sranks | ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

[Ah, so this is a Neo thing and not a Sonic thing. Good to know that even in an organic body he continues to have the exact same problems.]

One step at a time, yes.

[He leans into Sonic's claws, closing his eyes and focusing on simply breathing and the feeling of those claws through his quills. It's a little easier to think like this, with sight blocked out and the (somewhat) comfortable silence between them. He doesn't have access to his own detailed memories, but it isn't as though he'd heard of a case exactly like this before now anyway. So the best course of action would be...]

We should speak with some of the others and see if anyone has any idea how to reverse this yet. If it's happening to us, it's undoubtedly happening to others as well and they're likely just as confused.

[Though they probably aren't quite as disoriented.]

Though for now... I don't want to leave your side.

[Don't stop may be more accurate, as this is absolutely getting that unconscious purring from Sonic's body, but it's also just... so much easier to handle this now that he's feeling relaxed.]

I know it must not be any easier for you. I can... attempt to explain how to navigate through my systems, should you need it. It isn't too overwhelming, is it?

[Having all that information at his fingertips is what he's used to, but for Sonic? This must be some kind of nightmarish information overload.]

...That makes two of us. The rest of the world can wait a bit.

[Sonic doesn't want to imagine going out like this, even if they definitely should. He doesn't care about how he's seen, not really, but he's in a body that he doesn't know at all. And for how long that'll stay, he doesn't know. All he's got going for him is the fact that he's at least with his rival, and that's the sole solace in this situation. Between closing pop-ups and other things, he doesn't want to go out like this--

But then Neo asks him that question, and Sonic finds himself unable to even shake like he wants to. Neo doesn't shudder, or anything like that, but there is at least some small sound that escapes him--it sounds a little like static.]

...I'm kind of wondering how you live like this. But I guess I can't say much, when you're experiencing the same thing. [As if on cue, Sonic apologetically scritches Neo behind his newly fleshy ears.] Could you teach me a bit? All of these pop-ups are crowding in a little too much, and the last thing I wanna do is mess up your system.

[Ohh, that's really nice... It's definitely getting more of that contented purring from him as he leans into those claws. Though it seems Sonic is suffering just as much as he is, though how to actually explain it is... a bit more complicated than he would have thought. It's subconscious to Neo at this point - but Sonic likely thinks the same thing about things like breathing and blinking, which thankfully his body can manage just fine on its own even without Neo thinking about it.]

You likely have several open regarding your core systems. After I rouse from stasis, several of them appear to appraise me of my current status with regards to any physical abnormalities, what level my charge is at, and general system maintenance performed while in stasis. All of these should be routine and can be safely closed - you should be able to do that by focusing on them and willing them away.

[It's the equivalent of clicking the X button on a pop-up window, but like, with your mind. Easier done than said, really.]

I was organizing some of my databanks during stasis, so you likely have those open as well. Same thing there - simply focus on them and will them away and they'll close. I don't believe there's anything in there that will truly be useful to our current situation, though I don't mind if you want to look through them.

[He has nothing to hide from Sonic, in either his databanks or memories. Though do you really want to scour through all of the information Neo keeps on file or go through his memories?? Excellent questions.]

Calling these "pop-ups" back up is exactly the same - simply think about which one you want to open and it will open. The only thing you may need to worry about is your charge, though it is my hope we find a way to reverse this before that becomes a legitimate worry.

[Given that he goes into stasis every night to conserve battery, we'd have to be stuck like this for at least a solid three days before it'd start being a concern, and even then it's just a matter of plugging oneself in for awhile. Nothing abnormal; Sonic's seen him do it plenty of times before.]

[Sonic listens attentively, though he does find himself staring at some of those pop-ups now that he doesn't have to feel like he's worrying too much. Neo always does a good job at taking care of himself, from the looks of it, so Sonic at least feels himself calm at that much. He'll just kind of close those down, though the memory bank ones, they're...]

...You'd really trust me with something like that? Heh. You're way too kind, Neo. I think I'll leave 'em alone for now, though. [Still...] I guess if this does end up being an extended stay, I can see about trying to help, if you want. And you can look through...honestly, I don't know how this is gonna work for you, but if you think looking through my memories will help you can go ahead. I ain't got nothing to hide.

[Sonic doesn't know if he wants to think about that, though. He knows pretty well that Neo's usually awake during those times where he himself is just asleep and curling up against him, but how does Neo deal with that? How does he deal with not being able to turn off his brain at night, it sounds like insomnia but worse somehow. And what if he runs Neo's battery down? How long does he have to be trapped in his own damn head to--

Sonic doesn't want to think about that. He doesn't want to worry about that. So guess what!!! He won't. It'll all work out fine and Sonic's totally not having a lowkey crisis here.]

So it's like...if something looks weird, it'll tell me what I need to do to fix it up, yeah? Or tell me what I'm getting into. Hang on, I wanna try something...

[It takes Sonic a bit of focusing while he continues to keep Neo at ease, optics seemingly darting about for a moment before he focuses in--it takes a couple of seconds to find it, but Neo will likely hear a familiar whirr of machinery as his body warms up a bit.]

Oh, hey! I think it's working! Heh. Thought that might be a little more comfortable for you...?

[Sonic would trust him with that? He's admittedly not sure how that would work with an organic body - wouldn't the memories be tied to the brain rather than the body? But then, it's not like Sonic's brain went anywhere...? - but that is a fascinating prospect. The part of him that still desperately clings to his primary objective wants to do just that right now. Maybe something in Sonic's memories would hold the key to defeating him once and for all.

...

But even if it does, would it really count if he stole it from Sonic's memories instead of finding it himself? No. And besides, he'd rather not think about such things right now so he won't. Maybe he can consider it later.]

Correct. My systems are state of the art, should anything go awry, you will be made aware of it.

[Though... oh! Sonic's figured out how to redistribute that heat! Oh, this does feel much nicer now, and Neo can't help but snuggle closer now that he's no longer cuddling cool metal. It's still a little surreal, but he thinks he can see why Sonic likes this. It's strangely comfortable.

It gets a soft sound from him that Neo needs a moment to place - it's not quite a laugh, but it's something close to it. It's a sound he's never been able to make before. It doesn't sound like Sonic's laughter either - but then, why would it? It isn't as though Neo really knows how to laugh to begin with, so apparently this is his closest approximation with Sonic's body. That's... also surreal, but he nuzzles against his rival to distract himself from that thought.]

It is more comfortable, yes. I'm starting to see why you enjoy it so much.

Good. I'll keep you informed if anything starts to get bad; I may know a fair bit about fixing you up, but I'd rather not take any unneeded chances.

[Sonic attempts to laugh a bit, though it comes out odd--staticy, strangely so, it really is as if Neo wasn't prepared to take anything from Sonic but his position. It gets Sonic to stop it short, which lets him hear Neo's own attempt at laughter, and...

It's strange, how nice this is. What would it look like, if Neo were able to laugh without restraint? If he knew what he was doing, if he really got the opportunity that he wanted...would Neo like being organic, in any capacity? Maybe there's some kind of way to get Neo an organic body, to live for himself, but maybe if worst comes to worst and they don't switch back--

--And that sends an icy shock through Sonic's system that he is very much content to not think about anymore, just kind of. Shoving it to the back of his mind. Neo's mind? He's not sure, it'll probably be gone anyway. Sonic focuses back on himself, though, continuing the comforting motions.]

I don't really know how to describe why I like it myself, but it's kind of just comforting to have the warmth? The heating in this place definitely isn't the best, but you doing this for me really makes it a moot point, hah. Plus it just...I dunno, reminds me you're here. And that's pretty awesome, too.

[Maybe they can just stay like this until this is over, but...]

...You know, if you got any questions, I can try to answer them too. But you really do look like you're enjoying yourself. If I can take any good from this mess, it's that you look really nice when you're at ease.

[Sonic leaves the question unspoken, but he does kind of stop himself before he continues speaking.]

[That static-y sound must be a laugh; he's made similar such noises in amusement before, after all. Still, it's so strange to hear his body make a sound he's never once made for himself; it's sort of fascinating, in all honesty.]

I'm glad you appreciate it. And it's a little easier to remain calm now; thank you for your assistance.

[Though admittedly, this is mostly because he can't manage to work himself back up by running through his databanks in circles... Though Sonic's certainly helped him calm down and he truly is relaxed right now. He is hedgehog pudding in his boyfriend's claws, okay. Boneless. In his lane. Flourishing.]

I had thought this would be more uncomfortable than it actually is. I'm... glad that I was mistaken.

[Not that he thought Sonic would do it if he hated it, but knowing that cuddling with a killer robot is actually strangely comfortable is... nice. It helps.]

[Sonic loves his boneless boyfriend. He gets the exact same way, so now it's Neo's turn to get to enjoy this! Truly, Sonic couldn't ask for anything better. His boyfriend gets to experience a world without anxiety spiralling, and Sonic gets to spoil him a bit.]

What, you think I was doing this just to try and placate you? You are so comfortable, way more than you think clearly! Come on, Neo, give yourself a little bit of credit. You did give yourself a pretty nice form, for combat and cuddling~

[It's a nice bit of distraction, honestly, from the looming thoughts in Sonic's mind. He doesn't want to think about a potential future like this, but if this is only for a while, then shouldn't Neo get to enjoy himself?]

[Enjoy being stuck in a body where you have endless time to overthink! It's Great.]

Rest assured that cuddling was never a consideration, though I am pleased to hear it.

[d-doki...]

I couldn't imagine that you were merely humoring me - as you aren't the sort - but...

[He trails off, lifting his shoulders a bit in a shrug. It's difficult having so much ego and yet being so unused to being treated as a person.]

So you... like this form of mine, then.

[...i mean yes neo, that is what sonic said, maybe try using your words to ask what you really want to say—]

[listen, it's fine, sonic can have a crisis about this later--

Sonic's very assured and confident as he continues to spoil the hell out of Neo, just kind of nodding along for a moment, though it's that last statement that kind of makes Sonic's last two braincells rub against each other for a moment. It...feels like there's something else under that statement, but Sonic is just going to stealth mission around that--]

I mean, yeah? Of course I do. It's what you picked out for yourself, and it is really nice.

[HE IS JUST GOING TO PARKOUR OVER THAT A BIT, ignore the additional sound of mechanical whirring picking up, it's fine, nothing to hear here--]

Though, at the rate we're going, I'm wondering if you wanna go outside at all. You've gotten pretty comfortable here, and maybe we can go info gathering later on?

[Plan A: Distract the robot with objectiveism is a go--]

[Hey he knows that sound!! That's the "I'm thinking way too hard about this, aren't I" sound!! Neo pulls back just enough to look up at his boyfriend skeptically, but the distraction does work. Consider yourself lucky!!]

I don't mind remaining here if you'd prefer to. I doubt anyone has any immediate solution, anyway. Though I won't keep you here forever; we should see what we can learn, after all.

[Though the idea of wandering around in Sonic's body is just... kind of weird... Sure, other people will be stuck in one another's bodies as well, but there's a huge difference between that and suddenly being organic!!]

[GOOD, BECAUSE NEITHER OF THEM NEED TO CONSIDER HOW ATTRACTIVE NEO IS RIGHT NOW, THAT'S A CONVERSATION FOR ANOTHER TIME. (PROBABLY NEVER)]

Whatever you prefer, Neo. It's fine by me. [...Sonic pauses a bit, considering.] ...Usually I'd wanna stay in bed a little longer, honestly, but it doesn't...feel like anything. It just makes me happy to see you happy. It's...

[Sonic doesn't want to mention how fucked up it feels to lose all of these sensations he's been so used to, or to have them muted like this. How badly it's kind of fucking with him, mostly, but Sonic makes the conscious effort to shake his head, though his gaze averts from Neo for now.]

We should at least see if we can get any information from the others, first. [Sonic pauses a bit, considering, before speaking up.] If you want me to stick with you for the day to make it easier, I can. Is it gonna be too weird to go out there like this for you, on your own?

[...Ah. He's been so absorbed in finally being able to feel all of this that he hadn't even thought about what it would be like for Sonic - to have all those feelings taken away. Compared to what Neo's feeling right now, everything in that body is... muted. Physical sensation is present in order to orient him in space, not because he was meant to cuddle and be cuddled. Of course it would be strange for Sonic to suddenly lose all of that.

Neo nuzzles against his rival's cheek for a moment as if to say "yeah, I get it" before pulling back with a nod.]

It may be better for us to stick together in case something unforeseen happens to either of us. After all, we are getting used to entirely new bodies here, though hopefully we won't have any need to worry.

[Still, he only barely has an understanding of how organic beings work and most of that knowledge is safely stored in his body and not his mind, so...]

But if you would prefer we split up to cover more ground, I am fine with that. Regardless of how surreal it is, we aren't the only ones dealing with this.

[Oh, that's...that's actually kind of nice, and it gets Sonic to let out a small sound that sort of sounds like a relieved sigh. It's an attempt, at least, and Sonic briefly nuzzles Neo back before helping him off the bed.]

I think splitting up will do us more good, at least for now. We can get more information that way, and maybe we can find something to get us outta this.

Let's get moving, yeah?

[Of course, even as time goes on and Sonic asks around town--there's really not much that can be done right now. It seems like there's rumors about some kind of new monster that's been sighted that may have something to do with this. As much as Sonic wants to go after it himself, he knows he shouldn't; it isn't even confirmed, for one, and it'd be a waste of energy to go after something they don't know besides. But it'd be so much easier if they could just hunt it down themselves...

Sonic's definitely a little less happy by the time that he's back at the apartment; a lot of the methods he'd use to self soothe or even treat himself are completely unavailable, and in truth, he's hoping that Neo's at least managed to find something by the time he gets back. But Sonic still stops by a takeout place to pick up Neo some food; he's not sure if Neo would have had the hindsight to pick anything up given that he must have gotten hungry throughout the day.

Still, Sonic will get home first and...kind of idly start cleaning around the house, for once. He's not good at it by any means, but he's at least trying because he knows the day likely wasn't any easier for Neo.]

[And off they go. It's a little surreal to have an organic body like this, because all the things Neo takes for granted just aren't present in a form like this. His usual methods of keeping track of people around him don't work when you have to solely rely on eyesight. His field of view is much narrower than he's used to as well, and even just walking around for too long sees him feeling tired, which is a surreal experience. Of course, hunger is definitely playing into that, but Neo kind of forgot that organic beings need to eat, so you know. He's doing great.

What's even less great is that what little information he's managed to gather is entirely hear-say. Rumors of a beast that appeared around the same time this started, various increasingly bizarre theories as to what sort of ridiculous acts must be pulled off to undo this "curse", and just a lot of general confusion have made today long, tiring, and frustrating. It would have been more productive in his own body, but if he's feeling like this, then Sonic must be even more annoyed. Or maybe less, given he's in Neo's body, and he isn't used to feeling so much in the first place. Regardless, he heads home eventually.]

Ah, you're already back.

[Look at that, Sonic's even cleaning! What is it about being a robot that just makes you want to clean...?]

I would offer to take over, but I'm feeling... rather tired. Am I "sleepy"?

[no you idiot you need a food]

[Sonic isn't entirely sure, if he's going to be honest. He's never really felt his brain 'autopilot', so to speak, so maybe it's that...?

Still, Sonic...he wants to grin, to do something, but Sonic isn't able to do much other than tip his head a bit at Neo's entrance, his gaze briefly darting.]

Yeah, there wasn't a whole lot I could gather from everyone, so I figured I'd come back here for a bit. Kind of get the place back in order, y'know?

[Still, Sonic's a little surprised by the tired claim, but he does end up looking his own body over briefly, walking over to himself.]

I mean, you definitely could be. But my body usually doesn't get tired from just wandering around... [Still, Sonic will shake his head.] But if I had to guess, you might be hungry? People like me, we need food in order to give us our energy. We usually have to eat three meals worth of food for the best amount of it. I probably should've mentioned that, actually...

Lucky for you, I got a few chili dogs from one of the street vendors near the park in that bag over there! I thought this might happen. [Beat. Actually, now that he thinks of it...] Do you think you're gonna need any help with eating?

It seems neither of us found anything of use, then.

[Unfortunate, but not exactly surprising. Sonic then brings up eating and Neo blinks; his expressions are incredibly understated on Sonic's face, but then, he's never really had a face capable of having expressions before so perhaps that's to be expected.]

Ah, that would make sense. I completely forgot about your need to eat. I'll endeavor to take better care of your body.

[Three meals a day... That's so much time wasted... Organics have it rough out here. Though at that question, Neo inclines his head a bit.]

It seems as though your body is capable of doing many things without my input - I haven't had to worry about blinking or breathing, for example. I'm not sure if eating falls under that as well...

[In other words, he has no damn idea how the hell to eat. Maybe you should've started him off with something easy like soup...]

Let's see how this goes.

[So off he goes to get the chili dogs! They smell amazing, which is the first time he's ever thought that about anything in his life, which certainly adds weight to Sonic's theory that he's hungry. Looking at the chili dogs, though... How is he supposed to eat these. They're so messy... Maybe he should cut them up? Would that help?? Man. Things he did not think about until literally this moment but now he wishes he could forget about: eating. He cannot wait to go back to never thinking about it again.]

How do you usually consume these...?

Other than a rumor of some kinda monster hanging out by the lake or something, but I wanna wait until we've got something more concrete before going out on a hunt...

[Still, it's the only tangible lead they have which doesn't involve any of the weird other theories and ideas people have brought up to switch back. As Sonic listens to Neo, he's quick to put down what he was cleaning and lets out another of those weird, staticy sounds that's about as close to a chuckle as Sonic can manage.]

Eating's usually something you gotta take care of on your own. Your body will let you know when it wants something, usually by making your stomach growl at you or have it start hurting. Or you just get really crabby until someone shoves a candybar in your face, and--

[...

Neo, sweet boy, you--Sonic will walk over to try and help Neo a bit with the chili dog, just--]

You don't gotta think about it too hard! Just take it out of the little box and put it into your hand--then just guide it into your mouth and chomp down! And uh, make sure to chew. If you swallow something too big, you will end up choking, and I'm not sure if either of us have the experience to help someone with that...

[Sonic makes it sound so simple, but also: that is absolutely going to be messy. Sonic's sorry in advance. (He's really not, it's never been a concern for him--)]

My databanks should contain information on basic medical knowledge, should it be necessary.

[Not that it's particularly reassuring either way, but...??? Anyway. Are you just going to watch him struggle with this, because this is sort of embarrassing...

But after a very tentative and careful (and small) bite, Neo's eyes widen. Somehow, it never really occurred to him that taste would be an absolutely fascinating sensation. It's the one sense he literally doesn't have at all, so he doesn't have anything in his databanks or memories that he can compare it to. It's sort of impossible to tell if he likes it or not, because the flavor is absolutely overwhelming. Thankfully, Sonic's body retains enough sense to know when to chomp down for decently-sized bites, because Neo sure doesn't have that knowledge. He is not going to choke on a chili dog today. He is going to practically inhale the damn thing, though, because this is absolutely fascinating.]

[...LOOK, HE DOESN'T KNOW IF IT'D BE MORE EMBARRASSING TO TRY AND FEED NEO OR NOT, THAT JUST FEELS WEIRD--

But Sonic does keep an eye on Neo for the moment, though, because if he really does need it he'll choo choo train the goddamn chili dog into his mouth--but Sonic watches Neo take that first bite, watching his eyes widen, and he finds himself wishing he could grin. Wishing he could do much more than watch Neo eat for what's likely the first time ever, because it's not like Neo's ever had the ability to eat. Guy doesn't even have a tongue to taste things with. How wonderful of a sensation is it, especially since Neo's eating one of Sonic'd favorite foods? Sonic can barely imagine how much of a delight this is for Neo, and...

He's making a lot of assumptions about all of this, but he at least assumes Neo is enjoying himself a bit.]

Oh, you were definitely hungry. There's a couple more in there if you want to have 'em now. [Sonic is keeping a careful eye out, though, and while he's thinking of it...] You don't have to eat it too fast, though. If you wanna take your time and enjoy it, you can go ahead. It must be a pretty new experience to be able to eat like this, huh?

[Oh right, there are other chili dogs in here...! Neo wastes no time in grabbing a second one, only pausing as Sonic continues.]

I don't have any frame of reference for it. Even if I had asked someone to describe taste to me, I couldn't possibly have understood. Though this experience is... different, I suppose I am thankful for this opportunity to understand.

[All of that is a lot of words just to say "chili dog good" which he then proves by wolfing down the second one. So much for not eating fast... How is he supposed to take his time and enjoy something so unique???]

[neo you are so lucky he's 16, scarfing them down like that is a one way ticket to heartburn on anyone else--]

Then I'll have to see about getting some new food for you to try, for as long as you're housed in there. May as well give you some nice data to take with you for when you get this one back, yeah?

[And there goes another chili dog into the void...a sigh comes out of the machine which sadly only sounds like a particularly exasperated set of static, but Sonic does at least start running his claws through Neo's quills.]

I really do mean it, though; slow down and try to enjoy it a bit. It's not every day you get to experience something completely new like this, and eating isn't meant to be done at peak efficiency. Most of us, we eat when we have an opportunity to rest; sure it's meant to keep us energized, but we do it for enjoyment, too.

[...It makes Sonic consider something, though he elects not to bring it up just yet.]

Maybe with any luck, you'll find a favorite food of your own. I figured I'd just pick my favorite for you to start it off.

[listen,,,]

Enjoyment... I suppose I can see that. I imagine there are a great many types of flavors.

[After all, he's seen all the restaurants and stalls, there's all sorts of food here. He's admittedly quite curious about what everything else tastes like, but for now he'll follow Sonic's advice and take this last chili dog slower. Neo doesn't exactly know how to savor food, but he's doing his best.]

I wonder how much of this data I'll retain... Does it trouble you that you can simply forget the things you've learned?

[Because boy does that trouble him, actually!!]

There definitely are! Not quite my expertise, but that just means we'll have to go out and take you on a bit of a proper food tour before this is over.

[That question, though...it gets Sonic to pause a bit as he considers it, but he finds himself shaking his head.]

Not all of the time. But I won't lie, there are times where I wish I could recall stuff that's just long gone to me. But it just means I'll have the opportunity to learn it again, and I never forget anything major that's happened to me. Or anything about the people I care about; I try to keep all of the important stuff, and some of the rest of it falls into the cracks...

[It's the exact opposite of Neo's memory. He's kind of quietly hoping to go through and see if he can delete some of his own thoughts while he's been in here, just for when Neo gets his body back, because he doesn't need Sonic's inane thoughts on how his functions work, but--]

...Does it bother you? Not being able to recall everything.

Yes.

[The response is immediate, certain. Of course it bothers him, because that simply isn't how he works. It must be different for organic beings, who have never retained everything to begin with. Neo has no doubts that Sonic does retain the important things, and that he wouldn't mind relearning things if he needs to, but...]

Everything I have learned serves a purpose. If it does not, I can simply archive it. Having access to everything at all times is what I'm used to, but it's also... important to me. I wouldn't want to forget any of the lessons I've learned here, no matter how difficult they may be.

[There's also the lingering fear in the back of his mind that he is a machine. He can still be programmed and changed against his will, and the information he's gathered and memories he's made can be altered or removed entirely if the wrong person were to get their hands on it. His loyalty to Eggman is nonexistent now, but he doubts the Doctor would be willing to let his finest creation run off with his hated enemy.]

Forgetting anything, no matter how small, simply shouldn't be possible for me. So it's...

[He trails off, taking another bite of the chili dog while he thinks about how to end that. "It's scary", perhaps. It isn't often that Neo feels as though being a machine is a problem, but... Well, his way of thinking is so drastically different from an organic's in this regard.]

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