sranks | ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

That's so boring. Not surprised, but still! You guys all deserve way better...

[Seriously, the robots need to unionize. It's time for the Egghead to start treating his employees well dangit--

Sonic does pause a bit; given that his focus has been on Neo primarily, he notices the partial raising of the hand, canting his head at it. It...hits that maybe he should ask, and he almost considers asking if Neo still wants to do this--Sonic's okay with it, obviously, it felt just like the most natural thing to do after everything was all said and done, but...

Well. Sonic hears the familiar whirr of the machinery, and Neo's warm again and it's all too tempting to curl into him and take that warmth. Sonic still leans into it a bit, setting his food on his lap and starting to chow down on it, and almost idly, Sonic's free hand settles down near Neo's. He's not sure why, really, but...the invitation is there, if Neo wants. It's finally hitting that this feels almost--

No. No thinking about that now.]

I get it, Neo. Least a little bit. [...] If there's anything you want help with, I've got plenty of time, you know. You kinda seemed like...

[You didn't really even live in that apartment.]

...Talk to me, lemme pick your brain a bit, Neo. Anything in particular stickin' out?

[His eyes flick to Sonic's hand - that looks like an invitation. Before he can get lost in his own thoughts about what exactly all this means, Neo simply moves his hand to take Sonic's. His now.]

...I find myself wondering if I will ever truly learn all I need to in this place.

[Though his voice hasn't changed much at all, he's not actually having a crisis (yet). It's curiosity more than struggling that drives his words.]

I do not know even the basics for what it means to "live". My "life" has revolved around one purpose and accomplishing it; the data I have is in service to it, or otherwise may prove useful. There is so much I do not know, however, and I wonder if I will ever be able to gather all the information I need.

[He doesn't really understand what he and Sonic are doing right now. He doesn't know how to quantify it and categorize it so it fits in neatly with the numbers and data he always works with. It feels out of place, but it doesn't feel wrong. In some ways, it feels like a natural progression of things - he doesn't want to change it, either.]

[Sonic definitely smiles a little bit when Neo takes his hand; Sonic doesn't really know what to properly call this either, but it feels natural somehow. Like this is a natural progression, and Sonic doesn't want to overthink it. Doesn't want to overthink about how well he can do this, how well he can actually keep up with being...whatever this new part of their rivalry is.

It's comfortable, and warm. That's all it needs to be, right? Sonic doesn't have to worry about being a good boyfriend, or anything, it's--]

...Everybody finds their own different meaning in living, and we do it through learning about the world around us in our own way. I guess that's the best way I can explain it. Like, that's kind of how life goes for most people; most of us don't get created with one purpose and suddenly have to go and figure it out from the start. But I guess it's like...

[Sonic takes another bite of food as he thinks about how to explain this, explain this to a robot who's never had this opportunity.]

Most people, when they first come into the world, they've got people around them who teach them how to actually take care of themselves. Give 'em some kind of warnings about the world, and work to do so they can contribute to it, but it's only the building blocks. You spend a long time learning to take care of yourself, and when you get old enough, you go out into the world and find your own way.

I mean, for me? I basically ended up just getting bored of the place I lived in and decided to figure it out as I went, going where the wind took me and where there was trouble to try and fix it along the way. There's a lot I don't even know about living, but I'm kind of just trying to learn about it as I go. I take it one day at a time, and try not to worry about the stuff I don't get.

[Sonic kind of idly rubs his thumb into circles on Neo's hand when he says all of that, though, taking another couple of bites of food, probably tossing an eggroll into the air and catching it in his mouth without missing a beat. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he doesn't sound anxious when he says all of that; it just kind of sounds like a fact of life to him, and one he's long accepted. But he doubts it's going to be as easy for Neo, because Neo's always the sort who likes to analyze, who needs to know..]

I'm not gonna tell ya you should do the same thing, obviously. You're already havin' a hard enough time with this. But...I don't know; no matter what, it's gonna take time, and there's gonna be a lot of things you don't get right at first. Don't know if that's really gonna be any assurance for you, but...

What do you think would help, Neo? Got any ideas on what you think you might need?

Edited (important distinction) 2024-12-21 03:29 (UTC)

[So in summation: organic beings are not born with a purpose. They are not given orders they must follow, a task they must carry out that drives them. Instead, they are expected to find what it is they want to do and determine how to live on their own, with the only way to learn simply to experience things first-hand.

...How terrifying.

Of course, the punishments for failure are different as well. It isn't as though there's a risk of an organic being turned into scrap if they fail. They have little choice but to pick themselves up and keep moving, because they cannot simply be reprogrammed or repurposed or reshaped into something else, something better. They make mistakes because they have no other option, and they learn from those mistakes because they don't want to repeat them.

Here, in this world, Neo cannot rely on the same methods that have guided his "life" thus far. His driving goal has been nullified by the magic in this world. His creator is absent, even if he did want to lean on Eggman for orders (which he does not want to do). He could spend the rest of his time here in Ellipsa filling his databanks with what knowledge he can get his hands on, but would it ever truly prepare him for things like this - these quiet, gentle moments with someone he's supposed to loathe?]

...I'm not sure.

[He doesn't like not having an answer. But...]

I have a tendency to become trapped by my thoughts when left alone for too long. I find myself running in circles mentally, unable to determine the best way to proceed and thus endlessly stuck analyzing and calculating when it seems that my usual approach is... inadequate here.

[His gaze snaps back to Sonic's face from where it had drifted away at some point during that. Neo's grip on Sonic's hand tightens as well, almost to the point of being painful.]

I find it easier to focus when you are around. I cannot remain stuck in those thoughts when you are pushing me forward.

[It's not always intentional on Sonic's part. It's simply a part of who Neo is that he tends to act without thinking whenever Sonic's involved. For once, this is beneficial, because it means he can free himself from these chains of his own making.

So what will help? The answer is obvious. Sonic will help.

Or, what Neo isn't actually saying: stay with me.

Don't leave me behind.]

[Sonic listens to Neo as he talks, eating all the while; it makes sense that Neo struggles with that kind of stuff, but Sonic keeps that thought to himself for the moment while he does. Neo was literally programmed like this; to think, to analyze, to over think everything so he can make what he thinks is a perfect decision. Sonic doesn't know everything about what Eggman does to those who don't succeed, but Neo's always been focused on perfection. On overwhelming power, on doing things right.

What an agonizing way to live.]

...Sometimes you really just gotta let yourself feel, rather than think. Anyone can do that; you just gotta learn.

[It's gently said, though, and though Sonic winces a bit at the tight grip that Neo's got on his hand, he finds himself chuckling just a bit at it and leaning a little bit closer to Neo, almost teasing.]

Heh. That's a lot of words for asking me if you can come and live with me, you know. Keep that up, and I'll start thinking you like me or something.

[Without even thinking or missing a beat, and before Neo can speak up, Sonic leans in and gives Neo a small peck on the cheek. Sorry if you get a piece of fried rice stuck there--]

Not that I got a problem with that. Any of that. Honestly? It might actually help to have someone here who can remind me to slow down a bit sometimes. If it helps you to have me around to keep you out of that labyrinth of a head of yours? Then you can stick around as long as you want.

[Incorrect, Neo does not have feelings—

Anyway, before he can argue(?) with Sonic, he's given a kiss, and that settles him. He will accept it. He will not accept this piece of fried rice stuck to his cheek and it is flicked off by his free hand.]

That is acceptable. Leave the upkeep and maintenance of this property to me, then.

[It's not that he doesn't trust Sonic with such things, it's simply that he needs to contribute in some way. Mooching off of Sonic is simply not acceptable. He can repay this debt so that he won't have to worry about that as well.

...

And he doesn't like Sonic, shut up.]

You don't gotta do that...

[Sonic chuckles at that, though; he's not going to stop Neo if that's what he wants, though. If anything, it's probably gonna be helpful. Sonic's...not particularly organized or good at anything but bulk cleaning...

Still, Sonic seems pleased with that for a reason he can't describe. He's always liked crashing out with Tails because it keeps him consistent; he respects Tails' space because he's cohabiting with his friend, maybe he'll be able to do a little better with Neo around at keeping things in order and keeping him consistent. Sonic finishes off the last of his food after that, though, and tosses the takeout box over to the trash. It thankfully lands right inside.]

But hey, it's your choice. I'm not gonna stop you from making it. My space is yours!

[...And speaking of that, you are getting leaned into again Neo. Warm...]

Heh. If we're gonna do this, maybe I should get the couch unfolded out into a bed so we can-- [...Oh, uh, actually--Sonic pauses a moment, as if realizing something.] ...Oh, yeah, uh. This place doesn't actually have a like...separate bedroom or anything like that. Is that gonna be a problem for you?

[...Mostly because he's realizing there is, in fact, only one bed here. Um. Oh dear, he did not think this through, he may be slightly pink--]

[Neo nods at that, shifting as Sonic cuddles into him. Ah, this is better, having Sonic this close is... acceptable. Yes. Acceptable.

The question catches him off-guard though, and Neo inclines his head a bit.]

Why would that be a problem? I do not need to sleep.

[...Wait for it, the gears are slowly turning in his head...]

I sit on the floor when I do need to charge. I have no need for a bed.

[???]

I'm sorry, what?

[?!?!]

Okay, no, you are not staying on the floor? You gotta have somewhere to get comfortable at night, that's just wrong?!

[DID EGGMAN NOT EVEN GIVE YOU GUYS LIKE, BEDS? HOLDING CHAMBERS??? ANYTHING?????

Sonic sounds absolutely aghast at this, though he doesn't move from Neo as he says that. But despite the pink face, Sonic shakes his head at this immediately.]

We're gonna find something for you to sleep on. Or rest on, or...I don't know, some kind of comfortable charging place. That's so disrespectful?

[Neo inclines his head a bit at Sonic's outburst, clearly not getting it.]

I do not understand why you are so concerned about it, but I suppose I can comply with that.

[It's not like he has a preference for the ground or anything? That's just how it goes. So if it'll calm Sonic down, then he'll take something else, sure.]

It's just...ugh, how do I explain it.

[...how do you explain human 101 to a robot...]

Everyone gets some kind of comfortable place to rest, at the end of the night. That's just a universal thing? Even on nights where I'm out, I bring some kind of pillow and sleeping back with me. Guess it's just another thing I'm mad at the Egghead about, because it feels...cruel, to not even give that to someone. Especially someone who works his butt off like you.

[Yes, trying to murder him counts as hard work, don't question it--

Sonic's not sure if that makes any form of sense, honestly, but if Neo doesn't mind, he's gonna curl a little closer now and steal some of that warmth. Honestly, between the food and the whirring white noise of Neo's machinery, he's already starting to feel his eyelids start to close as he kind of just idly wraps his free arm around Neo.]

...We'll work on that tomorrow. I know a couple people around town who could at least make a good bed for you. We can get your stuff moved in tomorrow too so we can get this place ready for both of us being here.

[Cruel, huh? It's hard to see it as a cruelness when that's simply how it's always been, but to an organic being who can be injured, perhaps it would seem unnecessarily harsh. Neo won't ever rise from his rest with aches and pains regardless of what position he chooses to recharge in, but an organic being requires a comfortable environment for optimal sleep. Of course they would put importance on such things.

Well, it's just one of Sonic's idiosyncrasies. Neo supposes it's fine. What's more fine is Sonic cuddling closer to him - Neo immediately mirrors that by wrapping his free arm around Sonic as well, claws gentle against his back.]

You do not need to worry about me, I can handle it myself.

[...No, that's not exactly right, is it? Give him a moment, he has to carefully think about this and choose words that are better fitting now that he has a better understanding of why Sonic behaves like this—]

Your concern is... noted. If you want to help, then I will allow it.

[...An Attempt Was Made.]

[You know what.

It's character development, he will take it and run with it.]

Good. I wasn't gonna try and go behind your back about it, but I'm gonna at least make sure you can have some basic stuff you should've been getting to begin with...

[Sonic gently squeezes their held hands together, but it isn't long before Sonic starts to nod off in earnest against Neo; so much for unfolding the couch out, but he once again starts to melt into Neo without thinking, and he is so damn comfortable.

...And yes, he is purring again, though it's a little softer and more involuntary now.]

I didn't think you would.

[Sonic isn't the sort to do that, even if it wouldn't truly bother Neo. But for now, it seems Sonic's ready to rest and Neo... Well, he doesn't need to go anywhere for the next several hours anyway. He can remain still until Sonic awakens.

...Though this is probably going to be uncomfortable for Sonic... Good luck, hedgehog.

(Neo will adjust a bit if Sonic seems too uncomfortable in his sleep... but he'll keep the heaters on, just because Sonic seems to like the warmth.)]

ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

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