[Action] / Someone's finally back.

[corruptedsouls]

[It seems that time compression sometimes has a very sick sense of humor. While it's certain few people will recognize him, an old Balamb resident is back. Well, in a way -- for those who would remember him, Tobias has taken a very radical step back from the Tobias he was when he was last here, looking more like he did on first arrival, scruffiness, glimmering gold bracelet and all, though he seems to not have lost his age during the odd transition.

At present, he's currently curled up against the wall in one of the hallways, dead asleep and so still it's almost like he's not breathing. It's not exactly clear whether he's intentionally there or just simply passed out -- while Tobias is a strange child, certainly, the position is far from comfortable and definitely hazardous to people idly walking through said hallway.]

Comments

[espio]

[And naturally, along comes Espio, minding his own business and being rather comfortably lizardy today, when suddenly there is someone asleep in the hall. Being an obstruction. Sigh. Time to put authority figure instructor hat on and tell him to shift his ass back to his room if he wants to nap so bad.

At least that was the plan, which went immediately out of the window when there was something oddly familiar about him.

Thus the loud, almost startled exclaimation:]

Toby?!

[corruptedsouls]

[GAH YELL OW. Tobias groggily rouses from the scream, blinking up at the lizard blearily. His brain isn't even remotely caught up with what's going on, especially after the faint from that panic attack, so he just stares blankly.]

...Nn?

[espio]

[Stare. Staaaare.]

You - Toby - what are you -

[What are you doing in the middle of the corridor? Why is your other eye back? Why's that bracelet back? Why are you even here, it's been over a year and you pick NOW to show up and - and -

Be a different Toby?

Espio steps back, awkwardly, practically a stumble. It's another Toby. It has to be. A Toby who's probably very different, who won't know him, won't know anyone.

Oh, screw you too, Time Compression.

For some people, meeting different versions of people they've missed is easy. It's interesting, it's a relief, it's still fundsmentally the same person. Right now, though, Espio didn't even want to find out. He doesn't think he can take a different Toby, let alone one who doesn't even know him. Instead, he's going to fade himself into invisibility, and leave.]

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias rubs his eyes a bit hard, blinking and staring at the point where Espio just was. His brain still isn't quite catching up, so he just idly watches the air for a moment before laying back down and going back to sleep.

Yep. Weird child.]

HER BABY IS BACK ;w;

[redcinemareel]

[Just when she thinks this month couldn't get any weirder, Grell is proven wrong as she spots someone laying in the hallway, either dead or asleep. She could care less about either state, really. With a sigh, she walks over to the form but stops once she's close enough to recognize the clothing and face.

That red hat. That bracelet...

Now she cares if this person is alive or just asleep.

She kneels down quietly, observing him with wide eyes and reaches out a hand slowly, almost tentatively. Never before has she been so nervous about checking for vital signs! The hand reaches the shoulder after what seems a century later and gently shook his shoulder continuously.]

...Toby? [Her other hand checks for a pulse. Okay, he's just asleep.]

YES HE IS.

[corruptedsouls]

Mmn...

[The little shake doesn't get more than a soft mumble from him and a shift. Yes, very much alive, but pretty deeply asleep.]

[redcinemareel]

[For Fates Sake!

She shakes him a bit harder than last time.]

A floor is no place for you.

[corruptedsouls]

[Okay, that did it. Tobias sits up, looking groggy and disorientated. He blinks a bit at Grell, staring at her blankly with an almost disturbingly stoic expression.

Behind that expression, however, the wheels in his head are turning. This woman is familiar. Disturbingly so. Why is that? He doesn't think he's ever met her, and yet his heart twists at the sight of her.

...Memories. Of this place, of others... including her. Now he understands, even if he doesn't quite understand.]

...Hi, Mom.

[redcinemareel]

Toby... [That gets a genuine smile and she's definitely blinking back tears. Damn, didn't use the waterproof mascara today.] You remember me...

[She immediately wraps her arms around his thin form. She'll address that issue later. Hugs now. She lost him before and it struck a chord deep within her. What if she can't handle that again?

Better burn that bridge when she crosses it.

Also, Toby may notice an update to her attire and her small Whitebeard tattoo on her neck.]

Marco will be ecstatic that you're back with your memories.

[corruptedsouls]

[He wraps his arms around her as well, clinging tightly and burying his face into whatever part of her body he can reach. It's a wave of nostalgia and it's hitting hard, so it's unlikely he'll ever let go. ...well, at least anytime soon.]

...I'm... I'm happy to be back...

[Crying? Oh you better believe it. But it's a good kind of crying.]

[redcinemareel]

You're coming back at an odd time, but there is very good news. [She's not letting go of him. How long has it been since she last held him like this? Too long.]

[corruptedsouls]

[Good, then there's no need to worry about either getting tired of clinging.]

I am?

[redcinemareel]

[She nods and pulls away only slightly so she could see his face.]

Your father and I are married, now. [Another happy grin!]

[corruptedsouls]

[Oh hey! That gets a bright smile from Tobias. It's so great to hear!]

Can I see your ring? Is it pretty?

[....and that's where his first thought goes to. Well, it's not like he expected anything else...]

[redcinemareel]

[SHE'S TAUGHT HIM WELL.

Grell shows him the bands proudly.] It was a wonderful wedding! Even Pops was there! But...it was still missing something important.

1/2

[fierybluebird]

[Oh okay. That's not like a nightmare of his honorary father's or anything.

Except where it completely is.]

2/2

[fierybluebird]

[So phoenix father goes rushing over and checks for a pulse, quickly wrapping warm blue wings around him.]

Toby, Toby, are you okay?

[corruptedsouls]

[Whoa hey what. Suddenly being swept up by Marco shakes Tobias awake pretty quickly, though his first reaction is panic from being grabbed and disorientated.

Hi, Marco, hope you don't mind your adoptive son struggling instinctively against you now!]

[fierybluebird]

[One hand back to human and rests it gently on Toby's forehead.]

Hey, hey, it's okay. Calm down. It's just me, eh?

[corruptedsouls]

[The hand causes him to freeze, but it's the voice that really stops him. He goes almost abnormally still, breathing heavily as his brain tries to process it. It's familiar. He knows that voice.]

Marco?

[No. That's not right.]

...Dad...?

[fierybluebird]

[O-oh. He's not crying. He's not crying. He's not crying....]

[Okay he's crying.]

[Shut up.]

[Have a huge tight glomp Toby.]

[At least his voices is 100% steady. No one can ever say that deadpan doesn't come in handy.]

Yeah kiddo. You're back in the Garden. How much do you remember?

[Also, not letting go. Deal with it.]

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias seems a bit taken off guard, but after a moment, his own hands wrap tightly around Marco in a familiar clinging. This... he remembers this, yes. Oh, how does he remember this, and Marco isn't the only one crying now.

Oh. Question. Right.]

...I remember you.

[All too quickly, the pieces are falling back into place, but there are still more gaps than Toby would like in them.]

...I don't remember the Garden much. I don't remember the classes. But I remember you and Mom and --

[Espio. His voice stops short on that. Yes, he remembers Espio... and he remembers Espio's reaction to him.

Hope you don't mind that hug getting tighter, Marco.]

[fierybluebird]

[Just picks him up in the tight hug and swings him around to try to make him smile again.]

At least you're back, eh?! Espio will be really happy. Grell too! [Spins around!! And whoosh goes the part about Espio.]

We still have most your stuff even!

[corruptedsouls]

[Okay, admittedly, getting swung around is fun and Tobias gives a surprised laugh. It fades after Espio's name comes up again, however, and he just tries to bury his face in Marco's shoulder.]

Espio's not happy.

[fierybluebird]

[Sets him down gently though he doesn't let go of the hug. No seriously, he is never letting go again. Just try to make him.]

What do you mean?