The ring deposits you all safely outside the base and seals up afterwards. Neo Metal Sonic doesn't chase after you, which is something of a mercy.
What's significantly less of a mercy is the sky - it's gone dark and ominously stormy, though the clouds spark not with lightning, but with that same green Chaos Energy you've been facing this entire fight. Worse still, there are now far, far too many robotic planes filling the sky - the Egg Fleet seems to go on endlessly, as far as you can see. Though perhaps it would be more accurate to call it the Neo Metal Sonic Fleet.
Sonic and friends arrive shortly, looking pretty banged up but otherwise still healthy enough to make it here, though they stare up at the sky with obvious concern.
"O...kay, this is definitely not what any of us were expecting."
"We will have to take the fight to them, it seems."
"Easier said than done, I'm afraid... I'm not sure how to pinpoint their leader's exact location to send you all with a ring..."
A jolt of green lightning flashes across the sky and Neo Metal Sonic's voice rings out.
"I expect to see you onboard my fleet in one week's time. That includes you, my loathsome copy."
It seems you don't really have much of a choice. For now, tend to your wounds and try to regroup; you've earned a break after today.
[ Whatever response Lark was expecting, it wasn't this sudden hug from Oscar. But Lark doesn't try to protest or fight it, figuring that if Oscar's the one initiating, then he probably needs it. So he reaches up to try hugging Oscar back. ]
[For all that he's friendly and amicable towards everyone, the truth is that Oscar isn't used to being close to people. He keeps everyone held at arm's length, much as he cares about them, because letting them get too close means causing them pain when he inevitably dies in battle. It's easier to keep that distance, to soften the eventual hurt by never letting himself occupy too much space in someone's heart.
But this place has upended all of that, has shown him over and over again that people want to make room for him in their heart, even if it means they'll get hurt in the end. He's not sure what to make of that, but maybe... maybe it's okay to make a little room in his own heart for them too.
So he just keeps up that hug, giving a little squeeze when Lark returns it.
... yeah, he's a fool, but for right now at least? He's okay with that.]
...I think this is the most emotional I've seen you been here.
[ The weird sense of distance between Oscar and, seemingly, everyone else hasn't escaped Lark's notice. Which...he figured couldn't be helped. He's seen plenty of adults who do the exact same thing, though he imagines the reasons aren't quite the same. ]
[It's not a lie-- Lark has seen him be both happy and furious. But he knows quite well that isn't the type of emotional that Lark means by that, and that's why he's trying to shrug it off a bit, play it down. He isn't good with emotions of that type and he knows it.]
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[ Like Lark said, sometimes instinct isn't so logical. ]
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... he really is an idiot.
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[ So he gets it, or at least he thinks he does. ]
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[It's fine if he gets hurt protecting others. It's fine as long as he keeps everyone else safe.
... right?]
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[ Which is to say, no, it's not fine. ]
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A big bro should be protecting even more than just some soldier. There's that personal connection there, that emotional investment...
... but that's also exactly why it would hurt that much more.
His response to that doesn't come in the form of words. Rather, he reaches out to just silently tug Lark into a tight hug.]
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But this place has upended all of that, has shown him over and over again that people want to make room for him in their heart, even if it means they'll get hurt in the end. He's not sure what to make of that, but maybe... maybe it's okay to make a little room in his own heart for them too.
So he just keeps up that hug, giving a little squeeze when Lark returns it.
... yeah, he's a fool, but for right now at least? He's okay with that.]
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[ The weird sense of distance between Oscar and, seemingly, everyone else hasn't escaped Lark's notice. Which...he figured couldn't be helped. He's seen plenty of adults who do the exact same thing, though he imagines the reasons aren't quite the same. ]
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[It's not a lie-- Lark has seen him be both happy and furious. But he knows quite well that isn't the type of emotional that Lark means by that, and that's why he's trying to shrug it off a bit, play it down. He isn't good with emotions of that type and he knows it.]
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[He knows he doesn't really have to ask, but.]
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[ If it's ever going to be let slip, let it be Oscar's own doing. ]
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[Never mind that there technically are no rules to promises other than "don't break them." There are now because Oscar says so.]
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[ Lark feels it's a little childish, but...well, it's fine if it's with his big bro. He holds out his pinkie, as suggested. ]
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But Oscar will link his own pinky with Lark's to complete the swear. It's almost funny given how much bigger Oscar's hand is...]
An' you know what happens if you go breakin' somethin' like this, so I don't think I need to say.
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[ Just to make sure they're on the same page, ]
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Gotta swallow a thousand needles.
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He knows how this will end eventually. But until then...]
... thanks.
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He will take that hair ruffle without protest. ]
Someone's gotta tell you this sorta thing.
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[Like, Lark's not wrong, but.
Bottom text: BAD ADULT]no subject
[ Oscar is only proving his point. ]
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