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.
[ he'll raise an eyebrow at them cutting themselves off but also continue with his thought as they work through whatever is going up there in their head. ]
Look, I've said this before about Needle-Noggin', he's also done some crazy stuff given everythin' that he is and I don't think of him any different. [ if anything, you could even say that he thinks more of vash now than he did then. which, unfortunately, void archives should be aware of as well though wolfwood still doesn't want to sweep his previous opinion of vash hadn't existed at all. ] ...not anymore anyway.
[ and if he ever did see vash in the form that people would hardly consider to be anything resembling a human to begin with, wolfwood would say the same. vash is vash much the same way that void archives is the same pain in his ass as they have always been. ]
If ya ever were a "tool" to begin with then it doesn't mean ya have to be one now. As far as I can see it, tools don't go back-talkin' the people they're meant to work with or able to make choices of whether they want to have some stupid fruity drink or not.
[ Void Archives is about to potentially try to swing back around to the thought, not even sure if they can finish it as the words escape them, but ironically enough, it seems Wolfwood has loosely followed it well enough. ]
Hmm...not anymore, you say. I suppose I should be fortunate, that he has given you perspective towards those who are - well, not exactly human.
[ There was a shift in how they almost phrased that. But, only by a hair. They already know that in their mindscape it showed that they believed that they would go back to being such. Trapped and losing their freedom of mind. The "humanity" they grasped despite not being one themselves. Yet, they don't want to call themselves less than whatever they think they are now...so, in this moment where their own personal progress might have been diminished, they tried to sort of. Claim some of it back.
Though, they pass Wolfwood like a slight bit of a look at his other words. A hint of amusement. ]
Typically...they would fall into line with ease, yes. [ Pause. ] They wouldn't hold such opinions or - have personal preferences. Or perhaps, find amusement in back-talking such individuals.
Not every day people run into beings that can wipe out entire planets if they feel like it. [ wolfwood says easily but in earnest. even with the taste that he had gotten with void archives’ history, he figures that he can piece enough things together based on everything that they’ve experienced so far. it's funny how someone like him has had as much experience as he has regarding beings that may or may not seem as human as they first appear.
yet, it’s that humanity that they may or may not possess that ends up being what bothers them the most. suppose that’s why there’s something about uncovering little idiosyncrasies about them so much more important—something that wolfwood shares with the sort of hope that void archives is able to understand that much without needing to spell it out. ] Even less people realize that they can have a huge sweet tooth and will eat boxes upon boxes of doughnuts.
[ he continues with the same amount of casualness in his voice as he takes their amusement as a good sign of things. ]
…and didn’t think they would. Be real fuckin’ weird if that was a thing that could happen; I’m not sure what I’d do if my fork started to talk back to me. [ he’ll frown, but only in exaggeration and not in any level of seriousness or concern of this actually happening. ] But—
[ wolfwood drops the act just long enough to show that what he says next is not something he is taking lightly. he has promised far worse and far more extreme measures but it’s very unlikely that they’ll be dragged to those lengths here. ]
If it does happen again—however unlikely it’d be—I got two hands to use as a reminder.
Ah...well, certainly not. But, it seems that you have a tendency to meet such individuals quite often, I suppose.
[ Void Archives does so happen to find that a bit amusing for him to deal with the aspect on a consistent basis, apparently? They wonder if it's just sheer coincidence or simply up to the hand of fate. But, even with matters in mind, it seems to have...been integral in their interactions.
They do lend an ear to the sharing of Vash's preferences - the blond's sweet tooth, that is, tilting their head ever so slightly. It is not for the simple matter of sharing, and they read between the lines. ]
Heh. If your fork dared to talk back at you, I believe that there would be quite a few other potential troubling aspects to contend with. Though...
I do understand what you're getting at. Including you mentioning your dearest one's sweet tooth.
[ There's a short pause as the man makes it clear, about what he would intend to do if it should happen again. And, well, Void Archives is...not really the optimist here in it not reappearing once more. ]
...I do believe it's highly likely he will attempt it again. As much as I loathe to say it, it is a sound strategy, to turn allies so harshly against one another. [ ... ] But, very well.
It's...difficult to accept what had happened, and that it may happen again. Though, I suppose you have proven reliable before, haven't you?
Luckly 'ol me. And who said that God doesn't play favorites?
[ the dryness in wolfwood's voice cannot be understated as snorts. truly what is about him and meeting people who are far less human than human and have great destructive potential? doubly so that they're, largely, blond? if there's another snide remark that wolfwood can make about his whole situation to make light of their's or a half-baked appreciation of them being able to understand wolfwood's actual message without saying anything then it's going to need to wait until wolfwood's brain gets back on track.
hearing them use a word that he would never use to describe vash catches him off-guard more than it probably should. in fact, it causes him to choke on the smoke and the cigarette itself all at once as he sputters. it also goes to say that wolfwood's reaction is the confirmation that he had been talking about vash to begin with. he loves this for himself. it's not very long before wolfwood recovers, at least. ]
[ so happy for them to be in a better mood—enough to tease him about this.... truly. though as the tone changes and allowing wolfwood time to properly put himself back together, he'll raise an eyebrow. look at them (both of them) making some proper progress with the state of things. ]
...but sounds like ya feelin' a little bit of guilt there. How fortunate for ya that I don't feel like disappointin' either one of us so ya don't have to deal with any more of that.
Lucky you indeed. Perhaps you should print out that phrase and stick it to a shirt that you can wear.
[ Void Archives simply says with their questionable sense of humor in turn. Typically, meeting such destructive forces of nature are bound to not be a sign of anything good, of course. Though, they so happen to grant pause at his reaction to their phrasing - which was actually mostly a slip of the tongue. They usually reserve that terminology for Vash in accordance to Wolfwood's potential view of him for their own headspace.
...But, they don't particularly care now that they've voiced it aloud. ]
Hm. Is it?
[ They fall silent for a moment, as if considering from now on strictly referring to him as that. Though, they give further pause when he points out the aspect about guilt. It's funny, that, yes...it is true that they might be, just a tad. But, even for their own thoughts on the matter - the semblance of feeling at 'fault' for not being able to resist - they would rather not be blamed for what happened. Yet, how can they not be? Still...that's definitely not the sense they're getting here. ]
I'd rather not go ahead and say that I feel such things. But, I may have already spoken in a way to indicate that it is so, so it feels moot. Should I express my gratitude to you in advance for knowing you will not be a disappointment in assisting in helping myself evade such reoccurrences, however?
[ wolfwood is, without a doubt, going to give them a stink eye as he lights up another smoke when they try to play coy. they both know what they did—slip up to not—it’s how they view vash to wolfwood and that’s enough to earn the stare he gives them. though worse of all, probably, is the way that wolfwood suddenly imagines just how that would have gone should his """dearest""" be present with them. the mental image causing him to drag a hand over his face as he takes a long drag. ]
I’m so glad he’s not here to hear any of this. I’d never hear the end of it from him if he ever overheard someone say that.
[ because it was something that could easily be played as a joke even if they was a deeper meaning and a level of sincerity to it. vash had gotten worked up for far simpler niceties that wolfwood had thrown his way. and as the jokes subside and void archives takes their moment to get lost in their head, wolfwood waits it out to see what becomes of it. the results… feeling about right.
or, well, probably more than “about right”. it sort of feels like they’ve made some level of progress towards understanding things that aren’t entirely logical or reserved for things that are completely cold and unfeeling. it’s progress that wolfwood feels generous enough to “reward”. ]
Sure. I’ll accept yer thanks now for whatever the fuck my future self is gonna have to deal with.
[ ...in his own way. ]
However, if ya end up winnin' against the next cheap shot that guy takes at ya, I promise to express my gratitude for it when it happens.
[ 'You know what you did', shaming sign for Void Archives. It'd be hilariously perfect, because they absolutely said what they said on purpose - even if it's seemingly low key, it is definitely in reminiscent of their usual brand of nonsense. They have no idea of what things would have gone like, but when they see him take a long drag, the amusement kind of just...creeps in a little more?
Less going through the motions and less small - more overt now even if it's a twinkle in their eyes at the moment. ]
Would he now? A pity we can't have him suddenly become aware of the conversation and write down his thoughts.
[ But, they start smiling a little when he at first says that he accepts his thanks.
Before, well...they just hold in a reaction of overt surprise, pausing for a moment to just chuckle. ]
...Hmm. Winning against the next cheap shot? You mean to suggest that you can see myself fully resisting any further future attempts to be under his control - entirely?
[ They...didn't think of that as a possibility. They assumed that it would be a natural forceful take over and then, well, potentially the same pattern as before.
But, now that he's voiced it, they kind of can't stop thinking about it... ]
[ before this game ends, wolfwood is going to give void archives one of those pet shaming signs for them to wear. somehow this will happen and when it does wolfwood may find the exhaustion he feels nice be worth it. ...though he really doesn't want to think about how things would be if vash was here. for a multitude of reasons. ]
The guy's worse than ya are about compliments and praise. If I ever said anythin' like that to him, he'd probably explode.
[ given the sort of person that wolfwood is, that shouldn't be too hard to believe all things considered. wolfwood, a man who holds his compliments and praise close to his heart and will only offer them when the time seems appropriate. or something like that. either way, he'll raise an eyebrow when they seem to be surprised about wolfwood's suggestion.
was it really that much of a surprise? here he was thinking it would have been the most logical step to take. why worry about what to do about the next time if you can just avoid it entirely. ]
I was also thinkin' of bein' able to break out of it on yer own but if ya could resist it entirely then that's just bein' an overachiever at that point.
[ Always up for stupid, comedic hijinks, so it'd be absolutely hilarious. They would own up to their nonsense as always. Or maybe they would find some way to make it worse and make Wolfwood want to smoke a lot or drink with however they managed it. ]
Really now? I can't imagine it would be that bad...
[ Beat. ]
...Would it?
[ It sounds like it'd be kind of amusing to watch go down, though. When Wolfwood raises an eyebrow at their reaction, they cross their arms immediately as if to give a nonverbal questioning to the inquiring look. Yet when they speak again, it is a bit of a different story. ]
Well, I suppose the possibility I came to would be far too implausible to make happen in the first place. I am not that level of foolishly idealistic. And although I can only imagine for that level of strength it would be simply miraculous, the best that I can hope for without intervention would be to break out of it myself.
[ looks at how things are going so far in week 8……… there sure is plenty of time left. ]
Maybe.
I don’t exactly go pattin’ him on the back whenever he fucks somethin’ up or makes a mess of things. [ there’s positive feedback and then there’s positive reinforcement. both are very different and neither one of them wolfwood wants to use to encourage any of vash’s bad behavior. wolfwood pauses for a moment to consider something before shrugging. ] He might even find it weird if I did and think that somethin’ was wrong.
[ a very likely scenario, honestly. given the kind of person wolfwood is—for him to suddenly start complimenting vash or giving him praise… it would never be within the context of anything good. wolfwood will remain mildly curious about their answer even if it falls more in line with what is far more realistic to happen. ]
Never say never, but I’d hold out on the possibility of bein’ able to break yerself out of whatever hold they try. Ya never know, maybe the next time will be easier after goin’ through it once before.
[ as though that was anything to be happy with… ]
[ Things are going totally great! Nothing terrible is going wrong or is going to happen and comedic hijinks are definitely going to potentially continue in this plenty of time left. Absolutely trustable statement. ]
Well, I would be surprised if you did. Though, it is kind of an amusing image. Have you ever considered doing it at all for fun at some point in the future? Just once?
[ Wolfwood encouraging terrible behavior? Perish the thought! Void Archives wouldn't exactly say that it's wrong or anything, either, because they'll always be something like an enabler.
Which is probably more evidence that they're a bad influence, really. ]
I suppose I just have to think it possible.
...That said, I would vastly prefer even greater being able to stop him before he tries it again, and I dare not say it is impossible, though I recognize the potential sheer difficulty of it. Yet, even that seems more plausible then whatever conclusion I came to before.
[ In other words, no, they are not happy with the possibility of a second time. Regardless of however it happens. ]
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no subject
[ he'll raise an eyebrow at them cutting themselves off but also continue with his thought as they work through whatever is going up there in their head. ]
Look, I've said this before about Needle-Noggin', he's also done some crazy stuff given everythin' that he is and I don't think of him any different. [ if anything, you could even say that he thinks more of vash now than he did then. which, unfortunately, void archives should be aware of as well though wolfwood still doesn't want to sweep his previous opinion of vash hadn't existed at all. ] ...not anymore anyway.
[ and if he ever did see vash in the form that people would hardly consider to be anything resembling a human to begin with, wolfwood would say the same. vash is vash much the same way that void archives is the same pain in his ass as they have always been. ]
If ya ever were a "tool" to begin with then it doesn't mean ya have to be one now. As far as I can see it, tools don't go back-talkin' the people they're meant to work with or able to make choices of whether they want to have some stupid fruity drink or not.
no subject
Hmm...not anymore, you say. I suppose I should be fortunate, that he has given you perspective towards those who are - well, not exactly human.
[ There was a shift in how they almost phrased that. But, only by a hair. They already know that in their mindscape it showed that they believed that they would go back to being such. Trapped and losing their freedom of mind. The "humanity" they grasped despite not being one themselves. Yet, they don't want to call themselves less than whatever they think they are now...so, in this moment where their own personal progress might have been diminished, they tried to sort of. Claim some of it back.
Though, they pass Wolfwood like a slight bit of a look at his other words. A hint of amusement. ]
Typically...they would fall into line with ease, yes. [ Pause. ] They wouldn't hold such opinions or - have personal preferences. Or perhaps, find amusement in back-talking such individuals.
no subject
yet, it’s that humanity that they may or may not possess that ends up being what bothers them the most. suppose that’s why there’s something about uncovering little idiosyncrasies about them so much more important—something that wolfwood shares with the sort of hope that void archives is able to understand that much without needing to spell it out. ] Even less people realize that they can have a huge sweet tooth and will eat boxes upon boxes of doughnuts.
[ he continues with the same amount of casualness in his voice as he takes their amusement as a good sign of things. ]
…and didn’t think they would. Be real fuckin’ weird if that was a thing that could happen; I’m not sure what I’d do if my fork started to talk back to me. [ he’ll frown, but only in exaggeration and not in any level of seriousness or concern of this actually happening. ] But—
[ wolfwood drops the act just long enough to show that what he says next is not something he is taking lightly. he has promised far worse and far more extreme measures but it’s very unlikely that they’ll be dragged to those lengths here. ]
If it does happen again—however unlikely it’d be—I got two hands to use as a reminder.
no subject
[ Void Archives does so happen to find that a bit amusing for him to deal with the aspect on a consistent basis, apparently? They wonder if it's just sheer coincidence or simply up to the hand of fate. But, even with matters in mind, it seems to have...been integral in their interactions.
They do lend an ear to the sharing of Vash's preferences - the blond's sweet tooth, that is, tilting their head ever so slightly. It is not for the simple matter of sharing, and they read between the lines. ]
Heh. If your fork dared to talk back at you, I believe that there would be quite a few other potential troubling aspects to contend with. Though...
I do understand what you're getting at. Including you mentioning your dearest one's sweet tooth.
[ There's a short pause as the man makes it clear, about what he would intend to do if it should happen again. And, well, Void Archives is...not really the optimist here in it not reappearing once more. ]
...I do believe it's highly likely he will attempt it again. As much as I loathe to say it, it is a sound strategy, to turn allies so harshly against one another. [ ... ] But, very well.
It's...difficult to accept what had happened, and that it may happen again. Though, I suppose you have proven reliable before, haven't you?
no subject
[ the dryness in wolfwood's voice cannot be understated as snorts. truly what is about him and meeting people who are far less human than human and have great destructive potential? doubly so that they're, largely, blond? if there's another snide remark that wolfwood can make about his whole situation to make light of their's or a half-baked appreciation of them being able to understand wolfwood's actual message without saying anything then it's going to need to wait until wolfwood's brain gets back on track.
hearing them use a word that he would never use to describe vash catches him off-guard more than it probably should. in fact, it causes him to choke on the smoke and the cigarette itself all at once as he sputters. it also goes to say that wolfwood's reaction is the confirmation that he had been talking about vash to begin with. he loves this for himself. it's not very long before wolfwood recovers, at least. ]
Don't refer to him as my "dearest one"; that's givin' me the creeps.
[ so happy for them to be in a better mood—enough to tease him about this.... truly. though as the tone changes and allowing wolfwood time to properly put himself back together, he'll raise an eyebrow. look at them (both of them) making some proper progress with the state of things. ]
...but sounds like ya feelin' a little bit of guilt there. How fortunate for ya that I don't feel like disappointin' either one of us so ya don't have to deal with any more of that.
no subject
[ Void Archives simply says with their questionable sense of humor in turn. Typically, meeting such destructive forces of nature are bound to not be a sign of anything good, of course. Though, they so happen to grant pause at his reaction to their phrasing - which was actually mostly a slip of the tongue. They usually reserve that terminology for Vash in accordance to Wolfwood's potential view of him for their own headspace.
...But, they don't particularly care now that they've voiced it aloud. ]
Hm. Is it?
[ They fall silent for a moment, as if considering from now on strictly referring to him as that. Though, they give further pause when he points out the aspect about guilt. It's funny, that, yes...it is true that they might be, just a tad. But, even for their own thoughts on the matter - the semblance of feeling at 'fault' for not being able to resist - they would rather not be blamed for what happened. Yet, how can they not be? Still...that's definitely not the sense they're getting here. ]
I'd rather not go ahead and say that I feel such things. But, I may have already spoken in a way to indicate that it is so, so it feels moot. Should I express my gratitude to you in advance for knowing you will not be a disappointment in assisting in helping myself evade such reoccurrences, however?
no subject
I’m so glad he’s not here to hear any of this. I’d never hear the end of it from him if he ever overheard someone say that.
[ because it was something that could easily be played as a joke even if they was a deeper meaning and a level of sincerity to it. vash had gotten worked up for far simpler niceties that wolfwood had thrown his way. and as the jokes subside and void archives takes their moment to get lost in their head, wolfwood waits it out to see what becomes of it. the results… feeling about right.
or, well, probably more than “about right”. it sort of feels like they’ve made some level of progress towards understanding things that aren’t entirely logical or reserved for things that are completely cold and unfeeling. it’s progress that wolfwood feels generous enough to “reward”. ]
Sure. I’ll accept yer thanks now for whatever the fuck my future self is gonna have to deal with.
[ ...in his own way. ]
However, if ya end up winnin' against the next cheap shot that guy takes at ya, I promise to express my gratitude for it when it happens.
no subject
Less going through the motions and less small - more overt now even if it's a twinkle in their eyes at the moment. ]
Would he now? A pity we can't have him suddenly become aware of the conversation and write down his thoughts.
[ But, they start smiling a little when he at first says that he accepts his thanks.
Before, well...they just hold in a reaction of overt surprise, pausing for a moment to just chuckle. ]
...Hmm. Winning against the next cheap shot? You mean to suggest that you can see myself fully resisting any further future attempts to be under his control - entirely?
[ They...didn't think of that as a possibility. They assumed that it would be a natural forceful take over and then, well, potentially the same pattern as before.
But, now that he's voiced it, they kind of can't stop thinking about it... ]
no subject
The guy's worse than ya are about compliments and praise. If I ever said anythin' like that to him, he'd probably explode.
[ given the sort of person that wolfwood is, that shouldn't be too hard to believe all things considered. wolfwood, a man who holds his compliments and praise close to his heart and will only offer them when the time seems appropriate. or something like that. either way, he'll raise an eyebrow when they seem to be surprised about wolfwood's suggestion.
was it really that much of a surprise? here he was thinking it would have been the most logical step to take. why worry about what to do about the next time if you can just avoid it entirely. ]
I was also thinkin' of bein' able to break out of it on yer own but if ya could resist it entirely then that's just bein' an overachiever at that point.
no subject
Really now? I can't imagine it would be that bad...
[ Beat. ]
...Would it?
[ It sounds like it'd be kind of amusing to watch go down, though. When Wolfwood raises an eyebrow at their reaction, they cross their arms immediately as if to give a nonverbal questioning to the inquiring look. Yet when they speak again, it is a bit of a different story. ]
Well, I suppose the possibility I came to would be far too implausible to make happen in the first place. I am not that level of foolishly idealistic. And although I can only imagine for that level of strength it would be simply miraculous, the best that I can hope for without intervention would be to break out of it myself.
no subject
Maybe.
I don’t exactly go pattin’ him on the back whenever he fucks somethin’ up or makes a mess of things. [ there’s positive feedback and then there’s positive reinforcement. both are very different and neither one of them wolfwood wants to use to encourage any of vash’s bad behavior. wolfwood pauses for a moment to consider something before shrugging. ] He might even find it weird if I did and think that somethin’ was wrong.
[ a very likely scenario, honestly. given the kind of person wolfwood is—for him to suddenly start complimenting vash or giving him praise… it would never be within the context of anything good. wolfwood will remain mildly curious about their answer even if it falls more in line with what is far more realistic to happen. ]
Never say never, but I’d hold out on the possibility of bein’ able to break yerself out of whatever hold they try. Ya never know, maybe the next time will be easier after goin’ through it once before.
[ as though that was anything to be happy with… ]
no subject
Well, I would be surprised if you did. Though, it is kind of an amusing image. Have you ever considered doing it at all for fun at some point in the future? Just once?
[ Wolfwood encouraging terrible behavior? Perish the thought! Void Archives wouldn't exactly say that it's wrong or anything, either, because they'll always be something like an enabler.
Which is probably more evidence that they're a bad influence, really. ]
I suppose I just have to think it possible.
...That said, I would vastly prefer even greater being able to stop him before he tries it again, and I dare not say it is impossible, though I recognize the potential sheer difficulty of it. Yet, even that seems more plausible then whatever conclusion I came to before.
[ In other words, no, they are not happy with the possibility of a second time. Regardless of however it happens. ]