Birds of a Feather
[The scene opens with a shot of rain falling down on one of the streets. It's past Christmas and the New Year, and all around, the atmosphere is wet and grey. It then pans over to Falco walking down the road, donning a black jacket and hoodie. The avian looks up and scowls at the falling rain]
Falco: Haaaaaaaaaaaugh…stupid weather…it's so ugly out here, all this rain and shit, dirty slush on the streets, dead trees…hmph, fits my mood ironically…
[As Falco approaches a crosswalk, the light suddenly flashes red for pedestrians. He stops as Oliver is about to pass by with a train of tankers, Toad at the back…on account of a puddle having formed between the crosswalk and rails. Falco has only just enough time to notice before the train soaks him from kicking up water]
Falco: 'EY, watch it!
[As BoCo passes by in the opposite direction with a mixed freight, Falco looks down at the puddle and sighs]
Falco: Why is rain such a bitch in winter…?
[As soon as the light flashes green to pass, the falcon continues his walk, his boots sloshing on the puddles. It soon cuts to Fox waiting outside of a tall marble building with the words "Museum of the World" engraved on it. The vulpine is wearing a jacket while standing below an umbrella, to his left, Tecna and Snooper walk up the stairs, to his right, Bambi and Sally are seen walking up as well, Fox looks down at his watch]
Fox: Hmmm…perhaps I should rethink these schedules…
Falco: [off-screen] Oh thank God, finally!
[Fox looks to his right to see Falco approaching him, the latter clutching his jacket as if to rinse out the water on it]
Fox: Well, I was beginning to think you weren't gonna show up.
Falco: If I wasn't gonna make it, I wouldn't have walked through this weather.
Fox: Good to know you're the type to stick to commitments.
Falco: A little bit ironic, don't you think?
[Falco gives Fox a look which causes the latter to look away]
Fox: [clears throat] Anyway, shall we go in? No use staying out where it's wet and cold.
[Falco shrugs and the two begin to walk up the stairs toward the entrance of the museum. The scene cuts to inside of the building as it pans down from a recreation of the Wright Brothers' Plane as Badgerclops and Porky are seen looking under it, Fox and Falco pass by to the right]
Fox: Hmm…you know, I remember when I used to go to the museum as a youth, the Cornerian Museum of Flight I believe…I used to spend as long as I could looking at the planes, and…well, there was also this little section for the kiddies where you'd pretend you were flying one…
Falco: Awwwww, how did the wittle pilot do on his first flight? Steer the wheel like "brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, radar, radar."
Fox: [sweatdrops] Haha, very funny.
Falco: Yes, I am.
Fox: Well, when you're not being moody.
[Falco gains a vein on his forehead]
Falco: I'm not moody.
Fox: Of course not…you're…sassy.
Falco: Suuuuuuure…
[The two walk into a hallway lined with various paintings, some of which appear to be concept sketches from films of old, others appear to be dramatizations of events that have happened…Galaxia, Nehelenia, Ace, Callie, Basil, Wile, Jane, Octavia, Minerva, Sayaka, and Snagglepuss are shown looking over the art pieces as Fox and Falco walk through the hallway…one portrait in particular catches the latter's eye as it showcases the watercolored painting of an alleyway, the dark blue and grey colors contrast the more vibrant colors at the far end of the picture, leading out towards the city]
Falco: Hmmm…
Fox: Something up?
Falco: What? Oh, nothing…just that picture got me thinking…
Fox: Oh…what about?
Falco: You remember that time I took an absence from the team?
Fox: Oh yes, I remember it well, apparently, at the time, you thought you could "do better."
Falco: Hey, it was rookie days and we barely knew each other…that said, I remember seeing Katt and the gang again, since ya' know, I used to live in the streets…gave me some time to think…
Fox: Yeah…while you were gone, I…saw things that I can never erase from my head…[shudders]...that was nasty.
Falco: Oh yeah, didn't you see some fucked up Andross mutation because of some batshit general?
Fox: I didn't enjoy it the first time, second time I swear I came close to throwing up…and, AHEM, of course, there was my trip to Sauria.
Falco: Wheeeere you found a new blue to replace the old one.
Fox: Oh, shush, you know that's not it.
Falco: Suuuure, you can believe that.
Fox: Well, I let you come back to the team, didn't I? What changed your mind?
Falco: I mean, it's quite simple, I knew someone needed to be there to cover your asses.
Fox: Hmm, I could have gotten anyone to do that, in fact, since I was captain….
Falco: You weren't seriously considering?
Fox: Weeeeeeell, if you hadn't come back, I coooould…
Falco: Oh, c'mon, you know no one can cover you like I do.
Fox: True, though it's kinda more the other way around as I recall.
Falco: Yeeeeeah, whatever.
Fox: At least it shows you care…hence why I imagine you came instead of staying with the gang…
Falco: …Well, you're not wrong, guess I had a change of heart which made me come back…kinda surreal to think about…
Fox: Well, I'm glad you did…
[Fox looks over to a painting, it's of a winged kitsune floating above a stream of clouds, some with a pink hue…Fox stares at it for a few seconds as Aquamarine and Eyeball walk away from it]
Falco: Fox?
Fox: Huh?
Falco: Ya' kinda zoned out there.
Fox: Oh, I was just looking at the painting over there…it kinda reminds me of the emblem we have on our uniforms.
Falco: Ah…
Fox: Ya' know, sometimes I think about if it's possible…
Falco: What is?
Fox: Well, that. I mean, people regard me as a top-links pilot, if not one of the best.
Falco: Well, aren't we modest?
Fox: But I wonder…if I had wings of my own, I'd be like…everything that was told about me, capable of anything, even flying without a plane…like a paragon…but…it's also kinda daunting…
Falco: How so?
Fox: It's just…sometimes I feel like I'm talked about as being perfect, like I can never do wrong, how I'm a beacon to look up to…just like my father was…except…I'm not…
Falco: Well, I mean, yeah, you're not exactly like James, but you come pretty close, I mean, lookit what you've accomplished.
Fox: That's the thing; everyone talked about my father like he was the greatest person to ever exist, and I'd follow in his footsteps…and yeah, I've done and accomplished a lot, but…I've also made my fair share of mistakes…
Falco: Awwww, c'mon, anything you've done can't possibly be as bad as-
Fox: It's not that simple, I tried so hard, if not, too hard to be the best as I could be…in doing that, I let the cracks show…I mean, you remember me and Krystal? Well…that's not the only failed relationship I've had…
Falco: Oh?
Fox: Yeah…I remember when I had a thing with this one girl, Fara Phoenix…she was nice and intelligent…but we worked in different fields, and…I was so attached to the sky that I forgot to come back down to Earth sometimes…you can probably guess what happened then…
Falco: Oh…was it…bad?
Fox: It was…something…we left on mutual terms, but then we slowly faded out of contact with each other…of course, then I met Krystal and I tried to make right with what I did wrong with Fara…except, I was so…worried at screwing up again that I kept stalling…I knew she had some interest in me and I tried to reflect that…but then it was like…I couldn't commit…I couldn't give her what she wanted…and she knew that as well, given, you know, her telepathy…I felt so…pathetic…especially with the tabloids making me out as someone who could secure anyone I wanted…it was…maddening…and here I was, supposed to be an icon of the people; proud, confident, heroic, as opposed to being a mental wreck on the inside…
[Fox pauses as he tries to compose himself, unbeknownst to him from behind, a few people have caught wind of his current state, Hector, Wordsworth, Derpy, Galaxia, and Nehelenia are staring in his direction. Falco notices this and turns on them]
Falco: The hell you starin' at, this ain't any a' your damn business!
[Hector pursues his lips as he and Wordsworth look away, Derpy shrugs as if she didn't understand the context, Galaxia looks away with a neutral expression, while Nehelenia sniffs, turning her head up. Falco then looks back at Fox]
Falco: Well, that's…a lot to take in…
Fox: I'm…sorry, if I came off as dramatic…I just…needed to get that off my chest…
Falco: Right…I didn't know…the extent of it…how long has this been going on?
Fox: [sighs] A while now, I think the times are starting to catch up with me…and reality…
Falco: I mean…you had to say what you needed, I'm sure…
Fox: It's not even just that…sometimes I wonder…can I actually commit to people? Like…actually commit? Am I that focused on staying in the sky…?
Falco: …I guess I'm not the only one who needed a reality check.
Fox: Hmm?
Falco: Well…you say you can't commit, but ya've got all these people who'd lend a shoulder to you, that must mean something, like…ya' matter to 'em…I mean…in a way, I'm kinda jealous…not many would stick their head out for me…
Fox: I…what do you mean?
Falco: You know, how I've got the rep of being "the snarky one", turns out my attitude gives off the impression of not caring about others, cuz ya' know, oh, I was in a gang, and I mouth off a lot and I don't care and shit…sometimes it's almost like I stick out like a sore thumb…
Fox: …I mean, I don't think you do…
Falco: Ya' don't have to hide it, you know it's true…
Fox: Well…to be honest, I prefer you being there…you make things more…interesting…in a way…I kinda envy you…
Falco: Hmm, you're envious of "street trash"?
Fox: Not like that, but how you seem to be more…put together, like, you just act, don't hesitate…in all honesty, if it wasn't for you prodding me, I'd have stayed in that depression…
Falco: Oh…well…I just knew you needed help, didn't wanna leave you hanging like that…
Fox: I appreciate it…and I'm sorry…
Falco: For what?
Fox: I'm sorry for making it seem like my issues matter more than anyone else's…every time I've had something go wrong, I've always been someone's shoulder to lean on…when I should be doing the same for those close to me…
Falco: …Awwwwww, Fox, it's not like that.
Fox: I just think it's fair I pay you back for the times you helped me, even when I tried to block it out…
Falco: Ah, well, if anyone's gonna get you out of a mood, it's me…and…thanks for…well, putting up with me…
Fox: Hmmhmm, of course, if anyone's gonna do it, I will…
Falco: Haaaaaaaaa, ya' jerk…
Fox: Right back at you…
[The two stand in silence as they look back at the painting before the scene transitions to the inside of an apartment, the sound of rain is audible from outside as Falco is shown laying down on the couch. That is until a voice rings out]
Fox: [off-screen] Ramen's ready!
Falco: Coming…
[Falco stands up from the couch and makes his way towards the kitchen as Fox sets down two bowls of ramen on either side of the table. As the two begin to eat, the avian looks a bit uncertain, glancing back at his vulpine cohort]
Falco: Did you mean what you said?
Fox: What about?
Falco: Ya' know, that whole thing about commitment, ya' really doubt yourself there?
Fox: [sighs] I don't know if I could keep it going…I can settle down now, I just wish I did that before…maybe then I wouldn't have given up on finding someone…
Falco: I mean…you ever thought about giving it another shot?
Fox: I dunno…depends if I could be the one who they deserved…
Falco: You just gotta stop doubting yourself, I know you're better than that, ya' wouldn't have gone through hell and back with nothing to show for it.
Fox: Perhaps…I might be a good pilot, but do you really think I'd be a good partner?
Falco: Well…whatever you decide, I'll be sure to have your back…like I've done before.
Fox: Hmmmmm…thank you…you know, while the weather's bad, I feel…good having some company…especially yours.
Falco: Same can be said for you, wouldn't have been much fun all on my own on a day like this…to be honest, it's nice to have some time with just the two of us.
Fox: Yeah…I wouldn't mind doing it more often…
Falco: Same here…
[Fox leans to his right and smiles while Falco makes a playful eye roll at the gesture as the two continue to eat. Meanwhile, in another apartment, the camera slowly pans to Krystal laying down on the couch, in a similar manner to Falco before her, though with a more solemn expression…she looks over to the phone on the coffee table nearby and silently picks it up. From the viewer's angle, it is unknown who she's contacting as she presses on one and puts the phone to her ear]
Krystal: Hello…yes…would you…like to meet up?
Character Guide:
Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Krystal, Katt Monroe, James McCloud, Fara Phoenix - Star Fox
Ace (The Bathound) - Krypto the Superdog
Aquamarine, Eyeball Ruby - Steven Universe
Badgerclops - Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart
Bambi - Bambi (1942)
Basil - The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Callie Briggs - Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron
Derpy Hooves, Octavia Melody - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Galaxia, Queen Nehelenia - Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
Hector, Wordsworth - Heathcliff and the Catillac Cats
Jane Lane - Daira
Minerva Mink - Animaniacs
Porky Pig, Wile E. Coyote - Looney Tunes
Sayaka Miki - Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Sally Acorn - Sonic the Hedgehog
Snagglepuss - Snagglepuss
Super Snooper - Snooper and Blabber
Tecna - Winx Club
Oliver, Toad, BoCo - Thomas and Friends