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Post by Jamie Lee on Sept 23, 2007 20:28:03 GMT -5
Morning drew in yet another day over the shady little treeborne village of Meadowood. On one of the tree branches by a small lodge a cyan hedgehog dozed, his body covered up in a blanket he'd confiscated from the night's earlier escapade. A shaft of sunlight poked itself through the leaves, hitting itself directly on his face. His already trouble expression scrunched. Turning his head to one side he shifted and brought a hand up attempting to shield the light away. Smacking his lips and taking in a deep breath he groaned his disapproval before his eyes finally opened a slit. He glanced around at the indistinguishable blobs of light and color in a dreamy daze before he slowly began to realize where he was and why. Immediately his head began to throb violently like a hammer had been brought down on his crown.
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Post by Leda on Sept 25, 2007 1:09:51 GMT -5
The sound of footfalls tapped delicately against the boardwalk. They weren't particularly loud, but against the quiet stillness of the early morning, they seemed as much. Rouge slowly edged her way along the path, her slender hands folded behind her back, with no particular goal in mind. She often went for walks, especially when the others in the village were sleeping. She didn't especially enjoy being seen. It was at times like these when her typically restless soul could relax somewhat. However, this morning she wasn't quite alone. Rouge's sharp ears perked up as the cyan hedgehog gradually came to his senses. Though she still felt a strong sense of guilt over the incident from the day before, the bat's face remained devoid of emotion as she shielded her eyes and peered up at her neighbor. "Everything okay?"
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Post by Jamie Lee on Sept 26, 2007 0:37:47 GMT -5
"Mmph... wha?" he asked, rubbing at his eyes and sitting up. He glanced around, specifically toward Nik's hut, half expecting it to have been covered in toilet paper in something. It wasn't. Thank goodness. The poor boy was spooked enough already and he was convinced the prior night had been no help. Glancing back at Rouge he smiled weakly. "Aye. Fair morning, milady?"
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Post by Leda on Sept 26, 2007 2:09:21 GMT -5
"Fair enough," she replied flatly. The bat's expression remained hard as a rock. To the inexperienced (and probably a lot of the experienced), Rouge's persona could've easily been interpreted as cold and uncaring. A breath of air whisped through the leaves, and Rouge's body shook itself in an attempt to ward off any invading cold. It wasn't a particularly brisk morning, but... well, she was usually cold anyway. Rubbing her palms against the fur of her bare arms, she eventually looked back up to Rob and called out again. "Need anything?"
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Post by Jamie Lee on Sept 26, 2007 2:58:47 GMT -5
"I wouldn't complain about having a new spine," he said as he picked himself up. The branch he'd chosen to perch on, like many in the oversized forest of trees, was large enough for him to use as a pathway. He arched his back and then twisted himself to either side, stretching himself out with a serious of pops to his joints, then began folding up the blanket he'd used. His aching back bothered him; though he preferred sleeping on firm surfaces over soft, the unyielding wood had been unforgiving. It was a great way to start the day, really. He glanced upward at the sky. Judging from the color of the sky and the direction the sunlight had been hitting him he guessed it to be fairly early in the morning. Idly he wondered if anyone else was even awake. "So what brings you out at such an early hour?" he asked, tucking the blanket under his arm and hopping down onto the pathway.
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Post by Leda on Sept 26, 2007 11:02:22 GMT -5
"I was awake," Rouge replied, offering no further explanation. With a second shiver, she stepped around the hedgehog and headed for the well. " I'll go boil some water."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Sept 27, 2007 1:51:14 GMT -5
The hedgehog turned, looking at her somewhat disappointed, "Alright then," he replied. Any other time he might have followed after her, but not this morning. He had other responsibilities. Readjusting the blanket to be held in front of him he folded one arm over the other and looked up at the hut he'd placed Nik into the previous day. Idly he wondered if he should try checking on him, though, he reminded himself, it was probably too early in the morning...
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Post by V for Vizetta on Sept 28, 2007 0:41:20 GMT -5
Of course, at that moment, another early riser came walking down one of the paths, towards Rob and the Overlander's hut, one hand clasped behind his head as he whistled softly, the other swinging at his side, a thermos clasped in it.
Now, seeing Vic awake at this time of day wasn't all that odd, actually. He always had a tendency to be up almost before the sun rose, but not actually come out of his hut until well into the morning. So in truth, it was seeing him outside at this time of day that was odd.
Upon seeing Rob, Vic's whistling stopped, but he continued walking, stopping as he reached the hedgehog.
"Um... hi, Rob." The squirrel held out the thermos, which was now recognizable as one from the kitchen hut. "I brought ya some coffee as a way of apologizing for being part of that whole... thing, last night."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Sept 29, 2007 0:52:52 GMT -5
Rob glanced at the squirrel, accepting the thermos from him and looking it over. He preferred tea, really, but it would have been rude not to accept. "Aye, don't worry yourself about it. I..." he paused, pressing his lips together before sighing heavily. "I should have known Espio wouldn't understand what I wanted him to do."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Sept 29, 2007 23:14:19 GMT -5
Vic looked down at the ground a little nervously, coughing once before he responded.
"In Espio's defense, he told me that he was supposed to keep anyone from disturbing the Overlander. I even offered to help, even if only to keep him company, and he really was trying to keep Lindy quiet..."
The squirrel went quiet, looking the hedgehog in the eyes. He'd made his move on behalf of the chameleon... How Rob reacted was up to him.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Oct 2, 2007 0:50:13 GMT -5
"Aye, yes, I can understand..." he sighed. "I just... I wanted him to do it by himself and asked him to stay hidden from sight. Nik is very afraid of us and somebody's already booby-trapped his lodge once. But I didn't want him having the impression he was a prisoner or some sort." He paused, turning his attention toward the human's shelter. "I've not yet been able to decide whether I should check on him now or wait. He said he came from underground so he may not even be on the same watch as us."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 2, 2007 0:57:22 GMT -5
Vic nodded, looking towards the shelter himself.
"If you want, I could check on him. It'd prolly be for the best if he saw more than just you, no offense... I know if I was in a new place, and only ever saw the same person, I'd get a little paranoid that I was being guarded."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Oct 3, 2007 1:06:52 GMT -5
The hedgehog tapped at his chin and took a sip from the thermos. He hadn't really thought of it that way, but, now that it was brought up it did make sense. "If you'd like. All I ask if you try to be gentle with him."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 3, 2007 1:15:09 GMT -5
Vic grinned as he headed towards the hut. "Don't worry, Rob, you act like I'm gonna attack him or something."
The squirrel walked up to the door, knocking on it quietly before peeking in.
"Hello? Um... Overlander? You awake?"
At the lack of ANY kind of response, Vic walked farther into the shelter, looking at the bed... something wasn't right...
Vic reached out... and nudged the piled up blankets, which fell off the bed, revealing... matress.
The Overlander was gone.
"... ROOOOOB!" Vic turned and bolted out of the hut, unsure if Rob had walked off yet.
"THE OVERLANDER! HE'S GONE."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Oct 8, 2007 23:12:51 GMT -5
Rob had probably taken a grand total of five steps when he stopped dead in his tracks, feeling his spines bristle under his hood in alarm. "Gone?!" he said. His mind began to race. Where would he have gone to? He didn't know his way around the village, and if the previous day was any judge he wasn't the sort to go casually strolling around either... Did he try to sneak out and leave the village? It seemed more plausible, but the thought left him feeling slightly nauseated. Stumbling around in the dark without knowing the laying was dangerous, as high up as the village was a fall from such a height could easily be fatal. Rob groaned, rubbing his forehead. It was too early in the morning for the drama to begin. "Vic, would you help me look for him please? I'm going to check if the lifts have been used..."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 10, 2007 0:01:17 GMT -5
Vic nodded, and then took off without another word, climbing up onto a shelter and hopping from roof to roof, to get a better view of his surroundings.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Oct 14, 2007 4:15:33 GMT -5
It was just as Rob feared. One of the elevators had indeed recently been used, and whoever had used it failed to trigger the mechanism that would draw the platform back up. While this was a bad sign, he reminded himself he couldn't jump to conclusions just yet. Unfortunately, a quick search through the village on his own revealed nothing. He rubbed at his forehead in concern. This wasn't good.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 24, 2007 0:41:29 GMT -5
Vize soon found Rob again, panting with the exertion he'd put his body through as he caught his breath, not quite able to speak.
Once he'd caught his breath, though, he straightened, his expression a little grim.
"I couldn't find him anywhere in the village, and judging from your expression, he DID use the lift."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 3, 2007 21:18:14 GMT -5
"... Aye. I just did a round about the village after and to be sure and couldn't find him either." his bit his lip as he pondered over what course of action to take. It seemed fairly clear to him. "Help me get the others up. I think he might have headed for Mercia..."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 3, 2007 22:57:15 GMT -5
Vic nearly choked at that statement. Mercia? That overlander was gonna walk straight into Robotnik's hands!
With a nod, Vic took off, hollering at the top of his lungs for everyone to get up.
If he ticked someone off... oh well, at least it got 'em up!
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Post by Lans on Nov 5, 2007 23:58:54 GMT -5
"Who's headed for Mercia?" came the voice of Manic Hedgehog, who had been on his way to breakfast, still looking like he just got out of bed (which admittedly wasn't much of a difference from his usual quill style).
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Post by Leda on Nov 6, 2007 3:01:35 GMT -5
Further down the boardwalk, Vic's shouting had a very negative effect. Rouge folded her sensitive ears backwards and pressed her hands firmly against them, the bucket of water she'd retreived sloshing a bit at her feet. Did he HAVE to be so loud? And so early in the morning, too...
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 6, 2007 3:05:45 GMT -5
Vic, upon sighting Rouge, skidded to a stop in front of her, gasping for breath.
"Rouge! Overlander! *gasp* Lift! *wheeze* MERCIA! *GASP*"
The squirrel was obviously agitated, although his message was a bit... disjointed.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 6, 2007 3:09:12 GMT -5
Rob wanted to wince when he heard that voice, the other hedgehog's behavior the previous day still clear in his mind. He turned, giving Manic a look of grave seriousness. "Nik."
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Post by Lans on Nov 7, 2007 0:28:22 GMT -5
A variety of emotions flickered accross the green hedgehog's face before finally settling on gloating anger. "I warned you, I TOLD you! But NOOOOOO! Now the hairless ape's run off to Itz, probably to lead him right to us!"
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 7, 2007 2:47:19 GMT -5
Rob's expression only seemed to deepen, the shadows of his hood seeming to strengthen the effect. "That will be enough out of you. He's lost, and I don't even know for sure if Mercia is where he's gone. If it weren't for all of your reckless, childish behavior he may not have even left at all!"
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Post by Lans on Nov 12, 2007 1:15:30 GMT -5
"It's my fault!? He's been wanting to leave ever since he got here! If you'd get you head out of your butt you could tell that he's nothing but a lousey SPY!"
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 12, 2007 2:09:39 GMT -5
Rob's quills bristled a bit beneath his hood. "And just HOW do you know that?" he asked slowly. "What facts do you have behind such a claim?"
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Post by Lans on Nov 12, 2007 2:16:40 GMT -5
"Are you kidding!? He's an overlander for crying out loud!" Manic practically shouted. "What, you think it was just COINCIDENCE that the only person that didn't flee Mobitropolis during the coup and didn't get roboticized was the only other one of them besides the king of lard himself in the city?"
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 12, 2007 2:22:25 GMT -5
Rob took in a deep breath to steady himself and his quickly rising blood pressure, instead merely closing his eyes and shaking his head in response. "I thought so." He turned and motioned like he was going to walk off, but paused, "And I supposed if Robotnik had been a hedgehog you would despise yourself for it. And me as well." And then he began to walk off for real. "If you don't want to be involved, then stay here. But I'm going to Mercia to find Nik."
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