(AN: Well, hello again! Well, I know it's been QUITE some time since the last chapter but I was actually more up to date with it! Which is good, since frankly I wrote a LOT more than I was expecting. I also would have gotten this out earlier, but with having to replan a trip to next year and the final episode of the Danganronpa V3 LP I was watching (and yes, it was fun to imagine the final trial of V3 but Despair Hill Zone-ified, and no, you are not getting a Despair Hill Zone adapation of V3 because I know it will take me five million years to write), I got side tracked!
Still though, I do hope that this VERY long chapter does make up for it! I wanted to split it up into two parts, but since I'm still in the beginning of the story, consider this a 'thank you for managing to keep up with the story despite not getting to the meat and potatoes just yet'
Thank you by the way for all the reviews and the almost 2k hits we've reached with this story so far! Those always inspire me to continue writing, and I'm grateful for every comment I get, praise or criticism! With that out of the way, please enjoy!)
"To Mother,
This is Espio, writing from my dormitory at my school. I am well here, and am currently studying quite well. I have been doing my assignments and have been practicing with a tutor with English. I also have a friend who-"
"No no, Espio-kun. It might not be good to mention Vector," Valdez said, watching over Espio write his weekly update letter to Bride of the Constant Vigil. The chameleon stared at Valdez, and while he was disappointed, he knew why he had to. Erasing what he wrote, he continued.
"Valdez has been taking care of me well here. He has been seeing me to all my classes, and to other activities such as mealtime. He has been limiting my exposure to the Outside World as you requested, and whenever class is over, I come back here and don't come out unless I have to go to class or have a meal."
Espio felt bad lying to his mother. He WANTED to tell her about everything: about Vector, his amazing roommate who has been helping him learn English and motivating him, even if he couldn't understand him at all. About Mark, who was the second person to be nice to him since he first arrived at Mobius U. About stuff like football, the type of foods they served, the showers and the 'restaurant' he went to Vector with, the types of people at Mobius U and their strange brick devices Espio has since learned were called 'phones'. So much he wanted to tell people back home…
And yet, he couldn't…
"For now, I will continue these weekly letters to update you on my progress and because I know you still don't wish me to interact with the outside world, which do not worry, I still will uphold that, as I do not want to let the village down.
Enclosed with this letter is a device called a 'pencil'. This is what they use to write in the Outside World, and I have enclosed this as I promised to give Shami a present back from school. I do hope she likes it, as Valdez and I made sure not to bring her back something you would disagree with.
I hope you are keeping well back in Gojo, you, Shami, the nanny, as well as all the villagers too. Tell them all I said hello, and that I wish them all good luck and good health in these coming months.
-Your loving son, Espio."
That weekend, the letter to the Bride went from Espio's hands to Valdez's, who traveled that Saturday to the border from Central to Northern Mobius, then back to the entrance to the Historic District, where the letter was handed to the guards of Gojo. When Valdez left, they went from the guards to Bride of the Constant Vigil herself. Shami was beside herself with happiness with her new gift, as her nanny watched her play with the pencil on one of the clan's blank scrolls, the Bride smiled as she took a whiff of her cherry tobacco.
"He's following all the rules… Good…" she said, proud of her son and his studies. She couldn't wait to hear about how his satisfactory grades, even if she was uncertain about this strange 'pencil' device that he brought back for Shami. She knew about it from her trips to the Outside World, but it never compared to the reliable ink and brush.
But to see her daughter happy with it, she didn't mind…
And that same day, the Bride wrote a letter to the heads of Hirunotsuka, Kaku, and Tsunoda to meet in the village of Genshu for a monthly meet. Truth be told, they already had their monthly meet, but the Brides of the Conquering Storm, Rich Nights, and Endless Reach had heard about Espio going to Mobius U, and were expecting an update.
The next day, after leaving the village early alongside Shami and taking the hours long path walking, the gates to the village of Genshu opened. After some walking in the main city, the two chameleon's climbed up the steps to the largest building in the village: the Temple of Meetings. Walking down the marble walkway and passing by the red torii gates, Constant Vigil was let in as the two entered, doors shutting behind them.
With the Bride going on ahead, Shami waited alongside the offspring of the Brides of the Rich Nights and Endless Reach, as well as Conquering Storm's apprentice, Constant Vigil entered the main briefings hall and sat down around a large Chabudai as the other three brides sipped tea.
"You've finally arrived, Constant Vigil," Bride of the Rich Nights said, her crystal ball glowing a dull white in front of her. The chameleon woman nodded.
"Now that I am here, let us begin the meeting. I'm sure you all know likely why we are all here," Constant Vigil replied.
"Your son has provided us an update at that… school of his, no?" Bride of the Endless Reach said, setting her bottom pair of hands on the table, her middle hands grabbing her teacup, and her top hands resting lazily next to her head.
"I'm surprised you still see the benefit of sending him there," Bride of the Conquering Storm added, her firey eyes staring into Constant Vigil's. "You know how much garbage one is exposed to when trips to the Outside World are made. Do you think he truly is ready?"
"I must agree with Conquering Storm. How you continue to give Mr. Valdez a second chance when you don't know what could be happening there, I don't understand. What does that letter say?"
The chameleon woman handed the letter to the three brides, who read it each.
"I understand your concern, however, my son is an honest person who knows the penalties I shall bring onto him should he lie. I don't care if he is my kin or not, I shall treat him in the same way that I treat my villagers should they break the rules of Gojo: without regret and without remorse," Constant Vigil replied.
"While I see the certainty of your statement, we, the remaining Brides, still question whether or not allowing him has caused an early corruption in him. He may not be allowed to interact with the world, but he is still exposed to the world around him, no? Frankly, while I do understand where Valdez was coming from in what he said, Espio is still far too young to take on the duties of seeing what the Outside World looks like," Rich Nights said, flapping her wings.
"Compliancy shouldn't be something you have to stoop for, Rich Nights," Conquering Storm added. "Frankly, I think you need to see for yourself in your crystal ball how Espio will be once he returns. We have much to do to erase whatever he saw in that world."
"And if that fails?" Endless Reach said.
"Oh, not to worry. No matter how much you all try, I'll make sure it comes out of him."
"I understand your concern, Conquering Storm, however I do not appreciate how you plan to treat my son like a criminal," Constant Vigil said, her head shaking. "I still have my doubts on whether it was okay to take him there, but Espio has NO reason to disobey me."
"…that is certainly true," Rich Nights replied. "Espio has always been a good little boy. He'll comply, Conquering Storm. No need to take it as far as you are,"
The lynx turned away from the chameleon woman.
"Well, aside from the update on Espio," continued Constant Vigil. "There are some matters to discuss while we're here. I did mean to discuss some of the budgeting issues you've been having with installing that new… 'aki-ken' dojo of yours, Conquering Storm. However, Endless Reach, I would like to talk to you about the latest production of iron ore you had obtained from the mines by Tsunoda…"
A FEW DAYS LATER...
It was a Wednesday afternoon on Mobius U's second week of school, and currently for the staff, it was a favorite time for them all; lunch break. After spending copious amounts of time on assignments and with students, teaching classes day in and day out, the time for the staff to get their minute of relaxation had finally come.
Inside of the personal staff lounge in the Tech Building, Professor Finitevus opened up the microwave and placed his Clucky sandwich inside, closing the door and pressing buttons to turn it on, watching from the class as his lunch was being prepared. Meanwhile, three other staff members sat around a coffee table with their lunches; Professors Morgan, Remington, and D'Coolette.
"Oh goodness, did your wife prepare those chocolate layer tortes, Antoine?" Professor Morgan asked as he watched the art professor take out his dessert from a small container. "You know how much I love those."
"Oh yes, I know very much 'ow much you love 'zem, Nate," the coyote replied. "'owever, weren't you making a fuss 'ze other day about you wanting to give us sweets? Darling Bunnie has been slowing down 'ow much we make."
"She's a part of the give up sweets crowd too?" asked Professor Remington, salad bowl in one hand and fork in the other.
"If you want one, we can wait until 'ze next staff Christmas party," Professor D'Coolette continued. "Until 'zen…"
"Yes yes… I have to learn personal restraint," Professor Morgan added.
Just then, the microwave beeped and Professor Finitevus joined the trio of professors, sitting down to enjoy his sandwich.
"I must say, it feels like a while since getting to sit down together with you all," the white echidna professor said.
"Oh, very much. But I can't help but feel things are a little too… quiet, you know?" added Professor Remington. Just then, the door opened, revealing two frames of different statures and genders.
"Ah, here's my favorite band of teachers!" said Coach Augustus, holding his arms out towards the four. By his side, Professor Longclaw looked up at him.
"Augustus, there's no need to be so loud during the sacred hour of lunchtime," she said.
"Ah, just let me have it this once, Longclaw!" he patted her shoulder, causing her to gasp due to his strength. "You know it's been a while since we got together like this!"
"That's what I said…" Professor Finitevus said under his breath.
"Well, so much for quietness," Professor Remington added as Augustus and Longclaw walked towards the four's table, pulling up chairs and sitting down.
"Ahhhh…" Augustus said as he began to open his thermos filled with vegetable soup, dipping his spoon and taking the first sip. "This is nice… How are you all doin'? Finitevus, I heard that you had a universal 100% rate with your students for their homework so far."
"Really?" Finitevus replied in between chews. "I didn't think that the word would be out there already. Where'd you hear that?"
"Headmaster told me!"
"Frankly, that's very good for a start," Professor Morgan said as he put down his beef stir fry to have some of his yogurt. "100% for EACH student and for all your classes is frankly impressive. Now, I wish I could have that SAME bragging right…"
"Aw, are your students having trouble, Professor Morgan?" asked Longclaw in the middle of her berry mix cup.
"Eh, I wouldn't put the blame on Nate," Coach Augustus said. "He's always had a problem of getting pure dunderheads in his class!"
"How fitting for you to say, Augustus," Nate's eyes squinted. "I could have sworn that sums up half of your football team."
Antoine snorted while finishing up his torte as the joke fell on the football coach, face red.
"Now listen up here, Nate!" he retorted. "I tell those damn boys of mine ALL the time: if they wanna keep playing, they're keeping their grades up. Too many coaches wanna get away with having their players turn out to be dunces cause they ride with full scholarships and as a result, that student does nothing with their time in college. But NOOOO, not this coach!"
"So passionate about erasing the stigma that college football players have more to their personalities than just sports," Professor Remington said, taking a swig from his bottle of lemonade. "By the by, Fini, Longclaw, Antoine, Nate, I wanted to ask you all a question now that we're all here."
The other staff members turned their attention to the Environmental Studies professor. "How are you… How are you managing with that new foreign student here?"
"…which one?" Professor Morgan asked. "I have a brilliant one from Mazuri, said that he learned a lot about science through looking at books and some of the new technology coming into the-"
"No no, not that one."
"You are aware there could be hundreds of foreign exchange students here, Remington. You could be talking about-"
"The chameleon."
"You mean Espio?" replied Longclaw.
"I mean, where is there to start with him?" Augustus said, sitting back in his chair. "I can't say I know him too well, but he showed up during the team's practice this weekend. He seems to be a loner though. Throughout the practice, he had his eyes in some book and he only really interacted with Vector. The only words I've heard come out of his mouth so far are, 'Hello, my name is Espio.'
"You have me to thank for that. Which reminds me, once lunch break is over, I'll need to return to my room to prepare myself for tomorrow's tutoring session with him…"
"You do one personally?" asked Professor D' Coolette.
"The headmaster and I discussed that maybe it isn't the best idea to stick him into an ESOL classroom with other students just yet and that we teach him some basic English first before we move him up to those classes."
"Intéressant! 'Ze boy still 'asn't said a word in my class, 'owever, to 'ear that 'e is making strives… It wasn't easy for me to understand your language!"
"Really? He raised his hand during my class, and while Mr. Valdez translated for him, it was a different demeanor that I had seen him before," Professor Morgan said. "Of course, it was only ONCE…"
"Then it's likely Vector helping him gain a bit of confidence," Professor Remington added. "I've heard from some of your players, Augustus, Espio does hang around them but he's only there if Vector's around. Like a cub by its mother's side, I'll say."
"I mean, can you blame him?" Professor Finitevus said, slouching in his chair as he set his empty sandwich container on the table. "Mr. Valdez told me first day that he wasn't used to a world like ours. He'd never known a world outside of his village, and modern technology and society was going to be like rocket science to him. I'd even bet that he doesn't know that mobians have been to space."
"And what? Introducing him to the other foreign exchange kids wouldn't do him much good?" Coach Augustus asked. "I think we got some from Northern Mobius… Do we?"
"In theory, that wouldn't be a bad idea, Augustus…" Professor Longclaw replied. "However, Espio can't relate to them because even if they're from the same region, they lived two completely different worlds. You've seen how he dresses, expresses himself, all that. That village of his must likely hasn't seen any technological advancement for centuries. And from what Mr. Valdez has said, the people of those villages prefer to keep it that way."
"Well, at least we can say that he's starting to get a LITTLE more open. Coming up in my class, I have a research project planned, and I know I'm going to need to talk with Valdez about how we can teach computers to Espio," Professor Remington said. "Now that you brought up him raising his hand in class, Nate, I kinda wanna do the same…"
"I say don't expect TOO much success. Even when he spoke, he was quieter than my wife at night," the black overlander replied.
"Oh, we know, Nate," the polar bear coach said, arms crossed. "We heard you all snore in here after the Fire that happened two years back."
This elicited laughs from everyone but Professor Morgan, who bit his lip from embarrassment.
"If I must say, I certainly believe 'zat Mister Espio will be a unique student 'zis semester. Already has he produced some very… 'ow do you say… interesting? No… what's 'zat word 'zat means interesting but-"
'Intriguing?" asked the owl tutor.
"Exactement! Some of 'is drawings are very unique from what I've seen so far, and the one 'e submitted yesterday for our first 'omework assignment was an interesting subject! Some kind of… knife it seems! Simple, but drawn wonderfully! I wonder if 'e can adjust to this country's style of drawing over time."
"I'm sure he will, Antoine," replied Coach Augustus. "I mean, hell, I'd say he'll keep Vector in check. I probably should talk to him this weekend and ask him if he knows if Vector is eating good food and if he's doing his assignments."
"Or he'll be reading his books alone?" asked Professor Remington. "Whenever he finishes up his work and he's waiting for me to continue his lesson, he starts to read some book."
"I noticed him reading the same book too," Professor Morgan added. "Was it like blue on the cover with a silhouette of a bird? Valdez sometimes does ask him to put it away and to pay attention, but it seems like the boy enjoys it."
"I guess that only shows that Augustus likely won't be having a new member of the football team anymore," Professor Longclaw joked, wing over her beak.
"Tch, Vector and I joked about him bein' the water boy. Last one left halfway through summer training, and we haven't seen a new one since," replied the polar bear. Just as he was about to open his mouth…
The clock in the lounge began to gong as it was time to finish up their lunch break and head back to their classrooms. The other teachers looked at the clock in disappointment.
"Aw man, already?" Augustus said, disappointed.
"Shame, we were getting very much into it," Professor Finitevus said, grabbing his container and his half-empty drink bottle. "Well, if you all excuse me, I have to be going."
"Likewise, I don't even remember the last time we had this much fun," Professor Remington added. "Hey, maybe we should do this again? Not like so much in here, but perhaps we could have a teacher's night out."
"Let's wait a LITTLE bit longer in the semester to do that," Professor Longclaw replied. "I don't want to give the Headmaster the impression that the students are driving us THIS up the wall that we have to resort to binge drinking."
"Besides, bein' drunk in front of my team is gonna set a bad example!" Coach Augustus added.
"Not including the time you had to have Coach Zazz sub for you one weekend after we had a Teacher's Bowling Night and you decided to drink heavily with Professor Starline?"
"I… I thought we all agreed to move past that!"
The other teachers laughed as they cleaned up their area.
"Goodness though, this really does take me back…" Professor Morgan said. "Having you all join our little entourage really makes things more exciting."
"Oh?" Professor Longclaw raised a brow. "What do you mean, Nate?"
"He means that we all have our own history. I used to room with Remington back in college, and Nate was one of my bullying targets back in high school," Coach Augustus said.
"Sooooo many rings lost from those days…" the overlander said.
"Anyway, I'm gonna head back to my office. I'll need to do some preparation since next week is our first game of the season."
"You go ahead and do your jock stuff, Augustus. We teachers will be back in our classrooms causing your lot to fail and having parents threaten us."
"And you nerds better go watch out before big mean jocks like me come and take your lunch money!" the polar bear grinning before leaving, Longclaw looking horrified.
"D-Do you really talk like that to Augustus?!" she gawked.
Professor Morgan chuckled. "Well, that's more or less our relationship, Longclaw."
THAT EVENING, BACK AT WEST HALL
Vector sat at the desk alone in the dorm, leg bouncing as he flipped his Advanced English Literature notes. An energy drink by his side, his eyes moved from left to right as he tried his best to remember everything.
"…Okay, once again: Abstract means an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research, an allegory means a story in which the narrative/characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical or possibly an ethical meaning…" he repeated to himself, trying to drill his vocabulary words into his head. Vector never was the world's best test taker, and as soon as Professor Finitevus announced that next Friday was their first unit test, he knew it was time to get started now with an hour of review work each night.
And as if next Friday wasn't already busy enough, next Friday was also the first football game of the season, and he knew Coach Augustus was going to be harder on the team leading up to the first game against Crisis City University.
"Man, life just has to throw everythin' at me…" he said, elbow on the table and chin in his hand as he looked over the differences between narrator and speaker in literature. Beside him, the TV was on and blaring out replays from professional Monday night football.
"Gandar's plays since his transfer to the Downunda Gators have been quite good for his first game," said one of the hosts, a black and red rooster. "Frankly, I was at first uncertain about the transfer deal, as the Downunda Gators have been seeing quite a bit of a downfall since winning the Team Bowl. I dunno, what do you think, Nite?"
"Well, if you had to ask me, Don," the other host, a brown owl named Nite, replied. "I think the deal is a good thing for the Gators. Ever since Blackjack, the Gators' co-owner, sold the team after shares started going down, their current owner seems to not be too certain about the direction the team is heading in. With Gandar's introduction, I'm sure we'll be seeing a return to the glory days of the Gators…"
Vector watched to the side, procrastinating on his studying as he took a swig from his energy drink. As much as he wanted to keep watching, he knew he couldn't ignore his studying any more than he had. So, he turned the volume down and continued his studying.
Just then, the door beeped and opened, causing the quarterback to turn his head towards the direction of the door. He saw Espio enter, bag over his shoulder as the clacking of his geta shoes announcing his arrival.
"Oh, yer back!" Vector said. "How was class?"
Espio turned to face his roommate, and while he couldn't reply, he simply nodded his head.
"That's good. Hey, yeh got yer next ESOL meetin' tomorrow, doncha? Did ya do the assignment I gave ya this Monday?"
Espio set down his bag and brought out his multiple notebooks, placing them next to Vector.
"I'll let ya do yer homework in a hot minute, but fer now, lemme see…"
Grabbing the first notebook, Vector flipped through it but found that it was just his math notebook, both English and Japanese written in its pages. The second however, was the jackpot, as after passing by their alphabet teachings, Vector found just what he needed. Earlier in the week, to further demonstrate using the letters of the alphabet and to familiarize himself with sentences, Vector had Espio write, 'THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG' five times in three styles: completely uppercase, lowercase, and each word capitalized. After verifying that it was correct for all three, he did notice some mistakes.
"See right here?" Vector said, pointing out to the lowercase 'quick'. "Yeh wrote a lowercase q with a g instead. Remember, the G has a curved line, and Q has a straight line. Other than that… wow, ya did a good job with this! Congrats! Now come tomorrow, I'll start with teachin' yeh some new words, but be sure to show this to your tutor and she'll know that I'm doin' mah job."
Setting the notebook down, Vector returned to his studying as Espio was left on his own, grabbing his notebooks and sitting on the floor, going back to read 'The Little Blue Bird'.
However, after some time, Vector got up from the floor and tried to recall everything without looking at his study guide.
"Alright alright… So, an allegory is… Somethin' involvin'… a story with symbolism and…"
He looked at his notes and rushed back to them, quickly seeing them again and realizing he forgot a word.
"Ugh, why do I even bother?! Ya think I'd do mah old method of 'Study literally five minutes before and on the way to class', but I wanna quit that!" he said. "But expectin' me to memorize all this and with the game and… ARGHHH!"
He grabbed his head out of frustration, frightening the chameleon. Espio quickly got up from the floor as Vector sat back on his chair, shooting air from his nostrils as his back rose up and down trying to find breath.
"How do ya even manage to study without knowin' English, Espio?" the crocodile asked. He wasn't sure why he was even asking, as it wasn't like Espio COULD respond to him-
His moment of frustration was suddenly cut off as he felt someone suddenly knead near his left arm and the left side of his back. Vector turned around by was swatted by a purple hand.
"E-Espio?..." he questioned, wonder what he was doing. Why would Espio be… massaging his body? Whatever the reason, it felt… nice. In fact, it felt like he was touching areas that had never been massaged before, and the crocodile quickly closed his eyes and opened his mouth in pleasure as he felt the transfer student move his hands. Five minutes later, Espio stopped and Vector stretched his back, cracking his neck.
"W-Whew… wow, that felt REALLY nice…" he said. Turning around, he saw Espio sit back down back to his book. "E-Espio… how did ya? And why didja?"
The chameleon said nothing, only stared at Vector but offered a small smile in response. He returned to his book as the door suddenly opened once again, revealing Valdez.
"Ah, good evening, Vector," the blue chameleon said. "Are you alright? You look like you're in both pain and pleasure same time."
"Cause I am," Vector replied, sitting back in his chair. "Tryin' to study fer the English test next week and I kinda got myself frustrated. But Espio massaged me. Did ya know how good he was at that? It's almost like I ain't in pain anymore?"
"Really now? Well, the Historic District does have some advanced arts in the form of massaging. Was he massaging specific pressure points?"
"Near mah left arm and side."
"Ah, the appaku ho, no?"
"…the what?"
"It's a form of massage in Northern Mobius, one of MANY forms. Specifically, it's a form of massage where the method is done by applying pressure to pressure points around the body. There's a village near Espio's hometown of Gojo that has some of the best massages I've had in my life, so I've had the same one before. I didn't think Espio knew about that. Well, regardless, are you doing okay now?"
"Y-Yeah… I'm gonna study fer a bit more then probably hang around here fer the night. I already had somethin' to eat, and it looks like no one is down to hang out tonight. Are ya gonna take Espio to the dinin' hall?"
"Yes, that's why I'm here. Then we'll come back here and I'll get started on helping him with his homework. Did he do his work you assigned him?"
Vector nodded.
"Good. I'm sure Professor Longclaw will be pleased with what you're doing. Espio-kun," Valdez said as Espio looked up at his family's friend. "Kite."
Espio's face changed as he placed the book on top of the microwave, following Valdez as he looked at Vector.
"We'll be right back," he said as the two made their way out of the room. Vector turned back to the television, which was airing a commercial for some overpriced car.
"While I'm here, I better go text the guys 'bout the game," he said, grabbing his phone.
OVER THE NEXT WEEK…
In the time since Espio's arrival to Mobius U, he had gone from cynical and quiet to now starting to have a small appreciation for the world around him.
Sure, there were still many confusing things about the world. Like how Professor Remington and Valdez taught him how to use a strange looking device they called a 'computer'. When he first saw it, all he could recognize were the letters that he wrote in his English notebooks on some kind of metal rectangular device, but there were also so many other words and symbols too. By the end of the Environmental Studies lesson, whereas other students were compiling sources and beginning their thesis statements, Espio was learning how to log in and use a mouse for the first time.
There was also so many other cases as well, like how the 'dining hall' worked (He wasn't sure why no one served them their food and why they had to get it themselves, or why it barely had anything he liked and had all these strange foods he's never seen before), he still hadn't gotten the confidence to speak up in class since that one Biology lesson… And yet Vector was still nice to him. Even Mark and Professor Longclaw understood that he couldn't articulate English at all yet, even if the latter was proud of the work he had been doing with Vector.
"I think we'll definitely see some improvement as we begin, Espio!" she said that week's meeting. And surprisingly, Espio found her lesson more fun and intriguing as she created a game for him to play where he had to answer stuff about himself. She even complimented him on his behavior, saying that she was glad that he was able to gain the courage to speak up before they began their first lesson based on what Vector had taught him and some very basic words.
Of course, this did come with its own obstacles too. Jewel, the girl that sat next to him in Creative Drawing I, seemed rather rude to him for some unknown reason. That Saturday, during the class' first project in which the students had to make a still life drawing of Professor D'Coolette, Espio had dropped his pencil and tapped the beetle's canvas to get her attention. When he pointed at the dropped pencil, she scoffed and turned away.
"Get it yourself!" she whispered, returning to her drawing. He wasn't sure why she seemed to harbor this kind of dislike towards him… It seemed like that was the case since their first day of class, but he decided not to pry as Valdez handed him his pencil.
And of course, there was the fact that some teachers seemed to want to get him to talk too. The most evident of that was his Psychology I professor, Professor Starline.
"When we discuss research in Psychology…" the white platypus said, walking in between the aisles of desks with the Psychology textbook in hand. "There are multiple different ways that we conduct studies. Not just in how they're performed, but also in what kind of study they are too. I'd like to have someone read the top of the next page that discusses qualitative and quantitative studies, and their differences…"
His head moved towards the chameleon, staring at him with those mysterious eyes of his… In fact, everything about this professor was one of the oddest things he'd seen so far at his time here in Mobius U. The way he dressed in a raspberry colored top with some rather quality looking clothes besides that, and his demeanor and the fact that the room had pictures of himself as well as shelves with his written books in it…
As he moved closer to Espio, the chameleon still wasn't sure what to make of Professor Starline. No doubt, he'd be the kind of person his mother would tell him to strike without remorse.
"Espio… would you be willing to read?" he asked.
But as Espio looked down at the book in front of him, none of what it was saying made sense, nor was it something he could say. The entire class had their eyes on them, and Espio picked up the book, hoping that Professor Starline would take his attention off from him.
"Professor… I'm sure you know about Espio's recent strives in learning English but I don't think he's quite ready to read from textbooks yet..." said Valdez.
"Oh, but dear Valdez… while I do understand that…" Starline sat on top of Espio's desk. "You know you want to speak, Espio. The power to understand and to speak sentences in this new and… foreign language to you… it exists in the place we call the heart. Now come on, don't let your professor down. I'm picking you for a reason. Read."
"Professor…" said an orange porcupine at the front of the class. "You heard what Mr. Valdez said. Espio just isn't fluent enough yet."
The platypus sighed out his nostrils. "Very well. But… don't think this will be the last time I ask, Mr. Espio."
And as if to remind him that he really wasn't like anyone here, that night during dinner while he and Vector sat by his football buddies, it was the first time Espio took notice of that horseman his roommate called 'Connery'. The man who glared at him for seconds at a time before turning away, a glare not of curiosity, but of malice…
Yet, in spite of the obstacles, Espio was able to overcome the next two weeks. Vector was still teaching him new subjects, such as words, and that Thursday, he and Valdez left for their weekly ESOL tutoring session with Professor Longclaw. Despite the class, something was on Espio's mind that Valdez caught quickly.
"What's wrong, Espio-kun?" he asked. The chameleon didn't want to say, but all week, Vector had been talking about a 'game' and had mentioned that there was some big event going on. He still couldn't understand it completely, but it seemed very important.
"V-Valdez-san, tell me," Espio replied. "Would it be possible if… If I joined Vector?"
"Joined Vector? Joined Vector in what?"
"Something is going on with him and while I'm not sure what, he seems very excited about it. It's something about tomorrow and some… he said was called a... a ge-game."
"Ahh… I know what it is. It's the Football team's first game."
"First game?"
"You know all that practice Vector does? The one you go to on weekends before your drawing class on Saturday? It's so that he can play in games against other schools."
"H-He plays the game against other schools?! I thought that thing he goes to was just something he did!"
"Well, now you know. Why do you ask?"
Valdez opened the door of the building, letting Espio outside of C building.
"I… I don't know why. I don't even understand that sport or even why Vector is excited at its fullest but… but I want to see this 'game'. Will you let me?"
Valdez's eyes opened wide. "W-Well… normally I wouldn't stop you, b-but I want you to consider this, Espio-kun. I know how crowded college football stadiums could get, and especially with the stadium the school has? You know yourself that you don't like very large crowds-"
"I don't mind them that much," Espio said. "Tanabata and-"
"Espio-kun… the amount of people who will be at that stadium is LARGER than even the most crowded Tanabata festival in Gojo's history. I don't know if you'll even like the environment there. And there was the matter of the language barrier and-and the fact that you STILL don't really have a clue about football. And most importantly… I think if the Bride found out about this…"
"We already lied to Mother, Valdez-san."
Valdez froze. "Ah… I suppose we certainly DID… Okay, I understand. I just want you to be aware that here in this world, sports are almost celebrated like a national holiday. So please be safe when you're there. I would normally take you, but they want half of the stuff staying on campus and the other half monitoring the field, and… and I have to stay on campus tonight. So while you're at the field, you're going to be on your own. Is that okay?"
"I… I think I can do this…"
"You certainly have gotten better with English, but I do have to warn that you likely won't be sure what to do. I'm sure the words you know probably won't be of much use to you."
Espio looked at Valdez. He had, 'Hello, my name is Espio' downpat, and he had been trying to remember 'I'm good, and you?', 'I'm okay', 'I'm not so well', and 'This is my notebook', as well as trying to name words like 'keys', 'paper', 'pencil', and 'home', amongst others. But he knew it was going TO be likely that what little he both knew and was trying to learn wasn't going to be of much use.
"Tell you what," Valdez continued. "Let me take care of this for you, and I'll tell you what to do and where to go. I'll get you a ticket."
"Ticket?"
"It's this… it's something you need to enter the stadium. They don't let anyone enter, you know."
"I… didn't know that. Is it like how Genshu doesn't allow anyone except the Brides to enter?"
"…you could… sort of say! Yeah, let's go with that. But anyway, I'll get you a ticket and that'll be your way in. Afterwards, you just need to find your place to sit, and… well, have a good time!"
"That and well… I… I want to support Vector. He's been so calm with me these past couple of weeks. At first, I wasn't sure what to think of him, but now with how much he's helped me learn English, and how patient he is with me, I wish to return the favor."
"Ah, that's nice of you to do, Espio-kun. I'm sure he'll be grateful to see you."
"So, when is this 'game'?"
"It'll be at seven tomorrow. These usually last a while, so you might be sitting down for some time. Just remember that you can always get up in case you feel tired."
"I won't try to for Vector's sake."
"That and after your sensei's all-night training sessions, I wouldn't be surprised if you had the capacity to stay still in one place for hours. Okay, well just wait until the evening and I'll get you what you need."
THE NEXT EVENING…
Espio sat by the desk in the dorm, watching the sunset from the window. He was stuck on some of his math homework, but without Valdez there, he wasn't sure what these numbers meant or what the questions in his textbook were saying. All he had his mind on was the ticket on the desk.
From watching his practices through the last two weeks, the chameleon wondered how Vector was going to be like. He usually didn't pay mind to too much of what was going on during his practices, and what he did see of this 'football' he still hadn't gotten down pat. Perhaps tonight would be the first night that he would get his first proper look into this world of 'football'.
Sighing, Espio closed both his math textbook and notebook, leaving them for tomorrow when Valdez wasn't busy. Maybe Vector could help him too after the game? After all, what else would he have to do?
Just then, right on cue, the door to the dorm opened and Vector rushed in, carrying his backpack in one hand as he brought a hand to his chest.
"Whew! Got here just in time!" he said, his white shirt moving on its own after he brought down his hand. "Oh, hey there, Espio! Sorry if I'm not able to help ya with English tonight, I got a really important thing goin' on!"
He placed his backpack down by the bed as he grabbed his duffle bag. "See? I'm gonna play mah first game of football tonight! So I'm gonna be gone fer a few hours. I have to leave early before anyone else in the school, since I gotta prepare first. Ya won't be too lonely here, will ya?"
Espio looked at his roommate. He wanted to show him the ticket, but maybe it would be better to surprise him at the game. After all, maybe seeing him there would motivate them? He recalled Vector saying that word to him after coming back to take him to Creative Drawing last week, but he wasn't sure what it meant.
"…heh, figured ya probably wouldn't understand too much. Basically, it's like mah practice except it's against someone else! I better not catch ya rootin' fer Crisis City though! It's always the Badniks or nothin'!"
Vector placed his duffle bag over his shoulder then patted Espio's shoulder. "Well, I'm off! See ya in a few hours, Espio! I haven't eaten dinner yet, but if there's an after-game party, I'll be sure to bring ya along so yeh can meet everyone else on the team! And maybe all the cheerleaders and marchin' band and whoever the hell's gonna be there! Course… that's if I'm in the mood for it."
Espio continued to stare as Vector stared back at him.
"…anyway, I'm gonna head off to the field now! See ya in a bit! Try not to get too bored, and if yer hungry, I left ya some snacks in the fridge!"
Closing the door behind him, Vector left Espio alone as the chameleon shifted in his chair, grabbing the ticket on the desk and looking at the time.
'7:00 PM'
Looking at the clock on the desk, it said 4:46 PM, meaning that Vector was going to take some time, and that it still wasn't time to go. He recalled everything Valdez said to him: just leave out the back of A building, walk across the entire campus, head out the visitor and staff parking lot, and take the stairs like you did when you went to his practice. Then, go up to the same booth area (even showing him what a booth was), show the person there your ticket, and find a place to sit. Repeating that to himself over and over, Espio knew he HAD to remember this.
"It's just like trying to remember the steps of an attack using a wakizashi or the steps to hand to hand combat…" Espio told himself. "You MUST remember this…"
AND TWO HOURS LATER…
After some meditation and looking the clock, begging for the time to pass by, it was almost 7 PM, which meant that it was time for Espio to head out to the game. He was a little sad that he was going to be alone, as Valdez couldn't help translate what was going on. Maybe he could try to understand the game by watching it? The practices didn't really explain what you had to do, so Espio was somewhat excited to think about what was going to happen.
Normally, sports back home were celebrated with a festival, and usually physical sports like kendo, judo, kyudo, sumo, and yabusame, or games like go and chu shogi were the most commonly played and what he was most used to. Seeing an Outside World sport… were they filled with celebration just like the sports back home? Valdez DID mention that the crowd at the stadium would be bigger than even the most crowded Tanabata festival, and many people from outside Gojo CAME to the village to celebrate Tanabata…
Espio shook his head. Now wasn't the time to worry about home. He was going to go to this 'football game', watch Vector and hope that he wins, and perhaps have a good time even if can't understand what's going on!
Grabbing his ticket, Espio also made sure to bring his room key since he wasn't sure how long Vector would be gone and left the dorm as he walked down the halls of West Hall. Remembering where Valdez told him to go, Espio opened the door to the hallway connecting West Hall and A building and entered to the third floor of A building. Just then however, he noticed a familiar figure holding a few snacks in his hand walking up the stairs.
"Oh, Espio! What a surprise to see you again at the same place we met outside of Math class last time!"
It was Mark, who waddled up to the chameleon when he noticed him. The tapir adjusted his glasses.
"H-How are you this evening?" he asked.
Espio suddenly tensed up. He remembered in Professor Longclaw's class that this was a question that she asked, and that Espio had to reply with three different responses. Trying to remember which was the good one, the transfer student began to open his mouth.
"A-A-I-I I a-am g-gu-gu-good, a-and u-you?"
The chameleon began to shake, worrying that he may have made Mark uncomfortable.
"Oh hey! You said that pretty good!" the tapir smiled. "Yeah, I'm doing fine too. I'm about to head back to my dorm and play Witchcarts: The New Realm tonight with some friends online. Where are you going?"
Espio wasn't sure what he was asking, but he held up the ticket to the football game.
"Oh, you're heading to a sports game?" he asked. "I guess I can't understand why you'd wanna go to one of THOSE, but I suppose it might probably be your thing… Do you even know a thing about football?"
He looked at his portly tapir friend, still quite unsure what he said despite catching the word 'football'.
"…figures… Well, regardless. Don't let me stop you. You can like, tell me about how it was next week during math class if you want. I'm not too big into sports, but I hope you have a good time!"
Mark then turned the other way and ran off to the East Hall as Espio continued down the stairs to the first floor. As he reached the first floor and passed by the sea of people, he began to hear the shill voice of someone yelling.
"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!"
Espio turned his head to see a pink echidna girl off by one of the hallway entrances, crying her eyes out and she held one of those 'phones'.
"Baby, you know how much I loved you… How much I cared for you… Think about all the times we had together! Don't you care about my feelings?!"
She took a deep breath before she continued.
"NO! I told you what you saw was a mistake… I wanted to discuss that with you tomorrow night! What? I'm telling the truth! Y-You seriously want to fucking break up with me before my debut as a cheerleader?! WELL… W-WELL FINE! AND TO THINK THAT EVERYTHING I DID FOR YOU WAS FOR NOTHING, YOU LITTLE ASSHOLE! I DID SO MUCH FOR YOU, EVEN COMING COLLEGE FOR YOU BUT IF THIS IS IT… THEN… THEN WE'RE THROUGH! FUCK YOUUUU!"
She threw her phone to the ground as she began to sob her eyes out, placing her hands over her face for a minute before sniffing, lip quivering as she grabbed her phone from the floor before getting up from the floor and running to the back entrance of A building. Espio wasn't sure what just happened, but he continued to walk, remembering what his mother said about 'not paying mind to other people's business'.
A FEW HOURS LATER…
The clock under the scoreboard counted down with only six seconds on the clock left. A football zoomed past the board as the scoreboard went from 0:05 to 0:03. Then 0:02, and 0:01…
*BZZZZZZZRTTTTT*
A loud cheer came from the stands where all the Mobius U students, alongside the families and fans of the team stood up in unison, going crazy as their team won their first game of the season.
In the middle of the stands towards the farthest bleachers, Espio ducked as the noise the people were making was FAR too loud for him. Was this how people celebrated in the Outside World? Because the past hour and a half had showed him that Valdez was right: the people of the Outside World LOVED their sports.
Suddenly, something spilled all over the chameleon as the walrus next to him shook some kind of white bag. Espio looked up at the walrus, who was too occupied celebrating to the person next to him to pay any mind as Espio picked up something that came from that man's bag. It was yellow and small, and as Espio moved it with his fingers, this odd shaped thing left oil on his fingers. He made a face as he threw the odd shaped object to the side.
Despite everything going on, and whatever… THAT was, Espio could say with no doubt of certainty that he enjoyed himself. Sure, it was far more brutal than he was expecting, sure, crowd was far too large and loud for his liking, but seeing his friend run across the field and everyone cheering for him and shouting his name… it made the entire game worth it for that one moment.
From below the stands, two sports commentators, a brown weasel and an Overlander, sat at a table with microphones and various radio and audio equipment in front of them.
"ANDDDD what a wonderful play for the Mobius University Badniks for their first game of the season!" the Overlander said. "It looks like the Crisis City University Destructixes are going to have to make a better play that that, especially with how last year's season was!"
"I have to agree with that, Sam!" the weasel added. "If you ask me, the Destrucixes' quarterback Drago Wolf wasn't quite in his head tonight! The play he had against the Badniks' Offensive Tackler was just bad bad bad! Left quite a sour taste in my mouth!"
"Let's just hope that wasn't the gum you've been chewing all night, Wes!"
The two laughed as the Overlander continued.
"Well, thank you for tuning into tonight's football match pitting the Mobius University Badniks vs the Crisis City Destructixes! With a score of 26 for Home and 12 for Away, we'll be back with you next week for the second game of the college football season pitting the Empire City Dingoes vs the Grand Metropolis Metallics. And the week after that, the Badniks return for their match against the Winterberg Peckys. This has been station KLAK 102.9; I'm Sam Speed!"
"And I'm Wes Weasly!"
"And we'll see you all… next time! Until then, keep touchin' down!"
A crowd of happy commotion filled the locker rooms as individual showers turned on one by one, The room filled with steam as part of the team were busy showering, part were drying off or undressing from their football gear. Vector walked from his locker, towel over his shoulder, to the showers.
"Yo, Vector!" a voice said behind him. Vector turned around to see Knuckles and Rotor walk up to him, the two of them with their shirts off.
"Hey there, yeh two!" the crocodile replied. "Nice plays tonight! Rotor, that move ya did against Crisis City's quarterback was incredible! The way yeh just tackled him down and somehow still was able to follow the rules, and-"
"I-Incredible?" the walrus interrupted, looking embarrassed. "T-Thanks… You know I'm not the one for compliments, Vector…"
"Hey, he's serious!" Knuckles said. "As serious as he's perfectly comfortable bein' nude in front of us!"
"Yeah, Rotz! We all kicked ass tonight! I can't be takin' all the credit, yeh know!" Vector said, bringing the echidna and walrus closer to him.
"Whoa whoa whoa, what do you want me to do, feel your dick, huh?!" questioned Knuckles.
"I mean, yeh said it, not me!"
"Go take a shower, you dolt!"
"Right behind ya!" Vector snapped his fingers as the two left, turning around back to the showers. Just then, he saw Connery come out of one of the stalls, water dripping down his mane and down his built body.
"Hey, ya usin' that one?" Vector asked.
"Ah, Vector. No, I just got out naturally. Oh, and by the way?" Connery said, looking at the crocodile. "…fair plays today, Vector. You proved to us why you're our quarterback. See what happens when you put your mind on the game?"
"I did have mah mind on the game! What made yeh think that I didn't?"
"Oh… reasons. Well, no need to dwell on me. Frankly, I was very happy with how you managed to play tonight. I feel that under your leadership, we definitely will win the Winter Tournament."
Vector looked at the running back. "W-Well, thanks Connery… I guess it's rare to hear compliments comin' from yeh since yer the one to always criticize…"
"Oh, surely you don't think I'm that negative, do you, Vector?"
"Yeh kinda are…" Vector thought to himself.
"Well, regardless, it's best that I get dressed. I have no need to stay around here as I'm sure others are waiting for the shower. Until next time, Vector."
The horse walked off, his hooves clacking on the tiled floor as the crocodile watched Connery's muscular back move back and forth, his lower waist obscured by his towel and the only thing poking out was his wet tail.
"Well, at least he didn't say anythin' 'bout Espio…" he said, entering the shower and turning on the hot water. Feeling his nerves relax under the hot water, Vector sighed, tired from a long and hard night.
"I wonder how he's doin'…" he said to himself, remembering seeing Espio siting on the bleachers. He was surprised to see Espio there, as he thought football games wouldn't be his thing. And yet, it was like he was there to support his friend.
In spite of the hardships of tonight's game, with all the tackling, the heavy running, and the anxiety of having to perform his best in front of camera crews, radio jockeys, an entire school, their friends and family, etc, seeing Espio in that brief moment relieved him of the nerves he had during his first game of the season.
"I just hope Espio is mah good luck charm…"
After the football team's shower, they all met with Coach Augustus for an after-game pep talk, plans for practice on Sunday to give the team a break, and talks about the game two weeks from now. With the polar bear's dismissal, the team left the stadium at almost 10 pm, when Janitor Snivley and a few other janitors were busy cleaning up the field.
"Hey, you guys going to the after party in the K building?" Rotor asked as Vector and Knuckles looked at each other.
"Erm, we'll see 'bout that, Rotz," the crocodile said.
"Yeah, tonight was exciting but I dunno if I'm in the mood for a party tonight. I'll let you know if I decide to go, but if I don't show up, tell the team that's why," Knuckles added. "You thinking of going?"
"Are you kidding? I think I deserve a party with plenty of snacks for a play that good!" the walrus said.
"Ya remember what I told ya to avoid Connery and Axel?" Vector asked.
"Yeah yeah, frankly I'm already annoyed at Axel cause he told me off earlier while I was waiting for the showers."
"That sign language thing yeh've been praciting in the past few months?"
"Yeah. Thank Gaia Thrash was there to knock some sense into him. Seriously, it's not like it's gonna distract me from football THAT much."
"Eh, to hell with 'em. Just enjoy yerself, Rotz! Ya deserve to treat yerself to somethin' nice!"
"You're right… Anyway, I'll get going there! You let me know if you're going or not!"
Rotor ran off towards the K building as a pair of rough hands hit the crocodile and echidna's shoulder.
"Well, who do we have here?"
"Monk, get off our shoulders," Knuckles said as the purple gorilla walked next to the two.
"I just came by to say; spectacular plays from you two tonight," Monk said.
"Thanks!" Vector replied. "And hey, I mean, yeh did some pretty good plays too, Monk. I'd even argue that yeh scared a few of the runts on the Crisis City team."
"We have the biggest pair of intimidating species on our team. That's why I feel we'll win this year. At least… provided that our MUSIC choices by the marching band isn't degenerate."
"Degenerate?" questioned Knuckles.
"You heard what they were playing earlier. Instead of something to emphasize our team, it was just meant to show off our cheerleaders. Sure, that's fine I guess, but the Crisis City band did a piece for their team. What does our marching band do? Make us look like we caused the decline of our culture of brotherhood."
"I mean, it's just a marching band. What are they gonna do, bring in the LGBT club to do opera?"
Monk gagged. "No thank you, the day that group appears on our field is the day I'll deliberately make sure to give myself a concussion while playing."
Vector's brow furrowed at the gorilla. If there was one reason why he and Connery were friends, it's because they seemed to hold these weirdo views towards completely inconsequential things…
"…anyway," continued Monk. "I'm sure you know by now, but many members of the team including some friends and others shall be in the K building celebrating. It should be empty at this point and the Headmaster said we can use it provided that we don't cause too many noise disruptions and provided we stay up no later than 2 am. Of course, we're going to juvenilely break those rules since we're college students, so I was wondering if you're coming along too."
"We told Rotor we'd think about it," Knuckles said. "Just go ahead without us, dude. It's fine."
"Alright, whatever you two say."
Monk walked off as Knuckles suddenly stopped midway. Vector could hear a buzzing coming from his pocket, and he reached into it and grabbed his phone.
"Huh?" he questioned, unlocking it as Vector walked over to his friend.
"Ah ha ha… well, guess we're not going to the party tonight," Knuckles said. "It seems that Sonic and Manic personally invited us to Sonic's dorm. He's rooming with Brawny this year and since he's at the party, he has the dorm all to himself. He's invited you and Mighty too."
"Aw, really?" Vector asked. "I dunno Knux, yeh and Mighty know Sonic better than I do… I thought we were gonna like… I dunno, catch a late night movie or get dinner somewhere. I haven't eaten shit in hours."
"They told us we'll be ordering pizza."
Vector quickly turned his head towards the echidna. "Then fuck the party, let's GO!"
As his mouth began to water at the thought of eating a delicious pizza, Vector suddenly stopped before he ran off.
"…wait, now that I think 'bout it… can yeh ask Sonic if it's okay if I can bring Espio?" he asked.
"Espio? Really?"
"Well, I dun wanna leave him all alone tonight. And… and besides! He's never had pizza before, it'll be a first fer him! And he could use this chance to meet some new people! I'm sure Sonic and Manic won't mind, would they?"
"Well, Manic would probably be too stoned out of his mind to care but lemme ask Sonic just in case. He only invited us and told me to bring Mighty too. He was at the game too."
"He was? Frankly, I didn't even see."
"Yeah, and I saw Espio there too. Didn't think he'd be interested in football. How do you think he got a ticket?"
Vector knew there was one person who could have gotten him one, but decided not to bring it up.
"Alright, let's head back to West Hall, then we can get Espio and Mighty."
After returning to the dorms and getting Mighty, who was on his phone atop his bed, Vector stopped by his dorm and opened the door. He saw Espio on the floor, meditating like he usually was when his eyes opened.
"Hey there, Espio!" he said. "Hey, thanks fer comin' to the game tonight! Ya… ya really inspired me to do mah best, y'know? I felt like I helped the team win knowin' yeh were there to support me."
Once again, Espio said nothing, just stared at the floor. He knew he wanted to say thank you, but wasn't quite sure how to say it just yet. Maybe he needed to teach that during their next English lesson…
"Well, anyway, I dunno if yer gonna go to bed tonight, but why doncha come with me and mah friends? We're gonna have an after game celebration at a mutual friend's dorm, and I asked if it was cool fer yeh to come. Besides, have ya had anything to eat tonight?"
Espio still said nothing, but there was a growl coming from the chameleon's stomach.
"Figured as such… well, hey, come with us and we'll make sure yer fed!"
Vector held his hand towards Espio, and the chameleon took it, realizing that they were about to go somewhere. Taking the large hand into his own small one, Vector pulled Espio up as his hakama flopped in the quick speed that he was brought up. Making their leave out of the dorm and locking the door behind them, Knuckles and Mighty waited for the two reptiles.
"You finally got him?" Knuckles asked. "Then let's go."
"Hey there, Espio! How ya doing tonight?" asked Mighty. Espio perked up as Vector noticed the chameleon starting to open his mouth.
"A-A-I… A-I'm… I'm g-gu-good, a-a-and yu-you?" he asked.
Knuckles and Mighty quickly turned their head towards Espio's direction.
"What the fuuuuuuck… he's ALREADY starting to speak English?!" Knuckles said.
"Man, the headmaster was right! You were a good pick, Vec!" Mighty added. "Oh, and Espio? I'm doing fine too."
The four made their way out of West Hall, past the connecting corridor and into A building.
"I wish I could take credit fer that, but nah, it was his ESOL instructor!" Vector shrugged. "But hey, look at us! We're part of the cool kids crowd, and Espio's the latest member!"
"Oh man, imagine if you brought him to the after party in the K building," Knuckles replied. "Do you think he'd be the talk of the party?"
"With everyone drunkingly crowdsurfin' him, Rudy and Thrash specifically givin' him a crown and a king's cape? Yeah."
The four took the stairs to the first floor of A building, heading their way out and towards North Hall.
"Oh man, speaking of kings, what's your Homecoming plan?" Mighty asked.
"Pray that the longer game doesn't kill us. The game next week is gonna be away, ain't it?"
"I heard next week, they're gonna begin casting in their votes for Homecoming king and queen. Gonna apply?"
"Eh, Homecoming is nice fer the game and the show they perform before games, but other than that, I wasn't like… yeh know, THAT into it."
As the four opened the door, there were a few students walking around the back campus. When they saw who was walking down the stairs leading to A building, they freaked out.
"YOOOOO, it's Vector and Knuckles!" a few of them said.
"Great game! We kicked fucking ASS tonight, didn't we?!"
"Ya got that right!" Vector called out, giving them a peace sign as some of them freaked out.
"He gave me a peace sign!"
"Vector, sign my jersey!"
"KNUCKLES, MY PHONE NUMBER IS 901…"
As they passed by the students, the four continued walking.
"Fans can be pretty crazy, can they?" Mighty asked.
"Frankly, I'd rather deal with them than some of the people who talk 'bout us online," Vector replied.
Finally reaching North Hall, Mighty opened the door for the three as they all stepped in, trying their best not to make noise since there would surely be people asleep at this time. Walking to the second floor, Knuckles pulled out his phone.
"Okay… we're looking for room… B-243…" he said. Seeing the sign towards an intersection pointing to rooms 221-250, they turned right and went down the hall and eventually, found room B-243. The red echidna knocked on the door as the four waited for Sonic to open the door. Seconds later, a pair of footsteps reached the door as it opened, revealing a blue hedgehog with a white t shirt and grey shorts.
"Heeeeey, there you guys are!" he said. "Nice to see you, Knuckles and Mighty!"
"And it's great to see you,, you blue rat!" Knuckles said as hedgehog and echidna fist pumped. Mighty did the same as Sonic looked up at Vector.
"Well, whaddya know? It's Mr. Quarterback himself!" he said. "Hey, great game. I've been seeing it ALL over the trending sports tab on social media. You did a pretty good job!"
"Surprised yer looking at that, Sonic," Vector said. "Thought ya gave that up?"
"I gave up baseball because I was too good at it! You know I'm doing track now!"
"Geez, no need to get angry," Vector raised his hands up. "Guess this explains why we're just 'friends'."
"Nah, I'm not mad just… well, I get a bit reactionary when I have to think about baseball."
"Maybe yeh could join our team. I'm sure Connery wouldn't mind another running back."
"Eh, don't like the guy."
"Really? I mean, he can speak his mind a little TOO much but asides from that, he ain't too bad-"
"I dunno, Vector… I just… I don't like him."
"Fair, I guess…"
That's when Sonic turned his head to see Espio by Vector's side.
"Hm? Hey, is that the kid Knuckles told me you'd be inviting?" he asked.
"Yuppers, the new transfer student here to this school."
Sonic gave the chameleon a smile as he held out his hand. "Well hey there, the name's Sonic! I'm friends with your friend, Vector and his friends! Wow, I just said friend three times in that sentence, huh?"
Espio shyly took the hand and began to speak.
"H-Hello… ma-my ne-name is-is Es-Espio… A-A-I'm gu-good, a-and yu-you?"
"Just be patient with him, okay?" asked Vector. "He still doesn't have English all that down pat, so if he doesn't understand ya, that's why. Be nice to him, okay?"
"Of course, of course. I mean, his English is good! Well, I got a great night planned for you boys! Come on in!"
As the two walked inside, Vector saw a green hedgehog wearing an open red vest on the top bunk bed, what was no doubt a joint of weed in his hand judging from the color and the small.
"Whoa hey, you got the whole gang here, bro!" he said. "You mean to tell Vector's here too?!"
"Jeez, did tonight's results just spread like wildfire?" Vector asked, scratching his head.
"Yeah, bro! Everyone's talkin' 'bout it! But besides that…" the green hedgehog leapt off the bed, landing on the floor as his messy hair whooshed on the way down. "Looks like you brought a new friend! So, who's the chameleon?"
"Says his name is Espio," Sonic said. "That's my twin brother, Manic. The middle and stoner of us triplets."
"Yeah, speaking of which, where's Sonia tonight?"
"She's got gymnastics practice. I'm sure she would have loved to meet Espio, but probably wouldn't love the smell in here."
"Heh heh, yeah, she can be real uptight about that kinda stuff," Manic said. "But hey, anyone who's friends with Sonic is my friend too! Welcome… to the mancave, Espio!"
"Yeah, MY mancave, thank you very much. You just mooch off of it."
"Oh, get off my dick, Sonic. You know your room is cool."
"Yes, it very much is. Just as long as Brawny isn't here."
"Well, he's gonna be in K building all night, so you don't gotta worry 'bout us," Knuckles said.
"That's perfect, because I got you champions a little present for your victory tonight," Sonic said, walking over to the fridge and pulling out two bottles with red liquid in them and handing them to Knuckles and Vector.
"Whoa, ya made one of yer party drinks into a bottle?!" questioned Vector, quickly grabbing it. "The red one was always mah favorite! Thanks, man!"
"I normally don't try to drink, but you know I can never resist this stuff. Thank you, Sonic," Knuckles said, the two toasting each other as they took a drink.
"Hey, you got something, Sonic?" Mighty asked.
"Well, I don't have my 'winners drink' for three, buuuuuuuut I got water, energy drinks, canned coffee, and some regular beer. What are you in the mood for?"
"Eh, I probably won't get too sloshed tonight, so just toss me a beer."
The hedgehog threw a beer at the armadillo, catching it quickly as Vector and Knuckles took another sip from their drinks.
"Hey, does Espio drink or not?"
"Hmm… I wouldn't know, honestly," Vector said. "The only thing I've seen him drink was water and orange juice, but he probably hasn't had beer before. Dunno if he's even a lightweight or not. Just give him a water fer now."
Nodding, Sonic reached into the fridge and pulled out a water bottle, handing it to the chameleon who looked at it funny.
"No, don't tell me he doesn't know how to open it," Manic said, looking over as he exhaled a large amount of smoke from his mouth. "Here, lemme…"
The green hedgehog walked over to the chameleon, opening the cap for him as Espio said, 'Ah!'
"Well, if he's that shocked over learning how to open a cap, wait till he learns about what we're having for dinner!" Sonic said. "I already got us a good movie for us to watch, but as for dinner-"
"Where. Is. The. Pizza," Vector said.
"Chill, Vector! Don't go ham just yet! We gotta order it first! What did you guys have in mind?"
"Any kind really, I ain't one to complain unless ya put somethin' putrid on there."
"You two?"
Knuckles and Mighty looked at each other.
"Uhh… why don't we go simple? Pepperoni?" Knuckles asked. "Mighty, that sound fine?"
"I was thinking pure cheese…"
"Eh, let's order em both, bro!" Manic said. "I could go for plenty of slices right now!"
"Cause yer high as fuck, dude!" Vector said.
"Eh, sure. We can do that," Sonic said, grabbing his phone.
"Besides, Vector, weren't you saying that this would be Espio's first time having pizza?" Knuckles asked as Manic dropped his joint, quickly grabbing it before putting it out and throwing it in the trash.
"He's never had WHAT?!" questioned the green hedgehog.
"Pizza?... Do you not know where he's from? He's from a village that DOESN'T serve food like we have here."
Manic turned to face the chameleon, then back at his brother and friends.
"Then we gotta give him the full course! Spnic, we're ordering sides tonight."
"Really? Sides? That's gonna be extra!" the blue hedgehog said. "Are you sure you want extras?"
"Eh, I'm sure it's fine. Besides, I could fit so much shit in my mouth right now."
"Cause it's what Vector said! You're stoned as hell, bro! But… sure, I guess why not. Besides, we got six mouths to feed. Two pizzas ain't enough. What did you guys have in mind?"
"Cheese sticks, naturally," Vector said. "Ooh, and a LOT of marinara sauce."
"You know what I'm a fan of but try not to get too much? Err, where are we ordering from again?"
"Meh Pizza, I think?" Manic asked.
"Meh Burger's pizza chain? Okay, good because they have those chocolate brownies that I really like, get one of those."
"Aw really? I like the giant cookie more," Sonic whined. "But sure, we can do that. Anything else?"
"Clucky wings?" asked Vector. "I dunno, ya in the mood for them?"
"Can we go boneless if you wanna do wings?" Manic said. "I don't feel like having bones on my cluckys."
"Geez, you do know how expensive this is gonna be, right?" asked Sonic. "You're pitching in next time we go out to eat, bro."
"Yeah yeah, it's fine. Remember: we're doing this for Espio too! Just make the call. At least we aren't asking to get drinks too."
"And I don't have plates or napkins either... Ugh, fine. Alright, I'm gonna go outside and make the call. So, two pizzas; pepperoni and cheese, an order of cheese sticks with marinara, boneless clucky wings, and a chocolate brownie, right?"
"Yup!" Vector, Knuckles, Mighty, and Manic said in unison as Espio looked at his friends.
"Alright, be right back."
After making the call, the six sat around the TV while they waited. Manic giggled to himself as he browsed his phone while Vector sat around with Sonic, Knuckles, and Mighty, going from different topics like the game earlier tonight, to classes, and eventually, showing each other funny pictures while Knuckles once again talked about Rouge.
Espio only watched them from afar, silently observing them as he rubbed the plastic of his water bottle. Vector turned to his friend.
"Say, Espio? Why doncha come here?" he asked. But it was to no avail, as Espio said nothing.
Soon after, once the conversation had grown a little more stale and they were paying less and less attention to the movie on TV, there was a knock on the door. Sonic got up.
"Oh yeah, now we're talkin'!" he said, quickly rushing to the door as fast as possible. He opened the door, and not even a minute later, closed it as he held multiple boxes in his hand. Manic immediately perked up.
"Oh shit, you got the stuff, bro!" he said, jumping off the bed and onto the floor. Sonic placed the boxes on the floor and spread them out, opening them up to reveal the delicious pizzas and sides. Vector licked his lips as he already felt his mouth water.
"Well, don't just stand there! Dig in guys!" Sonic said as Vector immediately swiped for a slice of pepperoni and a plate. "Geez, I didn't mean it SO literal!"
"Can it, Sonic! I'm eatin' good tonight!" Vector said, taking in his first bite. "Man, chain shit usually tastes… well, chain. But Meh Pizza? The bomb."
"Yeah, and to think Meh Burger is well… meh, their pizza division is rather good," Knuckles added, grabbing a cheese pizza slice as plates and food was passed around.
"Hey, Espio! Don't stand there! We got some fer ya too!"
Espio looked at the food on the floor and walked over to the five, sitting next to his roommate and Manic.
"Yo bro, you gotta try the boneless wings while you're at it!" Manic said, handing Espio a plate and giving him a few pieces.
"He also has to try the brownies too! Don't forget that!" Mighty added, grabbing one of them from the aluminum tray and putting it on Espio's plate.
"Wait wait wait! We said he has to try a pizza first!" Vector said, putting a slice of pepperoni pizza atop all his sides. "Go on, Espio! It's time ya give yer first taste of Central Mobius cuisine a shot!"
They watched as Espio picked up the slice of pizza with his hands, looking at it VERY reluctant. Vector watched as the grease from the pizza dripped from it to the plate, Espio looking more disgusted with it by the second.
"It's okay, Espio! Just give it a shot! See, watch me!"
Vector grabbed the slice and ate it like he normally would. Grabbing the bottom of the slice, the chameleon nibbled the tip of the pizza before taking a small bite. He pulled back the cheese, almost naturally as he began to chew.
"W-Well? Is it good?" asked Vector. Espio didn't respond, but from the way he looked at the ceiling, slowly nodding his head, it seems that despite his reluctance, he enjoyed it.
"I don't get it, did he like it or not?" Manic asked, scratching his head as he held a cheese stick.
"I think… he did," Vector smiled. "Yeah, now we're definitely gonna have the night of our lives boys!"
And so, the six continued to eat their feast as they paid attention to their movie. Espio got to try the brownie and boneless wing, and even had one cheese stick too, but it was all he could manage, leaving the rest for the others to finish.
Thirty minutes later, all the boxes were emptied as everyone now fed, were either continuing to watch the movie or had begun to succumb to exhaustion. Manic was the first to get knocked out, then Sonic, and Mighty had almost fallen asleep if it weren't for Knuckles and Vector. With the movie over and it almost being 1:30 am, Vector knew it was time to leave.
"Man, imagine the shock Brawny is gonna get when he sees these two passed out on the floor," Vector said.
"Let's just slowly walk out of here and pretend we were never here, okay?" Knuckles added as the three got up. Espio looked up at his roommate and friends.
"Espio, c'mon. We're leavin'. It's time fer bed anyway."
The chameleon got up from the floor, looking at the hedgehog siblings before following the three out of the room and out of North Hall. As they walked out into the pitch darkness of the empty campus, they could see lights and hear faint music from the K building.
"Looks like they're having the time of their lives," Knuckles said. "You sure you don't wanna join?"
"Nah. All that food tired me out," Vector said. "And besides, campus security is ALWAYS strict on the lights out time and act like huge dicks."
"Was it that one party you went to last November that really ruined them for you?" asked Mighty.
"Yyyyyyyyyyyyyup. That's the one."
"Still, maybe it would be nice to make SOME appearance?"
"Eh, dun feel like it."
"Well, whatever you say…"
After returning back to West Hall and parting ways with Knuckles and Mighty, it was after a teeth brushing session at the downstairs bathroom that Vector and Espio had returned to the dorms, in bed as Vector was playing music on his headphones before succumbing to exhaustion. The crocodile snored and bellowed loudly as Espio lay in the bed above him, listening to the sounds coming from his roommate.
He was surprised at today's turn of events. From going to the football game, surprisingly having a good time, being invited to meet a new friend of Vector's and trying strange foods from the Outside World that looked like it had too much oil on it but liking it in the end, to where he was now.
In the time since his arrival to the outside world, it felt like he was learning a lot more about the customs and ways of this world. He still did miss Gojo, but waking up in the dorm in a 'bed' and not a futon on the floor, going to classes, eating, studying, and doing other activities became the norm for him.
And then there was Vector…
Even with all the times he asked him questions, knowing he couldn't respond, he still had that smile on his face, that expression that comforted Espio knowing that Vector was always there. It had been a comfort since his first day at Mobius U and lasting now.
"Mother… is the Outside World as bad as you think it is?" he thought to himself. He rolled over in his bed, wondering what it would be like if he got to tell the villagers, Shami, and… and his mother about how the Outside World was TRULY like. How there was no reason to fear it, and how dialogue should be opened between the modern-day Northern Mobius and even possibly the areas outside of it. But he knew that was impossible.
"Would Vector like Gojo?..."
He wasn't quite sure of the answer, but one thing was certain as Espio heard the snoring of his friend…
"Vector… One of these days, I must repay you for everything you've done for me so far."
END OF CHAPTER 5
