[BBS/Action] Someone's fire got ignited.

[corruptedsouls]

[There's been a lot of talk about this new mission and stuff around everywhere, and Tobias has seen some... well, radically different opinions of what the Commander's said. He had a while to think about it, himself, and thanks to Marco's help, he's come to a decision.]

I'm not very strong or smart -- I can't tell people how to fight so everyone works together or things like that.

But I'm really good with my GFs and I can use magic okay! Especially recovery magic. I don't really like the new mission, but I know that we need to do it.

I got hurt really bad before I came here and because of that I can keep going after I get hurt if I need to. So even if it's really mean and bad, the Commander said we had to do it so she knows we need it. At least, that's what I think.

So... if anyone wants to be on a team with me and Thumbelina, I'll do my best to help you! I promise!

- Tobias

Comments

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

[Best. Cutest. Son. Ever. Marco can't take it. He just instantly sneaks up on Toby and glomps him a huge blue-winged hug of love and fluff. No reason other than just overcome with spontaneous emotions of pride and joy and love.]

[Dear god he's this bad in January? March & April will be nuts.]

[Action]

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias yelps in surprise as he's suddenly engulfed in a blue blanket of feathers. Not that he minds, really, but he wasn't expecting it.]

Hi, Dad.

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

[Switches into full out phoenix mode so that he doesn't have to explain himself and just chirps. What's up cute best son?]

[Action]

[corruptedsouls]

[He snuggles into the feathers, like always.]

Do you have any magic I can borrow? I wanna make sure I have everything.

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

Only low level healing, and you should use the bigger ones. The Garden should have enough around the draw points that you can borrow as much as you can stock up on.

[Action]

[corruptedsouls]

Alright! I'll go get them, then.

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

Good luck kiddo!

[Action]

[espio]

[Oh, Toby... have a very worried lizard slamming your bedroom door open.]

What are you doing?

[He sounds... hurt.]

[Action]

[corruptedsouls]

[Normally, Tobias would be oblivious and say something like "sitting here," but...]

...What I think is the right thing to do.

[espio]

Because of Marco?

[If he's doing this just because of Marco's insane agreement with the commander, instead of just on his own...]

[corruptedsouls]

No.

Dad helped me think about it, but I decided this on my own. I don't like it, Espio. I don't like it at all, but even I know that the only reason I can stand some things I can is because I was hurt really badly, so pain doesn't feel as much to me.

I'm doing this because... the other cadets need my help. And because I can help them. That's why.

[espio]

...

...

[He looks... genuinely upset. Not because Toby's going off to hurt himself, though that's part of it, but because Toby's not even considering his thoughts on the matter.]

...I know you can handle it, and if you don't look after everyone I'm never cooking for you again...

But...

[corruptedsouls]

...I don't like it, Espio. I promise, I don't. I'll never like it...

But does not liking it mean I should abandon everyone else even though I can help them? Even if the Commander wasn't doing something that we needed, I'd still do it, because...

[He bites his lip.]

Espio...

For once... I don't have to be the one everyone else protects. For once, I'm the one who can help and protect people. And even if that means getting hurt myself... I want to do it.

[espio]

I've been assigned to medical care back here. I'm not even permitted to set foot on that island.

But, Toby. I hate what the Commander's doing.

It would be different if she set you a challenge somewhere else, but she's picked the island with the strongest monsters on the entire planet. You will be blinded, poisoned, confused, and the monsters barely need to even touch you to kill you. The only thing that will keep you alive is the GF.

Many of our cadets, natives especially, just aren't equipped to deal with this. She's concerned about Galbadia attacking us, but if she won't even prepare us to fight monsters, what hope does she have of preparing us to fight them? She's only preparing everyone to be trampled over. You can't throw someone in at the deep end and expect them to swim.

You're strong, and that means you have to look after everyone. I won't forgive you if you don't.

[corruptedsouls]

I know. I really don't like it. But...

[How can he put this...]

I'm not mad at her. I only used to train Pokemon, I don't know what telling people what to do or trying to take care of all of them or teach them is like. I don't know why she picked it. And... I wouldn't understand anyway. I know... we need to train to be tougher, though. So that's all I can think about.

[corruptedsouls]

[He pauses at the last thing. Even Espio thinks he's strong... so much so that he wants a promise. Tobias bites his lip almost enough to draw blood, biting back crying.]

...I... I promise. I'll protect everyone I can.

[espio]

Thanks.

[Defeated sigh. He just wishes that someone else could see things his way. Other than Grell, all he's had seems to be people calling him weak, over-emotional, stupid, rash... it feels bad that even Toby doesn't seem to support him.]

[corruptedsouls]

[There's a long silence, then, before Tobias speaks.]

...Um... But... I don't think you're wrong.

[espio]

Why not? Everyone else does.

[corruptedsouls]

Because... I can understand why you're mad. And I understand you don't want to do it but you had to.

So... I think you're right too.

[espio]

Right...

[Conflicted lizard is conflicted. He half wants to tell Toby that "someone's right and someone's wrong" but he doesn't quite believe that - there was always shades of grey.]

...thanks.

[corruptedsouls]

You're welcome.

[Come here, grumpy lizard, get a hug.]

...Hey, Espio?

[espio]

[Not even gonna try and get out of it. He's just gonna keep sulking.]

What?

[corruptedsouls]

You and Dad... you guys said I was really strong... and...

[...? You feel something wet. Is he crying?]

Thanks...

[espio]

[Toby probably can't see, but that got a smile out of him.]

I don't say what I don't believe in.