[Finally it clicks in his head that Sonic... might not have known he could come back. Neo had been adamant in chasing down those rumors to ensure that they were real - after all, back then he'd wanted nothing more than to kill Sonic and had only ruled it out once he was certain it was pointless to try to do so. But he'd never actually spoken about that with Sonic, and he has no idea if his counterpart discussed it with anyone else. What if he had no idea? What if he truly believed that was simply it for Neo, that he'd died, just like that?
Ohhh, he does not like this sinking feeling. Dread, he thinks. The terror of realizing how horribly he may have screwed all this up (though was it really a mistake? he would do the same thing a hundred times over if it meant Sonic was safe) sends icy claws through him that hurt more than dying actually did. He mutely nods at Dorothea's words and follows her silently, consumed in his thoughts until he's directed to take a seat in the lobby.
Her words confirm his worst fears. Not only was Sonic unaware that he could return, but he blamed himself for all of that. As though any of this was his fault? How could he blame himself, when Neo was the one who had reservations about it, when Neo was the one who chose to jump into that attack, knowing exactly what would happen?
And hearing that Sonic was so lost and upset... Even if he can't feel these emotions the same way he could in Sonic's body, they're still overwhelming. His claws tighten into fists and he shakes his head, doing his best to draw himself from his endlessly spiraling thoughts. He can't afford to do this right now. He can panic and worry and beat himself up over all of this later.]
I hadn't realized it would take me so long to return. I should have told him about this before I— Never mind.
[A soft, static-y noise leaves him.]
Thank you for taking care of him. I can only imagine how difficult this has been for you as well.
[Seeing a dear friend going through something so traumatic and being unable to do much at all to help... He doesn't have lungs to breathe and yet it still feels as though the air has been punched out of him.]
I didn't... I didn't think. I didn't analyze the situation or determine the best possible outcome, I simply... had to get him out of the way of that attack, regardless of the personal cost. I couldn't let him die.
[Even knowing that Sonic would return? Why is it that it's fine for Neo to die, but it isn't acceptable for Sonic to die?
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Ohhh, he does not like this sinking feeling. Dread, he thinks. The terror of realizing how horribly he may have screwed all this up (though was it really a mistake? he would do the same thing a hundred times over if it meant Sonic was safe) sends icy claws through him that hurt more than dying actually did. He mutely nods at Dorothea's words and follows her silently, consumed in his thoughts until he's directed to take a seat in the lobby.
Her words confirm his worst fears. Not only was Sonic unaware that he could return, but he blamed himself for all of that. As though any of this was his fault? How could he blame himself, when Neo was the one who had reservations about it, when Neo was the one who chose to jump into that attack, knowing exactly what would happen?
And hearing that Sonic was so lost and upset... Even if he can't feel these emotions the same way he could in Sonic's body, they're still overwhelming. His claws tighten into fists and he shakes his head, doing his best to draw himself from his endlessly spiraling thoughts. He can't afford to do this right now. He can panic and worry and beat himself up over all of this later.]
I hadn't realized it would take me so long to return. I should have told him about this before I— Never mind.
[A soft, static-y noise leaves him.]
Thank you for taking care of him. I can only imagine how difficult this has been for you as well.
[Seeing a dear friend going through something so traumatic and being unable to do much at all to help... He doesn't have lungs to breathe and yet it still feels as though the air has been punched out of him.]
I didn't... I didn't think. I didn't analyze the situation or determine the best possible outcome, I simply... had to get him out of the way of that attack, regardless of the personal cost. I couldn't let him die.
[Even knowing that Sonic would return? Why is it that it's fine for Neo to die, but it isn't acceptable for Sonic to die?
Ah, he truly hates this.]