And here is chapter 3 for your reading pleasure, guys.
As a basic disclaimer, I've gotten permission from the ever lovely AmazinglyBad to borrow a few elements from her headcanon for Psychonauts and an OC of hers. If you want to see an excellent Psychonauts fanfic, look up 'Of Sea and Sky'. That shit is LEGIT. s/6236265/1/Of-Sea-and-Sky Here is a link for your reading pleasure!
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"I think that is about all I can teach you for now," He simply offered back to the 8 year old sitting across from him. He easily letting his hand drift away from his head to rest back on the cool table between them. The Girl mimicked him, resting her palms flat on the table, even if her words were hesitant unlike his. "Oh, um, okay,"
"If you wish for more training, you can apply to come to Whispering Rock next summer," Sasha answered, he gently pushing a cup of juice towards her. "You are a very strong psychic, Alessa, you have much potential."
The girl perked up at that, nervousness pushed aside as she smiled up at the German man. "Thank you Mr. Nein," She reaching out and taking the cup, sipping from it.
"You're welcome," He shuffled through paperwork, glancing up every once an awhile to peek at the girl. Her pallid features and dark brown eyes making her almost look ghostly. "I'll talk to your father, I'm certain he'll be for sending you to the camp."
"Yeah, he understands." Her smile dipped a little now. "No one else does though,"
He finished straightening the paperwork, tucking it into the manilla folder he had. "Every psychic goes through this when their powers come to fruition," He assured, unsure why he felt inclined to comfort the child. "Now, if you could follow me,"
She nodded easily back, doing her best to keep up her mimicry of Sasha and rise at the same time he did. He wondering if he had a sign on him that implored all children to mimic him or something along those lines as he moved to open the door for her. Alessa walking out of the observational room with Sasha as the German man spoke. "Your father and sister are waiting for you, I'm certain you'll be happy to see them after all your hard work today,"
"Mr. Nein, do I keep practicing at home…?"
He gave a nod of his own at that, "Yes, small flexes of your power won't hurt you or anyone else. Just remember to keep your mental barrier up,"
"Okay, that makes sense," She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she walked alongside the German man. The click of her black polished mary-jane shoes was loudest thing in the hallway as they walked in silence. Sasha feeling no need to force a conversation where one wasn't needed. He knew the eight year old was more than likely eager to leave this place and do- eight year old things. Sasha barely remembered what Lili did at that age, he wasn't about to guess what children did now.
He stepped forward, opening the door for her again, "Here," The more colorful lively lobby a stark contrast to the white walls of the inner sanctum of the Seattle Psychonauts HQ. The colorful plastic chairs, tables and old magazines practically gave Sasha a headache when he looked at them. He wondered who had decorated this place.
"Thank you," She offered softly back, stepping through and peering around for her family. Her father saw her first, the tall browned haired man calling out to the girl. "Alessa!"
Life returned to the child, she perking up at the sight of her father. Running towards him with little thought of anything else. "Daddy!" The man crouched down, arms open as he caught the girl in an embrace, swinging her around easily. She giggling and clinging to him as he smiled at her. "How was everything, sweetheart?"
"It went great! Now I won't burn things anymore!"
Her teenaged sister laughed a little at that, hiding her smirk behind her hands. "Damn, no more campfires for us, huh, kid?" Alessa simply stuck her tongue out at her sister for her comment, simply holding onto her father. Harry could only sigh a little at the two, telling them to behave. Sasha simply hung back letter the family have their moment before he approached. "Mr. Mason, if I could speak to you for a moment-"
"Sure," He balanced Alessa in his arms as he offered Sasha a faint smile. "What is it?"
"I wanted to discuss possibly sending your daughter to Whispering Rock over the summer, it is a psychic summer camp meant to train young psychics to control their powers." He easily fell into the spiel, explaining the costs and benefits that came with the camp. Harry listened intently, nodding as he patted Alessa's, more to comfort himself than her. "Ah, that would be good, Alessa could use a change of scenery over the summer,"
"You don't have to sign up for anything officially now, simply call my associate Morceau Oleander. He is in charge of the camp." Sasha easily fished a card out of his pocket, handing it over to the other man. Harry quietly examined it, reading it over before tucking it away into his own jacket pocket.
"Thank you, I'll consider it,"
"Outside of that, I think you should have this. Basic results of Alessa's tests, what her current skill set is and what numbers you can call if anything goes wrong," He easily plucked a packet out of the manilla folder he had tucked under one arm, passing it to the other man. Harry could only blink at it as he brushed his thumbs over the tapped out script across the bright white cover page.
"Is there always going to be this much paperwork?" The teenager wondered as she eyed the thick packet.
He answered without hesitation. "Yes,"
"Eeesh," She ran a hand through her blonde hair as she plucked the packet from her father. Harry not really minding as he shook his head in some amusement. "Thank you again, Mr. Nein,"
"It has been my pleasure Mr. Mason, take care." He glanced at Alessa, smiling slightly as he added, "Practice, practice as much as you can. I'll hopefully get to see your results next summer," The girl smiled brightly back at that, "Bye, Mr. Nein!"
"Goodbye," He turned to leave, briefly waving before heading back into the inner sanctum of the building. All he had to do now was turn in the remaining paperwork and then he could go back to his hotel to pack. He had a train to catch this evening after all.
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The sound of carols rung through his head the entire trip back. If he hadn't been so focused on the date in the first place, the bawdy decorations and irritating songs would have been a big enough clue for Sasha as he took in his surroundings. He tucking his hands into his pockets as he let his gaze drift across the train station. Only distracted by the sudden appearance of Milla. Her loud equally as bawdy dress hard to miss even amongst the Christmas finery around them.
"Sasha!"
"Ms. Vodello," He offered simply back with an eased wave of his hand as she walked up to him. She easily giving him a peck on the cheek, pulling back to flash her brightest smile back at him. "You simply have to tell me how the trip went darling, your aunt must have been ecstatic to see you," A cover question fell into place, casual and easy, natural by this point.
"Ah, yes. She was," He offered simply back as he gestured for Milla to lead the way. The woman needing no further encouragement as she walked through the crowd, Sasha a few steps behind. "She told me to come home immediately, she knows I had you waiting here,"
"You're just trying to butter me up, darling- and it's doing a wonderful job!" She tossed back with clear pleasure in her voice. The Brazilian woman easily side stepping a young mother chasing after her child, Milla was still graceful even with something ridiculous happening around her. It was something Sasha heavily admired about Milla. She always seemed to know what she was doing. He could only vaguely replicate that collectedness.
"Good, that was my intention after all," His suitcase bobbed along behind him as he walked. The click of wheels neatly in time with the click of his heels walking across the polished floors.
"You are such a flirt," Was laughed softly in turn as she glanced back in his direction.
"I think you might have said that before," He commented easily back as they walked through the sliding glass doors together. The two heading for Milla's car in the parking lot as the woman stole a quick kiss from the German man.
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"Thank fuck," He breathed as he stepped off the train onto the main platform, scuffing his dirty sneakers against the hard concrete to get gum off of his heel. Eddie striding through the crowd easily, sliding his way past a few people he recognized from one of the last concerts. The sight of a gangly awkward teenagers in baggy hoodies and giant sunglasses making the roadie roll his eyes as he walked past them.
If he had to go on another tour with Kabbageboy, Eddie felt like he might just scream. Seeing fans of the band just made him feel irritated on principle. The band was an affront to metal everywhere far as the roadie was concerned. He had seen enough of the loud obnoxious teenagers to last him a life time. If the paycheck hadn't been so good he wouldn't even bother.
He kept a wide berth as he saw a few more teenagers lingering near a coffee kiosk loudly discussing something. He didn't really want to particularly know what they were talking about.
Eddie stuck a hand into his pocket as he walked by, the other gripping onto his duffle bag's strap, keeping a steady hold as the crowd thickened near the exit. The holiday rush still in affect as he came to a stop. He stuck watching a family of eight do a headcount, a young couple a few feet away from them, embracing one another like they hadn't seen each other for years, an older couple laughed quietly to themselves at the intensity of the scene clearly remembering being there themselves, teenagers listening to music oblivious to the crowd around them, and other people lingering at the edges waiting to push past one another towards the exit.
The black haired man knew all he really had to do was wait it out. He wasn't really in a rush considering he knew the crowd would eventually dwindle. It clogged up when people got impatient, it happened everywhere.
He pulled his phone out as he hung back for now, checking through his messages as he waited things out. Unsurprised by the usual drunken texts from his friends, it clear he had been missed if his texts were anything to go by. Kill Master complaining about the lack of beer in his refrigerator. Fire Baron complaining about his brothers and new customers. Another message was Kage offering Eddie a share of some pot the balding man had recently bought.
The second message warranted a low chuckle from the roadie, he grinning to himself as he clicked away from his texts. He glancing up in time to see an opening in the crowd. He tucked the phone back into his pocket as he made a beeline towards the opening, heading out of the train station.
The bite of cold air almost refreshing in contrast to the heat from within the train station. A mixture of the cranked up heaters and overabundance of body heat making the roadie bask in the chill as he walked out across the walkway. He smiling somewhat when he saw the snow starting to fall overhead. He heading towards the bus stop a few feet away, plunking down on the wooden bench to wait for his bus. Eddie had to laugh at the bus as it arrived, the christmas decorations decked across the bus's usually bare top. Clearly Christmas was here and there was no way to escape it. Eddie was just glad he had gotten back before Christmas, even if it was only a few days off by this point.
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The German was able to suppress a sigh as he swished his drink in the plastic cup in his grasp. He taking a slow sip from it as he let his gaze drift across the crowd. It not hard to pick Milla out as the Brazilian woman buzzed around, chatting almost everyone up in her usual friendly manner. Somehow he wasn't surprised by this fact. Milla was made for this kind of lively environment, he wasn't.
He sighed a little as he sipped at his drink, eventually pushing himself away from the wall to vaguely try and interact with someone. He had promised Milla, so he might as well keep it.
He walked around, hovering around the edges of groups trying to find some where he could interject something. The german man feeling awkward as he found himself unsure of what to really say. Awkwardly clutching onto his cup as he opened his mouth and closed it as the group he stood near laughed.
Sasha stepped back, biting back a sigh as rubbed the back of his neck. He letting his gaze sweep around the room again, feeling incredibly helpless as he realized he only knew a handful of people here. Maybe Milla had been right after all.
"Sasha-?"
He raised a brow in clear surprise at his name being called, casting a glance over and seeing a familiar face amongst the gaggle of metal heads in the corner. The black haired man stepping forward with a smile curling across his lips. Sasha wearing a similar one as he offered a friendly nod in turn.
"Eddie, its good to see you,"
"Same here- though I'm wonderin' if you ever got your car fixed!"
Sasha chuckled faintly back at that, he holding a placating hand up. "Yes, I did. You don't need to tell me to,"
"Good! If you hadn't I was gonna nag your ear off, man," He clapped Sasha on the back, Sasha gave a startled oof, nearly spilling his drink as Eddie continued. "Seriously, your engine was fuckin' toast,"
He managed to cast the man a look as he shifted his weight to his heels, half expecting another clap to the back. Friendly gesture or not, Sasha was half afraid he'd break in half with another one of those. "I realized that after the mechanic gave me the same explanation, thank you for the suggestion, he was very excellent,"
"I told you, Fire Baron is a fuckin' master at his craft,"
"A master certainly, but a gruff one," He certainly hadn't expected annoyed grunts and so much fire from someone who was a mechanic.
"Hey, hey, he's a man of few words. You know you're in serious shit when he starts talkin' to you,"
"So I noticed, he got into a very heated phone call while I was waiting for someone to pick me up,"
The roadie chortled softly at that, taking a sip from his cup before speaking. "Ten to one, he was arguin' with his brother,"
"I couldn't tell you," He honestly wasn't sure if he wanted to know. Not with the display that had went on. Bursts of flames suddenly coming through a window had hardly made the German man feel any better about leaving his car with the man. "It was hard to tell amongst all the odd noises,"
"At least you weren't the focus of his anger, otherwise I wouldn't be talkin' to you now, be a real shame too, you're a cool guy."
Sasha had to blink a little back at that, uncertain of what to make of the comment as he spoke, "Oh, thank you,"
"Ey, don't thank me, m'just statin' facts here,"
Sasha wasn't sure how to really take the compliment, he opting to change the topic. "If I may ask, how do you know Milla?"
"I met her at another party, followed by bumpin' into her at a concert, we got to talkin' to and found out we have a lot in common,"
"I suspect it isn't disco?" He dryly questioned back, "You certainly don't seem the disco type,"
"Abba is chill, but yeah, I ain't a disco person. I'm willin' to talk music any kinda music. Minus nu-metal, fuck that shit," He said with an annoyed grunt in turn. He digging a hand into his pocket as he peered into his cup, clearly contemplating getting more beer. Far as Sasha could tell, the broad shouldered man wasn't really drunk or buzzed. Somehow he had half expected the much larger man to be drunk as soon as possible when it came to a party with beer laying around like this. It seemed Sasha was going to keep being surprised by the other man at this rate.
"Nu-metal?"
"Like how it sounds, new-metal, newest trends of metal and terrible. At least most of it,"
"I can guess that one band you aren't fond of didn't help?"
"Not in the fuckin' least," He sipped at his beer again, close to finishing it off in a few sips. "You want me to grab you another drink, man?"
"Yes please, just water,"
"Water? Not a drinker?"
"Not tonight, I just don't feel in the mood," He handed the larger man his empty cup in turn, Eddie readily accepting it as he nodded back at Sasha's words, understanding clear on the larger man's features. "Ah, I get that, sometimes you just don't wanna." He gestured with his chin back at the concession table set up nearby. "Gimme a sec and I'll be back with some water for you and a beer for me," With that he was off.
It left Sasha to tuck his hands into his pockets, easily hanging back as he waited. He only pulled from his thoughts as Che approached, his bulky dark blue colored friend skeptically casting a glance back in the direction Eddie had wandered off to. "You know that guy?"
Sasha offered a simple nod back as he spoke. "Yes, I do,"
"He doesn't seem like the guy you'd be friendly with, no offense,"
"None taken since you are right," He rubbed the bridge of his nose idly as he spoke, "It just sort of happened,"
The hispanic man's brow arched upwards at that. "Sort of happened?"
"He and I keep running into one another, it would be rude to ignore him."
"Sounds like you're softening up, heh."
Sasha rolled his eyes at that, hardly amused as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Ha, ha,"
Che just had to grin at Sasha's irritation, finding easy amusement in his best friend's response. "Ah, not that soft,"
Stiffness edged into his stance as he frowned at Che's words. "You act like I never socialize," He hated that accusation more than anything. He was a grown man, he knew how to socialize. From Milla it was fine, if not a touch irritating, anyone else it felt like they were mocking him to some degree.
The blue skinned man wasn't particularly affected by Sasha's eye roll. It was something he was used to it by this point. "Well, you don't. Not unless Milla forces you to, even then its like pulling teeth,"
"I'm trying my hand at it, if you don't mind,"
"Sheesh, calm down." Even with his amusement, Che knew when to back off. Sasha wasn't in any mood to goof around tonight apparently. "I'll come back later, hopefully when you're less snappy,"
"Oh no, stay here. I'll go find Eddie," He took his chance to leave, heading towards the concession table. He catching Eddie midway back to where they had been talking, "Lets go outside on the porch,"
The roadie blinked a little as he handed Sasha his drink, "Oh, Sure, man. Sounds good to me," He moving to follow after the psychic out onto the porch. Eddie closing the door lightly behind himself as he watched Sasha move over to sit on one of the chairs. The chilly December night was hardly welcoming to either man, not that Sasha seemed to notice. He still focused on Che's words.
"Should I ask why we're out here?"
"I felt like getting a little air,"
"Works for me," Eddie shrugged back as he moved to join Sasha, he settling into a chair next to the man. "It was gettin' kinda hot in there,"
"Yeah," He sipped at his drink. He wondering if he had over reacted to Che's words or not. "A bit warmer than I'd like," He glancing up when he felt a hand pat his back comfortingly, Eddie speaking softly back. "Things can get a little too hot sometimes, shouldn't get too focused on it though,"
The German man nodded, he smiling into his plastic cup, "I suppose not,"
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Sasha gave a relieved sigh as he closed the front the door. Incredibly happy that the last person had finally left. It meant he could help Milla clean up and go home himself. "I'm glad that's over,"
"The party wasn't so bad, darling." Milla waved her hand back at the green skinned man's words. Easily stretching out with a contented sort of smile. She popping her back into place as she strode towards her boyfriend. "It was an amazing party and you know it,"
He rolled his eyes faintly at her words, his usual deadpan emerging. "You say that about most parties,"
"This party is special," She reached out to grab onto Sasha's hands, drawing him away from the front door. "Very special,"
"Special?" He questioned warily back, hesitantly letting Milla pull him away from the door further into the house. Milla only smiled coquettishly in response as she laced her fingers with Sasha's own. Just holding onto him as they held a steady gaze with one another.
"Let me show you," She murmured softly back in turn, gently tugging Sasha in for a kiss.
There was some fumbling as the German man kissed back, he uncertainly looping an arm around Milla's waist as she managed to continue tugging him back towards her bedroom. He nearly stumbling when they broke apart, a flush spreading across Sasha's cheeks as he held onto her. He very quietly going, "Oh," Sasha found himself leaning against the doorway to her bedroom as Milla cupped his cheek. Her bare skin a strange feeling, he was so used to her wearing gloves.
"C'mon on, darling," Her grin just warmed up further as Sasha found himself tugged into another kiss. It wasn't long before Sasha found himself pushed back onto Milla's bed. He just laying back as the Brazilian woman crawled over the top of him. Her lips finding his again as she kept him pinned to the bed. Sasha floundered to get his hand under Milla's shirt, trying to help her unbutton it while she worked on getting rid of his slacks.
The German man gulped nervously as Milla sat up, she easily looming over him as she slid her top off. The silky fabric of her shirt hitting the bed easily as she playfully rolled her shoulders leaning a little further down. Her intention to give Sasha an eye full of her cleavage. Sasha only able to stare at the display, he resting a hand against the exposed skin of her torso. He brushing his fingers along the soft brown skin, moving his palm curiously across the tight muscles of her stomach. Eventually finding his way to the small of her back. Milla smiled at the attention, letting her eyes go half lidded as he brushed his thumb across her back. She helping him undo the clasps of her bra, she tossing the bra off the side of the bed.
"Merry Christmas, Sasha,"
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Milla's smile was thin and frayed at the edges as she brushed a loose strand of hair out of her eyes, "Sweetie-you're perfectly alright, don't worry about it," She rolled over to press a kiss against Sasha's nose. Her compassion only making the German man feel worse. He hadn't been able to do much during the whole affair.
"…Right,"
"Trust me darling, it happens to every man,"
He frowned a little at that, just laying his arm over his eyes, embarrassment clear with his tone. "Everyone says that, Milla. Every woman says that to every man."
"It was your first time, sweetie, trust me." She said soothing back, just resting lightly against the German man. She trying to act like she wasn't disappointed, she knew Sasha was still very new, but this hadn't been what she had been expecting. She had expected some energy or effort on his part. The fact he laid there had been something she wasn't very pleased with.
"I didn't- please you," He awkwardly answered back, he chewing his bottom lip unhappily. "I know that much,"
Milla opened her mouth, closing it as quickly as she spoke. Her frustration over the situation evident in her tone, though she was trying to squash it and failing. "I can handle it myself, dear,"
"Damn it, Milla, I want to be fair about this." He cast an irritated glance back at her, holding a solid gaze would the woman besides him.
The Brazilian woman leveled a look at her boyfriend, reaching for his hand. She bringing it to her lips initially before bringing it down under the covers to rest against the patch of her pubic hair. She edging his fingers further down encouragingly. "Here,"
"…Oh,"
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Chapter 4 will be up soon, probably within a couple days or next week. Hopefully I can build a schedule to post things, fft.