Check Yourself

[megabuster]

I know everyone is really working hard to figure out what's going on around here lately, but I just wanted to make sure that no matter who you are, you're being careful. Make sure you don't overwork yourselves.

[LOOKING AT YOU, LUCCA.]

And make sure you don't take any undue risks.

[LOOKING AT YOU, ZERO.]

Remember, nobody's in this by themselves!

Comments

proceeds to wreck himself

[awakeningwill]

...I'll try.

[ha ha yeah right no he won't]

Re: proceeds to wreck himself

[megabuster]

[Rock doesn't believe you.]

...If you need any help, let me know. I worry about you.

[awakeningwill]

I'm capable of handling myself, Rock.

[If Zero looks more tired than usual, that's probably... not completely a figment of the imagination.]

[megabuster]

I know you can. But you don't have to. I have your back. You know that, right?

[HE NOTICES...]

[awakeningwill]

I know. But some things, I... [He trailed off, unsure of how to describe the things he felt. It wasn't about the danger. It was about Zero himself.]

I have missions. Things that need to be done. It finally feels... familiar.

[Far more familiar than peace did, anyway. But that wasn't a good thing, was it? Not when he was supposed to be adjusting. He finally found his drive, but he couldn't be happy about it - especially if its cost was the threat of turmoil looming over the school.]

[megabuster]

[Rock was silent as he thought about the implications of Zero's words. Familiarity was something he lacked. If this would help him...]

...I won't stop you, but... Promise me you'll be careful, okay?

[awakeningwill]

I'll... do my best.

[But he couldn't promise anything, not when his best might not be enough.]

[megabuster]

That's all I'm asking.

[It was better than nothing, at least...]

[lovesthepain]

Caution does seem like the wisest way to proceed. I have the suspicion that we'll be seeing more natural disturbances before this is through.

[megabuster]

All the more reason everyone needs to take care. If things get worse, we need to look out for each other.

[lovesthepain]

What we need is clear and rational thought. Reacting if the situation worsens is all well and good, but our goal should be understanding the root cause before it gets worse.

[megabuster]

I agree. But it's weird... None of these strange things happening seems to actually be related, you know? I mean... What's the common thread?

[lovesthepain]

We don't seem to have near enough data to be sure. Rising water levels, minor earthquakes, apparently the wildlife has been evacuating the forest... normally, I might suspect it's a sign of an impending natural disaster, but spaced apart like this, I wonder if that's really the case.

[megabuster]

But flooding and earthquakes are already natural disasters... Whatever this is, it's gotta be an unnatural disaster. I've seen Robot Masters who could create earthquakes and floods before.

[lovesthepain]

I'm talking about something on a much grander scale. These incidents, while inconvenient, certainly haven't been catastrophic in their magnitude. That's what makes me suspect they may merely be symptoms of a much bigger event.

[megabuster]

If only we could figure out what that was, though... It feels awful not knowing. I could imagine Dr. Wily doing something like this... Do you think someone is controlling it?

[lovesthepain]

I don't think we can necessarily rule out the possibility, but I'm hard-pressed to discern a motive for an approach like this. What would they intend to accomplish with a few minor, apparently unconnected changes to the environment?

[megabuster]

I don't know... Unless it's just a test run for something bigger... But I don't know. Agh, it's so confusing!

[lovesthepain]

All the more reason to seek answers.

...I... don't really know where to start, but I think I'm going to assess all the meteorological data for this place that I can. If whatever's happening manifests itself as natural disturbances, maybe we can find some indication where to look next.

[megabuster]

Is there anything I can do to help? I don't want to just sit at the sidelines in all of this...

[lovesthepain]

You're much more familiar with this area than I am. Is there anything you can tell me about the geographical landmarks surrounding the city?

[megabuster]

Well, there's a volcano, but other people are already investigating that. And there's the Floating Island, which is really mysterious... I don't know much about it, really.

[lovesthepain]

The island is an unknown factor, certainly. As for the volcano... who's looking into it? I'd like to make use of their data too, if possible.

[megabuster]

I think Sonic and Blaze were talking about it before on the network...

[lovesthepain]

I'll have to make a point of speaking to them, then. Any data they might collect would be very useful. A volcano's activity level is largely dependent on what's going on far below the ground -- it's possible there's a link between it and the earthquake we experienced.

[megabuster]

Well, the only place I know that far underground besides the volcano are the bunkers under the school...

[lovesthepain]

And we intend to search those ourselves. You will be coming along, correct?

[megabuster]

I'll be glad to help! I've felt terrible being on the sidelines all this time... I'll help in any way I can!

[lovesthepain]

I'm certain you'll prove very useful, in that case. It'll be dark and confined, and we don't know what hostile elements might be there... so plan accordingly.

[megabuster]

Got it! You can count on me! I'll get whatever I can ready!

[tempus_fixit]

[Jeez, what, do you think she's going to go and do something DANGEROUS or something? She scratches her head and pushes down the gut reaction. He's just thinking for her safety, right?]

I'll be careful, Rock! Don't worry!

[megabuster]

[He just fully expects to walk into her workshop and find her passed out with her face on the desk surrounded by machine parts. Maybe more often than usual given recent events.]

I'm glad! With all the strange stuff going on, I admit I'm feeling a little on edge... It feels like something's going to happen, but I can't put my finger on it.

And, you know... I love you. I worry about you.

[tempus_fixit]

[She squinches up in a smile for a second, all defensiveness blown away like dust by his earnestness. Aww, ROCK...]

I love you too! I get the feeling you're going to investigate somewhere, right? Do me a favor and be careful too! I'd hate to see you hurt, even if I CAN put you back together.

[megabuster]

[He had that effect on people.]

I'm going to try and do my part. I don't know where that means I'm going yet, but I promise I'll do my best to stay safe and careful! Having you put me back together would probably put a damper on date night!

[He laughed.]

And you know I'm there for you if you ever need me. Just call me and I'll come running.

[tempus_fixit]

I will. And the same goes for me, only I'll fly.

[Something else occurs to her after that...]

Now that you mention this, I should probably re-advertise my open repair night, too. That way no one has any problem finding a place to get emergency repairs if something DOES happen. Whaddiya think? Should I keep it on Fridays, or move it to the middle of the week?

[She grins.] I dunno about you, but I know I'd rather spend weekends with my boyfriend.

[megabuster]

That's a great idea! I bet it's going to be needed, especially at the rate Zero, Fefnir, and Harpuia go... I don't exactly like to think about it, but it'll be great to have you there in case something goes bad.

[He tapped his chin in thought.] Well, having repairs may be really important... But on the other hand, I want to spend as much time with you as I can...

Hey! No matter which day you pick, I could come be your assistant! I've got experience fixing robots and helping out in labs, and it means we could spend time together! And if business is quiet we could fool around!

[tempus_fixit]

Oh hey, maybe when business is quiet we can fool around, too!

That's a good idea! Sure! You're a great lab assistant, and whatever I don't know about reploids, you probably do!

I... get the feeling Zero might get a little weird about your helping him fix himself at first, he seems to take your presence really seriously, but I think he'll get over it. Probably.

[megabuster]

I would be totally game for fooling around in the workshop, you know.

Thanks, Lucca! I'd be happy to help out! Reploids aren't TOO different from my own design. Of course they're using more advanced components, but the fundamentals of our designs aren't all that different.

Yeah... Zero's very... solitary. He doesn't like the idea of anyone tinkering around with his inner workings. I mean, I get why, but he's very serious about it. I hope he does... I wish he could be more comfortable around us all. He kinda reminds me of my brother in a way...

[tempus_fixit]

And then Fefnir finds them and kicks them out

I hope I won't have to piece him together from scrap, is all... I'm good, but I don't know if I'm THAT good.

This is now private.

[megabuster]

I hope not either... He takes a lot of risks. I understand why he does what he does, and if I lived the life he has, I might be the same way. But...

My brother Blues left home a long time ago. He's been on his own so long, and he takes unnecessary risks a lot. I've spent a lot of nights thinking about him, hoping he's okay and that I'll see him again. I feel like that with Zero too... He's my friend, and I want him to be happy. Just like Blues. But I can't change who either of them are.