[action] future confusion

[espio]

[Right now, Espio isn't quite sure what he's supposed to be thinking - he's just so confused! At the very least, he's sure Time Compression has done something stupid specifically to mess with him. The problem is, he's not completely clear on what, and he's trying so hard not to jump to what is (to him, right now) the obvious conclusion: he's been randomly moved two years into the future.

No, this is not the most ridiculous conclusion he could jump to! Similar things have happened to others, after all. But he knows it's pretty stupid, even so - surely he'd've noticed?

Still, now he's got the idea in his head, he just has to make absolutely sure. Which he is doing by wandering the hallways, figuring that he'll try and visit a friend's dorm or something. Marco, most likely, unless the phoenix found him first.

He seems to be paying an unusual amount of attention to the people in the halls, watching them quite closely even as he hurries towards the dorms, and trying to see if anything was weird about them.

It's a bit hard to watch everyone so closely while he's walking, though.]

Comments

[espio]

[In fairness, Espio figures, he's not exactly going to get answers from behind a plant. So he takes a moment to plan a route around and behind Marco without getting close enough to be knocked at the slightest movement, and moves. Shockingly, he actually does it quietly for once, and doesn't show himself until he gets there.

Quick, act casual.]

What are you doing?

1/2

[fierybluebird]

Kidnapping you for a private conversation as we get some cake.

[fierybluebird]

Now, what are you doing? Did I miss something?

[espio]

Nothing in particular.

[It all seems normal so far, anyway, but he's still not sure.]

And it's not a very good kidnapping attempt.

[fierybluebird]

I didn't expect you to punch me in the head just for picking you up, jeez.

If I try again are you kick me elsewhere?

[He hardly seems bothered though, more like inviting.]

[espio]

If you like, sure.

Anyway, don't just grab me out of nowhere without warning!

[fierybluebird]

It was just for fun. Guess there's nothing off about your reflexes, eh.

[Gestures a thumb.] Cafeteria or do you want to go for a flight?

[espio]

I want things to start making sense!

[He... hadn't meant to say that out loud. Oh well.]

Have you noticed anything weird going on?

[fierybluebird]

Not exactly. I mean... you heard Cid's announcement right? That's what I wanted to talk to you about.

[espio]

No, I didn't. Must've been a bit preoccupied. What was it?

[Please be the one about the laptops.]

[fierybluebird]

[It is!]

Fixing the new devices. Kitten -- Ah Grell's been working since the first to fix them.

[espio]

[THANK GOD. That was a small sigh of relief, there, and he suddenly looks much more relaxed.]

So basically, you're bored.

[fierybluebird]

[Frowns looking at him. Something else must be up.]

Kind of. More like I should be stealing her for a honeymoon but if you could see her expressions when she's working... [A shrug and he spreads his hands helplessly. There's also the matter that he doesn't understand what Cid was saying and doesn't want to ask Grell to explain it because then if he didn't understand he'd feel extra embarrassed so he wants help grasping it from someone more technologically inclined; that way he can impress Grell with understanding it better. Complicated? Yes.]

[espio]

[Unfortunately for Marco, Espio may be more technologically inclined, but his computer knowledge extends little further than basic maintenance.]

So your wife ditched you for a computer. Already?

I'm sure it won't take that long. You can use the time to find somewhere ideal, or arrange some sort of surprise. Something like that. I don't do romantic.

Or you could always just walk around the halls and pick up unsuspecting chameleons. That's going to help.

[fierybluebird]

I chose the latter, obviously. I can't eat cake alone, then it just looks like I'm eating emotionally.

No worries, I've got plans for when she's finished, I just don't understand certain things about the -- ah, problem they're having, eh?

[espio]

They said it was repairs and adjustments, right? Because obviously, everyone's laptop is broken.

[Yeah, see, he totally buys that excuse.]

Can't the cake wait for next week? I'm having my own problems, here.

[fierybluebird]

What...? What's wrong?

[espio]

Someone from my world's shown up. And either he's been here the entire time that I have, and never thought to let me know about it, or Time Compression's screwing with one of us! And on top of that, it's the police chief. Which is just what I need, he's been driving me insane since I was a kid!

[Remind him to hide the stolen vegetable stash.]

[fierybluebird]

So you have problems with the cops too? And here I thought you were obsessed with Justice.

Eh... sounds like Time Compression being its usual obnoxious self. Maybe there was fold in the compression aspect.

[espio]

I already told you - when I was a kid, I was gonna be the world's greatest thief! That, and Chaotix got framed for bank robbery not that long ago. And, he's not our biggest fan. Aaaand if I spend too long in remotely the same vicinity he starts treating me like his errand boy.

[fierybluebird]

[Laughs.] Then isn't this a good reason to get some cake and get away from him?

Just stand up for yourself, you're a SeeD here, eh. Not a student.

[espio]

He's not exactly the kind of person I can just not listen to... [his face seems to scrunch up as he tries to figure out how to describe it.] Kind of like a... teacher, I guess.

[fierybluebird]

But you're an adult now. [Puzzled moment.] Wait, how old are you turning on Monday?

[espio]

Nineteen, but my age has nothing to do with it.

...uhhh... [TRYING HARDER] well, I grew up without a family, and got into trouble with the police a lot. He's a giant pain, but I guess he looked out for me. In a weird, go get me coffee kind of way.

[fierybluebird]

[Lineface deadpan for a bit before he snaps his fingers.]

Ah! So sort of like Pops. But... in a more Garp way.

Well, just give him space until you figure out how to handle it?