escordvi | [Open] May intro

[ YOU SHOULD NOT USE YOUR FRIENDS??? IS THIS SOMETHING SHE ACTUALLY HAS TO SAY OUT LOUD????

She sucks on the inside of her cheek, struggling not to fall for the bait. Stick to the fam. ]

Who said I don't? We're a whole family of adventurers - we work together. But sometimes the kids go off and do their own thing without us even knowing. And when you're a parent, you have to accept it's gunna happen. You gotta let them learn on their own...

[ Her eyes grow soft, shoulders lowering as she says this. ]

As a mom, you'll always need your kids. But your kids won't always need you. It's not an easy lesson to learn... but I'm so proud of them.

[ this time, kit's a little speedier on the uptake, coming back with a tray that has a sandwich on it—meat and cheese or something, she knows her order. except—

"—won't always need you. It's not an easy lesson to learn... but I'm so proud of them."

kit freezes, looking between the two of them. the tray in his hands falls to the floor, and he's at surge's side in an instant, wrapping his arms around her. ]

Surge doesn't need that lesson! I'll always be with her! Stop trying to separate us!

[ she hears the tray clatter, her eyes looking to the ground and kit closes the gap hugging surge tightly. ]

Oof.

[ surge looks to the duck, waving a hand. ]

Chick, you suck at this whole set of words that sound really bad.

[ that's why the tenrec pats kit's head trying to calm him down, also, they can't lose their customer. ]

It's cute though, you're such a family-matters type of feather duster. [ it's with a mischievous look in her eyes as she stares right at della. ] What you said ain't true, they're always gunna need you.

[ if surge and kit's upbringing are a good example, if only their parents had put out posters and signs looking for them. maybe they could have been found, maybe they could have had their old lives still before becoming "this". ]

[ When she heard the clatter, her first thought was that the boy was hurt. ]

Kitsunami!

[ As a result, she was ready to spring out of her chair, only... for that all to happen, instead. Her shoulders sink, and she holds up her hands, trying to set things right. ]

Whoa, whoa whoa! I wasn't saying anything about the two of you! It was about me and my kids! Trust me, I am the LAST person who should impart lessons on anyone!

Look, I'm not Surge's biggest fan [ shocking, truly ] but that doesn't mean I want to tear you two apart! Clearly you guys care about each other, and it'd take a real monster to try and pull you away. Just because I don't like someone doesn't mean I want something bad to happen to them, or that I want their family torn away.

[ And at this point, she has to assume they're family. Of sorts. Why else be this toxically co-dependent? ]

[ kit continues holding onto surge tightly, but he does turn his head to look at della. there's something cautious in his eyes—still scared by the very idea that he could be separated from surge, but... they'll drop to the sandwich that's kind of falling apart on its plate now, the platter on the floor. ]

...

[ then he pulls his gaze away again, squeezing surge for a moment before he pulls away, sitting up. he'll look to her as if for confirmation, but as long as she doesn't say della's lying...

his shoulders slump. ]

S-sorry...

Well, I'll impart a lesson on ya.

[ because surge isn't going to say that della wasn't threatening her, but she isn't going to say that she was either.

the tenrec looks over to the mother, smirking as one hand pats kitsunami's head again. ]

You should get your fill of hating me, because I'm going to make you love me by six months, possibly sooner.

[ sometimes that's how it works, when she sees how much of a hero surge is, then she'll have no choice. ]

You won't have to go awooga when you see me, but you're definitely going to eat these words, Chick. Then you're gunna apologize to Kit for lyin'.

[ She doubts that very much, but saying that out loud isn't going to help things. ]

... I genuinely hope I can. I really mean it.

[ And she really does mean that. If in six months Surge can turn over a new leaf, and stop being a jerk, Della would happily admit she'd been a liar. Granted, she'd be WAY happier if she was actually home in six months, but let's set one miracle at a time.

As for the food... ]

Anyway, waste not, want not. Down the hatch!

[ When you eat nothing but black licorice flavored oxy-chew for 10+ years, you really stop getting picky about your meals. Which is why Della just grabs the fallen sandwich, grabs it, and gets to chomping.

Probably wayyyy past the five-second rule at this point. ]

Mmmf. Not bad.

[ eating off the floor? they used to live that life. it's where surge turns in her chair to watch della like an interesting critter. her two tails wiggle with some interest. ]

What'cha think?

[ with the way she eats, it kinda reminds surge of days with kitsunami when they're not able to get a good meal. then again, kit feeds her first and himself second, sometimes it seems like he doesn't have an appetite.

they'll definitely get paid good for this. ]

There's this ham that's roasting in the back, pineapples and cherries on top to give a sweeter taste. You interested?

[ is she eating that sandwich off the ground now? don't do that—it's going to make kit feel bad. surge is obviously giving her a chance, and she's right for that, she wants to impress della. wouldn't that mean that if kit made a bad impression, it would cause problems for surge?

he frowns, pausing for a moment to weigh his options before he slides back off of his seat. ]

Um... [ ough. ] I-I'm sorry... T-t-there are people who want to take Surge away, but... Sorry...

[ he's all drooping, shoulders slumped, holding one of his ears in each hand as his gaze rests on the floor. ]

[ She's guessing Surge is going into those details to gouge Della out for more cash - but dang, it is working, because Della is hungry. ]

Small slice of ham, and maybe something sweet for dessert. That'll do.

[ burp.

And then, BAM - Kitsu-dorable!!! Ugh, her heart!!! The urge to swoop him up in her arms and cuddle him and ruffle his hair and tell him he's the bestest boy!!! ]

It's fine, really! I swear! I'm not one of 'em. Shoot, I don't even know you two well enough to know what's best or worst for either of you. If I'm outta line again, you can give me another verbal smackdown. Standing up for yourself and those you love is a good skill.

[ the look kitsunami gives her when he lifts his gaze is a little bit cautious, clearly, but he's also meeting her eyes at all—which is always a good sign. it'll only last for a moment or two before he's stammering at the ground again. ]

Y-yes! I won't let anybody say bad things about Surge...

[ even you, della. but with a glance to her on the floor, kit's going to move a little closer to pick up the platter and plate that she's sitting with, then look at surge expectantly. he probably can't do the ham himself. ]

[ kitsunami can take care of himself, that's his issue, if he can't then there's a problem. from what she can tell, he's still got that spunk to him with how he was willing to take up for her. ]

Right, Chick, I love to give verbal smackdowns, you'll hear a lot from me.

[ getting up, she walks over to della to place her arm around the girl's waist. one hand pinches at her stomach to get an idea of what they're working with. ]

Let's feed that gullet, huh?

[ pulling away, she looks to kit with the plate and platter. reaching out to snatch it out his hands before turning towards the kitchen, her twin tails just a wagging from her antagonistic ways. ]

[ Were it not for Kitsunami, she would have smacked that tummy-pinching hand away. (And maybe thrown in a punch to the face for good measure) But, no, she has to be good... so instead she grumbles, and zips up her pilot's jacket even more.

... Then gives her own stomach a pinch. ]

I'm not getting that heavy, am I? ... Might need to start some exercises before bedtime.

[ kit lets the platter go, allowing surge to take it, but he pouts a little as surge rounds the corner towards the back, bringing the dishes with her. then he turns his attention to della, and, um... he's not entirely sure what to do here. ]

I don't think you're heavy...

[ is that right? he's perching up on his seat again regardless. ]

Edited (i forgor) 2025-05-15 17:38 (UTC)

Aw, thanks, kiddo.

[ Why can't things stay like this? Just her and Kitsunami and some mead? But instead of doing what she'd like - shaking Kitsunami over and over and going WHAT IS WITH YOU AND SURGE, THAT IS NOT NORMAL, DO YOU NEED THIS WORLD'S VERSION OF CPS??? - she instead moves to pat her metal leg. ]

Y'see, folks like me have to keep special track of their weight. Otherwise, it might cause too much of a strain on limbs like this. I could always get it fixed up, but since I made it, I'm kinda sentimental about it.

[ oh? kit glances at her leg, then as she explains it, he kind of stares. for a moment there's no answer, but he's just looking at her leg thoughtfully. ]

... Me and Surge have something like that too.

[ not a prosthetic so to speak, unless you'd maybe count their skeleton, but they do have artificial and metal parts in them. kit... kind of didn't expect to find others who are similar. ]

That so, huh? Always nice to find someone who knows what it's like.

[ She can only hope they didn't get their 'extra parts' by similar trauma... ]

Mine's a pretty long story, but the short version, this was a rocket-ship crash. [ a beat, then a quick after-thought - ] Don't worry, I'm not asking you to divulge your tragic origin story! Not my business if you don't wanna say it.

Oh.

[ a little different from theirs, he guesses, but it still came from something bad. is that the same?

kit's peering down at his lap, where he closes and opens one of his hands, peering down at it thoughtfully. it's not like it's a secret what happened to them, but he doesn't know if that's what surge wants. it's not like they need to advertise it either. ]

...

Here we gooooo!

[ a speedy tenrec appears with a metal platter in hand, electricity zapping around the plate, and a piece of ham as she had said it'd be before on top. the only difference is that... it's gotten a little charred on the way out, and that's only because when she runs, her whole body is normally covered in an powerful charge. ]

Chef's said they did somethin' extra special. Not sure, but I guess it's your expensive slab of meat now.

[ this is why she'll drop it on the table, thumping a few times as she notes the way kit is kind of... doing that weird, little introvert thing he does. ]

If you're hungry, I'm sure Chick will let ya mooch.

[ Della jerks at the sudden electricity. She furrows her brow, more curious than annoyed... though she IS still annoyed. She can't exactly eat it yet, so while she waits for the electricity to chill out, she takes a fork and thoughtfully taps it to her beak...

... trying to ignore the fact that Surge is, once again, trying to gouge her for all her money... ]

Huh. Thought last time it was just the device, but... you've got some kind of magic or special power going on here? [ She gestures with the fork to all the zappy-zap. ]

Baby, I'm 100% made of lightning.

[ as far as she's concerned, she's a thunderbolt that's ready to explode at any moment. well, who knows how long this will last, but it's fine. ]

That's thanks to the all-mighty powerful dragon I was tellin' ya about.

[ how long can she fuck with della when it comes to this. blue electricity snakes around the ham, through the platter, and then back onto surge before disappearing in a couple of seconds. the bright light in her eyes dim, returning to a normal, dull shade as she places one hand on her hip. ]

[ dragon? what dragon?

kit peers over at surge, but even when she's lying, he knows by now that it's usually for a good reason, like with starline. so he nods fervently in agreement, but doesn't seem concerned with speaking in support of surge. instead, he taps his fingers against the top of the table, because any moment now...

BOOM!

the building shakes. the lights go out. the sound of a small explosion(?) comes from somewhere in the back of the restaurant, and people begin swarming the floor like ants as they hurry to escape in case of another.

kit's just chillin. ]

[ Yeah, Della's still not buying that story. For Kitsunami's sake, she doesn't eyeroll. But hey, at least now she can eat! And boy, after all this, she is starving! She twirls the fork in her hand, stabs the meat, brings it to her beak...

BOOM?!

... and drops it in shock. ]

What the hey - ?!

[ Just like that, she's off - running straight towards the explosion. As she goes, she tries to help up anyone who tripped, or nearly suffered Mufasa's fate by stampede, still making her way to the danger. ]

Just keep your face below the smoke! Get back as far as possible, we don't know if another one's coming! Go, go, go!

[ heem heem. though he didn't expect della to go straight towards it. ]

Surge...

[ della takes off, and kit's already getting to his feet too, looking none too upset about what's just happened. instead, he'll gently pull surge's arm in the direction that della ran in. ]

This is your chance.

[ their chance, but mostly for her. ]

[ unlike her partner, surge's taken aback by the rumble through the building's floors and walls, and jumping to her feet she's already looking around to try and see what happened. confused, the tenrec can hear della make her way off, but it's kitsunami's touch with a reminder that she needs to do something that she realizes what's at stake. ]

Oh.. yeah! Yeah... Let's do it.

[ it's disorienting at first, but she shakes it off with a confident smile as she starts running towards the same direction della has went off to. handle the problem then the people, or is it handle the people then the problem? which way is the right way, she thinks about these things quickly, but a right answer never really shows itself to her.

smoke wafts out blurring the vision of those caught inside, everything black and grey. surge can hear coughing, various screams of people, and even some individuals running in della's direction. too many and she might get ran over. to lighten the load, surge jumps towards the back kitchen first, zipping around with an electrical current following after her as she picks them up, and a couple others to run them out of the building with ease so as soon as she sets them down they can run.

those within the kitchen removed, now she'll rush back there into the depths of the smoke. surge's eyes don't burn from the sensation, she pushes forward, moving until she pushes down a door with her body to see if the room further behind is responsible for all the smoke. ]

Edited 2025-05-20 23:05 (UTC)

[Open] May intro

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