Eternal Tears

Book Two: Hopeless

Chapter III—I'm not me

"And then Shellington was all like, 'It wasn't my fault!' Too bad for him!"

They both shared a hearty laugh. Ah, nothing like a good old joke to pass the time.

"That was great! Tell me more!" Tweak yelled excitedly, bouncing on the sofa.

"Alright, alright! This one is about how-"

Just then, something buzzed in Tweak's head. At first, she thought nothing of it, but the low buzz became louder and louder by the second. Soon, her whole head was vibrating madly. Tweak pressed her paws to her temples, feeling the heat inside. The chip! Oh no no no no no no no no no no no no nonononononono NONONONONONO!

Dashi gasped. "Tweak! Are you alright? What's happening?!" She yelled as she shot up from the sofa.

Tweak said nothing as she rushed to the bathroom and slammed the door behind her before sinking to the floor, clutching her head. It hurts so much, and she didn't know how to stop it. She rushed to the sink and turned the tap, using the water to splash her face angrily. When that didn't work, she went to the shower and furiously scratched her drenched fur in a desperate attempt to be rid of the blasted chip that was vibrating and emitting waste heat. She could hear Dashi knocking the bathroom door, repeating her name over and over like a broken recorder. But she didn't care about Dashi right now.

Suddenly, the vibration and heat stopped. Tweak stopped scratching her head. She was dazed for a moment, wondering what had just happened. Did the chip just… stopped vibrating? What? Did the water just somehow stopped the chip from functioning? Did the chip broke down all on its own for some reason? Whatever it was, Tweak was glad that it stopped annoying her. All she needed to do was to dry herself up, tell Dashi that everything was alright and return to the couch and resume telling jokes...

Tweak's eye twitched. Her ears also twitched. Something wasn't right here. Her paws felt uncomfortable and her breathing became harder. Stars came into her field of vision and she felt weightless. Yup. Something's definitely not right here.

She felt a buzz on the back of her head, and she blacked out for a while. When she could see, she felt herself lying on the cold tiles of the bathroom floor. There was another buzz, and she felt the world turn white.

...

"Tweak! Tweak! Please open up! What's wrong? Please, I want to help! Tweak! Tweak!" Dashi yelled for the hundredth time as she slammed her fists on the door. She didn't know what was going on with her, but she oh so wanted to help! Maybe she still secretly hated her, or had she passed out?

She took one of her clips and began to pick the lock. She had seen this work in movies, so why not try it out?

Hastily picking the lock, she growled in annoyance as the stubborn keyhole refused to give her the satisfying click sound she was hoping for. She took out the pin and prepared to penetrate it in again until the door suddenly burst open, hitting Dashi in the face.

"Ouch... Tweak?" She asked as she looked up to Tweak (Dashi fell on her bum). She stared at Dashi with an expression that the dog had never seen before. It was a mixture of sadist and disgust. Her stare made her shiver.

Tweak shifted her hips to the left as she crossed her arms. "That served ya right. Who squats right in front of a door anyway?" Her voice was laced with pure disgust.

Dashi gasped as she tilted her head in confusion, her eyes widening in bewilderment. "Tweak? What's gotten into you? You don't usually talk this way to anyone." Probably this was one of the unusual side effects Peso warned her about.

"Whatever do you mean? I'm perfectly normal."

"Normal? No!"

"Whatever do you mean by 'no'?"

"Tweak doesn't talk all snobbish and stuck-up! She's a fun loving and bubbly rabbit! Get a grip Tweak! This isn't you!"

Tweak just stared blankly at her for a moment. Suddenly there was a buzz, and Tweak shook her head like a dog out of water and blinked her eyes rapidly. "W-what? What happened Dashi?"

Blinking back tears, Dashi swooped Tweak in a huge, tight hug. So tight that it was choking her. "You scared me."

Tweak awkwardly patted Dashi's shoulder, not knowing what was going on. Granted, Dashi can sometimes be quite the drama queen. "I'm alright. Gosh."

"No you're not!" Dashi exclaimed as she released Tweak from her death grip.

She tilted her head like a cat. "What? Just spill the beans already..." Tweak hated it a lot when someone doesn't answer her questions, and they go off topic just to avoid answering.

Dashi slumped her shoulders in defeat. "I was telling you a joke, and then... you started acting all... weird. You were crying in pain in the bathroom. Tell me what is going on!"

Tweak was stumped. "I..."

"Well?"

"I... I can't."

"Why? I'm your friend, aren't I not?"

"No! It's just that... it's complicated. You might think I'm crazy or something."

What? Why would Dashi ever think she's crazy? She wasn't that type of creature!

Dashi smiled warmly. "Don't be silly Tweak. I would never think of you that way! What are friends for anyways? Just say it all out. You'll feel better, I promise."

Upon hearing this, Tweak's muscles relaxed as she heaved a sigh of relief. "Oh thank you! I'll tell ya all about it."

They returned back to the couch and Tweak told everything that happened, not leaving a single speck of detail out of the picture. Her friend listened thoughtfully; her emotions changing ever so often like the weather—unpredictable. When her story was over, Tweak examined Dashi's face for any expression. All she could detect was shock.

The rabbit waved her paw in front of the dog's face, trying to get her attention. She blinked her eyes rapidly and shook her head in an attempt to regain her focus back on reality.

"...Tweak... I—"

She put her paw up as a signal for her to remain silent. "It's alright. You don't have to say anything else. What's done is done."

"But... how do I get rid of that thing stuck in my head?" With the chip giving her problems, Tweak feared that she could not work properly, and she might have to quit if she couldn't extract the chip out. She could go for a surgery, but surgeries cost a bomb. Tweak didn't have that much money.

Dashi frowned and cupped her chin. "I don't know actually. We could bring you for surgery, but right now we are financially tight..."

Tweak sighed. Oh well, until a cure is found, she needed to bear with the pain.

...

"C-chip? In Tweak's head? What the...? Do you even...?"

"I'm serious! And if we don't do anything about it Tweak might die!"

The Octonauts were in the Professor's room discussing about what to do with the chip that was giving Tweak problems. Dashi had woken them up in the middle of the night to help find a solution to the problem. Only Dashi knew about the chip, thus, their reactions were pretty much expected.

"Of course she wouldn't die! Don't jinx it! The more ya say it the likelier it would come true me hearty!" Kwazii warned.

"Are you gonna blabber about your tall tales again?" Dashi snorted. Besides exaggerating everything, Kwazii also enjoyed telling tall tales about sea monsters, ghosts, curses and other nonsensical stories. Old habits just die hard.

"No! This is serious business we're discussing here!"

"Oh yeah? Since when have you ever been serious?"

"I am—"

"Enough you two! Stop behaving like elementary school children! You should know better!" Inkling snapped, not able to tolerate their childish argument. Besides, they didn't want to wake Tweak since they were having a meeting behind her back.

The two Octonauts immediately apologized profusely for their arrogant ways. Then they went back to serious discussion.

"I certainly cannot raise the funds for the surgery alone. However, I think that we should create a fund raising activity or get odd jobs. Another way is to find someone who has plenty of wealth and power to help us. Any suggestions?" Inkling adjusted his monocle and waited for a response.

Tunip was the first one to speak, and obviously Shellington translated. "Tunip says that he could bake fish biscuits and sell them."

This encouraged others to share their opinions as well. "Perhaps I could help out as a volunteer doctor somewhere." Peso said.

"I have some old nook and cranny that are still in good shape. I heard that there is a flea market somewhere nearby. I could sell me items for some cash." Kwazii said as he flashed an old fashioned compass.

"Oh, oh! I could help Tunip sell the biscuits! We could sell them online! That would be fantastic!" Shellington piped up, enthusiasm clearly detected in his voice.

Only Dashi remained silent. She was zoned out from the rest and in her own lala world.

Kwazii waved a paw in front of Dashi's face like he did with Tweak before. "Yohoo! Anyone home?"

Her eyes suddenly lit up with glee as she slapped Kwazii's paw away (Déjà vu anyone?). She soon her head around to face the others, grinning so wide that they thought her face might crack. "I've got it! I've got it!"

"Got what?" The Octonauts chorused.

"My parents! I probably might have not told anyone, but they are wealthy creatures! Maybe they can help!"

Upon hearing this, Kwazii slapped his face onto a nearby table. "Then why didn't you say anything?"

Dashi giggled. "Sorry, it kinda slipped out of my mind."

Shellington raised a paw. "Are you sure Dashi? No offense, but most filthy rich creatures are snobbish. Do you even think that they would help us commoners?"

The dog sent a half-hearted glare to the sea otter. "Excuse me your highness, but I can assure you that my parents are generous creatures. Well, only them. My relatives can be quite... ignorant."

"You mean arrogant."

"I was trying to be polite...?"

...

Before the crack of dawn, Dashi was shaking everyone (except Tweak) awake. Luckily she still was in touch with her parents, and she had to arrive at the given address with her friends at eight o'clock sharp. Dashi found it strange as to why her family had to move. She was always told that the Brown mansion was a very scarce building that was once a holy temple used to appeal to the gods for victory. Thus, the Browns had to keep the place safe.

Whatever the reason was, she didn't really care that much. All Dashi wanted was to reunite with her parents and borrow some money to help her friend. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.

She did not worry too much on the attire though. She would wear her regular outfit-without the Octonaut hat, boots and collar. And so would her friends.

Dashi grabbed a plate, knife, fork and napkin and settled them on the dining table in the correct position the servants would arrange it before meals. She sat down, shutting her eyes and took a deep breath. When she exhaled, her eyes were still shut tight as she tried to recite her table manners. Her parents constantly reminded her of her table manners when she was younger.

Okay, hold the knife using your master paw, the fork on the other. Eat slowly, do not rush. Pierce fork in food before cutting it. Dab on napkin gently on the left side of mouth first before dabbing the right, and finally on the lips. After eati—

"Hey Dashi!" Kwazii yelled out of nowhere. Dashi jumped, knocking on the utensils.

"Where did you come from?!"

"... I knocked, but you didn't answer. Plus, the door wasn't locked."

Sighing in defeat, Dashi went to face the table again and placed the utensils back in its proper place.

"What are you doing?" Kwazii asked, peering over her shoulder.

"Practicing meal equine. We're going to have tea with my parents, and it's important to have proper manners, especially if you want to make an impression." Dashi said flatly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Ooohhhhh..."

Dashi coughed. "Now, if you would excuse me, I'd like to get back to work." She turned to the utensils, mumbling to herself.

...

"... oh, and lastly, this is Tunip and the Vegimals." Dashi's smile was the brightest at this point, where Tunip and the other Vegimals chorused their usual language, waving their tiny flippers and grinning innocently.

The female dog at the opposite end of the table giggled upon seeing them. "Oh Dashi! These creatures are absolutely adorable!"

When the Octonauts arrived at the mansion, they all gawked at the inferior building that stood proudly among all the other regular civilian houses. The expensive raw materials used to build the mansion was no doubt top quality. It shone magnificently under the soft rays of the sun, like a rose among the thorns. They passed through the tough iron gates as they were greeted by a well-tended garden that was decorated with many different exotic flowers and other plant species. A magnificent clay fountain of swans dancing elegantly marked the centre of the garden. A patio was nested at a corner of the garden, where the foliage was the thickest. Overall, the Brown mansion was a paradise.

Dashi's parents sat patiently in the patio, gently taking occasional sips of their tea as they waited. When the pink lover Octonaut saw the couple, she screeched like a schoolgirl as she dashed towards them. A lot of warm hugs and tearful greetings were made. Once everyone calmed down, everyone took their seats.

Dashi's parents were both Australians. Her father was a man who has very sharp features for his age. He carried himself with firmness and seriousness, which was crucial for a rich businessman who is a manager of many successful oil companies. He does not let his age get in the way of doing what he wants and getting what he wants. On the other hand, her mother was a gentle and sweet female. Unlike her husband, she carries herself with poise and grace. With her abundant jewelry and silky clothing adorning her little frame, she almost looked like a Queen, without the crown. Even though being a retired model, she looked as if she were in her early thirties (when she is already forty).

"What wonderful friends you've made! We couldn't have been happier!" Dashi's mother, Astella chirped in glee, clapping her paws softly while squealing like a schoolgirl that was asked out by her first crush.

Dashi returned the remark with her signature giggle. "Why, thank you Mother. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world."

Dashi's father, Gerald let out a low chuckle. "You're Mother and I are beyond delighted to have you back. Say, have you found The One yet, Dashi?"

Upon hearing this, Dashi almost choked on the tea that she was drinking. "W-w-what? Father!"

It is without any doubt that Gerald and Astella adored children. Not only because of their cuteness and ability to brighten the mood in the gloomiest of places, but they were also important as possible heirs to the business. Gerald was considering to retire and savour his twilight years with Astella while their son would take over the business. However, their son Daniel ran into an accident and was unable to work. The couple was crushed that day when the doctor released the results after his operation. Thus, the couple's retirement plans were cancelled. Gerald continued running his business, working harder than ever, in hopes of making his company a flourishing industry. When the time came where Dashi would be old enough to take over the business, she wouldn't have many problems.

Gerald and Astella had put in so much effort into raising her, so that she could become a successful businesswoman. You might have already guessed how shocked they were when their daughter wanted to work as an Octonaut. They were very reluctant at first, but soon gave in to their daughter's wishes. After all, if Dashi took a career that she did not enjoy, her life would be very miserable.

"Ha ha ha… sorry darling, we shouldn't have pressured you. Mr. Perfect would come soon; it's just a matter of waiting."

"Dashi dear, since you came all this way, why not we show you around Herzoslovakia? It's a wonderful country with beautiful sights! It's such a pity that Herzoslovakia does not have an airport. It would be a flourishing tourist resort instead of a tax haven!" Astella said with enthusiasm clear in her voice.

"I'm sorry Mother, but I am afraid that the reason I have to come and visit is not to have a holiday getaway."

"Oh my, whatever the problem is, I'm sure we can help!" Astella turned to face her husband. "Can't we Gerald?"

"Of course. Speak your mind, Dashi."

There was no point lying anyway. Oh well, here goes nothing.

"You see, we sorta ran into an accident, and we need some extra financial assistance for our friend's surgery. Do you think you can help?" Dashi asked in a very professional manner.

"Of course we can! Anything to make your friend better." Astella replied with confidence and sent a reassuring smile her way.

Immediately, all the tension that held the Octonauts were released as they sighed audibly in relief. Imagine the horror if they said no…

"But…"

All the Octonauts flicked their heads towards Astella.

"You must agree to attend our upcoming party this weekend! You see, your father got an extremely great deal with our partnering company, something that will make our company earn much more profit than we have ever dreamed of! Oh Dashi darling, you must come, and bring your friends along with you!"

I'm such a lazy bum, ain't I? I can't even be bothered to update during my long term holiday. School is going to be even more demanding next year, so wish me luck.

Oh, when I said that, I mean wishing me luck to find time and update my stories.

P.S: Am I doing something wrong with my punctuation? I don't have a beta to check for me.

P.P.S: Why do I suddenly feel that my writing sucks so much?