Day 21 with Rammy
("You two are being more immature than how you're describing Rammy to be…")
"How?! You know it's true! She stole Lammy's spot as Parappa's teacher!" Katy huffs as she tries to calm down.
("Bull. Shit. Parappa tried to reach out to Lammy, but every single time he wanted to get close, she scooted away to avoid Rammy! Even when Rammy wasn't even in the vicinity! Of course he'd ask Rammy when he thinks YOU don't even wanna teach him anymore!")
"H-He seriously tried asking m-me?!..." Lammy's eyes widen at her own lack of perception.
("Yes! I should know because he wouldn't shut up about it! So I had to listen to it…")
"Oh my god… I'M AN IDIOT…"
"No you are not. It's still his own fault for not being away from her OR taking into account our standing on the matter!"
("HE DID. Just because you're angry to a point you DON'T wanna accept the truth of the matter doesn't mean it never happened…") Ma-san growls ("I never thought I of all people would be the only telling someone else they're too angry to better handle a situation…") She crosses her arms and gets up ("I ain't fine with this...you two are behaving like spoiled brats...Rammy hasn't done ANYTHING to you! All she's doing is taking a bit of time from Parappa, that's cool, a coping person would do that with the only source of help they can get. Want that to stop? BE. HER. FRIEND! You'd help her cope at the same time so even if you assume she'll be an ass towards you, she can't at that point since she's being helped by you! And you'd get to be around mutt again…")
"Easier said than done…"
("No...no it's not...but I don't care. I still got my role as MilkCan's drummer to fill. So that's all i'm saying as I tag along by necessity…") She walks out on the two ("For a girl who learn to accept a lot from someone thanks to him...you really seem to have no shame in putting her on the spot for the same error you're committing now.") She's gone after those words are said.
"GAH!...what does she know…" Katy angrily punches the wall.
"C-Compared to us?...A-A lot really...s-she brings up so m-many valid points...I'm just t-tired from all this...I'm pinning t-the blame on Parappa for actions he didn't even d-do...and R-Rammy who hasn't really been aware of what she's d-doing!...just like how I was with her...k-karma sucks…" Lammy grabs a pillow and hugs it close.
"Feh...it's just that damn air of arrogance and ego! I just can't take it…"
"Well...t-that's Rammy in general...h-heck that's everyone f-from HELL in general…b-but the point we've b-been purposely overlooking is that s-she hasn't really DONE anything from it with us...t-towards us she's just e-extremely passive..."
"BUT SHE!..." Katy takes her time to think. Aside from her first day of being with them, Rammy in no way did ANYTHING to or with them. She stayed distant and extremely passive. She made no snide remarks or crude gestures towards them. She didn't insult or offend them. She didn't hurt them. Everything was simply an amalgamation thought up by her and Lammy's imagination. Ma-san was right. They WERE too angry to see the reality of how things went on. She didn't even try to give her a chance "My heart got in the way of my common sense…" She clutches the sides of her head "I am such a dumbass…"
"You and m-me both…"
Back at Parappa town the group of five sit at a table at beard burgers.
"So if we had chunky burgers yesterday, why are we going here today?" Rammy asks as she simply reclines on her seat.
"Eh...favoritism management!"
"A dumb way to put it, but Parappa's basically correct. Plus we have a pal who works here." PJ points towards Noodles "There he is over there." Noodles waves to them.
"Huh...cool fro...it almost…"
"Looks like noodles?" Parappa, PJ, Paula and Matt say with the most serious expression.
"Uh...yeah actually...kinda does." They all laugh leaving the girl incredibly confused.
"It's a long story Rammy." Parappa huddles closer "But I'll fill you in later. Right now we relax and eat!" He slumps as his happiness declines "Wish ALL of us were here though…"
"I know what you mean. Sweety rarely tags along if the guys outnumber the girls so that's why she's not here either. I tried telling her we have another girl here, but no luck."
"Sweety?" Rammy slumps her head to the side.
"His girlfriend. Sweety Bancha!"
"Oh her name IS Sweety?" She recenters her head "That must make pet names easier!" PJ shrugs.
"You know I'm amazed how quickly Leo managed to score them so many jobs in a row!" Matt says just counting the days that the trio are still gone for.
"It's not that far fetched. With a status like his, he probably has LOADS of connections." Paula says with a slight sigh "Must be nice to just have that ease…"
"Who's this Leo guy?"
"Oh he's a recent friend of ours. Rather strange dude, but he means well! Course he is rather mysterious since he never takes that helmet of his off! Hey Paula you know what he looks like under that?" Matt says as he rubs his chin.
"No clue! Everything that ever had a picture of him had him with the helmet on. Anything that talks about him always mentions how vague he is. In fact apparently only people in Neon Heights knows what's under it. Anyone outside of the place who say they catch him always give a different tale from the last. One said the saw him with cat ears, another said they saw him with horns! The list goes on." Paula taps her head "I wonder...think Leo is actually more than one guy tagging in and out a day? Maybe that's why he's so great at multiple things!"
PJ coughs up his drink. Well...you're half right about the more than one aspect...just...it's still the same guy… "Paula I doubt it's multiple dudes masquerading as the same guy. That's just highly illogical! How could they all have the same voice?"
"The helmet probably has the same voice to use as a modifier!"
"Ok that's fair, but what about body type? That's harder to mimic."
"Ok ok so there are flaws in my little accusation...but still! It's just odd!"
"He sounds like quite the character." Rammy rolls her eyes.
"Guys can we...not talk about Leo?..." Parappa says as he presses his thumbs together.
Rammy's tone changes "Huh?...something up?"
"No it's just...I rather not hear about him...he did kinda help Katy and Lammy avoid me…" he then lowers his voice to not be heard "And a few other things…"
PJ frowns as he looks away from his downtrodden friend. Huh...without context this must be killing him...course even with context it wouldn't be any better...plus i'm sure this is also that jealousy bit that Katy filled me in on… "Come on Parappa. He didn't do that. He offered to all of us that if we ever wanted to start playing out in front of a crowd again, that we just ask him! And I guess Katy just got that urge for MilkCan to go out and rock some more."
"Yeah well he seemed to have responded pretty quickly given how instantly he got a job for them...MULTIPLE jobs for them...it's all to convenient…"
"Well I'm sure he'd tell you WHERE they are if you asked him. Or maybe...you know...ask him yourself over what happened! He'd probably tell you." But if Katy told him not to say anything then you're out of luck because he's such a Momma's boy…
"That's a great idea! I'll go visit him!"
"Why not just call him over the phone...he gave all of us his number…"
"Well I wanna handle this face to face…"
"Uh huh...I see…" I fear for Europa's safety… "But how can you be sure he'll be at his club?...He's currently helping the girls…"
"A busy guy like him? I'm sure he has to make constant stops back there."
PJ sighs. That is slightly true...he does seem to always pop back over there… "You have a good point with that…"
"Exactly!...but not today...today I just wanna hang out with you guys. So I'll deal with him tomorrow…"
"Alright man." I'm gonna have to warn Europa to be careful…
"Feh...This Leo guy sounds like a mixed bag now…" Rammy puffs smoke out her nose in angry defense over Parappa.
PJ tenses up. Uh oh...is she...synchronising with his emotions?...she was rather indifferent on him literally moments ago...and now she's giving off an air of destruction towards him like Parappa is...wow...he was right…these two have grown close...unfortunately now it looks like they wanna murder him...maybe I'm just...thinking to deep on this…? Lemme check… "Hey Parappa...a few days from now there's gonna be a festival in town...wanna come with me and Sweety to enjoy the festivities?"
Parappa immediately perks up, and to PJ's shock, Rammy also cheers up. Without even noticing Parappa's condition! "Sure! That sounds great!"
"Sure as hell sounds like it! Mind if I tag along?"
THEY ARE SYNCHRONISED….WOW… "Not at all, I'm sure Sweety would love to meet you Rammy." PJ nods as sweat drips down the back of his head. I'm...amazed...like wow...if that's the case then she will become friends with Lammy and Katy...but...when?...Did Katy's choice of leaving to play with her band instead of trying to meet Rammy halfway mess the timeline up?...I hope he can fix it…
"Something on your mind PJ?"
"Wazzat? Oh no. Just thinking about stuff. Nothing big, just a puzzler."
"Alright."
"Sorry for the wait guys, Dad's old tools have started breaking down lately making it difficult to make burgers." Noodles fumbles around his afro "Trying to fix it has stressed me out so much that my hair is starting to fall out in clumps!" He plucks out a tuft of his fro.
"Yikes...I'll check with my dad to see if he can help you fix it after we eat."
"Speaking of which. Mind not doing that while we have our food man?"
"Whoops. Sorry...I'm too tired to think rationally right about now…" He tosses the furball aside "I'll leave ya guys be…" He hobbles off.
"Beard Burger Master's beard burger making devices are on the fritz huh?"
"Sheesh Matt try saying that five times fast."
"Well what else would I call them Paula! That's what they are!" Matt chomps down on his burger "Tongue twisters aside. Think your dad can help fix em?"
"Don't talk with your mouth full Matt…" Paula takes a sip of her drink as she looks away. Matt's reply is to take another bite of his food.
"Well he might be able to. Him or Pinto. I'd give it a go, but I fear I might break them down further…" He sighs as he eats a fry.
"Aw don't belittle yourself before you even try!"
"Paula's right, can't be thinking you'll fail if you haven't even given it a go." PJ swallows a burger in one gulp.
"Well, maybe I'd test that when it's not for something so crucial."
"Very well."
The group leave Beard Burger after they finished their lunch break, Parappa taking a bit longer to leave the premises due to phoning his father.
"Are all your days this...quiet?" Rammy stretches her back after yawning.
"If we're lucky." The three of them say in unison.
"Huh...not the reply I thought I'd get...how ominous…" She blinks twice before shaking her head "What do you guys normally go through?"
"It's mostly a matter of what we get dragged into by being around Parappa. Or what we cause that Parappa has to fix." PJ sheepishly scratches his cheek.
"Dudes a magnet for insanity. I wonder how he manages..." Matt stares off into the distance vacantly.
"Every day or so we have a few things happen that are just really...out there." Paula's eyes sparkle as she gets lost in the bewildering confusion that is their history in PaRappa Town.
Rammy stares at the three before blinking once more in concern "Wow…"
Day 22 with Rammy.
"Alright. I'm gonna be off. I'll be back when I got the info I need."
"You sure you don't want me to tag along?"
"I just wanna talk to Leo is all. Don't need to threaten him." Or maybe I should, but I dunno yet…
"Very well. Just take care man. I'll go see what else there is to see in this town."
"Gotcha. See ya soon Rammy!" Parappa gives a quick wave as he heads towards his car and tosses his things in the seat beside him "Alright...hopefully I can get a lock on where they are so I can go to them and see if we can work this dumb thing out…" He drops his head on the steering wheel, causing the horn to blare out "This is building up so much stress in my gut...I don't like it...How was I supposed to know things would go in this direction?..." He plucks his head from the steering wheel "No use getting down now! Gotta a guy to interrogate!" As he tries to step on the gas, the car suddenly bounces slightly, as if someone snuck in "Huh?..." Parappa looks around, but doesn't see anything "Weird...must've been my imagination." He resumes driving off.
"This is the dumbest thing I've probably ever done so far in my life, but hey! He clearly needs help, but won't ask for it! And it's in my best interest to help him after what he's done for me! Besides...what he doesn't know won't hurt him." Rammy finds a comfortable position to recline in as she hides in the trunk of Parappa's car.
The drive towards Club Rainbow in Neon Heights was slightly longer than usual due to Parappa's constant doubt and hesitation, but he eventually arrives. He storms on in the club as Rammy sneaks out of the car away from his sight and hides until he leaves.
Parappa bursts through the door, and to his better surprise, Leo IS here "Hm? HEY! Parappa my man! To what do I owe the pleasure!"
"Not in the mood for formalities...Leo mind telling me where MilkCan's at right now?..." Parappa's brash demeanor hits Leo like a truck.
"Oooooof...save the animosity for rap battles man...Anyway...I can't tell you where they are...client's privacy and all that…" So this is what Uncle PJ's call was about...oh boy...
"But your client's are my three friends...surely they wouldn't mind their ROOMMATE from going to them for a chat…"
"Eeeeeh...sorry man...that was Katy's orders…" His helmet emits a sweatdrop icon "She told me no one was allowed to ask for their location…" He pokes him on the nose "Especially you...even told me to do this and everything in case you came to me to ask…" He pulls back his finger from his face "What did you do to them?..."
"NOTHING!...and who are you to just listen to every little command as such?!" Parappa heats up in anger.
"Sorry man, don't take it personal. But when I offered you guys any chance at jammin job opportunities, that also includes any little specific requests as add ons." He taps his helmet "Plus she was like...really not happy over the phone...couldn't really say no. All three of them could kick my ass if they so pleased soooo...yeah…"
Parappa struggles to calm down "So you aren't telling me anything then?..."
"I'm sorry! I can't...not unless any of them TELL me that I can…now if you don't mind...I really gotta go...I came back here to grab some stuff for them. And I really must get going, or i'll be too late to arrive for their gig tomorrow…"
"I'm going with you."
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo." He flails his arm about in front of him "That's a big nono. She was pissed off at you man, if you storm in on them now you'll most likely make things worse...and how does that help anyone?..."
"HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?!..."
"I just think of it as common sense to read the room?..." Leo's helmet emits a soft light "Come on man brighten up. Things will get better! I'm sure their anger will blow over and will want to speak with you again before you know it! Just...wait it out alright?"
Parappa growls "Not like I have a choice...fine..." He turns around "If you get any word on them allowing me to go, you contact me immediately…"
"Sheesh...I will…" Never thought I'd get such a sour chat from my own father…
"Good…" He stomps out of the club.
"Eheh...n-nice chat with you to...oy vey…" The door closes as it's sound echoes through the establishment, but a few moments afterwards it opens up again "Gah...ok Parappa what do you wanna ask no- Oh...hello there…" Leo stares at Rammy who angrily looks at him.
"You're this Leo Steps guy?...Huh...you look like a massive twink…"
I have no control over how my body ends up...blame my parental genes…Would future you have said the same?...you were always so nice to me... "Thank you for that...lovely input...Nice to see you Urami."
"The heck you call me?..."
"Gah...sorry...slip of the tongue. I meant to say Rammy." I'm so used to you being nice I forgot you didn't GET this nickname yet...after all it's Lammy who helps you GET the nickname in the first place… "Freelance guitarist, originating from hell. One amazing rocker second to none...except...yeah. To what do I owe the pleasure of you meeting me? Looking for a job offer yourself? I could help ou-"
"CAN IT."
"Oh dear…"
"I was gonna lightly rough you up with a chat after Parappa left...but he left rather heated...and that got to me. So before I continue askin what he was askin...I think I ought to make you apologize to him first…"
"Apologize? I did nothing wrong...I just kept my word that I would do my best for whoever asked me of something… The girls at MilkCan asked and gave me specific orders! Not my fault they didn't want him finding them…"
"Gah...fucking figures…"
"Look can't you just calm do-" Leo swerves to the side avoiding a table that's thrown towards him by Rammy "Oh no…"
"I ain't calmin down. Reason or not. You still peeved him off, and so you gotta apologize."
"I can't just apologize for baseless anger that he got himself into with!" He bobs to the left, avoiding a jab from her "Rammy please-" He weaves to the right to avoid a kick "Let's be civilized here-" He jumps back to avoid her overhead body blow "Come on…"
"Come on NOTHING! Now quit dodging!" Leo continuously avoids her strikes as he motions around her "I SAID QUIT IT!"
Leo steps down on both her feet and catches both her hands within his own "THERE! Alright?! Now you can't do anything else! Now can we please just calm down and talk this through like reasonable adult-" Rammy rears her head back as she drives it forward into Leo's helmet, shattering the face screen in one go and causing him to stumble backwards and let her go.
Rammy dizzily shakes her head to get the glass bits off as blood slightly trickles down her face, once she regains her balance she looks towards the man in front of her "Hah...they don't call me Rammy for nothin…"
Leo regains his balance as he stands back upright. His face completely visible to the girl in front of him. "I really wished you wouldn't do that...but like you said...with a name like Rammy...it should've been obvious to me…" Rammy stays transfixed on his face, it strikes her like a hammer on a nail. His face looked like her doppelganger.
"What the...you related to her?..."
Leo sighs "Slightly...but not exactly…" With his face fully exposed, he decides to remove the helmet fully as there wasn't really a point to keeping it on "Man fixing a cracked screen is easy...but a flat out shattered one?...That'll take a while...Luckily I have a few spares…"
Rammy is now even more disturbed with his appearance. He looked like a cross between a sheep and a dog! A very specific sheep and dog. Rammy's replies however are more akin to PJ's first reaction "Who or what the hell are you…"
"Currently? I guess you can call me a shepherd!" Rammy simply stares at him angrily "Tough crowd...well, you don't look like you'd believe me even if it is the blatant truth." Leo rubs his face, trying to wipe the blood trickling down his forehead "Gah...I'm lucky the glass bits missed my eyes…"
"I'm not an idiot...don't treat me like one...so just explain and i'll see…"
"Alright alright." Leo manages to dust the glass shards out of his hair as he finishes wiping the blood off. He tosses a handkerchief to her "Might wanna clean that blood of your face as I tell this to you."
"Fine. Just hurry it up."
"Well. Who do I look like to you right now?"
"That's a stupid question...you look like Lammy...mixed with a bit of Parappa…" As she says this Leo immediately changes shape.
"Are you sure about that?"
"What the fucking hell?...Now you look like the damn blue cat Katy mixed with Parappa!"
"Great. Hopefully this makes my tale the more believable. I am from the future-"
"Bull."
"I am Parappa's son-"
"Bull."
"And I traveled back in time-"
"Bull."
"You gonna listen or what?"
"I already don't believe you."
"But you clearly saw me change in front of you. Can't argue with that can you?"
"Special effects. No biggie."
"Feh...whatever. Well I'm telling you the truth, Parappa IS my eventual father that I have come back in time to help out of a bind...that I forgot what was…"
"You are a dumbass. Can't even make a believable excuse…"
"While I will agree that I am in fact a dumbass, I will argue that it's not an excuse. Although you are fair to call it vaguely believable." He tosses a photo at her, she catches it between her fingers without much effort "Here's some more evidence, it'd be hard to forge that."
"With the shit you have available to you? It'd probably be easy…"
"I have video evidence as well if you're this much of a nonbeliever. Hell. You were probably the person who spent the most time with me aside from my mother and father that you even told me things that I can tell you that would prove me right. Because you never told anyone else these things!"
"Bull. Shit."
"You used to have a teddy bear. You couldn't sleep without it so adjusting to overworld life was difficult. The bears name was Grunge. Aside from your anger towards Lammy, you are actually also very jealous of her not because of her career meddling with yours, but because you think she's better than you in appearance and personality wise. Hell you even think she's prettier than you. You actually do want to get along with Katy and Lammy, and in fact they were the first two people you wished opened up to you before the rest and not having that happen devastated you, but you would never admit i-"
"SHUT UP!" She chucks another table at him, however she misses by a longshot as he doesn't even need to dodge this time.
"Am I right then?"
"Fuck off...it's all lucky guesses…" Her face is red with anger and embarrassment as she huddles down.
"Auntie Rammy, I wouldn't know this if it weren't the truth! Hell the reason I'm close to you is thanks to how close you were with Dad during my birth and life so forth! Guess to you I was just a new smaller Parappa."
"The fuck you call me?"
"Auntie." He rests his face on his hand "I have a bad habit of calling all my dads friends Auntie and Uncle."
"Feh...that's...endearingly dumb."
"Maybe so. But I love the names. You all are like family to me. It helped that you all treated everyone like family...and hey. I can give you a little spoiler. You do get along with the two of them and do become friends in the end."
"Now that's massive bullshit...cuz I don't picture that happening…"
"Neither did Katy when I told her. But she wanted to give you a shot all the same."
"So you're the reason why she was so ok with it when she first saw me the day of my arrival."
"I will take credit for that much yes."
"But then Parappa kinda messed that up a bit…"
Leo frowns "What did my dad do this time…" The entire explanation simply dumbfounds Leo as he sighs in massive dejection "What a mess...the timeline is already getting all warbled...luckily I'm still changing so it's not completely a lost caused for me...I'm sure I can fix this and set it on the right track."
"Speaking about you changing. What's up with that?...You keep swapping between a cat and a sheep..." As Leo tries to explain, immediately he changes again...but this time "And now...you look like me…"
"Ho boy...get ready for a big explanation…"
The explanation was indeed long and had to be done multiple times due to Rammy's continued disbelief. She did believe him in the end however "So I was originally just a close friend huh?"
"Pretty much...but I guess my interfering now made you a contender for my dad's heart…"
"I didn't think he'd think of me that way…"
"Hey now. Don't be pinning ALL the blame on him. Another main factor to me looking like this is because the girl he thinks about will inevitably say yes to him asking. So that means, you clearly think the same of him."
"I DO NOT!"
"My face doesn't lie Auntie."
"CHANGE IT!"
"I can't exactly do that. I only change when his mind is on another one of his friends."
"Blegh...wonder what got him to think of me right now?...wait...how long have we been talking?..."
"It's been about...TWO HOURS...HOLY CRAP I'M LATE…"
"Shit...Parappa's been home and is probably wondering where I am…" Rammy sighs "This time junk is messing with my head…"
"I'd love to explain more, but I kinda don't have the time…"
"Who else knows about you?"
"Just Katy and PJ really. You could ask PJ and he'd tell you the things I told him and Katy!"
Rammy nods but then pops another question "...Think you can drop me off back at PaRappa Town?"
"AUNTIE I'M LATE I CAN'T JUST-"
"Ahhhhh. Right now….the timelines different isn't it? I'm no longer just auntie...hell...looking at your face like you told me...it's not lying that currently...I'm your mom."
"B-Butdatjus…"
"And as your 'mom'...I say you have to drive your mother back to her current home!"
"H-HHHNNGGGAABBBGNNN...OK! BUT LET'S HURRY!...Katy will skin me alive if i'm any later…"
"Good boy."
"I'm hating this already…"
Day 29 with Rammy
"THANK YOU AND GOODNIGHT MIRROR CITY!" Katy shouts on her microphone as the band bows before leaving the stage.
"You three were as amazing as usual! That's another group of fans for MilkCan!" Leo fistbumps the air.
"Heh...thanks Leo…"
"Y-Yeah thanks..."
"What's wrong with you two?" Leo continuously looks between Lammy and Katy before Ma-san speaks up.
("Go on you two, tell him.") The duo sigh before nodding.
"W-We…"
"Want to stop this mini tour…"
"And j-just go back t-to our friends…"
"Oh is that all? That's simple!"
"But we're still kinda in the middle of our jamming tour…"
"Well I can organize it so that your next concert is the last for the trip, that won't be to hard. The thing is we just need to find a place for your concert."
"Great!...c-can we invite our friends? I...wanna revoke the order I gave you..."
"Sure thing Katy! But first let's see where we can send you...Hm...That's to far and would be an inconvenience to them...You already played there...That area requires you to go overseas...This one by plane...OH!"
"What?" The trio say in unison to the excited helmeted man.
"PaRappa Town's having a festival in two days! They still need a main music act for the star attraction! Where else to rock out then your hometown right?~"
Stars illuminate in their eyes as they once again together go "THAT'S PERFECT!"
"Thought so! And hey, for added bonus. It's in the place you three had your first ever live concert as well!"
"Wow, it's l-like it was fate or s-something...h-how convenient!" Lammy ponders the odds, but shrugs it off from happiness.
"Ok. I'll get set it up. You girls go rest up. Gonna have a long drive to get back to PaRappa town." The trio nod before walking off, as they're out of sight Leo immediately pulls his phone out and calls Parappa.
"Leo?..."
"Yo. You told me to call you when they told me if it was alright to meet them."
"F-FINALLY?"
"Yes! Buuuuuuuut."
"But?..."
"You're staying in PaRappa Town."
"WHY?!..."
"Cuz they're coming to you guys! At the festival that's happening in two days. They're gonna be star attraction!"
"Oh...You could've said that first! You nearly made me crush my phone in my hands!"
"Sorry...Wanted to surprise you with good news…"
"Well...it kind worked. But thanks nonetheless. And um...sorry for my anger towards you...after calming down I kinda realized I went off on you improperly…"
"You had your reasons. Do I agree with them? Eh can't really say. In the end, patience is a virtue!"
"Indeed! Alright, gotta hang up. Gonna have to invite everyone else."
"Alright. Ciao!" He hangs up "GREAT! Things are starting to get back on track! Phew...this little hiccup in time was starting to scare me…" He takes a deep breath "Alrighty, now time to set up their gig…"
Back with Parappa, he is literally jumping for joy from the news "WOOOHOOO THEY DON'T HATE ME ANYMORE!"
"How could anyone stay mad at a guy like you?"
"Beat's me, but they clearly managed just fine." Parappa shrugs "But that doesn't matter now because they found it in them to forgive me! And hey this means they'll finally give you another shot Rammy!"
Rammy turns her gaze towards the ceiling "I hope so…"
"I KNOW so! Now I gotta call Paula and Matt and tell them to tag along with us and PJ and Sweety! Then I gotta tell PJ that we invited them. That's a lot of calls..."
"I'll head on over to PJ's to tell him."
"Really? I can just call him-"
"I wanna talk about some stuff with him anyway." She gets up "It's just something random though so no need to worry."
"Alrighty! Man it makes me happy to see you branch out to my other friends on your own! You really have started recovering on the stability front!"
"Again for like the nth time. I have you to thank for that. I honestly didn't think I'd ever bounce back, but here I am. And i'm also enjoyin it." She smiles "And I don't even care that I turned into a partial softy over it! Honestly think it suits me."
"The Rammy from twenty nine days ago would never say that!"
"The Rammy of then was also too stupid to know what was good for her!" She grapples Parappa in a headlock "But luckily she wasn't stupid enough to avoid making this guy her friend!"
"Ack! Easy!" He taps his hand on the floor like a wrestler who wants to throw in the towel, but stops as the grapple turns into a hug "Huh?..."
"...thanks for everything…"
"...anything for a friend ya know?" He hugs back as the two stay in the embrace for a while. After the time arrives for the hug to break Rammy immediately speaks up.
"That never happened. Understood?"
"Heh...understood!"
And with that, Rammy's off while Parappa proceeds to call. Once Rammy arrives at her intended destination she tries to knock on the door only for the door to already open. Before her stands a pink bear.
"Oh! Hello!"
"Ah...hey there-" Rammy recalls a name PJ brought up and goes out on a limb to call the new face in front of her "Sweety right?"
"Yes! How'd you know?"
"PJ mentioned the name. Speaking of which, is he in there? Wanna talk to him about stuff."
"Yeah he's in there. We were actually going to go out somewhere for the night."
"Aw bummer. Sorry to intrude on you then. But I still got one thing I gotta tell the two of you before I head back. It looks like MilkCan's coming back to play at the festival you and him invited me and Parappa to. So Parappa's calling the others to get them to tag along."
"Oh! That's great to hear! It'll certainly perk everyone back up that's for sure! Uh...Rammy was it?"
"Correct."
"Ah good! Thanks so much for the heads up! I honestly don't know why PJ didn't invite them in the first place…when I asked he just said he was testing something! Honestly it's hard to tell what's up with him."
"Heh...with a blank expressionless face like his? I can only assume." Sweety giggles at Rammy's bluntness.
"For sure!" Sweety then stops to think "Hm...wait here!" She heads back inside the building much to the rams confusion. Said confusion grows as the building starts bouncing around in place as if an argument was going on.
"What the fu-…"
Eventually Sweety walks out of the building with PJ who now has a red mark on the side of his face in the shape of Sweety's hand as well as a bump atop his head "Great news! You get to tag along with us!"
"Um...ya sure?...Cuz I can just come back another time-"
"I already convinced PJ as you can see." She points towards the DJ bear as he simply blinks in unamusement.
"Yeah...convinced...we'll go with that…" He sighs before turning to Rammy "Well, I can't exactly say no to my girlfriend so guess you're with us! And neither can you so you're with us whether you wanna be or not!"
"But!-"
"Uh uh Rammy, you're with us as he said!" Sweety crushes Rammy in a hug before putting her in a cargo hold over her shoulder.
"W-WHOA H-HEY!..." she struggles with in her grasp as PJ looks her in the eye.
"Told you."
"Ugh…" Rammy crosses her arms in a huff as her face turns red.
The night goes by rather adorably, but Rammy just can't help feeling like a third wheel throughout everything, and they constantly try to assure her it's fine.
"It's fine. I really am ok with you being here Rammy." PJ winds his arm "Actually I've been meaning to ask you somethin."
"That's a coincidence. I had some things to talk about to with you to."
"Huh. Well you first I guess. I assume that's why you went to see me in the first place."
"Yeah it was, but uh...don't feel right just stopping what you two are doing for that."
Sweety crushes Rammy in a hug again "OHHHHH YOU CAAAAAN"
"HGNHH…"
"I mean we intruded on what you were doing by bringing you along with us so it's fine if you do the same to us! Really!" She and PJ both nod.
"ALRIGHT...LET ME...BREATHE…" Sweety let's Rammy go. After she drops she immediately tries to inhale all the air that was squeezed out of her lungs "T-Thaaa...nks…"
"My bad!...don't know my own strength at times!..."
"Haaaaah...gotta say it's weird being on the receiving end of pain…" She motions her neck around to remove an annoying crick "Well uh...Sweety not sure if you'll understand what I mean when I say this but...uh...PJ."
"Yeah?"
"I know what's under the helmet."
"Under the hel-...OH!" PJ's eyes widen as much as they can for his facial expression.
"What does that mean dear?"
"Uh...a spoiler! For a show we got into!"
"Oh. Well don't tell me! I might wanna get into it if it interests the two of you!" She plugs her ears and looks away. PJ takes the opportunity to approach and whisper to Rammy.
"D-Don't talk about it outloud!..."
"Why not? It's not like if Sweety knew about it, it'd affect time!...Would it?...I don't really know...the whole thing messes with my brain..."
"It won't affect it immediately, but it might start a chain of events that could fuck over Leo's mission. And honestly, I rather he not fail to prevent Parappa from being unable to stop something big. I would figure you ALSO wouldn't want him to fail if it means that it'd affect Parappa negatively right?"
"Well of course!...But he has us! He has ME! I won't let whatever that is, happen to him!"
"Very admirable and completely noble. Unfortunately you were already his friend by that point and it clearly still happened so...it's very obvious that we couldn't do much…"
"Gahhh...don't use logic on meeee…" She rubs the sides of her head "I never thought I'd get this much of a headache from a dude who claims to be my best buds kid...only to actually BE his kid…"
"Like it or not. He gave a ton of evidence supporting the fact that he IS Parappa's son from the future."
"Who's Parappa's son from the future?..." Sweety says as she stares at the two of them.
"WAAAAH!" PJ recoils back from Sweety's sudden intrusion.
"Aw fuck…" Rammy simply bounces backwards from surprise.
"Pffft...Parappa's son from the futureeee? You misheard us. Why would we ever say something like that?" Sweety only stares at PJ with her arms crossed. Wanting an explanation "Eh...you see...uh...Rammy take over." He passes the torch as he forces himself to fall asleep on the spot standing up.
"Oh real fucking classy man…" Rammy facepalms from the action of the bear "Well. I know when I've been caught. But mind if we go to a place not so public if you want me to explain?"
"As long as you really do explain what you mean…" They both walk off, but they forget and leave PJ behind. Once at a destination they assume to be private, Rammy begins "Alright...I don't fully have the complete grasp over this but…" She scratches her head before snapping her fingers "Actually truth be told i'm sure you'd be as skeptical as I was when I was told. That aside, Leo's apparently Parappa's son from the future."
"Huh...guess that means I was right."
"Yeah I know right? It was a shock to me- what."
"Well yeah, after the night of our first time going to his club. It was odd that he was such an incognito figure. Ma-san, Matt and Paula all seemed to know him and I decided to look into him a little more. They mentioned his talents and I couldn't help but compare them to this little group of ours. And to my surprise, it matched up." She places a finger on her own cheek with a wink "So I boiled it down to three things. A, he was a stalker, but that was debunked due to how trapped into his own town he is to a point he couldn't have the time or energy. Plus he was really nice! He wasn't at all creepy like stalkers tend to be. B, he was a super fan, which almost was the real one until I noticed he didn't really fanboy as often when everyone wasn't together when going to see him and instead acted like a lifelong friend. As if he already knew everyone...which led to. C, through some oddball scenario, he was someone's kid or relative from the future! And wouldn't you know it? He was Parappa's kid! Darn...I was banking on Matt's adopted kid given his style, but hey. The result was still a dog for a dad!" She giggles
"...You managed put all that together and didn't bother telling anyone? Or Leo himself?"
"Honey this is PaRappa Town! What DOESN'T happen around here? And well I couldn't exactly talk to him about it. It'd be rude and he'd probably deny it all anyway. As for the rest of my friends...well they wouldn't really believe me because at the time it all seemed illogical." She shrugs "But hey guess it's not THAT illogical anymore. Who figured it out?"
"Apparently PJ caught him. Then Katy. And lastly me."
"Oh so not everyone knows. Wonder how they figured him out…"
"Well I nearly blinded him in my way of figuring him out." Sweety just stares at her with widen eyes "What?"
"You nearly made the future son of your new best friend blind?!"
"Not like I knew he was his son at the time! And I was angry! Angry that he made Parappa angry! So I bashed my head into his and saw his face that way."
She rolls her eyes but her smile returns "About that! What's he look like?"
"Eh...that's...the rough bit explaining...I think PJ can tell yo-..." She looks around "Uh...I think we forgot to bring PJ…"
"W-Wha…" She looks around "D-Did we leave him behind?..."
Back with PJ, he wakes up abruptly "Weh...Ok now did Rammy explain every...thing…" PJ looks about to see they had ditched him "HEY! WHERE DID THE TWO OF YOU GO!..."
Once the trio reunite and fully explain to Sweety, she simply sighs. "Honestly I blame you PJ for Parappa being in this situation with his heart to begin with!"
"Why me?"
"You taunted him and put the ideas in his head. Now he's slowly falling for them. You're putting poor Leo's ACTUAL mother at risk here!"
"I could help him out if he TOLD me who his real mother is."
"It's for the best that he doesn't tell you, you'd probably mess it up dear!"
"Oh have faith in me...I'm not Parappa…"
"Exactly. You're not. So don't think you'll be able to handle something he himself will have to." The two bicker as Rammy watches.
"Uh...It's not my part to speak up, but Leo did say not to meddle or tell anyone that we know who he really is as to not mess up things any further…"
"Yeah well-...wait...any further?" Sweety frowns towards Rammy.
"Yeah...turns out he's as consequential in his actions like his dad...Meaning he both helped us avoid things...but we'll probably have to deal with new things in the end thanks to him…" PJ scoffs "And he tells me not to meddle...what about him and all he's already done?...what'll happen now…"
Rammy collides her fists together "I ain't worried! Whatever we have to deal with now, I'll certainly make it regret wanting to come across us! Plus Leo himself said he'd not let anything happen to us, but I ain't one to play the damsel!" steam ejects from her nose as she stomps the ground like a bull.
"I've noticed...oh dear this brash moxie of yours will probably be a reason towards us running into the new trouble after all." He chuckles "But you're not wrong with one thing. I am not gonna go down as the one who needs saving...not this time…"
Sweety shakes her head with a slight grin "While you two tweak your sensibility away, I will say this. It's certainly going to get even more livelier around here. I just know it." She giggles "For better or for worse, you all always seem to mix yourselves into the situation and make it turn out alright in the end. So i'm not worried." She turns away from them "But that doesn't mean you shouldn't take care nonetheless!" She laughs as she cargo grabs Rammy again.
"H-HEY! NOT AGAIN…"
"Oh yes again! I have a fun place I wanna take you to!"
"Sweety your definition of fun and Rammy's definition of fun may greatly differ."
"WHAT HE SAID!"
"Oh hush! The both of you will be eating your words before you know it! Now let's gooo! We still have the rest of the night to have fun with!" She runs off with Rammy screaming in her grasp and PJ embarrassingly following suit.
"Ok! So now that we have that settled, it'll be just two days till that all goes down!" Parappa happily dances in place until he hears the door open.
"I'm baaaack…"
"Oh Rammy!" He runs off to greet her "That must've been some chat you were ha-...ving…" He stares at the ewe who is cladded entirely in pink "Lookin…"
"Not. A. Word."
"I was gonna say you lookin nice."
"...t-thanks…"
"May I ask...how did this happen?"
"While...trying to talk to PJ...I ended up getting roped up with him and Sweety's date...by the end of it...Sweety invited me to a clothing store...and...she thought it'd be nice...as a symbol of new friendship...that the two of us buy and wear...the others style…"
"Well you rock it if that's one thing you'd like to hear."
"T-They said the same thing...but I just feel…"
"Off?"
"No...strangely enough...I do kinda...like it...I meant like...i'll be made a bigger fool for wearing this…"
"Who in their right mind would judge you for wearing something you enjoy? Nobody up here that's for sure! And as for hell? Feh what do they know? Nothing that's what!"
"Heh...if only it were that easy to convince myself right away…" She shakes her head "But you're right! Ain't nobody gonna tell me what I fucking can or can't wear!...Justttt...don't expect this to be a common thing…"
"Heh, I figured so no worries. You do you."
"Proper response. Good boy." They both share a laugh before Rammy interrupts herself "Aw fuck...PJ never got to tell me what he wanted to say...I'm sure it wasn't that important...or else he'll contact me another time."
"He'll probably tell you the day of the festival since we're guaranteed to meet him there."
"You're right. For now...I'm changing out of this. I may like and I may have gone soft, but prolonged exposure to this might mess with my brain and I ain't havin that!"
Day 31 with Rammy
"Man this place is just amazing! Sometimes I forget how fun a party our town can create when nothin crazy is goin on!"
"I'll say! Wish the girls would hurry up though...it's a simple festival, not a royal ball! I see no need to get this dolled up for it…"
"Girls gotta flaunt their style man."
"I'm starting to think living with four women is beginning to make you side with em more often."
"No maaaaan, I just respect those who got a fashion streak they gotta share."
"You mean like you and your love of baggy pants?"
"Hey don't bring my pants into this PJ."
"Why not? Why is that the only type of pants you wear anyway?"
"I'm not answering. In fact i'm not even continuing this conversation."
"Fine." The two stare away from each other in awkward embarrassment "You sure Matt couldn't come?"
"He said he'd be busy all day today."
"But Tamanegi gave us the day off…"
"Apparently it's family related. And from what I can recall. His cousin runs a clothing store...but I would think she'd shut down for the day to enjoy the festivities...guess not."
"Eh, it's not for us to question so who knows."
"Yeah I suppose your right...still wish we all could've been here." As Parappa sighs, Sweety, Paula and Rammy all speak up in unison, attracting Parappa and PJ's attention.
"Heeeey!" Sweety wore a yellow venus bandeau dress with a heart pattern all over along with pink shoes.
"Sorry we took so long boys!" Paula was wearing an orange strapless crop top with blue jeans and a new variation of her white jacket as well as her signature blue shoes.
"..." Rammy stayed silent. She wore a pure black traditional Chinese dress of all things! It had silver lines around the sleeves, neck and lower sides. It had letters on on the front and back, but they were in Japanese. Parappa stared at the letters on the front of her dress until he managed to decipher it.
"Warui...beibei...OH! BADASS BA-" He is immediately shushed by Rammy shoving her hand towards his mouth. She placed a finger over her lips signifying that the last thing he should do is read out what exactly the words said.
"P-Pffft...well...it's fitting to say the least Rammy!" PJ poorly stifles his laughter as Rammy turns to him and simply gives him the middle finger with her free hand causing him to fully let loose his laughter. Rammy huffs as she turns around, clearly too embarrassed to say anything. Parappa takes this time to read the characters on the backside of her dress.
"Kokoro...teishi...That's Heartstopper!" Rammy angrily turns back around and flails her arms at the dog who whimsically defends himself "Heeeeeey, stooooop. I just wanted to reaaaaaaaaad. Your dress is right anywaaaaaay." He chuckles as she slows her 'attack'.
"This wasn't my idea of an outfit…" She crosses her arms as her face turns red. Only for both Paula and Sweety to speak up.
"But it fits you girl! You work that dress splendidly! And like Parappa said, both words fit you! I doubt any guy will be able to keep their eye off of you!"
"Like I care about that…"
"Well obviously not, but it doesn't hurt to just stop, drop and break some hearts right?"
"No...but I'd rather break faces instead…"
The girls just giggle "We knoooooow~"
"Whatever...can we just...go have fun or whatnot? The less I have to think about me wearing this the better...Even if it does suit me…"
"As you wish ya badass babe!" Parappa says as he immediately runs off.
"W-WHY YOU LITTLE!..." Rammy ejects steam from her ears as she runs after him "COME BACK HERE!"
"You'll have to catch me first!" Within seconds the two of the are lost in the wave of people who are also enjoying the day.
"We should probably go after them." Sweety says as she stares at the dust trail.
"It's not like she'll actually hurt him." Paula scoffs
"No, but she'll probably take it out on someone else." PJ states as he eats a donut he got from classically nowhere.
"Oh...right…" They all run after the dog and the ram.
The festival grows in magnitude and splendor as the day goes by increasing the enjoyment of the group as they wander around to witness it all.
"Man, more and more booths are opening up by the minute!"
"I'll say, this might be one of the biggest events to happen to us in a while that wasn't chaotic or bad." PJ as he eats another donut.
"Dear where did you even get those?"
"Did you already forget who you're dating?..."
"But you were getting back into a healthy lifestyle…"
"I am, but come onnnn. Today a day to just cut loose and enjoy yourself!"
"Alright…"
"Good! Now let's check out the food booths!" He vanishes instantaneously as Sweety just groans dejectedly.
"I guess it's too much to ask him to keep a good lifestyle?"
"Relax. He started his better streak thanks to wanting to keep up with me. If that's what it takes to help him out then I guess I gotta butt heads with him again." Rammy smirks as she crosses her arms.
"Normally I'd be against this sort of thing, but i'll make an exception for this occasion." She sighs before angrily walking off to find him.
"Well no use in just standing around, might as well look around as well while she looks for PJ!" Paula grabs both Rammy and Parappa by the arms and walks off while dragging them along.
The first booth they stop at is selling clothes which earns an obvious sigh from Rammy and Parappa until the see the man who's currently in charge of the booth.
"Matt?!" the three say, spooking the guy into turning around.
"Huh? OH HEY! Was wondering when you'd guys pop in!"
"Dude you didn't mention that THIS is why you were gonna be busy!"
"You didn't ask Parappa."
"...alright I'll accept that."
"Heh. Sorry for that, cousin asked me last second before you called to help her out during the festival. I just couldn't say no." He motions his arm around the merch "Now I get to help sell these nice duds made specifically for now so I have that keeping happy." He chuckles "Y'all buying anything?"
"Sorry Matt. Already kinda spent buying mine, Sweety's and Rammy's new get up for today."
"Aw bummer, that's alright."
"I'll see what I can buy!" Parappa happily glances at the wares as Rammy follows suit.
"Sure I guess I can glance around to."
"Glad to hear it! Just pick what you find appealing and I'll help with the rest!"
"Got what caught my eye!" Parappa holds up an orange visor cap as well as a blue denim jacket.
"Huh. The colors are certainly a blast from the past. And a hat that's not a beanie? How blasphemes! But it's still orange so maybe not!" He smirks "How about you Rammy?"
"Hm...got this peakin my interest."
"Uh...you...sure?" He stares at the pink vest she's holding.
"Would I be holding it up to you if I wasn't?"
"Uh...got me there. I was just...a bit curious...is all…" He nervously chuckles "I think you'd look good in it!..."
"Don't try to save yourself...I already know it seems out of place for me to want to wear these colors…I just started gaining a fondness of em thanks to Sweety."
"E-Eheh...really? Well no shame in that. Especially if you're openly admitting that to me!"
"Yeah...but don't go telling anyone else that!"
"Roger that!"
While Matt helps bag their objects, Parappa turns to Paula "You sure you don't wanna try lookin? You might find something and I'm sure I can spend a few to get it for you."
"No. If I start, I'm sure I wouldn't stop and I don't think you have the financial upkeep to keep up with me."
"Yikes...thanks for the heads up...but...nevermind all that, just go and pick. It just doesn't feel right to me you know? That me and Rammy get to buy something and you get nothing but to just watch."
"Alright…if it'll make ya happy." Paula glances around and immediately she gets to urge to take multiple things, but manages to just barely restrain herself "I...managed to get something!...and just...one thing!..."
"Huh. I'm impressed! And you said you'd end up getting multiple things!"
"Y-Yeah...h-how bout that!..." Matt watches Paula's pathetic display at self restraint as he rolls his eyes.
"Hey Paula, you gonna pay for those other things you're hiding behind your back?" Paula's colors fade from her body when Matt calls her out "Forget it, I'll just buy em for you. No need to destroy your sanity to hold back or Parappa's wallet either."
Both Paula and Parappa force out a pathetic laugh "Thanks Matt..."
The day goes on as people start migrating towards the place where the live music event is said to happen and our main group head along as they await the show to start "The show's gonna start soon! And I just can't WAIT!" Parappa bounces up and down in excitement until a hand places itself on his shoulder.
"Easy man, we're just as excited!" it was Matt.
"Hey you made it here!"
"Yeah, my cousin was merciful in letting me watch the show with you guys. And with that here I am!" he smiles as he looks to the stage that is still covered.
"I can't believe they're playing here! It's such a nostalgic blast from the past!" Parappa resumes bouncing up and down.
"For you maybe! We had to set up the after party in that run down old warehouse!" Matt says with slight disdain.
"None of us saw their concert live like you did!" Paula adds on.
"I accidentally ended up killing Lammy so I rather not remember that day…" PJ ends the chain as everyone simply stares at him.
"Haha that's hila-...wait...YOU WERE THE REASON SHE WENT TO HELL?!" Rammy's gaze emits a fiery glare that PJ can feel heavily. It feels as if it was burning his cotton skin off.
"E-Eheh...yeah now that I say that out loud...I guess I am responsible for that…" He gulps in heavy fear "I should start running now shouldn't I…" He closes his eyes "Actually, why bother I'm not in the shape to be able to outrun you so please try being a tiny bit gentle in manslaughtering me…." PJ awaits for the pain, but the pain does not come. When he finds the courage to open his eyes he simply sees a crying Rammy who holds on tightly to Parappa's hand for emotional stability. The other three were just there staring, unable to say anything. PJ wasn't hurt physically, but emotionally? He was destroyed. He's basically the reason she's in this mess at all! "I uh...i'm sorry...I know that really doesn't do much...but after only realizing that I'm technically the culprit of your...decaying state...it's all I can do…" He removes his shades and tucks them away into his shirt pocket "I...well...for what it's worth...you are free to...get revenge on me if you want to…"
"..."
"Yeah...I wouldn't want to talk to me either…" He sighs "I'm...gonna watch...separately if you don't mind." Before he can leave Rammy grabs his arm.
"It's...all good…" She wipes her face "So you were part of the reason. I guess I did already get back at you by slamming your head into the ground!...heh...and it's also not fair...you're a chill guy and that kinda makes it hard to get angry with you...kinda like with him…" She lifts up her hand, pulling Parappa up into the air "Even if I wanted to get back at you, I just couldn't bring myself to. And I'm not really that angry...mostly disappointed...in you, myself...a lot of things!" She taps her head with her knuckles "But not like I haven't learned from it this past month. If I managed to get over my feud with who I originally thought to be the culprit. I can certainly overlook it with the real culprit. Especially since I already got used to him."
"Heh...thanks." They shake hands as to break off the bad air. This action causes the remainder four to breathe a sigh of relief. As that happens the curtain rises to the sound of Leo's voice over the speakers.
"HELLO EVERYBODY! Now I know a majority of you know me, and a majority don't. But that's not the point. For now, I am a nobody as a trio of somebodies will be performing for you all! A band of three you all should know very well!" The curtains raise as the MIlkCan girls stand poised and ready to jam.
Katy speaks to the microphone in front of her "HELLO ONCE AGAIN PARAPPA TOWN! MAN DO WE MISS JAMMIN IN OUR HOMETOWN! ISN'T THAT RIGHT LADIES?" Both Ma-san and Lammy shout in their mikes.
"YEAH!"
"EXACTLY! NOW Y'ALL READY TO GROOVE?!" The love of their hometown is not missed at all as the roaring wave of fan love hits them instantly. Katy turns to Lammy "Just like back then. You ok?"
"Course I am! MilkCan's always on my mind. How else do I stay grounded away from my negative thoughts?"
("Cut the sap for after the show! We got eardrums to pop!")
"Don't gotta tell me twice! Ready girls?~"
"LEAVE IT TO...MILKCAN!" With the strike of each of their instruments, a wave of full on nostalgia hits every single person in the room. Everyone was organized in the exact same position as that fateful day.
"Heh...it really is just like that night." Parappa smiles "A night I'll never forget."
"Well yeah, how could you forget their first ever live performance?" Rammy says as she also smiles.
"No of course that's something I could never forget! That goes without saying! I was referring to another reason on why I'll never forget that day. It's also the first time I actually got to meet you."
"Gahhhh...you sappy dork…"
"I can't help it! Ever since we met again, that day has flooded the thoughts in my head! And if it weren't for that day. I probably wouldn't have gained the urge to find you and help you. So I will always be thankful of then, because I have you as a friend now!"
"Heh...I should punch you right in the mug man...seriously don't say things like that or my face will spring a leak again. Already had PJ make me cry, don't join him."
"I'm not doing it with ill intent you know!"
"I know." She smirks before tapping him on the head "But I can only handle so much gooeyness before even I keel over! Haha! Now come on. We got a show to enjoy!" she averts her attention to the playing band.
"That we do!" He gazes towards the trio as well.
Along with PJ and Sweety however.
"Do you see Matt or Paula?"
"Nope...lost them in the crowd...how about you Sweety, ya see Parappa and Rammy?"
"Same thing! Vanished into the mosh pit of people…"
"Ah bummer...hey...maybe we can use this time to explain to Leo that you're in on his secret."
"How do you plan on gaining his attention? He's transfixed on helping the girls! Not to mention he'll most likely say no to any chats currently and even after the show!"
"Good point...hm…"
"What are you thinking up?..."
"Well for this to work I need to make sure Parappa's attention is transfixed onto Katy…" He looks towards the band as he plucks out his shades and chucks the glasses towards Katy. They smack her square in the face as the land perfectly over her eyes. The crowd gasps as they wonder if she's alright, but she quickly resumes playing. PJ glances over to Leo who begins fritzing at the seems as he holds onto his helmet "Got it!..."
"What was the point of that?"
"This trick always works on Katy...and since he's currently Katy's son…" He pulls out a laser pointer from his shirt pocket and shines a red light in front of Leo.
"PJ dear that's not going to-" Leo immediately dives for the red dot as PJ moves it around "You have got to be kidding me…" Leo continuously chases after the dot that PJ moves away from the stage and towards a side room that's near him and Sweety. Once close, he shines the laser in the room and Leo dives in after it.
"HAHA! GOTCHA!" The door behind him shuts as the bears are now with him on the inside.
"And we got you!"
"Sorry Leo! That dot was PJ's idea!"
Leo's helmet emits a lollipop icon with the wrapper labeled 'Sucker' "HOW DID I MANAGE TO FALL FOR THAT?!"
"Katy always falls for it, so I assumed you would to if you were Kat Leo instead of Lamb Leo."
"UGH...What do you want…wait...DUDE DON'T SAY THAT IN FRONT OF HER-"
"She already knows."
"WHAT?! I SAID KEEP IT SECRET-"
"She figured it out on her own."
"HOW?!"
"Oh I just did a little digging and comparing is all! It was either you being a stalker, a super fan, or a relative! Options A and B didn't fit soooo...process of elimination!"
"Huh...I didn't realize it was that easy to figure out my identity...why didn't you come to talk to me about it?!" Leo's helmet emits an angry face.
"Well that would be rude! I would basically accuse you of being a stalker or super fan! I don't have it in me to call good people out like that…"
"Oh joy...the most sensible person to probably tell my secret to and she was too sensible to want to even try asking...Honestly you're way more aloof now than you are in the future."
"How am I like in the future?..."
"Much more stern, but I assume it's because you are a mother by then."
"I AM?! BOY OR GIRL? WHAT'S THEIR NAME? WHY DID WE NAME THEM THAT? HOW ARE THEY DOING?! IS PJ STILL ON HIS HEALTHY STREAK?!"
"What did the last one have to do with you wanting to know about our future kid Sweety?!..."
"Yes. Girl. Lacey. You named her that from the lace patterns all over her body. I have no idea, I haven't seen her in twelve years...and uh...I don't know...he's kinda...sleeping most of the time...and kinda eats a lot...but again...gone for twelve years so...no clue."
Sweety immediately fans her face to prevent herself from passing out from a mixture of emotions "Oh ohhh...Oooooooohhhhhhh…"
"H-Hey Auntie Sweetie calm d-down!..."
"I can't calm down now! You overloaded my head with such amazing things! And calling me Auntie did NOT help that!"
"You asked! That's not MY fault!...And I call all of you Auntie and Uncle..." He turns to PJ "UNCLE DO SOMETHING!"
"I have no control over her. Once she gets going there's little anyone can do to stop her." He shrugs "But that's not the only thing we wanted to ask.
"What is it now…"
"You think they'll get along today?..." Sweety calms down from hearing PJ ask this.
"That's right...He told me about the whole situation with Rammy and the other girls...they do get to be nice friends in the future right?"
"YES!...It's just...Katy's little choice to go into a mini tour almost messed that up...luckily the festival happened at a perfect time! As well as their option to want to make things right! Just like how it's supposed to happen! They become friends at the end of the month! I was so relieved you have no idea…"
"Are you SURE it'll go smoothly?"
"Uncle what could possibly go wrong to ruin this?"
"D-D-DON'T SAY THAT LINE! NEVER SAY 'WHAT COULD POSSIBLY WRONG' BECAUSE THEN THINGS GO WRONG!..."
"Oh you're overreacting. That's just a tall tale!" He walks towards the door "Look! Everything is fine. The girls are back here having the time of their lives playing. The others are having the time of their lives listening!" He opens the door "See?" He closes it "Any objections?"
"Well...no." He grumbles "But still...things always seem to go wrong when that's said...and knowing our track record...that's an add on…" He grabs his head and shakes it side to side "It's all too much stress on the mind!...I just want things to be alright…"
"They WILL be!"
"He has a point dear...so far nothings happened… Like he said, what could possibly go wrong?" Hearing his own girlfriend say this causes him to flinch in place "Oh come on now...you're letting this get to you! Fine...we'll wait it out in here if you're that neverous…"
"You two do that, I still have a job to do."
"Wait wait wait! Before you leave, may I see what's under your helmet?..."
Leo sighs "Well since you already know who I am…" He plucks his helmet off revealing his cat head "See?"
"Wow! It really is a near spitting image! Were it not for the tiny qualities from Parappa also intertwined with it!"
"Heh...I can explain more to you another time. For now I still got a lot to do!" He places the helmet on and leaves the room.
The two bears simply wait it out until PJ looks towards the door.
PJ sighs as he turns to Sweety "I don't get how you both can be so chill about this."
"Well he clearly knows how things go, besides it's not like HE could affect their friendship. The only one capable of screwing up right now is Parappa. And right now, that's clearly impossible for Parappa to do."
"Maybe you're right...I am letting this get to me…"
"Yes you are! There's nothing that will happen! Now let's enjoy the show PJ!"
"Alright alright...let's." The two head out to watch their friends and enjoy the night.
The trio playing glance down at the audience. Lammy scans the room in a specific spot and just like their first night here. She spots Parappa and Rammy next to each other, same as way back then. They didn't know each other back then and that alone was terrifying if they were to accidentally come across each other...now they DO know each other...and that's its own can of worms. But I know things will be alright if I give her a chance!...what could possibly go wrong?...
The musical performance by MilkCan comes to an end as the crowd starts disbanding after one more final round of cheer. Parappa and Rammy head over to an area mostly populated by food booths.
"You hungry?"
"Starvin. Didn't eat much at all today thanks to wearing this thing. I didn't want to many people seeing me wear this if they weren't distracted by something else."
"I still say it suits you ya badass babe!"
"Shut uuuuuuup"
"Haha, Alright alright. Whatcha wanna get?"
Rammy thinks about the options they would likely have "Hmm...how about hotdogs on a stick? Think they have any here?"
"Ohhh a classic! I'm sure there's gotta be a booth sellin em! Nothing beats a good weiner."
"Pffft...don't word it like that."
"Whatcha me-...oh...HEY!..." He starts fluttering his fists onto her arm.
"Not my fault you don't think before you speak!"
"You're the one who brought up hotdogs though!"
"Still can't blame me for that!" Parappa stops his little assault.
"Fine...let's just go see if we can find anyone selling them." As they head off and check the booths they find one with Noodle's running it "NOODLE'S! Whatcha doing here?"
"I think it should be as clear as day my man." He points to the sign on his booth "Selling both noodles and burgers here. Speaking of which mind passing your dad my thanks? He was a lifesaver in fixing my dads machines!"
"Will do man! Say you know if a booth around here has hot dogs?"
"Whoa man, don't know any of the sort. Pretty sure you're gonna need to go on a dating website for that."
"NOT THAT TYPE OF HOT DOG!" Parappa buries his face in his beanie as Rammy drops on the ground laughing.
Back with the girls and Leo who are packing up. PJ and Sweety walk up to the four.
"Yo Leo."
"Hm? What's up."
"Sweety wants to chat with you."
"I said I wouldn't have the time. I'm busy helping them."
"I'll take over."
"Noooo. I can manage."
"To late. Give me that." PJ plucks the objects out of Leo's hands.
"Hey! Just because you can hold more things doesn't mean you'll work better! You won't put the things away as fast as I can!"
"All I need is a lil motivation."
"Where are you gonna get that?"
Katy spots PJ and immediately gets angry "HEY! PJ! WHY THE HELL DID YOU THROW YOUR SUNGLASSES AT MY FACE?!"
"Right there." PJ books it as Katy chases after him followed by Lammy and Ma-san leaving Leo annoyed.
"Well then...guess I'm chatting with you Auntie." They both head off to the room they were in prior "Alright Auntie what is it…want to know more about your future family I take? I can't really say that much cuz of time rules and the fact that I missed out on a lot of-"
"Can you tell me who your real mother is?" She asks with the most determined face.
"What...no why?"
"Well I'm gonna be your guaranteed Aunt! And you can trust me that I'll keep it to myself!"
"Still no!..."
"Do you not trust me?..."
"It's not that it's just...i'm scared that I might ruin her chances in the long run…"
"I'll help her!"
"NO!... When Parappa and my mom got together it was by their own means...no help from any outside source...and I wanna keep it that way…"
"But as you said things are starting to get a bit wavy in how it's going now. Right? What if a different girl is the one who wins in the end?"
"...Egh...you're...not wrong...but…"
"I won't help, but if I see that she's starting to lose...you can't really blame me for WANTING to ensure you keep your canonical mother. Right?"
"I guess...where did this urgency come from?"
"Well once you told me about my future… I started thinking. I instantly got into the mother instinct just from the thought alone. How was Katy when you informed her?"
"She instinctual tried being a mother…"
"What about Rammy?"
"Her aggression lowered tremendously. And one thing they both did was use their motherly status to bend me to their will." Sweety laughs at that fact.
"Well...you see? What I'm getting at is...A mother wouldn't want to lose their child would they? Just like a child wouldn't want to lose them as well."
"I know...but i'm not my canonical mother's son yet...so I don't why they feel they urge to be that way...it's all so weird…"
"It's just a heart thing. There's a long complicated way of explaining, but that's the short version. A matter of the heart, a matter of the love. Regardless of time period. It's clearly still there."
"...Alright...but tell no one alright?...Not even PJ…"
"I won't!" Leo leans in and whisper to her who his true mother is, Sweety immediately gasps in joy "Haha! I had hopes it would be her!"
"Did you now? Heh...well she is my mom."
"I'm glad! And like I said, I won't do anything unless her chances of being your mom start feigning."
"Thank you."
"Now...what's your real name. I can't imagine it's Leo Steps. That's just a...tacky name…"
"Well gee...sorry I came up with it when I was fifteen...but you're right it's not...My names Europa Rappa. However I would appreciate if you would still refer to me as Leo regardless." He takes his helmet off "Europa is as good as dead. And who took on from there had to be someone who needed to do whatever it took to ensure his mission wouldn't be a failure. That became the new Europa. Leo. Only PJ and a few others knows my real name and he also knows not to say it. Not even to anyone else who already knows my secret. It's best that in case everyone of you figure me out that I stay Leo. Got it?"
"Crystal clear. Quite sad though...by the way PJ mentioned that...you stop changing if you fail your mission...care to explain that?..."
"Well since you already know who my mom is. If I end up permanently looking like my real form. That means the timeline is no longer connected. My future becomes an alternate reality and this timeline will have its own future. My efforts will have been in vain and...well...my future will never change...I'll save my dad of today...but not my dad of my time…"
"How can we tell that you stopped changing for real and it's not just Parappa subliminally thinking of her for that long?"
"Well...imagine he doesn't have my mom in mind. Like he's super transfixed on say...Rammy. But I appear in my real body...that's a clear indicator that I stopped changing…Heh...it's always so terrifying whenever I change...because I'm always on edge with 'Oh god...did it finally disconnect?...' whenever I turn into my canonical body...I always panic...and then I change again and I end up relieved…but only for a small bit..."
"That must be so stressful…"
"You have no idea...I never know if and when it'll happen...I'm always doing my best to prevent it...this entire ordeal with Rammy nearly tore my heart in half...I didn't change as much!...I'm just lucky it'll all finally blow over today…" He sighs as he collapses onto his knees "I'm just so stressed…twenty four seven..." Sweety places her arm on his head and simply strokes his hair in a calming manner.
Back with PJ and the girls. Ma-san and Lammy are trying to pry Katy off of him.
"K-KATY!...S-STOP I'M SURE HE DIDN'T M-MEAN IT!..."
("WHAT...SHE SAID!...DAMMIT DID YOU BURY YOUR CLAWS IN HIM? WHY THE HELL IS IT SO HARD TO PULL YOU OFF!...")
"I SAID I WAS SORRY!...OWOWOWOWOW...STOP YOUR GONNA TEAR OFF MY X PATCHES!..."
Katy angrily grunts as she hops off of the teddy bear "Fine...next time you think about pelting me with your glasses in the middle of me playing...DON'T."
"Duly noted...ow…" He gets back up in pain "Owowowow...mutilating me aside...it IS nice to see the three of you again."
"Yeah...I may...have been a tad impulsive in just...up and signing us off…"
("A tad?!")
"Listen. Me and Lammy realized our mistakes and came here to try and make up for it. Don't add to our own ineptitude."
Ma-san throws her arms up ("Whatever. I'm out. Gonna go play a dart game.") She walks off leaving the three to carry on.
"Feh...rude. But...she's right...we were pretty...much…"
"S-Stupid…"
"But we learned that and decided to head back and apologize! Luckily the perfect place to do so was right here in our own hometown!"
"I'll say." PJ rubs the scratch marks on his belly "Well...isn't there two specific people you two need to speak with first?"
"I-I know! T-That's what I'm gonna d-do now!" Lammy runs off.
"As for me...I'm...gonna wait on that until Lammy's done her piece."
"Why not do it together?"
"Well...I mainly wanna talk to you about some things."
"That would be?..."
"I told Lammy that I also love the guy…"
"Ah...well...this will be a long chat...carry on."
As we return with Parappa and Rammy, they finally managed to find a booth selling the food item they wanted "Honestly, what's with everyone and assuming that just because i'm a dog, that whenever I ask for that specific food item they think I'm looking to mingle! They all know my first sweetheart was a daisy! So they should expect as much extraordinary factors from me…"
"I mean...wouldn't you take a jab at that joke if it walked right up to you and asked?"
"Didn't think about it like that...but still no! I don't have in me to be that distasteful!"
"I can tell." Rammy takes a bite out of her snack "Truth be told. You should probably fix that and get an upgraded sense of humor."
"Whaaaat? I'm already a funny enough guy as is!"
"Well you never know what you'll need to draw in a crowd."
"I'm an unparalleled rapper! I don't need to rely on jokes! Besides there's a lot more to me that can appeal to anyone!" He starts twirling his hotdog on a stick "I'm a lot more diverse and dexterous then you know!" The food item slips out of his fingers and flies up into the air "M-My hotdog!..." as he looks up to see where it went, it flies directly into his face, splattering ketchup and mustard over his eyes "GAAAAAH! CONDIMENTS IN THE EYES! IT BURNS!..."
"Whoa whoa! Hold on lemme get that for you!..." She approaches the panicking dog as he flails about aimlessly "Hey!...hold still!...i'm trying to help you here!..."
"Hold still?! This is incredibly painful!..."
"I'm TRYING to stop that! Now come on...get on your tiptoes so I can wipe your face easier Don't wanna bend over. " Parappa does as ordered, but he is still to short for her to reach with ease "Ugh...why are you so short...alright…" She bends over to properly clean the condiments that are splattered all over his eyes and the rest of his face.
Lammy manages to find the area where she saw the two originally head off to. She wanders around until she manages to spot the duo. However…
"Hey...did you hear the sound of glass breaking?..." A man with a tuba for a head states to his pal.
"Yeah...and it sounded painful…" A man with a rice cooker for a head replies.
Now from a proper perspective, it would be obvious to tell that Rammy was cleaning Parappa's face off. But from Lammy's angle, her point of view was different. She only saw what appeared to be Parappa and Rammy, kissing each other. And with that, her heart broke. It shattered into a million pieces. Lammy didn't want to see anymore. She ran. Ran away crying. Not wanting to deal with anything anymore. Katy, PJ and Ma-san spot her running as far away from the festival as fast and far as her legs could manage. They saw the tears streaming down her face and immediately ran off after her.
"L-LAMMY!..."
("H-HEY WAIT UP LAMBS!...")
"Parappa...what the hell did you do now…" PJ angrily sighs as he runs after Lammy with the other two.
As Leo and Sweety stayed within their moment Leo collapses fully onto the ground. His body spastically changing between all his body types as he clutches his heart "AGH..."
"E-Europa?..."
"W-What's...happening...to me…" the area around him starts swirling with static as he struggles to get back to his feet "My body...it all burns...it's like...i'm being pulled apart…" Sweety dismisses the threat of the electricity as she grabs onto him and helps him back up. She bites down as the electrical pain he was dealing with transfers over to her "Stop...you'll only...get hurt in...the process…"
"I don't care about that now!...What's happening?!..."
"I...think the timeline...is on...the verge of disconnecting...no...what happened…" The static distortions stop as Leo struggles to maintain his stance on his own. He stops changing as he finally regains his balance "It...finally stopped...wait...WAIT...W-WHO DO I LOOK LIKE?!..."
"C-Calm down!...you're not your real body!...The timeline is still alright!..."
"W-What happened?!...W-Why did that happen?!...W-What's going on…" Leo drops to his knee as he grabs his head in pain, he begins crying on the spot "T-Things were supposed to go right today...why didn't they go right...why didn't they…" Sweety immediately hugs the crying mess.
"I-It's gonna be fine!...the timeline is still fine...they'll manage!...You'll manage...I know things will be alright in the end...it's just...gonna take a little while longer now…"
Day 46 with Rammy…
What do you do...when your hearts broken...and there's nothing to put it back together with?...I don't have it in me...to play my guitar this time...