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Post by Leda on Jun 19, 2009 22:00:45 GMT -5
Espio's eyes remained sharply averted. His throat felt like it was slowly being crushed in a vice. "And.... that's when everyone suddenly told me.. she's a princess."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Jun 19, 2009 22:05:33 GMT -5
Surprisingly, Athair's expression did not change... except for a slight shift towards displeasure. But not at Espio. "Regardless, she should have possessed the presence of mind to at least thank you for going out of your way. And if you were not aware at the time, you shouldn't be blamed for your... ignorance." The echidna paused. "Excuse my choice of phrase."
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Post by Leda on Jun 19, 2009 22:16:47 GMT -5
The teenager's horrified eyes shot up to Athair for confirmation. "I KNOW, RIGHT?! I mean... i-it's not like I just ran into her castle and farted in her face or something!! She never SAID who she was!! It wasn't my FAULT!!" Clearly beginning to get worked up, Espio's breathing escalated as he continued. "And then Rob's suddenly screaming at me and pushing me on the floor and he and that girl are just yellin' and everyone's standing there watching and..." The chameleon clenched his eyes, and his hands pounded into either side of his head in frantic frustration. "Alluva sudden I disgraced my entire village and made everyone look bad and Rob hated me for it and... and... AND... " IT'S NOT FAIR!!!"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Jun 19, 2009 22:40:44 GMT -5
The silence after Espio's last outburst remained unbroken for several long moments, before her turned to the boy walking next to him. "Perhaps... if it is possible, I could speak to... Rob?"
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Post by Leda on Jun 19, 2009 22:51:06 GMT -5
"Why bother?" the defeated boy lamented, sounding choked. "He hates me. And that princess'll prolly chop my head off if I come back."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Jun 19, 2009 23:21:58 GMT -5
"I feel confident that I could convince her to let you keep your head, Espio."
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Post by Leda on Jun 19, 2009 23:45:50 GMT -5
Kicking a rock that had the misfortune of being in his path, Espio mumbled, "Even if she does, Rob still hates me. That look on his face..." Even the simple memory felt like a stab at the boy's stomach. " He's never looked at me like that before. I doubt he'd even let me come back. He's prolly relieved I'm gone."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Jun 20, 2009 20:38:27 GMT -5
Athair glanced at Espio again. "Tell me... how were things between you and Rob before... this all happened?"
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Post by Leda on Jun 20, 2009 20:51:17 GMT -5
" Kinda funky," the chameleon hummed. "It just sorta seems like we keep knocking heads lately... Sometimes by accident, but sometimes, just... I don't know... it's complicated. I mean, just yesterday we had this huge fight, but then later he was really nice and things were better again... It just keeps going back and forth." Sigh. Espio frowned and folded his arms. "Rob never treats me like a grown-up unless I'm in trouble. It's always 'you should know better' and 'that's not how an adult acts' and then a pile of punishment. But whenever I do something RIGHT, he still treats me like a little kid. He always wants me to stay home, or if I actually get to go with him, I can't do anything myself. He never acknowledges what I can really do, he just keeps holding me back."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Jun 20, 2009 21:50:37 GMT -5
The elder nodded, looking at Espio. "How long have you known Rob?"
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Post by Leda on Jun 20, 2009 21:56:51 GMT -5
"Since Mercia got taken over. Rob found me while I was trying to find my folks and brought me home." He paused to do the mental math. " I just turned 13, so... Seven years, give or take?"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Jun 21, 2009 18:50:38 GMT -5
The elder nodded, resting a hand behind his back as he tightened his grip on his cane slightly. "So he's watched you grow up. Perhaps he -does- care about you, but simply has difficulty accepting that you've grown. It sounds like he's trying to protect you."
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Post by Leda on Jun 21, 2009 22:29:29 GMT -5
" Maybe he used to."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Jun 22, 2009 12:20:54 GMT -5
The elder, who's hearing was apparently sharper than someone would give him credit for. "Young man, I know many things, and this I can tell you with quite some certainty. A person will not change their feelings about, or towards, a person very easily. Rob may have been quite upset with you, but I doubt he hates you."
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Post by Leda on Jun 22, 2009 12:36:47 GMT -5
At that, the chameleon scowled. Not that the words weren't reassuring, just... he hated being called "young man." " I guess..."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Jun 22, 2009 16:54:13 GMT -5
"There really is only one way to find out."
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