metaloverlord: (𝟎𝟎𝟖)
𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂 ([personal profile] metaloverlord) wrote in [community profile] sranks2024-12-16 11:17 pm

ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

( catchall for some dumb hedgehogs
also seasons tdm link for reference! )
lovesadventure: ('cause I only have)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-03 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
[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.]
lovesadventure: (Just living by my word)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-03 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
[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?
lovesadventure: (But I ain't out of control)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-03 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
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--)]
lovesadventure: (I'm just living by)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-03 06:58 am (UTC)(link)
[...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?
lovesadventure: (Don't criticize)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-03 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
[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.
lovesadventure: (I don't know why I can't leave)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-03 07:40 am (UTC)(link)
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.
lovesadventure: (And I won't give in)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-03 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sonic listens, and it at least makes sense when he thinks about it. Knowledge has always been something Neo has always had for himself; it was something he could gather, something he could have for himself. And it's...

Well, Sonic's gaze darts briefly while he thinks about that. Man. Living like he does really would be hell for Neo, compared to everything he's known.]


...It's scary, isn't it? [Sonic's not sure if he's reading the intent right, but as he continues to gently run his claws through Neo's newly organic quills, it's the first thing that comes to mind.] I think I get it. All of this stuff, it's yours. It's what you've held onto, that nobody can really take from you.

[And even then, how true is that? If Eggman were to get his hands on Neo again, he doubts he'd just let him go free and build something else. If that happened, what would happen to them? What would happen to the Neo he knows and loves, that he couldn't protect? Sonic doesn't live anywhere, after all, and he doubts that Tails or anyone else would be willing or able to hide him, it's--

There's that overthinking whirr of machinery again that isn't stopping, and Sonic has to close a few pop-ups to try and keep his brain calm.]
...I dunno if it'll help, but at least for now...do you wanna pick up a couple notebooks to keep stuff in? Do you think something like that could help for now?
lovesadventure: ('cause I only have)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-03 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Good. I'll go find you some tomorrow, then--

[The hand against his cheek startles him only slightly, mostly at how...muted still, it feels. Sonic leans into it nonetheless, though, optics closing briefly before opening back up.

Oh, this feels like a mistake right now, but Neo's got him to where he can't exactly separate without it looking weird. That machinery hasn't died down at all, and he wishes he wasn't so damn obvious like this. A clawed hand goes up, gently touching Neo's more fleshy one for a moment.]


...I don't know, Neo. [It comes out surprisingly soft.] I really don't. I just...the more I start to understand about you, the more worried I get. 'Cause I mean...if you're there, right now in my body, that has to mean you've got a soul and heart of your own. Here, it isn't a problem because nobody can really use it against you, and I'd kick their butts if they tried. But...

[Can the same be said for back home? Will the same hold true even when they get back, where Eggman's likely going to want to--]

Sorry. I shouldn't be worrying about that kind of stuff. You've had to live it, and you've got your own issues to worry about, yeah?

[Sonic tries to deflect once again, but it's less good than his last attempt. If anything, the machinery noises are getting worse despite Sonic's best attempt.]
lovesadventure: (I don't need a reason)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-03 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sonic really can't help but think that he's overthinking all of this; he knows that, honestly, and he finds his gaze averting again as Neo reminds him of that. He's getting stuck in his own head, but it's hard not to be, when he can't feel, he can't taste, he can't do much of anything except thing or fight and--

Is this what Neo faces on a daily basis? Because Sonic can firmly say that he hates it.]


...It's hard. I know you won't let anything happen, and I believe in you. I really do. But I think that's just...part of it, maybe.

[But that really isn't the root of the problem, even if it's part of it.]

I guess, more than anything, it's just...how do you distract yourself so you aren't in your own head all the time? [Sonic actually looks at Neo at that, and he can't quite convey the urgency or the distress in his expression, but--] I've been trying to do that all day, to just...get out of my head, to distract myself with something, but I feel drawn back in every time. I don't know how to handle any of this in the ways I'm used to. And I know you don't really make yourself sleep or anything, and I just...

...I've never known how to sit still, and I've always run from anything more complicated, thoughts-wise. I'm the kind of guy who just puts things out of his head and hopes for the best, I don't...think hard about stuff or get lost in my head.

[A part of him wants to ask if that's something he can delete. If there's something he can do to just...force it to stop for a bit so he doesn't have to think, so he doesn't have to get overwhelmed with information, maybe he can just delete these overbearing thoughts, but--

He really doesn't want to hurt Neo in the process, and Sonic's grip on Neo's hand is tight.

Please don't leave. You can do whatever you want, whatever you wanna say I'll hear, but please don't leave.]


...Sorry, Neo. I know it's not easy. I'm...not sure if there is a way to make it easier. But...you being here, it is helping. Don't think for a second that it isn't.
lovesadventure: (I'm just living by)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-04 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
I know it isn't. Hope it doesn't sound like I'm blaming you for it, because believe me, I don't. If anything, I'm choosing to blame the Egghead.

[Sonic hates this feeling. He hates wallowing like this when he knows there's nothing that can be done, but he does find his free arm wrapping around Neo in kind when he feels him nuzzle into him, and it's nice. Muted, even still, he hates how muted everything feels, but it is nice and he returns it for a bit while he listens to Neo.

The idea of stasis is genuinely interesting, at least--anything to help turn off what feels like the overwhelming amount of popups and reminders. It probably isn't even that overwhelming to Neo, really, and that's what's making Sonic sulk most of all. It kind of worries him, in a way, that he's hurting Neo by being like this, but...

He walks over to the bed and joins Neo, and he's...not altogether sure if he should lie down for this. If he's gonna be the more aware of the two, he should sit up, right? There he goes overthinking again, gah. Sonic listens to Neo, though, doing his best to focus on finding that function. It takes a bit--mostly to will down Sonic's nerves enough to go digging in the first place, but he does and...

...Oh. Neo can watch as the nervous whirring comes to a stop, and Sonic...well, his eyes widen a little bit, but he feels...]


...Oh, this is much better, I think. [Neo can just. Do that??? What the fuck, why doesn't he have this--] ...Thanks, Neo. Sorry for being such a big baby when it comes to this, but...I really do appreciate you looking out for me. Feels less like I'm getting poked and prodded with a stick by my own brain.

[listen he just feels like he's in a sensory deprevation chamber while neo's EXPERIENCING HUMAN LIFE??? he feels like he's complaining for nothing.]
lovesadventure: (Don't criticize)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-04 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
I know you don't.

[And that much honestly makes Sonic wish he could smile and express that much in his usual way, he still really can't...but he does bring Neo closer, managing to see if the heating works in stasis mode and--there it is. Sonic starts to run his hands through Neo's quills again, nuzzling him in kind from below and holding him close.]

And believe me, I'm here if you need anything too. I really am glad I've got you here; if this had been anyone else, it'd have been even more of a nightmare.

[He can't quite kiss his boyfriend on the head, but he nuzzles into a spot on Neo's newly fleshy head and nuzzles into it--it's the best approximation he has for a little kiss. It does make him curious, maybe, about his shapeshifting capabilities. He's never asked Neo to try anything like growing something new, but...

...Eh, that's a question for another time.]


...How are you feeling, anyway? [It makes Sonic curious, more than anything. Have some ear scritches while he talks.] Have you found anything you like about being flesh and bone now?
lovesadventure: (Though it might be tough)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-04 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
It's pretty nice, isn't it?

[It gets another one of those strangely static sounds that Sonic's at least slowly getting used to; a laugh, if a little foreign to the ears. But honestly, while he might not like being in Neo's body, it really is worth it to see him like this. Absolutely flourishing and boneless. A puddle, even.]

That's one of the great things about touch, I think; it's why I like it a lot, too. Whether it's cuddling with you or laying out in an open field and feeling the grass on my skin or something, there's no shortage of great things you can feel.

[...Sonic thinks for a moment, considering something. He's not sure if he's gonna need to get out of stasis mode to try something, but he can focus on another thought first.]

...You think maybe we should see about trying to bribe these guys to get you a new body, if the day comes that we end up going home? Or at least see if like...I don't know. They can magic you up some extra settings to let you feel more things.

'Cause honestly...I don't mind sticking like this if it's making you this happy. You're being super cute right now.

[Oh, if only he could smirk.]
lovesadventure: (Don't criticize)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2025-01-04 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
[...Oh.

Sonic considers that for a moment, watching as Neo's gaze darts off elsewhere. For a moment he's wondering if he should drop the conversation entirely. The mechanical shaking of his head at least confirms that much, and Sonic's own gaze darts for a brief moment.]


I get it, yeah. I wouldn't want you to lose any of that. They're what make you, well, you after all.

[And he does mean that; he doesn't dare touch any of Neo's data or memory stuff because of that. Sure it kind of means Sonic's going to leave a mess behind for Neo to clean up, but...]

...Hey, Neo. I wanna try something--I don't know if I'll be able to get it right or succeed in it, but do I gotta be out of stasis to try anything to like...

[...How does he put it...]

...Formshift? I think that's the right word. Not something big, but I wanted to try something small that I've been kinda curious about, if you're okay with it.

[...He wants to try and smooch his boyfriend okay, leave him alone--]

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