Report 010 [Action/Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

Comments

[Action]

[notshadowfever]

[Eggman happens to be leaving his apartment around the same time Robert is, and being next door neighbours (though not for long), this means they happen to bump into each other. Although not literally, luckily.

Robert's carrying a box at the moment, which Eggman thinks the weedy little scientist is probably struggling with.

The best possible response to this? Walk up behind Robert and slap him on the back heartily.]

Professor Hastings! Fancy bumping into you here. [He eyes the box Robert's carrying.] Jumping ship, are we?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Oh hello, fellow scientist - now just one of the two Robert knows besides himself and the Malnosso, here - and apparent villain. Good combination, there.

Of course, between Robert not quite registering Eggman's presence until that slap strikes him, the nearness of his wings to that blow, and the fact that even back-slapping is a violent act to Terran taboos - well, the initial reaction is to outright panic and yelp slightly at the pain and shock.

There are a few terse, frightful seconds where Robert expects a second blow and hunches in anticipation of staving it off, but when it doesn't come he notices Eggman himself grinning at him.]

...

... [... Oh. Was... was that a greeting?]

... Er. S-Salutations, Doctor Robotnik.

And, yes. It is, er, about t-time for a... change of location. [Half-lying, here.]

[Action]

[notshadowfever]

Oh, really? That's a shame! Since we were neighbours I was hoping we'd become fast friends! [It's said in a joking manner, but there might be a hint of sincerity buried in there.]

Well, I might as well try my hand at this 'helping' thing! Why don't you hand me that box?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[And Robert takes it entirely sincerely. Ouch.] Ah - well, Doctor R-Robotnik, I... certainly would not be against m-maintaining connections. After all, I would strongly like to collaborate with you...

[And he softens a little. He knows Eggman's probably dangerous, but damnit, he's still sad and a little vulnerable.] ... Especially since a close scientist f-friend of mine was... recently sent home.

[Action]

[notshadowfever]

[Silly Robert.] Relax, Hastings. Unless you get sent back home like they did, you're hardly going to be moving far away, are you? Not unless you're hiding some sort of barrier busting bomb in that box! Ba ha!

Speaking of which, the offer to help you carry that isn't going to be here forever!

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

N-Nothing like that, no. Just, er, a s-simple collection of belongings.

[Nothing too fragile either, which is why this container gets handed gently to Eggman.]

... Th-Thank you for the assistance.

[Action]

[notshadowfever]

You know, you really must develop a sense of humour one of these days, Professor!

[Are you implying he would drop this box, sir?]

Don't mention it! Ho ho! I could get used to this kind of praise! [Although it is more satisfying to hear "Ahh, help! It's Dr. Robotnik!"] Now why don't you get another box and you can show me where your new place is!

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[What's a sense of humour?

And yes. Sort of.]

Ah, well... [Robert is, uh, definitely not certain how much he should reveal to a potential threat. Though this mun really wanted him and Don to craft something together... Perhaps somewhere near the house...] It is quite a w-ways, and I would not wish to put you so far out of your d-destination, Doctor Robotnik.

[Action]

[notshadowfever]

Ah, Professor Hastings, you're so considerate! [Also, you're an echidna-loving little dweeb! What are you hiding?] But really, I insist. [Probably sounded more threatening than it should have! But either way it goes back to that usual jovial tone.]

Besides, you've handed me the box now! It's no trouble, really! I was only going out for a walk anyway, and this will prove good exercise!

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[This has nothing to do with echidnas and everything to do with turtles.

... And Robert is now weighing the intelligence of actually being honest versus his crappy-ass lying skills. Um.

Threatening is not helping matters with regards to this decision, really.]

If you are certain... [Robert can't help but blatantly broadcast his anxiety in this regard, though he doesn't even realize he is.]

[Action]

[notshadowfever]

Oh, I'm certain! I'll just wait right here for you. Perhaps we can talk on the way!

[Eggman clutches the box he was handed, trying to eye its contents nosily.]

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[The box Eggman is holding contains nothing particularly fascinating except for one potentially interesting thing, isolated cleanly from the others and sitting on top. It's a small, currently-disconnected hydroponics gardening unit, only six plants in total.

The flowers growing within are pink and yellow.]

I w-would be amicable to that... [And Robert continues walking south, mindful of the fact Eggman's basically being led to the Hamatos' house. Augh.]

[Action]

[notshadowfever]

[Yuck, flowers? You can't build a robot out of that.

Or.
Can.
You?]

Splendid, Professor! [Eggman follows after Robert and drops the box, keeping the box steady and still eyeing the contents a bit, wondering what that is anyway.] Why are you moving, anyway? Community housing too crowded for you?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[... You can certainly try... but not with Robert's hydroponics garden! That's special!

Robert winces visibly at Eggman's question, before deciding that he gains more by being at least somewhat honest in this situation.]

... My continued... p-presence in the community building was... m-making me a liability.

[He's not sure how Eggman will take that, but it is true.]

[Action]

[notshadowfever]

[Only because he's a crap liar.]

I'm not quite sure I follow you, Professor.

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert hates this double-speak thing, but getting Eggman involved beyond the very surface particulars seems... a bad idea.]

... My well-being is at... r-risk in an unprotected facility. [Never mind that he wasn't even entirely unprotected - but there was no way he was going to carry on having Helios protect him singlehandedly if there was another option.]