Gifts (Oneshot)
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Another oneshot. This time featuring Wade. Plus we learn a bit more about how Mobians perceive their animal side.
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"Can I ask you something Tails?", asked Wade
Tails was hanging out in the police station, having been asked to try and fix the computer after it had gone on the blink for the umpteenth time that week. Tails had happily obliged, and hadn't taken long in his task (while also adding his own extra features he hoped would be appreciated). Now the two were sitting in Wade's office, a plate of biscuits, sweets, and tea in front of them. Tom was due to return soon with Knuckles from the library, and Sonic was shopping with Maddie.
"Uhh…Yeah go ahead", said Tails, picking out a mint sweet.
"You know how you guys are well…animals?", Wade continued. He gestured to Tails, indicating that by 'you guys' he meant the fox as well as his brothers.
"Yeah?", Tails raised an eyebrow.
"Well", Wade sat back in his chair. "What do you do about your…instincts. I know you guys have them. Aren't they like an inconvenience?"
Tails' eyes widened, more taken aback by the question than offended.
"Sorry", Wade stuttered, falling back into his chair, his face red. "Forget I said anything"
"No no, it's ok!", said Tails. "I just want to know what you mean by what kind of instincts. You're going to have to be more specific"
"Well you know…", Wade gestured again. "Like how you guys do certain things that our animals do. Sonic curls into a ball when he gets startled. Knuckles feels the need to dig in the back garden. And you also have those claws"
Wade then made a very enthusiastic clawing motion against his face, mimicking a wild animal tearing into it.
"How do you cope with that?"
Tails could only stare. He wasn't sure what to say. On the one hand, Wade was making a point. But on the other, he was clearly demonstrating how little he understood. And Tails was happy to make him.
"I think you're looking too much into it", Tails laughed. "Our instincts are no different than you humans"
"Don't think so", said Wade. "I don't dig up my garden on random intervals, or crash into my door if I hear a noise"
Tails gulped. Yesterday he had been startled by the postman dropping mail through the letterbox, although he didn't know it was that at first. Instincts kicking in prompted him to go racing down the stairs on all fours, tripping on the last step, and smacking right into the front door. Sonic had nearly passed out from laughing, and Tails had silently vowed revenge.
"Well there can be setbacks", said Tails, shaking himself out of the memory. "But you humans have instincts, even if you don't always know it"
Tails took a sip of tea, as Wade sat back and watched curiously.
"Human instincts trigger under emotions. Like when you get mad, sad, or even like when you know what to do when someone is in trouble"
The fox continued.
"Sonic curls into a ball because his instincts tell him that his quills will protect him. Knuckles digs because he has the urge to find treasures to gift, aannnd he says that it creates good fertilisation for the soil! Our instincts protect us and each other. Whether human or animal. It's a part of us. The same applies with our claws"
Tails pulled one of his gloves off and lifted his hand to inspect it. His tone now musing, thoughtful.
"Without these, we wouldn't have another way to defend ourselves, or even be able to play, or groom our fur. Our instincts are never an inconvenience. They are gifts from our ancestors"
He looked up at Wade and smiled. Wade just sat in silence, mulling over the kit's words.
"Well", he eventually said. "That's one way of looking at it"
Suddenly a voice cut through the subdued moment, and Tom appeared in the door with Knuckles in tow.
"Hey ya!", Tom waved cheerfully. "How you doing, buddy? Did you have fun with Wade today?"
"Sure did!", Tails cheerfully replied.
He flew off the chair to join Tom and Knuckles.
"Wade, you ok to hold the fort for a bit longer?", asked Tom. "I'll be back in a moment. Just gotta drop these two home. Maddie just texted. She and Sonic will be back soon"
"Leave it to me!", Wade saluted. "That little fox has interesting words of wisdom"
"I also need to show you the sacred tomes I got from the lie-bary, Fox", said Knuckles, as he excitedly held up a pile of books.
The three of them said goodbye to Wade, but just as they exited the room, Tails popped his head back in.
"Oh Wade! I hope you don't mind, but I also added an extra upgrade to the coffee machine. Hope you like it!"
Wade's face fell as Tails disappeared again.
Luckily the three of them were already outside, so they didn't hear the loud bang, followed by the geyser of water.
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That bit about Knuckles fertilising the soil is actually true for echidnas!
