Watching Clank leave made my stomach twist a bit. I knew no-one would do anything to me when he was around, but now that I was alone with these two... I didn't know if I could take it. The nerdy one wasn't too bad, but the fat lady... She scared the life out of me!
I headed back towards Clank's room, hoping I could stay safe in the room while Clank was gone, but knowing how my luck had been in the past... Well, it didn't smile on me this time, either.
"Well, well, who do we have here!" The woman's voice made me snarl and I stopped by the door to Clank's room. I slowly turned to her as she came out of her room and stopped at a fair distance from me, her hands on her large, large hips. I still can't understand how she's so huge. Was she built like that? Why would they do that? It didn't make sense! "Little furball on the loose, hmm?"
"I just went to see Clank leave... I'm going back to the room." I said, little frightened. I tried to look brave, but I wasn't too good at defending myself from such large enemies. She was supposed to be a "friend", but I can't really see that side in her and she had many of those.
"Hah! Go back to the room, he says! Now, we begin our fierce training! Look at you, you're so puny! If you're going to be in our crew, you have to be strong, agile and be of use to the captain!" The woman said in a tone that was filled with excitement and resentment. I couldn't handle this!
"A-ah, it's okay... I'd rather wait for Clank." I grinned nervously, taking a careful towards the room, but then she tried to reach out for me and I had to run away.
"Come back, furball! This is no time for games!" She snarled, coming after me when I ran outside, quickly looking around and running anywhere I could, so that she would not be able to follow me. Hiding behind objects certainly helped me. "COME OUT, NOW!" She screamed after me, even making Al come outside and see what was happening.
"Hmh!" I huffed, running off from the scenario. I had no clue where I was going, but I would NOT spend any time with that lunatic! There was no harm in taking a look around while Clank was having his meeting, right? I knew where the ship was. I could still see it; barely, but I still saw it. I would just have to stay in a fair distance, so I could see when to go back. I just hoped Clank wasn't going to be mad...
Sighing, I took a hold of my wrench that was hanging onto my back. The belt I wore was magnetic on the back side, so I could easily attach my tool and weapon in it. I smiled at the wrench, feeling quite safe with carrying it. I've always had it and I have no idea where I got it from, but it was my first posession ever. It's been so faithful and sadly, my only friend. Well... Not my only friend, not anymore.
I glanced over to the ship once more and stick my tongue out to it with a "bleh" sound. Stupid Helga.
Still, now that I was out, I could explore a bit! I had never been on this planet before and it seemed interesting enough. Marcadia, I think it was? It had a few similarities to Veldin, but it was a lot bigger and livelier. It seemed like a lot of fun!
I walked around a bit, watching the people all around going along their own businesses. I had never seen so many people at once and it certainly made me stare at them with wide eyes. No-one seemed to care much for me and they kept on going their own business. I smiled a little and decided to turn around and begin heading towards the ship. After all, staring at the people had taken me a whi-
Why can't I see the ship?
"Oh, crap..." I swore, my ears lowering down in shame. Walking in the traffic of people had distracted me so much that I forgot to memorize the way, or at least stop myself from going further! In fact, why DIDN'T I do that?! This was not good...
"Hi there, lil' fella! Ya lost?" I heard someone behind me, which made me a bit scared. Quickly, I turned my head to face him with the bravest expression I could have. It soon turned to admiration when I saw who it was. "Skid McMarx?! Is that you?! You're awesome!" I cheered, my eyes widening in glee.
"The real deal, man!" The green alien laughed goofily, kneeling down to my level and petting my head. "Ya don' seem like a local, man!"
"You aren't either! Your planet was that... Uhh... Rigrall... Something..." I mumbled, which made the professional hoverboarder laugh. I might've never had my own tv, but I liked to spy other people and learned a few things about cool people in the galaxy, like Skid McMarx!
"Rilgar, dude! Most awesome place in da galaxeeh!" Skid laughed again, which made me grin wider than ever. "Anyway, what're ya doin' in 'ere? Where ya parents?" He asked, making me a bit sad. My parents...
"I don't have..." I mumbled again, which made Skid panic just a little bit.
"Oh, sorry kid! But you're not alone 'ere, are ya?" He asked, which made me smile a little bit. I shook my head as an answer and he sighed in relief. "That's good! Do ya need help finding 'em?" He offered, which made me grin wide again. My idol wanted to help me!
"YES!" I cheered, which made me back away a bit from embarrassment. "Of course... If you're able to?" Nervously, I gave him an awkward laugh, but he stood up and gave me a thumbs up.
"Sure thing, lil' dude!" He offered me his hand and began to walk me out of the crowd of people. "Do you remember where they were?"
"Well, they were going to meet the president, but I don't-" I began explaining, but got interrupted by the green man.
"The president? Wow, you know some people, kid!" He cheered, watching me in awe. It's like we were imitating each others expressions. "No worries, though, I know where his place is!" He smiled goofily and he walked me towards the place. I had really wondered off without knowing it myself! I sure hope I could get back, before Clank found out.
"Ratchet!" And there it was, Clank's voice. He was running towards us and I could see from afar that he looked quite worried. I was expecting him to be mad, to be honest. Skid let go of me and I ran to Clank, hugging him tightly as I got close enough.
"Clank! I'm so sorry! Helga was so scary, I had to run away! ThenIsawpeopleandgotexcitedandImetSkidMcMaexandand -!" I explained in fear filled excitement; fear for what Clank was gonna do and excitement for the adventure I had. It was fun! But getting lost was really shameful...
"You brought him here?" Clank asked from Skid, who smiled assuringly.
"Sure did, tin man! The kid's got attitude! Was lost in the crowd, so I wanted to help the poor guy out!" He grinned, which made Clank glare him a little. Skid didn't care for it and as I let go of Clank and turned to him, he just took my hand and shook it. "See ya again, lil' dude! I gotta run! Be sure to root for me in the next race!" He laughed, dashing off to the same direction as we came from.
"I will! You're gonna win, man!" I cheered after him, raising a fist in the air. Giving a soft giggle at the awesome moment of meeting Skid and having him shake my hand, I couldn't help but feel good. Then I heard Clank made a couple of sounds. One was a short clashing of metal, which indicated that he had crossed his arms, possibly in anger. The little grunt also hinted towards that. I slowly turned to face the robot of the same size as me and yes, he was definitely mad. Shit.
"What on EARTH were you thinking?" Clank watched me angrily, which made me whimper. I tried to contain it, but couldn't do it with him. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?" He gave me a lecture in such a calm voice, which made me feel even more scare. I don't know if he was cabable of yelling or if it was just his thing. Either way, it worried me.
"No, I..." I looked down at my feet, biting my lower lip as I felt a sob form in my throat. I tried my best not to let out out, though. After all, it was kind of my own fault. "I'm sorryyyyy!" I let out a cry, couple of tears coming out of my eyes that I tightly closed shut. I told myself I wouldn't cry! Men don't cry! MEN DON'T CRY!
"Ratchet." Clank said with a much soften tone and when I opened my eyes to see his expression, he was giving me a smile. He didn't look mad, he just looked... Worried. "Don't cry." He said, petting my head carefully, making me pout.
"I'm not crying..." I snarled silently. He just chuckled.
"I was just worried when I heard you ran away. It's my fault for leaving you like that... You're not used to this crew, I should have known better." He smiled, but looked so guilty while doing so. How he was able to give so many expressions was beyond me and my understanding.
I chuckled, wiping my eyes with my fists. "It's okay." I simply replied.
"But let us go back. We received our mission and we must act fast." Clank smiled, taking a hold of my hand and leading me back towards the ship. "Don't you run off like that again. I'll tell you how to lock the door to my room, so you can stay safe in there, alright?" He offered, which made me grin happily again.
"Sure!"