Disclaimer: I hereby disclaim all rights to all characters (save for those of my own creation) during these discussions… especially for the one who refuses to bow to the whims of others.

~保護者~

"In Memory Of"

~保護者~

Aniko's gaze lifted when Toru walked over, the faintest of frowns on her face. "What do you need, Toru?"

"Just wanting to check in, that's all. Gotta stay informed on what's happening," he answered. "You guys seem to have been through a good bit, on that note."

The female chameleon nodded gently. "Yes. There is much to explain, so I recommend you sit."

He shortly did so, taking a seat in front of Aniko and Shei with a faint frown in Armaris's direction. "She okay?"

"She ascended into a state of Darkness where it was controlling her. She has been very… tempestuous, to say the least," Aniko murmured, continuing to hold the cat close.

Toru nodded gently. "I see. What about Espio, then?"

Aniko shot Shei a look that asked him to fill in anything she neglected, continuing to speak without waiting for his response. "Espio was left in a corrupted state due to interaction with the demonic god and Malevolence's energies. Kaden then further increased the corruption, temporarily taking control of him. Nyokae-" She paused when Toru's expression very briefly betrayed some hint of extreme disdain, only continuing when she was sure he wouldn't speak on the matter. "She appeared, as you may or may not have seen, and… aided Espio in allowing his Darkness to consume the taint left by those other beings."

"In doing so," Shei signed, "She allowed him to regain control over himself, essentially returning his free will to him. But what she did was not for the purpose of bringing him back to his normal state. He arguably is getting worse, and very rapidly."

"And… the big catch is that his Darkness, the Darkness of a chameleon, has him considered evil, right?" Toru asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Perceptive," Aniko murmured. "Yes, that is his current state. We were debating on how we should go about attempting to reason with him and potentially further help him."

"I assume you'd like my opinion, now that I'm over here?" Toru asked, a faint smile on his face.

Aniko visibly frowned. "Did I ask?"

"Alright, good to hear," Toru answered, entirely ignoring what she said in favor of continuing the conversation. "My opinion is that the cat here is the key to it all."

Black ears perked at this, Armaris glancing up curiously. "Why me?"

Shei looked at her. "Armaris, you should know why," he signed to her gently.

Toru answered again, simply in case Armaris didn't, or hadn't figured it out fully. "You… Firstly, Espio is a bit partial to you, like he is with his mother. The difference is that you are emotional. You can show your emotion far better than Aniko. Don't kill me for that, by the way."

An eye-roll served as Aniko's response, then Armaris spoke up again. "How do you know I wouldn't make the situation worse?"

"Cat," Toru sighed. "Look, I'll give it to you straight. You're not perfect, and neither is he. The thing is that you're something he needs, someone who cares about him and can easily show it, through words and actions. Taking that chance is necessary, unless you want to spend the rest of your life knowing and regretting that you didn't."

"I greatly dislike that all parties in this conflict are playing tug-of-war with my son, but… we cannot let this situation continue any longer." Shei looked away for a second, indulging in a silent sigh of his own, before continuing. "We must pull him back to us, Armaris, and you may be the only one who can."

"I don't want to keep playing that game. I just want him back with us," Armaris murmured, curling up against Aniko softly.

Toru managed a small smile. "And that's exactly what we need from you. Emotion. You can do it, and you just proved it."

Aniko closed her eyes. "I must agree. You are… the one who truly would have the best chance. Use your emotion and speak to him."

Armaris glanced over her body. She could still vaguely feel the attack she'd endured from Espio as phantom pains. It was unpleasant, but the worst of it was the emotional hurt it brought. "We don't get a choice… do we?" Shei silently shook his head.

Toru sighed. "So… you're gonna do it, then?"

Armaris nodded gently. "I will."

The onyx chameleon smiled. "Good." Pushing himself to stand, he began walking backwards in the direction of Tails and Shadow. "I got something else to keep up with, so just let me know if I'm needed."

~保護者~

I do not have much left. He drained too much from me.

Noting his predicament with a grimace, Kath slipped unseen over to where Rose was laid out in the grass. She was badly injured and unconscious, and he was no healer. Light, however… it was a healing energy in and of itself. He had enough to mend most of her energies, maybe. If nothing else, he was sure he could restore her consciousness. As her own Light had not been given but was something she naturally had within, she had an ample amount to finish healing herself - and anyone else who needed it.

Gathering what little Light he had left into his hand drew attention toward him (much of it unhappy, given the community he was within), but he ignored that for now. Kneeling by the woman, he allowed the energy to flow over her until he had nothing left. As he'd anticipated, she was not left in pristine condition. But she was awake now, and that was what mattered. He stood and took a step or two back to give her space to do whatever she intended to do, then started to turn so as to walk away. Rose pushed herself to stand quickly, moving after him and calling for his attention softly by saying, "Kath?"

Kath paused and turned back around to look at her. "...Yes?"

It took the woman a moment to properly compose herself, a faint smile on her face. "Thank you. I appreciate the gesture, even if it was for intentions other than simply healing me." He hummed softly in acknowledgement. She walked closer momentarily, a small frown beginning to appear on her face. "Your… Light. It is gone…?"

"I was not born with it," Kath explained simply. "When Kaden attacked me, he drained most of it away. I used what I had left to accomplish certain tasks."

Though she seemed unhappy that he appeared to have needed to use this gift, there was a certain amount of happiness that could be gleaned from her eyes. "You are every bit as amazing as I believed."

Her words made him frown. "There is nothing 'amazing' about me," he responded.

"You may say so, but I know many others who could argue against your words." Now that she had said her piece, she saw fit to begin healing the others as she believed Kath had no doubt intended for her to do.

"Do not push yourself," was all Kath said in reply as he again turned and began walking away. Having no doubt that Sein would seek him out regardless, he headed over to the younger hawk.

Sein turned to Kath with a bright smile on his face. "It's good to see you back."

Kath didn't immediately answer that and instead asked, "...How long has it been?"

"Roughly… about a week," Sein answered gently. "Felt like a lot longer, though."

With a slow nod, Kath answered, "Mobius and Babylon were restored in that time. How?"

"Calypso. She used her magic to restore both. Life and all," the younger hawk answered easily.

This explanation managed to be vaguely startling, as he had never known her to be capable of such a feat. What was even more startling, however, was glancing in her direction and finding she was suddenly right next to them. She smiled a little at him and teased, "You doubt my ability, Kath?"

Huffing, he looked away. "No."

She managed to surprise him again by taking hold of his arms and forcibly turning him around in order to check him over. The unexpected touch caused him to just sort of freeze up for a second, allowing her ample time to finish what she was doing. Then she released him and it was her turn to huff. "Good. You not hurt no more. T'at very good."

Sein smiled softly, managing to stave off some snickers at his reaction. "He was taken to the Realm of Light. I'd hope he wouldn't be hurt."

"I know. I be there where he taken away." Calypso gave Kath one last appraising look-over, then relaxed a little bit with a sort of sigh. Once again, she caught him off-guard, this time by pulling him into a quick hug. "You stop worry me like that," she softly chided as he again stiffened. "I no like to worry."

After a second or two, the momentary blankness that had overtaken Kath's mind released its hold and he was very quick to squirm free of her. Trying to preserve some dignity and deflect attention away from what had just happened, he crossed his arms and muttered, "You act as though it was my fault." Sein threw a hand over his mouth to hold off laughter, the man being obviously very amused by the display. Kath noticed and threw him a sharp glare. "You can shut up." Unlike Sein, Calypso openly laughed.

"I mean… you kinda started it," Sein answered with a snicker, grinning.

"I seem to recall that she did," Kath argued pointedly.

Calypso grinned as well. "And if I did, Kat'?" she asked.

He let out a long-suffering sigh. "That is not my name, Calypso."

"It be a nickname, then."

"I refuse."

Sein shrugged. "May or may not suit you." There was a very mischievous look on his face that Kath would be entirely too familiar with.

The grey hawk's eyes narrowed at expression, but all he said was a simple warning. "Continue to encourage her and I will throw you off of this planet."

"I dare you," Sein answered, grinning widely at him. "Kat'."

"Sein-"

Whatever Kath was about to say was cut short when Calypso decided to intervene and save the younger Babylonian. "Calm, calm. We do not need to murder each ot'er today." Her placating drew Kath's attention to her just in time to see as she very quickly gave him a peck on the cheek before grinning anew and teleporting away. Flustered anew, he swore under his breath and promptly plopped into a seat beneath the nearest tree.

Sein blinked a few times at this, unsure exactly what to make of it before a devious (not really, but he would swear that it was) plan was concocted and he walked over to his adoptive father. "So, you're feeling alright?"

"Sein," Kath warned, closing his eyes with a small scowl, "I suggest you quit while you are ahead."

"I'm actually just checking on you this time," Sein answered, sitting down. "I promise."

"Somehow, I do not believe you," Kath muttered.

"Give me a chance."

Eventually, in spite of his better judgement, Kath sighed and answered the question. "I am fine."

Sein gave a genuine smile. "I'm really glad to see you back." Kath shrugged vaguely. "Alana was really worried about you. She wanted to stick around solely to wait on you."

That earned a small wave of pain borne from guilt after making her worry, but Kath didn't show it much. "...I will see her soon," he promised, both to Sein and to his daughter.

"I know she'll appreciate it," Sein answered, a bright smile still on his face. "So… what do you think we should do next?"

Kath hadn't had much time to think on that yet. It was hard to do that effectively when he was still so tired. "I do not know."

"Well… you should focus on relaxing then. You and Calypso could probably hang out for a bit, since she seems happy that you're back and all," Sein suggested.

The idea sounded… pleasant, in a way, but Kath shook his head. "We do not need to 'hang out'."

"Well, you can relax with her, then. Whatever keeps you off your feet and resting," Sein answered, putting his hands behind his head. "You should heed the advice you gave Rose."

Somewhat tempted though he was, Kath staunchly refused with another shake of his head. "I will remain here."

"I could bring her over here instead, then," Sein answered, a brief grin breaking onto his face. "It would only take a second."

"Do not dare, Sein," Kath glared.

Sein smiled. "Why not? You not want her around?"

After silently cursing Sein for forcing him to, Kath irritably corrected in a mutter, "I did not say that."

"Then, why not? Something you're not telling me?"

"I recommend shutting up."

"Oh? There must be something, and that something involves Calypso," Sein answered, fully turning to Kath. "What are you hiding from me?"

Kath tossed him another glare. "Nothing you need to be made aware of."

"Do you perhaps like her?"

"Shut up, Sein."

"Deflecting doesn't help, Kath. It only makes the party look more guilty," Sein smirked, chuckling to himself.

"Stop pretending to know things that are not true," Kath answered, still hoping to get the subject dropped.

Sein stood and sighed, smiling. "Too bad. You two could be good for each other," he teased before suddenly bolting off to make sure Kath couldn't kill him for it. Though tempted to make chase, Kath ultimately stayed put and closed his eyes again.

Damned brat.

~保護者~

About ten minutes after Shadow and Toru had parted ways, Shadow found himself seated next to Tails. He had finished thoroughly checking his nephew over moments before and was now listening to Tails talk. It was surprising, initially, that he was so emotionally… vacant. Blasé, almost. But then it clicked that that wasn't true at all. Tails was distracting himself with dialogue, with keeping busy, by finding himself work. That was all.

"...should've been busted to smithereens," Tails was mumbling, eyes on his curiously in-tact communicator, "at some point in that fight. Kinda glad it wasn't, though."

Shadow had never been blessed with a surplus of emotional intelligence and understanding. His quick, subtle scans told him much, true, but that didn't give him any idea of how to help. He did sort of want to, he decided. Tails no doubt deserved the aid, given how much he always aided others (Shadow included), but ultimately… Ultimately, Shadow was at a loss. The only thing he could think to do was keep Tails talking. If Tails himself deemed that a decent coping mechanism, then for now Shadow would go along with it. So, eyeing Tails's fingers as the fox rapidly typed on the communicator screen, he asked, "...What are you doing?"

At this, Tails let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know how much you remember, since by your own telling your recollection of your early days travelling with us are blurry at best, but… Well, once I learned you were a cyborg, I offered to take a look inside for you. Make sure all of your components were in good health, so to speak, and all that stuff."

That sounded familiar. Shadow was decently certain that he remembered snippets of the event in question. Not the conversation itself, but something involving scans and a bit of well-meaning poking and prodding… With tools, he vaguely recalled. Actually, he seemed to recall nearly having an internal panic attack at the time, possibly due to flashing back to his early days spent on the ARK. Not a pleasant memory. One he sought to avoid. One of many he wished he could lose forever.

Tails continued. "At the time, I discovered that a lot of the functions you were built to perform aren't actually possible right now because of things being… switched off, I guess you could say?"

This teased more memories up, and Shadow frowned. "...Just as my ability to scan once was."

"Yeah, exactly," Tails said. "But, I mean, even that one isn't fully 'turned on', so to speak. There are other functions related to your scans, and a bunch of other things, that you haven't had access to in a long, long time. I took detailed notes of everything I found at the time, and I was looking over all the old files again."

Understanding now what was happening, Shadow said slowly, "You believe we should activate everything."

The fox almost winced. The actions seemed… sympathetic, perhaps? "Not if you're not comfortable, Shadow," he was quick to say, looking over. "This is about you, after all. Your mind. Your body. Your abilities. It's your choice. My thoughts on the matter aren't relevant here."

Pursing his lips together, Shadow looked away. He wasn't upset that Tails had been thinking about this, or even that he had brought it up. In fact, he wasn't upset at Tails at all. He supposed it was more correct to say that he was upset for Tails? Though he couldn't be certain about it at all, or why he suddenly wanted to assuage Tails's concerns, it occurred to him right about then that maybe it hadn't been for nothing that Sonic had so recently teased him about having a best friend. Whether or not that was actually true, Shadow found himself letting out a small sigh and saying, "They are."

Amazingly, this seemed to be enough to lift Tails's spirits to some degree. He managed a quick, albeit small, smile and looked back down at his communicator. "If… you're sure, then is it alright with you if I explain what I'm thinking?" The answer to that should have been obvious. Shadow turned his head back and gestured with a vague motion of his hand for Tails to continue. "Well, like you said, I've been toying with the idea of activating everything. None of your deactivated abilities are unimportant, after all. But, then I got to thinking that maybe it would be easier on you in a lot of ways if we only reactivated the ones that could really help out right now."

Thinking back as far as he could and as clearly as he could, Shadow said, "Without access to these abilities, I am severely limited in what I can do. I will remain so until I am given full access again."

"Doing everything all at once might overload you," Tails was quick to caution, "and we don't know what sorts of memories that having these abilities back might trigger." Shadow opened his mouth to say something, only for Tails to cut him off. "I know that it barely affects you most of the time because of your programming, but you do have PTSD, Shadow. Gerald traumatized you. There's no telling whether or not simple programming will always be enough to keep those mental and emotional wounds from rearing up and hurting you all over again." The fox heaved another sigh and closed his eyes. "I just don't want to be the reason any of those old wounds reopen."

It was true. Gerald had done a lot to harm Shadow for a long time. Often it had been for the purpose of achieving the sick man's goal of creating a living weapon. Other times - like when Shadow was kept awake, conscious, and trapped during surgeries and experiments purely as punishment for things - it had been because the man was sick, and nothing more. While Shadow couldn't remember everything Gerald had done, certainly not even most of the things he had done, he remembered enough.

He remembered enough to still have nightmares. Sometimes they involved memories so vague that all he was aware of was raw pain and, when those memories came from his childhood… fear. Sometimes the memories were so clear it was like he was living through them all over again. Sometimes he awoke gasping and shaking in the throes of anxiety. And sometimes… just sometimes… he awoke with a panicked yell.

He remembered enough to still find himself unable to handle walking into hospitals, being surrounded by all the sterile equipment and white walls and floors and lab coats and people wearing medical masks… Over time he had forced himself to slowly and carefully ease himself into the world of medicine, due in part to no longer wanting to be afraid, and it had helped… but not enough. Even seeing Tails in his lab coat had sent Shadow flashing back to his past at least once.

He remembered enough to still suffer, ultimately. There were places he couldn't go, types of people he could never bring himself to talk to or look too closely at, activities he could never partake in, peaceful dreams he could never seem to experience, thoughts and emotions he would likely never fully escape… Perhaps Tails was right. Perhaps doing this, any of this, would be too much. But Shadow was so done letting Gerald rule his life from beyond the grave.

Maybe it was just something that Toru had said to him earlier that was affecting his decision-making right now, but it didn't matter either way. Screw being afraid. Fuck Gerald Robotnik having ever caused him to feel that way. It was time to make a choice without that long-dead man's influence, and he would be damned if he let his past suffering continue to do harm in the present. I will not submit to your will for me, he silently promised. Really, he was doing so for the second time now in his life. It seemed he had suddenly just… needed a reminder of that. I am not your weapon.

Returning his attention back to Tails, who was watching him with deeply worried eyes, Shadow firmly told him, "This needs to be done. I have ignored it and treated it as a non-issue for too long. That cannot continue."

Somehow, some way, Tails managed another smile. This one lasted longer. It seemed more genuine. He looked… happy. "You look like you're ready," he observed quietly. "If you're in a place now where you can go through with this, then that's just what we'll do. And I'll be with you the whole way. You can count on that."

Sentimental. People were always so sentimental. Only, with Tails and the other people Shadow had chosen to spend his life around, he could never bring himself to mind. Still, as a matter of principle, he let out a huff and a dry remark in response as he pushed himself to stand. "And here I had counted on you flying yourself to the moon during the process."

That smile grew immediately. "I mean… if I had my ship still, I could," Tails was quick to remind, also moving to stand. "Though, if you meant with my little namesakes here, then I guess you'll just have to be disappointed."

Everything immediately felt better, now that Silver and Tails were acting like themselves again. Smiling. Joking around. Being as happy as they could be in the aftermath of such a tragedy. This was good. This was right. Shadow supposed there was no real harm in privately admitting that he was relieved. "We should deal with this now, while there is an opportunity to," he said, instead of voicing his other thoughts.

Tails nodded. "Yeah, you're right about that. I'll see if Sein would be willing to teleport us to my house." He started to walk away but stopped almost immediately and turned back around. "Oh, you can collect your new friend if you want, too. I don't mind if he comes with."

Friend? There was about a half-second of confusion, then it twigged that he must have been talking about Toru. Huffing again, Shadow loosely crossed his arms. I am not going to walk up to people and ask them to tag along. Granted, it was only one person (a person who seemed to care to a degree for whatever reason, no less) and Shadow didn't truly care if people happened to see Tails working on things like this with him… but still. Inviting people to do things or go places just wasn't something he did. "If you want to 'collect' him, be my guest." Tails just chuckled a little and headed off toward Sein like he'd said he would.

Toru appeared by Shadow, blinking once. "I heard someone mention me. What's up?"

At first, Shadow tried to deflect this little scenario off of himself. "Ask him," he responded simply with a vague gesture toward Tails's retreating form.

"It seems like he's a bit busy at the moment," Toru answered, crossing his arms.

"He can be interrupted," Shadow grumbled.

Toru shrugged. "I'd rather not. So, you gonna tell me what he was inviting me to?"

Shadow tossed him a look, coupled with a frown. He heard. How much did he hear? "If you know he was wanting to invite you along, then you know why."

"Well, perhaps I would like to hear you explain," Toru murmured. "You didn't seem to disagree with me coming along."

"You seem to have heard enough," was Shadow's response.

"Hearing it from you directly would make it feel less like I'm intruding."

Surprising even himself, Shadow looked away and sighed. "You are not intruding," he admitted.

Toru blinked once at this before managing a smile. "Well, then I suppose I'll join."

Despite what he had said, Shadow found himself asking, "Why do you want to?"

It was Toru's turn to surprise himself with his words. "It's involving you. Why wouldn't I?"

Shadow blinked several times, unsure what to make of this reply. What?

The hell did I just say? Toru thought to himself, a minute frown appearing on his face.

Thankfully, the pair of them were saved by Tails jogging up to them. "Hey, Shadow, we're good to go. He's willing to teleport us." He glanced at Toru. "Oh, are you coming?"

Toru nodded. "Yeah. No reason not to, I suppose."

"Great." Tails smiled and began walking back to Sein. "Let's go then, you two." Having nothing left to say for the moment, Shadow just followed him. Toru managed a smile and followed beside Shadow, hands behind his head in a relaxed manner. None of them saying another word, they headed off to Tails's house.

~保護者~

Sona woke with a start from her dozing when she felt two presences appear near her home, immediately snatching her scimitar off the ground and bolting to the entrance. She relaxed at the sight of Li, letting the weapon drop back to the floor. "Shit, dude. What the hell happened to you? You look pale and your ha-" The cat bolted over, snatching his arm up to inspect the wound. "Who did this to you?" Novei was obviously not pleased with this woman's actions toward Li, already winding her fist back until Li bopped her shoulder with his free hand.

"There was a fight. I tried to save someone and got hurt, it's fine," Li answered, a small smile on his face. "Though, I really need to talk to you."

Sona frowned deeply, letting go of Li. "What's up?"

"Well… you know about the war…"

"Everything went to shit, then got worse," Novei explained, crossing her arms. "Every fucking thing is falling apart now."

The cat growled, flames appearing around her as naturally as her anger flared. Eventually though, the fires died down and she sighed. "I'd love to join in, but I can't. I've been watching over Locke's kids, and I will not leave them unguarded."

Li grew a touch more concerned at this, though not necessarily due to what she said. "Last I remember… he's not doing all too well," the wolf murmured, obviously expecting a bad reaction.

The anger came immediately, flames flaring to life around her as she growled deeply. "What?" she demanded.

"He said that Locke has gotten hurt," Novei answered harshly, glaring.

"Both of you calm down!" Li quickly said, loud enough to catch them both off guard and achieve the intended effect. "Yes… Locke is hurt, and he hasn't been able to do much recently because of that."

Sona gritted her teeth and eventually sighed. "I can't leave this place, regardless… I couldn't go see him even if I wanted to."

Li frowned for a moment before suddenly appearing to have an idea. "You could leave them with Cosmo. Locke has left the two with her before. I'm sure he wouldn't be upset if you did the same, since there's a really good reason."

The cat blinked a few times, before slowly nodding. "You're… right. I… I'll be on Mobius soon, once they're with Cosmo." Sona briefly gave the wolf a hug, wishing him further safe travels before bounding off, leaving the wolf and a very jealous and upset Therian behind.

~保護者~

Wave had recovered enough from her battle with the World Eater and subsequent beat down by Zareil that she was able travel again. Word had travelled to her, courtesy of Silver, about Jet's condition… and the reality of what was happening to him. She had moved with great haste to see him on New Babylon. There she had found him unconscious on a couch in a random sitting room. He was in immense pain, he was feverish, he was suffering. Throughout it all, his mother stayed fearfully by his side. She looked away from her son in silence as Wave joined her.

The two spoke for a time. They spoke about the attacks. The deaths. Jet's condition. The stolen portal shard. How unlikely it seemed that they could win this war. Ultimately, Wave didn't feel that much of anything of consequence had been said on these topics. It had all been said before… maybe not by them, but by others. She supposed this conversation was good for the purpose of venting, but that was all. Still, she managed a tiny smile after their conversation ended. "You look exhausted," she murmured. "I can watch him for a little while if you want to sleep."

It wasn't only out of concern for her friend that she offered. Her concern extended into outright fear, actually… especially as she was forced to consider the unfathomably damage he could be forced to wreak upon everything when he was finally taken over. How many lives would be lost? How many friends would be forced to fight him? How much of their home would be destroyed? Would he ever recover from the scars, guilt, and worse he would be left with? She couldn't stand to think about it. It was likely Alana couldn't, either. Maybe that was why she refused. "No… I will stay here."

Despite what she said, Alana suddenly stood. Wave looked up at her. "Something wrong?" she asked. Besides… well, everything.

The older (and yet still young in the timeless way that only Immortals could truly manage) woman walked at a somewhat quick pace out of the room. "I will be back in a moment," was the only response she gave.

Wave blinked a couple of times, but ultimately just shrugged and looked back at Jet. She didn't find herself thinking very deeply about anything in particular in the newfound silence. In fact, she barely managed to conjure up any thoughts at all. She was too tired. Too afraid. Too angry. Too… distracted by Alana's aura, because what in the world was she doing in Jet's room on the top floor?

She didn't have a chance to stretch her senses out and discover what was going on before Alana returned. There was someone in her arms. Someone small. Someone green. Someone familiar. Alana said something about him being newly revived and tired, something about Sonic's emotions most likely having something to do with this, but Wave was barely listening. She was too busy staring. Alana set the boy down and, rubbing his eyes, he yawned and mumbled, "...Do you know my dad, too?"

That such an ordinarily moody child could manage to look so cute right now managed to get Wave to smile. Moving to kneel down in front of him, she nodded. "I do," she confirmed. "He and I have known each other for… a very long time."

Lucas took a closer look at her. "You kinda look like a lady in some of his stories."

Unable to help it, Wave chuckled. "And what was this lovely lady's name?"

"Um… Wave, I think?" Lucas mumbled, shrugging.

Her smile grew. "That would be me."

That perked the boy right up. "Really?"

As Alana reclaimed her earlier seat, Wave gave the child a nod. "Really." She watched as he considered that for a second before continuing, "I also know you a bit. I met you a… well, a while ago."

"Really?" Lucas asked again. He frowned. "I don't remember that."

"It's okay if you don't," Wave told him. "We didn't actually talk too much or anything back then… so I think it would be more fun to make some brand new memories instead. How does that sound?"

Just like that, he smiled at her. "Okay," he agreed. "But only you show me your psychic stuff! I've always wanted to see!"

His grinning lifted her spirits a bit more, she had to admit. "They aren't as great as he might have made them sound, but sure," she laughed. "I'll show you as soon as I can."

"Great! Can we go outside so you can show me? Dad's still sleeping, but I don't think he'll mind."

Several thoughts raced through Wave's head. It would do any Babylonian of this age plenty of good to spend time outside, burning their high amounts of energy. It was also be better for him to do that as opposed to sitting around in here and worrying. For that matter, it might do Wave some good herself, too. And not only that, but… If we're close by when Astra takes over, and Jet's forced to hurt Lucas… he'll never forgive himself. Her eyes clouding with a fresh surge of sadness, she glanced at Jet while slowly standing up. "I guess we're… going outside, then," she told Alana quietly.

Alana nodded. "I understand," she murmured. Then, forcing a tiny smile, she said to Lucas, "Stay out of trouble, little one."

Oh, his mischievous grin was so much like his father's. It made Wave's heart melt a little, a fondness for their own childhoods washing over her at the sight of it. "I will!" Lucas promised.

Just like that, they were off.

~保護者~

5,939 words this time. Hope you all enjoyed. Many thanks to Blazing Winds for all of his help and support. Posted (at about 12:20 p.m.) 05-26-20.