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Post by Leda on Oct 29, 2009 21:01:22 GMT -5
 The chameleon's eyes slowly blinked against the sunlight pouring into them. To one side, the fire had died down to glowing embers, and on the other, Tikal slept soundlessly. Espio sat upright and peered into the girl's peaceful face. There was something different about her in a way he couldn't explain. Tikal gave him a strange fluttery feeling that none of the girls back home in Meadowood ever did. His attention then drifted across the camp to Manic, causing his features to twist into disapproval. It was beyond clear that Manic had been focusing the same attention on Tikal as well. Well, you blew it, dude, he smugly thought to himself, turning back to the echidna. Now she likes me."Hey Tikal, wake up," he prodded, giving her shoulder a shake.  However, the priestess failed to stir. |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 29, 2009 21:22:13 GMT -5
 Seated next to the fire, more or less between the collected teens, an elderly echidna sat, eyes closed, with his cane resting across his knees. He, however, wasn't asleep, but meditating.  Crash, on the other hand... was breathing shallowly, less curled up by the fire... and more crumpled. Whatever had knocked him out, had knocked him out HARD. It would probably take a miracle to get him moving on his own. |
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Post by Lans on Oct 29, 2009 22:07:53 GMT -5
"ZZZZZzzzzzz....."  And in the meantime, on the opposite side of the came from the others, Manic was still snoring away where he was sleeping. |
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Post by Leda on Oct 29, 2009 22:34:37 GMT -5
"TIKAL!" Espio shouted at the female echidna, giving her another fleeting jostle. His mouth scrunched to one side. "Wow. Heavy sleeper." |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 29, 2009 22:44:47 GMT -5
Athair's eyes snapped open as he heard the chameleon's shout, blinking for a moment as his focus returned to he area around him. "Is something wrong?" |
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Post by Lans on Oct 29, 2009 23:08:36 GMT -5
"Mrrrgh, shut it Esp...." Manic mumbled, rolling over to face away from them. |
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Post by Leda on Oct 29, 2009 23:13:47 GMT -5
Pointedly ignoring the hedgehog opposite the dying embers, Espio replied in a louder voice than necessary, "Nothing, Tikal's just sleeping in!" Indeed. |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 29, 2009 23:38:40 GMT -5
That wasn't normal. Normally, in fact, Tikal would probably attempt to be the first one up... With this in mind, Athair slowly (and creakily) stood, before walking slowly over to the sleeping teen echidna. He then rested a hand on her shoulder, shaking her himself. "Tikal." |
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Post by Leda on Oct 29, 2009 23:42:24 GMT -5
In his blissful oblivion, however, Espio rose to his feet and shuffled off from the campsite. "Welp, I'm gonna go find a bush to claim. Back in a few." |
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Post by Lans on Oct 30, 2009 0:10:01 GMT -5
A pincecone suddenly came flying through the air to bounce off a tree. However the tree in question was no where near Espio or the others since the one who had thrown it had done so rather blindly. "...Loudmouth lizard...wish he'd turn his mouth invisible..." Manic muttered as he reluctantly sat up and stretched. |
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Post by Leda on Oct 30, 2009 0:29:44 GMT -5
With Athair's gentle coaxing, Tikal's eyes eventually managed to flutter open. "Good morning, Elder," she managed to greet through a yawn. "Do you need anything?" |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 30, 2009 0:37:40 GMT -5
With that, Athair's concern evaporated, and he smiled. "No, grandaughter. You simply slept in is all." He was actually... relieved of this fact, actually. After all, she definitely needed more rest then it seemed she got. |
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Post by Leda on Oct 30, 2009 0:45:23 GMT -5
The priestess groggily laboured upright, idly rubbing at her eyes. "Oof, I did sleep late, didn't I? I'd better get to work on breakfast..." As she took in her surroundings, Tikal's eye fell on the dozing green hedgehog. Her brows furrowed before she turned aside again. |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 30, 2009 0:55:46 GMT -5
None of this went unnoticed by the Elder, who looked down at his granddaughter. For a long moment, he was quiet, until he spoke softly, just loudly enough for Tikal to hear him. " ... What happened, granddaughter?" |
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Post by Lans on Oct 30, 2009 0:58:28 GMT -5
And dozing he was, for Manic had drifted back to sleep, even while he was sitting. |
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Post by Leda on Oct 30, 2009 0:58:37 GMT -5
The apprehension vanished as she flashed her ancestor a pleasant expression. "Nothing of consequence, sir. I just got distracted." Tikal wrapped her cloak back around her shoulders, then shuffled forward on her knees to sort what remained of the food supply. |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 30, 2009 1:10:28 GMT -5
The elder nodded, scratching lightly at his chin, before he responded, his voice even, and should Tikal look at him, completely straight-faced. "I assumed as much. I just thought you would be in higher spirits when you came back last night." |
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Post by Leda on Oct 30, 2009 1:14:22 GMT -5
The priestess froze, until turning her slightly bewildered blue eyes back toward her grandfather. How did he know about that?? And now he'd cornered her in a lie. Did he have the same feelings on non-echidnas as her father? If so, she could be in for quite a lecture. Even if the Elder didn't share the sentiment, she would at least be in for one when Pachacamac found out. "U-um... I..." |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 30, 2009 1:24:39 GMT -5
The elder chuckled softly, resting a hand on the stunned teen's shoulder. "Relax, Tikal. Take a deep breath." His expression had shifted into a small smile, before he carefully sat next to his granddaughter. "I'm actually rather pleased you found happiness with someone. However this..." He murmured, motioning towards the hedgehog Tikal was... ignoring. "Has been unexpected. And I only knew about last night because Manic spoke to me after he parted ways with you. He was rather upset with himself, I might add." |
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Post by Leda on Oct 30, 2009 1:30:46 GMT -5
Tikal shot Manic a glance as well, but her mood didn't change. "I made a mess of things," she eventually admitted. "I got really carried away and just... I didn't think. I never do, really." The girl sighed and resumed rationing the remaining resources. "It's just a shame my stupidity affected someone else this time." |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 30, 2009 14:05:04 GMT -5
Athair remained quiet for a moment, before he moved his hand to the younger echidna's head, patting softly. "There is a difference between stupidity, and simple naivete." |
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Post by Leda on Oct 30, 2009 14:11:26 GMT -5
As always, the priestess welcomed the affection, but this time her face remained pensive. "But Father's been telling me for... well, forever really, that I expect too much of people." Her attention returned to selecting the foods she would prepare and which she would pack, adding lowly, " I'm selfish and don't even appreciate what I do get." |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 30, 2009 14:45:26 GMT -5
And again we come to Pachacamac. The elder mused, sparing a small glance in the larger echidna's direction, before his focus returned to Tikal. Your father is an idiot, who at times seems like nothing more than a waste of space. Athair mentally grumbled, but he didn't voice, instead simply petting the pensive teen's head. "You are the least selfish person I know, Tikal." He sighed, closing his eyes a moment before he continued. "But... while I can understand that you may be disappointed in Manic for... reasons I'm not clear on, you should at least consider giving him a chance to redeem himself."
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Post by Leda on Oct 30, 2009 14:55:05 GMT -5
"But..." Tikal's face tilted skyward, and her jaw clenched. "Just... He's said and done such horrible things... Things that I wouldn't have guessed of him. He's been so kind to me." Gazing over her shoulder at the narcoleptic hedgehog, she continued, "But, he told me himself of some of the mean deeds he's done... And he was so... pleased with himself. And he's so cruel to Espio..." Feeling the pangs of disappointment return, the echidna dumped her face into her hands, rendering her next sentence indistinguishable. |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 2, 2009 1:07:41 GMT -5
Athair considered this for a long moment, scratching at his chin, before he glanced at Manic. Then in the direction Espio had gone. "Tikal... I am going to let you in on a secret, that may help you understand." The elder began, leaning in conspiratorially, as he motioned for Tikal to do the same. |
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Post by Leda on Nov 2, 2009 1:09:42 GMT -5
Picking her face back up, the much younger echidna gave her grandfather a puzzled, but obedient expression. "...Elder?" |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 2, 2009 1:14:17 GMT -5
"The secret..." The older echidna began, before glancing around, as if watching for anyone who would be listening in. "Is that boys, especially teenaged ones... suffer a unique form of brain disorder." That some never grow out of. The elder mused again, sparing a small glance Paccy's direction. |
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Post by DB on Nov 2, 2009 1:16:23 GMT -5
 And at this point, nearly on cue, the other echidna snored. Loudly. |
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Post by Leda on Nov 2, 2009 1:16:43 GMT -5
Okay, I was wrong; NOW she's confused. "Brain disorder??" Tikal echoed in disbelief, sitting back slightly and wrinkling her muzzle. |
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 2, 2009 1:21:37 GMT -5
With a sage nod, Athair sat back, resting his hands on the head of his cane, before he continued. "Indeed. One that causes them to be rude, and sometimes even cruel, thinking it to be simple fun, even deriving MORE amusement if someone comes to harm... sometimes." The elder sighed, shaking his head almost sadly, while inwardly wondering how he was keeping his straight face. "However..." He then continued, bringing his head up again. "There is one set of stimuli in particular that can help cure this otherwise permanent condition." |
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