definitely Espio's friends. Well. Sort of. He's alone in that ~~crack~~ house now. ]

I haven't seen or heard from either one of them in weeks.

[After some hemming and hawing, he does eventually choose to be more forthcoming with Amy. At least, a little bit.]

When their things went missing, I assumed that I made an error and upset Surge in some way. She would block me sometimes when I did that, and Kit would do anything with her.

But she would've left some kind of trail for me to follow. Destruction, noise somewhere, violent attempts at heroics. Something. I knew that, and still I hoped that perhaps I missed a clue.

It did not occur to me that as easily as we can arrive, that so easily we can disappear.

She is definitely very unpredictable like that... and also, predictable at the same time.

I never thought about it that way either. I guess we kinda take this place for granted, huh?

Are you okay, though?

Indeed. It was always an opportunity to understand better how her mind works.

I suppose we do.

[A few minutes pass, then Espio follows up with:] I'm trying not to think about it. [How he's feeling. He doesn't really want to examine himself right at the moment, otherwise it feels like everything else will also be a bit too real for him.]

Do you want me to come over? I can bring tea.

If it is all the same to you, I don't think I should be in this house any longer than necessary. If I can come to you, that would be most ideal.

If it is no trouble, of course.

Of course you can! I'll have tea and snacks at the ready. Just walk in, the front door is unlocked!

Thank you, Amy. I will still knock, I am not ill-mannered.

[either he'll break in or he'll be overly polite there is no in between thank you

But eventually, true to his word, he does knock. Normally, he would try to go out of his way to bring something as well so all the work isn't left to Amy, but he's in too much of a funk for it today. Even if he dislikes letting his emotions getting the better of him.]

You don't need to silly, we're friends! But okay!

[ The sound of quick footsteps can be heard as Amy trots to the door and opens it. She immediately throws her arms around Espio in a warm greeting hug, before she lets him go and steps aside so he can enter. The scent of various fresh baked goods wafts through the air. ]

Hey! I'm glad you're here. Come in.

[Normally in the past he might have stiffened up uncomfortably at the contact, but being in Amy's company more often has managed to slowly make him expect it more -- especially now. So, he doesn't become like a complete plank of wood when she hugs him, and he even pats her back once. Progress!]

And I am glad for your companionship as always. Thank you for having me.

[Vulnerability is hard, but Amy is the last person to judge anyone for that. So, there is security with letting down his guard a touch.]

[ PROGRESS! Amy beams at him and as soon as he steps inside, she closes the door. ]

Of course! I'm always glad to have you over! Come on, I've got tea and snacks ready in the kitchen.

[ She leads him through the house-- it's not entirely decorated yet, they're still kinda moving stuff around, but it definitely already looks pretty well lived in. And the kitchen, in true Amy fashion, is filled with baked goods. Some are literally fresh out of the oven.

She gestures at the kitchen table. ]

Have a seat! Make yourself at home.

You are too kind.

[Then again, if something ever enrages her, Amy does not make that shy either which is something he admires in his own journey of ever having restraint. How easy she makes it look.

The cottage is lovely, and smells incredible on top of that. Team Chaotix has never really had any decent chefs of the household; both he and Vector have one solid trick, even if Espio has learned now how to be exceptional at making a cake at least. One should not live alone on baked goods, unfortunately.

Nonetheless, he does appreciate the scents in the air and the promise of comfort food along with a good friend.]

Do let me know if I can assist somehow. [But he does wisely take his seat.]

The only assisting you need to worry about is making yourself at home, silly.

[ She means that, too. She places two mugs onto the table and brings the tea pot over, pouring his first and then her own. It's a fragrant green tea, with just the barest hint of jasmine. When she finishes pouring, she places the kettle onto the tabletop between them, and goes to grab the stupid amount of snacks she's made-- tea cakes, pumpkin loaves, lemon bread... fortunately she's actually got some savory things too. Puff pastries filled with cheese and herbs, small egg salad sandwiches made l with bread that is definitely homemade.

Overboard? Maybe. But it's been a hot minute since she's gotten to cook or bake or do anything and she has taken full advantage of the kitchen she's been blessed with. Not to mention there's nothing in this house that's going to go to waste with Sonic and Tails living here too.

The table is full by the time she finishes bringing everything over. Sorry, Espio... she's been a busy lady. She settles into her chair across from him and smiles. ]

How are you holding up?

[Amy gaining a home has done well for her, and he's quietly appreciative of the spread of options. At least Espio has the decorum to make his selection politely and gradually nibble on the array instead of stuffing his face.

When she asks her question, Espio is sipping his tea, silently battling with himself with how honest to be. It's not that he doesn't trust her, quite the opposite. Amy has been a consistent and wonderful friend, and anyone would be lucky to have her as such -- it's that Espio struggles to express his own vulnerability.

Thankfully, she is one of the few that he can share a bit of that with.]

It... has not been the easiest.

It's foolish, I know, but I feel responsible for their disappearance. As if I could have somehow prevented it.

You could never have prevented this.

[ It's a quick answer, but she's serious. Her brow furrows.]

Espio, you did everything for those two. In this whole place, you were their soft spot to land every night. You provided them with companionship and comfort. Their disappearance was not your fault in the slightest. Never blame yourself for things you can't control.

[ She leans back in her seat, her expression softening again. ]

You're a good person. You should be proud of yourself, I know I'm proud of you. You're the only one out of all of us who could get through to Surge, even a little bit. And Kit trusted you. You did a good thing for them. Never forget that.

[Silently, there is a brief spiral in his mind -- the idea that he has failed in some capacity to them. Failed Kit and Surge, but also the miserable failure he felt when Vector and Charmy were taken over by the Metal Virus. It will always sting.

Still, if he'd been able to give them anything at all worthwhile... he hopes it is enough until they meet again.

Amy's reassurance is not wasted, even if Espio feels complicated about it. Normally, he would mutely preen at praise, at recognition of his abilities, but instead there's a genuine sense of both being humbled and something else he does not quite comprehend, but it does make his scales shift colors from his typical fuchsia to a bit more pink briefly.]

I know you're right.

[Espio reaches for her hand, gently squeezing it. It seems right to do so, to express where his words may fail.]

Thank you. I am infinitely grateful for your friendship and kindness, and knowing what must be said in difficult times.

[ Amy watches the expression on his face very carefully. She's worried he's going to try and tell her she's wrong, to place every ounce of blame and doubt on his shoulders because she can se him doing that, and she is preparing to vehemently tell him no, no, no to each self doubt he may have.

So when he reaches for her hand, she feels immense relief. She gently squeezes his fingers in return, flashing her friend a bright, reassure smile. ]

It's just the simple truth, Espio. You're a good person and am amazing friend. Anyone who is blessed to know you is extremely fortunate. Don't ever forget that.

Hm. I will try to keep it in mind, but should I have a moment of doubt, I'm certain you'll come to remind me.

[Well. If the search for them doesn't turn up anything, all that's left is to figure out if he wants to stay in that home or not.

One would think that someone like Espio would value a more quiet home -- and that does, occasionally, matter when he's meditating, but a home without the familiarity of friends is just rather dour. He's too used to the company of a found family.

Something to sort out, eventually.]

For now, I'll help myself to your cooking.

Yes I will~

[ And on that note, Amy is pretty satisfied. She gestures to the spread before him and nods, because seriously... eat, dude. She's once again made way, way too many cookies and breads, and she's put together so many sandwiches that he's definitely gonna have a ton of leftovers to take home. ]

Good! Eat as much as you want! Believe me, I have so much more.

[ Because half of this shit is now sitting in the freezer too-- ]

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MISSION 2

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