-1DAY 2: So Close to the END… Base
"Gus, it's your second day! This doesn't mean you can sleep in!" Her ordering voice induced a bitter groan out of me.
"I didn't get ANY sleep," I countered as I sat up in bed, still sleepy eyed.
"Boo-hoo, you can sleep later. Beside, you can pick up an energy drink downstairs if you're so concerned about still being tired," She crossed her arms and gave me a stern look.
"An… Energy, drink?" My head tilted to the side, wondering what it was.
"There's no time to explain, just go down and order one and meet Phil in the vehicle hangar, I hear he's got a REAL mission for you!" Tess' lips curved into a smirk as she marched off.
"A REAL mission… Oh boy…" I rubbed my eyes and hopped out of bed, slowly making my way to the lounge. Whatever this 'energy drink' was, I was surely going to need it as I was too groggy to even be awake. Half asleep, I nearly fell down the stairs, luckily Ryan was there to catch me before I did.
"Geez, you look like you've had too much to drink," the pieena commented on my appearance as his eyes ate up my face.
"I'm just tired… That's all," I brushed his paw from my shoulder.
"Here, I'll help you down the stairs," he replaced his paw on me and aided me all the way down. My body picked up dark vibes as his paw stayed there… It felt familiar, but it's been awhile since I've felt something like this before… But before I could put my paw on it, I was already at the bottom of the stairs and Ryan was already walking away.
"Take it easy now…" He waved the back of his paw at me, mumbling something else after I couldn't catch. I sleepily waddled over to the stools and sat down on the one closest to me.
"Your order, sir?" The android said in it's monotonous voice as always.
"A-, an… Energy drink, please," I had hoped that the robot knew what I was talking about.
"Certainly sir," it had left for a brief moment, but not long enough for me to drift off, "here you are!" It pushed a glass of red liquid into my face, which was already leaning on the bar table.
"Th-thank you," I pulled myself together as I sat up and placed my paws around the glass. My eyes examined the eerie glow the liquid gave off. It made me question whether or not the substance was even safe to drink or not.
"You better drink that before it's all over your face," I heard Will's voice as he nudged me back awake.
"Oh… Oh!" I realized I had spilt some of the energy drink onto the table, "thanks," my paws brought the glass to my lips as I prepared myself for anything.
"Bottoms up," Will spoke as he tipped the glass even more, sending it rushing down my mouth faster than I would have liked. My throat was too busy swallowing it all in time to let my tongue get a good taste of the stuff. As the glass began to empty I felt my senses numb, as if I were nothing for the moment, only to be rejuvenated moments after.
"…Wow!" I shook my head as I recoiled back with a hop in my seat, "what's in this stuff anyways?" My focus shifted over from the glass to Will.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Will said suggestively as he lounged back in his seat.
"No, really… What's in it?" I leaned in, wanting to know.
"Well, on a serious note… I really don't know Gus…" The cocoadile shrugged without a clue.
"Hmm… I guess that's not important, what matters is that I'm wide awake!" I placed my glass back on the table and hopped off my seat.
"True…" Will shrugged his shoulders and took a sip of his drink.
"I'll talk to you later Will, I have to meet Phil down in the hangar," I said walking backwards towards the door.
"I understand," The cocoadile replied as if he already knew what was coming, but I guess we were all back in the swing of things now that I was pretty much one of the crew. After waving goodbye to Will, I turned myself around, nearly colliding into a fizzlybear. He cussed at me and told me to 'watch it' as I slid my card through the door and bolted inside.
Nearly flying down the stairs, I rushed into the hangar, determined not to keep Phil waiting any longer. Too bad for me, the hangar was still a mechanical mess with vehicles everywhere, making my search just as hard as last time.
"Phil? …Phil?" I called out, keeping my eyes peeled and my ears open for a response.
"Gus?" I heard the fudgehog call back, "Gus I'm right here!" I followed his voice to the back of one of the G-C's. Once I met up with Phil, I saw that he wasn't alone. Two burly sours accompanied him, one a mallowolf and the other a cocoadile.
"Gus! You're earlier than yesterday!" Phil's lips grew into a proud smile.
"I am?" I glanced nervously at the sours for a brief moment.
"Yes, now that you're all here I can brief you on your mission-,"
"We already know what we're doing," The cocoadile cut the sentence short as he jumped into the G-C, "just brief the kid so we can get our asses in gear," he grumbled harshly as he started the engine.
"Of course…" Phil rolled his eyes as he hunched over slightly in annoyance.
"Well what's the big plan for today sir?" I asked with a grin on my face.
"I pulled some strings to get you into a patrol squad, Gus. I'm sure you're ready for this, and don't worry, the guys here'll give you some pointers and survival tips if you get bored," The fudgehog motioned with his thumb to the two sours.
"Alright," I nodded, taking another glance at them. They both seemed highly intimidating. "Geez, you think he'd put me with someone I'd be more comfortable around…" I shuddered as I wished the strange piñatas away.
"Don't worry, they won't hurt you," Phil placed a paw on my shoulder to assure his statement.
"Yeah kid," The mallowolf walked over and placed his paw on my other shoulder, "If anything, the old man here had us hired for your protection," his statement earned him a swift kick in the ankle from the fudgehog himself.
"Huh?" I wondered why Phil had did that as the Mallowolf winced a bit.
"Nothing Gus… It doesn't concern you," Phil cleared his throat and gave the mallowolf a stern glare.
"Well… Alright," I shrugged and walked along with the mallowolf who kept pace with the slow moving G-C which worked it's way towards the far corner of the hangar.
"Good luck men," I turned my head and caught a glimpse of Phil, who was saluting us with a look of admiration, I couldn't help but feel slightly important.
"So, I hear your name's Gus," The mallowolf spoke with a friendly tone. I nodded my head in response, afraid to say anything myself. "I'm Allen," he held out a paw as the vehicle stopped.
"Nice to meet you… Allen," I was expecting his name to be somewhat more… Fitting of himself. But I guess Allen wasn't a bad name either. My lips expressed a smile as I shook his paw in a newfound confidence.
"You better hang on Gus," Allen released my paw and warned me as I felt the ground beneath us shift briefly.
"Hm?" I glanced down at the floor and noticed that we were being raised into the air by an elevator.
"Don't worry," Allen patted me on the back a few times, "You'll get used to it," my eyes brushed over the mallowolf and up above, where a corner of the ceiling parted open for us. Exposing us to the daylight.
"It's… It's been awhile since I've seen the sun," I spoke aloud.
"I know the feeling bud," The mallowolf chuckled in agreement as we all closed the distance. I hid behind my gun for a brief moment, afraid of what the unknown had held. "It's alright Gus, it's just gonna be another slow day," Allen sighed in apathy as I peeked over my gun, re-familiarizing myself with the wasteland that surrounded me. The discouraging environment that held despair more than anything, A ground that held no hope in it's cracks, craters, and ruin.
"What the hell happened…?" I nearly dropped my gun as I actually took in the sight this time.
"War, Gus… War happened," the mallowolf replied as the engine of the G-C revved,
"If you don't mind, I'm gonna go on ahead," The cocoadile said as he revved the engine once again.
"I'm not holding you back Anders," Allen collected a few weapons from the back of the vehicle and waved the cocoadile off. The sour let out a deathly sounding battle cry as the tires squealed against the metal elevator panel and within a few moments, the G-C was out of sight.
"Goddamn…" Allen fell to his knees looking at the burn marks that tarnished the elevator, "I just scrubbed this thing yesterday!" He growled through this clenched teeth, reminding me he wasn't all soft.
"I'll… I'll clean it off when we're done," I suggested in an attempt to calm him down and hopefully not get my head shot off in what could be his blind fury.
"… You'd do that?" The sour glanced up at me in disbelief, "no one's done me any favors before," Allen climbed to his feet.
"No-no it's nothing," I chuckled nervously as the mallowolf tossed me a laser rifle.
"Anyways, you better prepare yourself. It maybe vacant, but we at least always get one group of obnoxious misfits or another with their guns blazing," Allen readied his automatic as it clacked, letting us know it was loaded and dangerous.
"I see," I gazed around at the destruction surrounding us to the boundless horizon. My senses began to dull as I started to circle around and around again with my eyes looking ahead, lost in the hopelessness around me. I nearly launched out of my mache as a turret materialized from the floor below.
"Sorry I'm late guys," Evan's voice buzzed from the machine.
"It's alright, glad you could make it Evan, you always seem to make the time fly by," I spotted a smile developing on the mallowolf's lips. My face scowled as I mumbled quietly about how Evan could have warned us before just coming out of no where.
"I apologize, I won't be able to talk much today either, I'm still working on that project," Evan said calmly.
"Ah… I won't be too much of a bother then…" Allen sighed in a depressive manner, I felt sorry for him.
"I could talk to you… If you like that is," I offered, hoping I wouldn't get rejected harshly.
"…Gus!" The mallowolf looked over his shoulder and stared at me for a moment before fully facing me, "Seriously, you're becoming quite a lifesaver,"
"It-… It's nothing," I felt my cheeks flush as I sensed the impression of importance returning to me again.
"No Gus, I'd die of boredom if I had no one to talk to!" His eyes widened as he exclaimed.
"Die of… Boredom?" Was it even possible?
"Yes!" Allen took in a deep breath and cooled down, "anyways… Tell me, what was your past life like? You know, before END," The mallowolf sat down on the metal plated floor.
"Well… To be honest, I kinda miss it," I sat across from him, still at arms reach though.
"It must have been nice, huh," I had Allen's full attention.
"Eh… It was at least better than this wasteland, but I've got to admit, I love the hospitality below," I grinned, recalling all the new things I've tried down there, and all the friends I've made.
"Everyone does kid," the sour let out a low chuckle of agreement, "best to enjoy it now, don't know how long it'll last," the high tech golden colored bracer on his arm began emitting a static like noise. The sound caused my ears to flick around a bit to get used to it. Allen let out a confirmed hum as he brought the bracer up near his face and pressed one of the many buttons on it.
"Allen, it's Anders…" You could hear an automatic rifle going off in the background behind the cocoadile's voice, "there's a huge wave of sours coming your way, I'm doing my best to mow most of 'em down for 'ya," A few bloodcurdling screams sounded off after.
"I got ya," Allen nodded and turned the communications off, quickly acting to arm himself. In preparedness, he glanced at me and said, "you better be ready kid, I don't want to have to drag your body into a hole."
I responded in silence by readjusting my grip on the laser rifle that had hung idly in my paws. Both of us had kept our eyes open for anything that would pose a threat… Or anything that flashed red seeing as our enemies were sours.
We sat there staring at the horizon as my eyes began to burn from all the stress I've put on them. I almost overlooked what the mallowolf was up to as he pressed another button on his bracer and brought the screen right up in his eyes. He then gazed inside as if he were looking for something inside.
"I see them, arms ready. Evan! Wake up! We have company!" Allen rallied up the crew as he removed the bracer from his sights and readied his weapon. The turret beside us reactivated noisily as it moved about in place.
"All functions online, ready for action," Evan's voice announced as the barrels of the turret aimed in the same direction the mallowolf was facing. Unfortunately, I was the only one who wasn't prepared for battle.
I kept my sights to where my allies were pointing their weapons and it was as if I was back in the driving simulation again. Except this time I was without a vehicle. Five beat up and defaced G-C's came charging our way with guns blazing. Three of the G-C's had sours riding outside of the vehicles, their weapons too going off at us.
Instinctively, I took cover behind the biggest thing I could. In this case, it was Allen. "Show some backbone kid, you're making us look bad!" The mallowolf barked at me as he returned fire. My ears rang as Evan's turret released two rockets, which took instantly took out two of the vehicles. The few piñata's riding on top of one of the recently totaled G-C's were greatly injured, but this didn't mean they were totally defenseless. Those who still had a grip on their weapons remained persistent with destroying us.
"Reloading, cover me!" Evan ordered as the mallowolf continued to return fire.
"Make yourself useful kid," Allen barked as his tail nearly pushed me over. I knew if I didn't actually make an attempt at fighting back, there was going to be a good chance that I'd receive a personal beating from the muscular mallowolf.
Inching away from the mallowolf slowly, I aimed my gun carefully at one of the oncoming vehicles and closed my eyes as I pulled the trigger, I couldn't handle the thought of taking another's life, even if they were out to kill me.
"Look out!" I heard Evan yell as the sound and force of bypassing missiles flew by me and took out two other vehicles. The powerful gust of wind nearly drove me into the ground, luckily I was able to keep balance by grabbing onto Allen who stood like a statue against the pressure.
"Heretic!" One of the enemy sours bellowed out as he went plowing into the ground from the explosion.
"Hmph…" The mallowolf growled as if he acknowledged what the sour shouted at him.
"H-heretic… What is he talking-"
"Silence and focus on the enemy!" Allen jabbed me with his tail again. I didn't need another warning to know that I needed to concentrate on stopping the attack. Once again I was firing with my eyes close, but I knew the other two were doing more of the work.
"Get down!" Allen's voice ordered as he tackled me to the ground. My eyes shot open and all I could remember seeing was the enemy G-C tumbling in the air almost making contact with us. I watched it intensely as it slammed into the ground near us and barrel rolled to a stop, ending upside-down.
"Sorry guys, I'm out," I heard Evan cuss as turned my attention to the turret, which was now decapitated unable to fight until someone came by to repair it.
"S'alright," the mallowolf coughed as he lifted himself up, helping me up with his tail, "at least we're safe and they're finished," he strapped the gun over his shoulder and brushed off his paws as the clinking of metal on metal neared our feet.
"Gre-Gre… Grenade!" I cried out as soon as I turned around and recognized it. Allen only growled as he batted it away using his tail. The small explosive was returned to the newly ruined G-C. The ground shook slightly as the grenade went off, ensuring whoever was alive in the vehicle was now dead.
"Thanks for the heads up… Gus," Allen said as if he were force to, but he had the respect to call me by name this time.
"No…No problem sir," I stilled addressed him as so as we both watched our G-C come back to us, all banged up and bloodied. "A-Anders is back sir!" I stated the obvious with great enthusiasm. However the mallowolf only nodded and watched as the G-C drive up next to us. It's windshield wipers engaged, slinging the blood from the glass onto us.
"Eww…" I responded, grossed out if not already shaken.
The driver's window slid down as Ander's replied, "what's so gross 'bout a messy meal?" He was the only one laughing at his sadistic joke. Allen didn't seem so happy to see his friend in one piece.
"Gus," the mallowolf called for me, not taking his stern eyes off of Anders, "you're dismissed," he waved me off, still not even bothering to look at me. I stepped back onto the descending elevator and heard the mallowolf unleashed a verbal fury onto the poor cocoadile. It had something to do with letting five enemy vehicles by and endangering our lives. Especially how important it was that I remained in once piece. The hole in the ceiling closed shut before I could hear Ander's point of view of the situation.
"Gus, what are you doing back so soon?" I heard Phil's voice as the elevator came to stop as it grounded itself. "…You look awful, what happened?" I turned around to see his horrified face, gawking at me as if I were a mass murderer. Surveying myself over, I could see why, I was in desperate need of a shower with all the sour blood on me.
"I was dismissed," I simply stated, making my way out of the hangar.
"No… I mean, what happened out there, it looked like you've been out there for years!" Phil stopped me, grasping me by the shoulders.
"We did what we were supposed to do!" I yelled back tossing away my rifle, not wanting to discuss the matter anymore. My short rage left Phil speechless as a few spectators watched me leave the area.
My eyes searched out for my friends as soon as I entered the lounge, not because I wanted to talk to someone. It was quite the opposite, I needed to know where they were so I could avoid them. Right away I spotted out Will, who I assumed was still at the bar.
"Geez, don't they make that guy do ANYTHING?" I had thoughts of jealously raging through my mind as I tired my best to calmly make my way upstairs.
"Hey Gus!" The familiar sound made my eyelids scrunch up in regret for not waiting until Will was totally distracted. Letting out a deep sigh, I decided to ignore him for now, I could come up with an excuse later. "Where ya goin'?" He called out a bit louder as I resumed to climbing up the stairs. "Gus…" I heard his voice using a hint of whine, which evoked a twinge of guilt to build up again, how I hated the feeling. But I decided to fight it, a shower would certainly relieve me of this feeling faster, I was sure of it.
I walked up to the shower room door and opened it… Or at least tired to, it was locked once again. So I knocked, pretty aggressively at that too.
"God! What is it now?" I heard Kayla's voice cuss out a chain of words.
"Speaking of slackers… I haven't seen her do anything productive except scrub her lazy ass…" I growled as the idea popped into my head.
"Calm down, geez," I heard the door unlock from the other side and parted open soon after. "Oh… It's you…" She examined me for a few moments before passing me, placing a brief paw on my shoulder, leaving me in total confusion. I felt up the shoulder she touched, it tingled, yet it felt familiar. It urged a small smile out of me as I entered the shower room.
Closing and locking the door behind me, I took comfort in the solitude. Just like last time, I surveyed myself over in the mirror. All the blood that covered me yanked at my stomach, I was too much for me to look at. Shaking my head at my reflection, I stepped inside the shower and pulled both levers at the same time.
My body began to relax as the warm water washed the blood away. The scaring and traumatizing events seemed to wash away as well once tranquility settled in. I was even comfortable enough to try a new button on the control panel.
A foam came out just like before, though this time a more baked sugary scent came with it. It was even more difficult not to eat it.
I struggled a few times, but the reminder of yesterday's distasteful experience helped me persevere. Switching back to regular water, the lathered up foam washed away with ease, except without all the build up of last time. All of me felt renewed as I cut off the water and ended my shower. The cool air greeted me as soon as I opened the stall door.
Stepping out, I glanced myself over once again in the mirror, all signs of the bloodbath were now gone. My worries were put to rest knowing I wouldn't be cursed with the stains remaining in my mache forever. I reached for a towel and dried off as quickly as I could. My paws brushed out my hair the best they could. The last thing I needed was Tess attacking my scalp again, that was pain at a whole new level. After I was content with my appearance, I disposed of my towel and headed out the door.
"I bet Will's still at the lounge," I concluded as I took the stairs down. However my assumption was proven wrong as he was totally gone. As I took my seat, I battled inner feelings of loneliness. The android came by and before it could speak I drearily ordered it to get me a glass of water. I was granted a glass of the crystal clear liquid seconds later.
"Gus! Gus!" A voice called out for me. Turning around, I seen it was Phil, probably wanting to chew me out for the way I acted, but that assumption too was proven wrong as the fudgehog went on. "I'm glad I found you. Look, I'm sorry that you had to go through things like that so suddenly… I-"
"It's alright…" I sipped on my water as Phil took a seat next to me.
"No, it's not… I… I rigged your team Gus, it was just supposed to be a idle watch, nothing out of the ordinary and both of your squad mates knew that," the fudgehog's words almost made me choke on my drink.
"So… What you're saying is, An…Anders, let the sours go by?" I tried to see why the cocoadile would if he knew what he was doing. I mean a rigged team like that should at least know what's going on and be able to assist any situation the best the can when the time calls for it.
"Well, no one can prove that, I talked to the guy myself, and he says there were at least quadruple that when he ran into them," Phil leaned against the table and sighed.
"So either the sours were too strong for him… Or Anders was acting with the sours for that very moment…" I hypothesized out loud.
"Shhh… Don't mention names Gus…" the fudgehog put a finger to my lips and glanced about worriedly, hoping no one was listening in on our conversation.
"Sorry…" I muttered apologetically as the fudgehog retracted his paw back, "but still… what's your take on the situation?"
"I… I'm not one to judge my soldiers Gus. But it's not to say I don't have someone looking into this matter," Phil replied somewhat hesitantly.
"Let me guess… You have Will sticking his big nose into this?" I smiled a bit.
"Shhh… Gus I told you, no names!" Phil glared at me, this time his paw balled up into a fist, threatening to use physical force to silence me if necessary.
"I understand… I'll stop talking now…" I turned away and focused my vision on my half empty glass of water.
"…Just don't worry about it Gus," the fudgehog patted me on the back, "we'll figure things out soon enough," And with that he left.
I couldn't help but become more paranoid about well… Everyone in this base. Especially Anders, but I kept anymore smart ideas to myself this time. I didn't need to get beaten up, whether it be by Phil or another piñata, I had enjoyed myself here and I didn't need to make out a bad name for myself. But… Just because I was new here didn't mean I could just lay low. I was a member of END, newbie or not, and I needed to know what was going on around here… Whether it be mutiny or just a simple accident, it'd be best to know now rather than to regret it later.
"Gus…" Tess' voice chimed in as she claimed the seat Phil had sat in minutes ago. "I heard what happened," Apparently rumors get around fast here…
"Yeah? What about it?" I didn't feel all up about talking about it.
"Don't be like that Gus… You almost lost your life out there," her paw stroked my back a few times, sending a tingle up my spine with each one.
"True… But at least I'm safe now," I tried to end the topic as fast as I could.
"Yes, but for how long Gus? …I know I met you just a few days ago, but… It feels like I've known you for a long time…" Her words struck me awkward as I was left speechless. "I just don't want to lose you," I sat there in silence until a few moments later another voice butted in.
"Looks like you got a girl after you Gus," I heard Ryan comment as he sat down. I glanced over at him with the same dull eyes. "Sorry, I couldn't help but listen in."
"Hey! At least give us some privacy here!" Tess scowled at the pieena.
"Heh, if you wanted that, it'd be best to talk in the bathroom or shower room, you won't find that kind of luxury here," the pieena shrugged as the android greeted him with the same question as it'd give everyone. I couldn't catch the words of what Ryan said to it, but it was probably some foreign drink like beer oran energy drink.
"…I guess…" The pink pretztail couldn't do nothing but agree.
"Don't be so down, I hear Evan's progress in his work is almost done," Ryan boasted as if it would cheer us all up automatically.
"…I heard what he's making could greatly turn the tide in this war," Tess spoke as I took another drink out of my glass.
"It's true! But the problem is…" The Pieena hesitated slightly before going on, "Evan needs someone to deliver to the END base up north."
"Really? What's so important up in the mountains?" Tess pondered the question.
"There's other scientists up there, other materials up there that we don't have down here," The pieena received a blue tinted liquid in a large glass from the mechanical bartender.
"I see…" The pretztail nodded in acknowledgement.
"And get this, everyone who has the balls for it has put in their name in hopes of being chosen to bring it all the way there themselves, either with an intention of actually ending the war… Or in an attempt of becoming a bigger part of history. You know how famous a pinata could be if they were the one who transported the weapon that had the potential to end the war?" Ryan gloated over the possibility.
"Well it doesn't have potential yet…" I interjected with an obvious statement.
"True, true… But still, think about it," The pieena replied.
"I think you're just in it for the fame…" I couldn't help but say.
"Well… Not entirely, I can't enjoy the fame until this war is truly over," Ryan laughed at his own joke as Tess and I were left in an angered silence. "Anyways…" Ryan chugged down the rest of his drink with a swiftness I've never seen before. I believed he was going to choke from draining it too fast! "I better get back to work," Ryan departed from his seat and left us to ourselves.
"Geez, what an asshole," Tess muttered under her breath incase Ryan could still hear us.
"Hah… I really hope he doesn't get picked to do the job, just out of spite and an urge to see his reaction," I grinned a bit, thinking about the scenario.
Tess giggled at my statement and replied, "I'd like to see that as well," the pretztail turned her stool to face me fully. "Anyways…"
"Yes?" I stood still with only my face directed at her.
"You know what Ryan said, about a girl being after you?" Her cheeks began to blush.
"Yeah… What do you mean? Who's after me?" I raised an eyebrow, wondering what she was trying to say.
"I am silly," my face remained unchanged to her reply. "I mean you don't mind… If-"
"Mind about what?" I asked, becoming more confused.
"Mind that if I was your girlfriend," Tess was extremely red now.
"Girl- Girlfriend? Aren't you already my friend?" She grew more embarrassed as I grew more puzzled.
"Yes… But you know, more than friends?" She smiled slightly behind all that awkwardness she must be feeling.
"More than friends…? I don't get it," I shrugged as Tess' face came closer to mine. Her lips soon completely covering mine. I almost fell out of my seat as Tess retracted herself back to her own.
"I… I see," Tess turned herself back to the table, facing away from me.
"See what?" my paws felt up my lips, wondering what the hell just happened.
"…That you're not interested, I'm sorry that I did that," Tess apologized as I could see she was trying so hard not to breakdown crying.
"No-no… It's alright," My eyes were still on her as I drew my paws back from my face.
"You mean… You'd want to be my boyfriend?" Tess looked back, as if she were confused about this all as well.
"Aren't I already your friend?" This was really getting no where…
"Forget it…" Tess waved my question away and left dejectedly. Not wanting to see her upset again, I went after her.
"No, what is it?" I placed my paws on her shoulders and turned her around to face me.
She sighed and took a moment of silence before going on, "Gus… It's just that I really like you… More than a friend, and I was hoping we… We could be more than just that…" the pink pretztail turned red again.
"Well… I don't mind," but to be honest… I had no idea what was going on… How could piñatas be… More that just friends? It didn't make sense to me, but I guess if Tess wanted to, I couldn't find the heart to say no.
"You mean you… Want to?" Tess wanted a confirmation.
"Y-yes…" I drew my paws back as she hugged me abruptly.
"Ooof…" I found my paws embracing her, just not as tight.
"Thank you Gus…" She kissed me on the cheek and left upstairs without another word.
"Geez… I… I don't get it," I found myself saying aloud.
"Looks like a lucky someone has got themselves a girl," Will's voice caught me from behind.
"Girlfriend? But… Aw, forget it…" I turned around to face the cocoadile, not wanting to debate the situation anymore.
"It's alright Gus… Tess is the one for you anyways…" He pulled me towards the couches that were set in the middle of the lounge and sat me down in one of them, soon taking a seat next to me, "I mean she's sweet, caring, sensitive, and yet has the power to keep you in line," Will laughed heartily, however his face was still set as stone.
"The one…? The one for what?" I was beginning to think that accepting Tess' offer was a bad idea.
"For you!" Will slap his paw against his muzzle as if I were a thick headed moron. Maybe I was for getting myself into this mess.
"I don't get it though!" I yelled back, more confused than I've ever been in my life.
"Okay, let me put it in terms you might understand," Will took in a deep breath as he began to speak a bit slower than before, "You and Tess are going out now, Tess likes you, probably more than you like her. She's your girlfriend now, so that means you two are lovey-dovey, and that means you're off limits to other girls,"
"You mean I can talk to anymore girls?" I scratched my head in perplexity.
"No! It means you can go flirtin' around with any other girls, and that also means Tess can't go for other guys, you two are devoted to each other," Will explained, clearing things up a bit more.
"Devoted? What do you mean?" I asked.
"As in you two got to look out for each other, be there for each other when the other needs them to be," Will went on with his explanation.
"Isn't that what END is for?" my statement cause Will to slap himself again.
"Well aren't you the clever one… No, it's not like the END, it's about tending to physical and emotional needs of the other,"
"I still don't entirely get it…" I gazed at the ground as I shook my head.
"Don't worry Gus, as long as you don't screw this up, your love life is paved in gold, trust me," the cocoadile patted me on back and parted ways, saying nothing more.
"Love life? …Sound important," I pondered the idea for awhile before heading back upstairs myself. My eyes scanned one of the digital wall clocks, it was pretty late in the night… And tomorrow's just another day to get sent outside again. A sigh passed through my lips as I walked into the bunk room.
"What the-…" I silenced myself as I seen that Tess was napping in my bed.
"This… is awkward… Where am I gonna sleep?" I thought about it for a short while before I concluded with the idea of sleeping in her bed! However, Tess had called me over before I could even reach it.
"Yes?" I asked as I walked up to the pretztail, who only replied with a motion for me to climb in as well. It was uncomfortable, but I didn't go against it. Tess wrapped her arms around me as I slid myself between the sheets. The act felt so wrong, but Tess' body warmth convinced me otherwise.
"Good night Gus…" She said before kissing my forehead.
"G-good night," I shivered as she snuggled her head into my chest. And we both rested in silence, or at least Tess was able to. My body was too paralyzed from what was going on to move or relax. Unable to sleep, I decided listening to idle chat should pass the time. Unfortunately, it was more idle than I thought, just a "hello" or "how are you doing?" "Oh fine" or something along those lines. That is until I heard Kayla's booming voice echo across the halls.
"What is this nonsense!" She shouted suddenly.
"Calm down, we have recruits sleeping!" Phil's voice hushed the mallowolf's.
"Grrr, I won't stand for being paired up with a bumbling failure!" Kayla growled.
"I said cool it. And he's not a bumbling failure, he's been improving greatly since he's been here," the fudgehog replied.
"I'd rather do this mission alone!" The mallowolf counted.
"I can't let you go alone, this mission requires backup, sending one pinata out there alone is a joke, and besides, you can bond with him on the way there," Phil laughed.
"Yeah, well your backup's a liability! Give me someone else who actually knows what their's doing!" Kayla argued back.
"Trust me on this, he's a fast learner, you can teach him anything and he'll learn!"
"No, I won't allow it!" I could picture Kayla crossing her arms.
"Can you just accept he's your son and get over it already?" Phil retorted.
"That pissant coward is not my son!" She countered back harshly.
"Well like it or not, it's the way things are," Phil stomped off, having nothing else to say. My eyes stayed fixated on the door as I consoled Tess. In fact she was sleeping soundly through the whole verbal storm surprisingly and I envied her for that. The pink pretztail adjusted herself slightly before releasing a small warm sigh into my chest. I tried not to recoil as it tickled greatly. Instead, I closed my eyes and attempted to try and sleep.
