MOTHER

[a_gentle_boy]

[action]
[It was difficult to celebrate a holiday under the effects of mind control, no matter how subtle.  So he'd postponed his plans, just a few days.  The exact date wasn't of much importance to him - they hadn't even had this day in Tazmily - but the spirit of it . . . That was what he wanted to honor.

He holds a single sunflower, the mass of roots and dirt cupped between his hands as he makes his way to a corner of the park he had sought out for this purpose.  It may be that it would be gone the next day, but . . . if he could have this for a day, that would be enough.  Enough time to sit, to think . . . to remember and to reflect.  A large insect of some sort sits atop his shoulder and chitters away curiously.  He ignores it, for the time being, and sets the flower down carefully against the grass.  He takes ahold of his trowel and begins to dig.

The work is not hard.  The hole is made before long, and gently, he lowers the flower, nestling it within the hollow.  He pats the dirt down, adjusts the leaves and petals . . . finds a rock and sets it before the golden flower.  He begins to speak aloud as he carefully scratches away.]

Little stinkbug...  You've recorded the history of my world, right?  You remember everything Leder said to us that day.  Right before we went to face Porky for the last time.  To remind us in case we forgot . . . if we forgot what it is we were fighting for.

So... I want you to record something else, too.  Is that OK?  ... Something... Something just as important.  Not in case I forget.  I couldn't ever forget.  But because . . . it's something that should always be remembered.  No matter how much time passes.  A hundred years from now, I want people to remember her name...

She saved the Nowhere Islands.  Not me and Boney, or Kumatora, or Duster.  If it weren't for her... I would have died a long time ago. 

Her name was Hinawa.  My mom.  Hinawa.

[action 2]
[Sometime later, he sits by himself in front of the rock that reads, 'HINAWA - A loving mother'.  The stinkbug is gone.  Lucas draws his knees up to his chest and wraps his arms around them.] 

It's been a long time.  It's better... that you're not here anymore.  All of the things that've happened since you left - not much of it was good.  I wish . . . I really wish that I don't see you again.  Because thinking about you here, going through drones and Grady and ... and giant robots and things.  It hurts a lot more thinking about that than thinking that you're happy where you are now.

Are you happy?  You and Claus . . . I'm not smart enough to understand where you might be, but if you're at home and you're watching everyone and you're worried that I'm not there . . . Please don't.  I'll be OK.  I promise.  I want you to rest.  You shouldn't have to worry about me anymore or about our world.  That's... It's all taken care of.  You've done everything you needed to.  So.  You shouldn't worry. 

And I won't worry, either.  Even if I never see you again... Even if I never see you again as long as I'm alive.  That'll be a good thing.  Because it means ... you don't have to try to protect me.  It means you can be at peace.  And . . . I'll be OK.  Because no matter how much time passes, I'll always remember.  Everything about you.  The way you smile, the way you laugh.  The way I feel when you're near me.  If I remember all of that... I'll be OK.

Things always keep on changing, no mater how much I wish they wouldn't.  I'm growing up here, without you and Dad.  I outgrew another shirt last week.  It was one I've had since I got here, so... I didn't want to throw it away.  That's silly, right?... It's hard to think that I might be here until I'm an adult, but... I think, too, that you did such a good job the first ten years that I'll be alright by myself.

No matter what.......... I'll definitely be alright.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  That's what they say here.  I love you.

((Either action/conversation can be responded to, though if you have little to no CR with Lucas, I'd prefer you not overhear the second prompt.))

Comments

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . I was telling my bug a little about the past. He's really smart. Can you understand him at all?

[The bug chirps away, and if Aaron manages, it'll just generally be gibberish about introducing itself.]

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

[[Sadly Aaron can't. He shakes his fluffy head.

Giving little chattering barks at the strange bug.]]

~Sorry little guy. I don't even know if I can understand other coyotes.~

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Animals usually understand each other where I'm from. They understand humans, too. It's alright; I didn't really think you would.

[The bug will hop back towards Lucas and settle on top of his head. Lucas will look pensive as he folds up his arms and rests his head on top of them.]

.....Are you practicing being a coyote right now?

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

[[Rests his head and gives a muttering bark.]]

~Kind of. I'm also kind of hiding... I'm bad at that though.~

[[Considering he found Lucas and didn't avoid the kid.]]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Who're you hiding from? ...This clearing is a little out of the way, so you can stay here, I guess.

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

[[Tries to do a shrug, hard to do as a coyote.]]

~I'm exhausted from mother's day... the town did something weird to me again. And I've been thinking so I came out here.

Thanks.

You okay?~

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Oh. They did that last year, too. I. Mostly stayed out of the way. Nothing really bad happened, so... I'm fine.

I'm... I'm alright.

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

~That was probably smart. I was all over the place running people's errands and cleaning... among other things.

What was your mom like? She sounds nice.~

[[He's curious, and he's there so he'll lay and listen.]]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He drops his gaze for a moment before meeting the coyote's face with a faint smile.]

She was the nicest person anyone will ever meet. She . . . There's no way to describe her properly, since she was so . . . good. It was kind of like that.

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

[[Lays there listening.]]

~I can see that. You're probably a lot like her.~

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas shakes his head a little and rolls over to face the sky.]

I don't know about that... Everything you might think I am or you think I'm like, she was a lot . . . more. No one is perfect, and I know I'm pretty biased, but... I think she might've been close.

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

~Don't sell yourself short Lucas. I'm sure she's proud of you.~

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Maybe. I haven't done anything anyone else wouldn't do in the same situation. It's just... most people aren't put in a place where they can do something . . . extraordinary.

Anyway... If you talk too much about how good I am, I'll get a big ego. How're you doing, Aaron?

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

~Most people aren't strong enough to take the chance when they get it.

And knowing you're pretty cool might not be a bad thing, just remember the little guys when you get there.

I'm doing okay.~

[[Lies, but he's hoping he can lie better as a coyote.]]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas slowly nods a little.]

. . . Are you sure?

Um. I don't want to pry or anything, but . . . You've been looking a little like my dog does after I yell at him for doing something bad.

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

~Really? That's what this looks like?~

[[Lays his head down.]]

~I really need to work on learning how to be a coyote. You'd think it'd come natural or something.

I'm doing okay though. I just think I have to make some tough choices soon. Nothing new though.~

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

It's just that your ears are a little flattened. ...Maybe it's because you're lying down. Sorry.

. . . If you need any help or anything, you can feel free to ask.

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

[[That's the problem.]]

~Wow... so many tells when you're an animal.

I will let you know though if I need help. I think I have this one though.~

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Humans are pretty similar... If you know how to look, a lot of people give themselves away, too.

[An tiny bit of psychic empathy helps, too.]

. . . Well. Whatever it is, I hope you get through it OK.

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

~I'm bad at hiding things when I'm human so I guess I shouldn't have expected to do any better like this.

And thanks. I know I'll be fine in the end.~

[[Worse case, it'd be like it was back home.]]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas will nod slowly to that before propping himself back up into a sitting position.]

. . . I think I'm going to stay here a little longer. You can stay too, if you want. I'm just gonna... take a nap or watch the clouds.

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

[[He bobs his head again, nodding a coyote is a habit he won't lose any time soon.]]

~I'll be around, if you need just give me a call and I'll probably hear it. I am going to walk a bit.~

[[Geting up again and stretching.]]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

((I apologize for the lateness! As I noted earlier in the OoC comm, I'm on and off hiatus until the 29th. Feel free to ignore.))

OK. I'll see you later, then, Aaron. ...Thanks for listening.

[As promised, Lucas will flump back into a lying-down position as Aaron moves to leave. The coyote may find himself with an unwelcome hitchhiker, though, as Lucas's bug has returned sometime during their conversation and is now attempting to ride on Aaron's back.]

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

((You know me, I back tag forever!))

[[He'll shake a bit at the itch, but if it doesn't run away on the first shake attempt it'll get a free ride.

Aaron is going to go find a place to lay down that doesn't involve others so much. Trying to glance back at the bug.]]

~You like to listen, right?~

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

((I am unworthy. T_T))

[The bug stays attached to the coyote and squeaks and chirps cheerily. This probably means yes.]