Road Trip! This'll be fun, right?

[Leedzie]

FINALLY. His arms folded stiffly to his chest, Espio grumbled quietly to himself as he and his three companions made their way out of the illustrious estate of Colonel Harper, which they'd been trying to depart for 30 years weeks days minutes. In his anger, the colonel had failed to send an escourt to lead the group out, which left them relying on Espio's vague memories of the estate's layout based on his previous trips.

And though he normally had a near photographic memory... that doesn't help quite as much when so many hallways look alike.


During the rather long journey, the other Espio had no only managed to calm down from the scare Harper had given him, but seemed back to his usual problematic self -- which is why Rob had kept a firm grip on his shoulder near the entire time. Upon exiting the mansion, the chameleon let out a loud cheer. "WHOO HOO!! No more grumpy overlanders with big guns!!"

Clearly the teen was unaware of who was about to drive for them.


Rouge, meanwhile, had remained fairly quiet. Not unusual for her, really, but her intellect teemed with arguments about the ethics of the prior incident. She glanced down at the music box she carried. Was it even morally right to accept the gift, knowing what had happened to her young neighbor prior to her arrival? But then, everyone has moments that they aren't proud of, and based on what she saw during their alone time, Harper wasn't usually such a brute.

Had it not been for their Espio's shout, the bat probably would've kept fretting about the issue without pause. Instead, as they made their way down the many immaculate steps, Rouge gave a gentle pull at Rob's elbow. "I think we should offer Espio a ride home," she whispered. "He had to come all this way because of our Espio, who's our responsibility... And he lives in the same town we're staying in anyway."

[Jamie Lee]

Rob gave a squeeze on the boy's shoulder after his shout. A subtle way of telling him to keep behaving, and turned to Rouge "Aye, I can agree to that, luv," he whispered to her as they approached the van, then added mentally; I feel bad enough over what's happened...

With that, he turned and cleared his throat "Ah, Espio?" he spoke to the lesser familiar of the two chameleons "How would you fancy a ride back with us? If the soldiers here agree to it it's the least we could offer for all of today's trouble."

[Leedzie]

Espio's eye fell on the black van, dark and windowless. The chameleon swallowed hard. "I... I appreciate the offer, but... I-I'll take the train..."


Unfortuantely, the soldier manning the vehicle was not in on this notion; all he knew was that there would be more passengers coming back than there would be getting there. And that he had to get that van back ASAP before the higher bosses found out and heads began to roll.

So when the group made their way to the driveway, his only focus was getting everyone into the vehicle right away so he could get going back to the base. "All right, everyone, let's go! Let's go!" The soldier herded the four passengers into the van before Espio could sufficiently voice his protests and slammed the door -- a door that could only be opened from the outside, as this van was often used to transport prisoners.

"W-wait!! WAIT!!!" Espio cried shrilly as he was pushed into the van. He gasped with panic and clawed at the slider in desperate hope of a handle, but found nothing. "N-n-no!!"

Just then the van rumbled, and jerked forward. Looked like he was getting a ride home regardless.


Sitting comfortably and casually on the other side, the other chameleon looked at Rob and Rouge through the darkness. " What's with him?"

[Jamie Lee]

Rob's eyebrows shot up his forehead at the older chameleon's reaction. He glanced at Rouge and the younger Espio before finally asking "... Are, er, you alright?"

[Leedzie]

Dropping shakily to his knees, Espio's breathing escalated startlingly fast. In the dimly lit darkness, the walls seemed to look even more menacing, perhaps because with so little light it was difficult to accurately gauge their distance. The chameleon let out a shrill whimper; he could've sworn one of them had just moved in on him. He fell further onto his hands, and then again to his elbows, his scaley body trembling fiercely. "Letmeoutletmeoutletmeoutletmeout...!!"

[Jamie Lee]

Understandably looking more than a little concerned by this point, Rob pulled himself up from his seat and approached the chameleon, crouching down beside him and placing a hand on his shoulder "Hey... Espio, hey! What is the matter with you?!"

[Leedzie]

Rouge leaned forward slightly and covered her mouth with one hand. "Oh my... is he okay??"


Unfortunately, he was not. Espio's laboured gasps grew louder as he panted more desperately for oxygen, his mind convincing him that it was in short supply. The hyperventilation took little time in making the chameleon feel light-headed.

And then came what was supposed to be a reassuring touch to his shoulder. Espio let out a shriek and shoved the hedgehog aside, diving for the back end of the van. "STOPITGETAWAYFROMME!!!" A weak groan escaped the ninja's lips; he really was beginning to feel dizzy. Espio sank to the floor and clutched his stomach with both hands. Though it probably wasn't visible, sweat began to prick at his forehead, his breathing still rapid and ragged. "I... can't breathe..."


And the other Espio... thought this was hilarious. "Dude!!" he cackled, his amusement obvious in his voice. "This guy is a freak! What are you doing, man?!"

[Jamie Lee]

"Espio!" Rob barked "Show some consideration!"

He exhaled sharply, raising a hand to his temple and tilting his head to one side in confusion. He wasn't exactly sure how to deal with the panicked chameleon, so instead he turned toward the small window that separated the passengers in the van from it's driver.

"Sir!" he called urgently "Sir, I think we need to stop!"

[Leedzie]

Y'know how most companies have rules against their employees listening to iPods while they work? Apparently there's a good reason for that, because the driver never heard a word Rob said. Instead he continued to bop about in his seat, singing horribly to whatever music was playing in his head.

This was bad. Their friend that had been helping them out in this dimension was clearly distressed, and there appeared to be no way to signal the driver. We'll just have to try and control the damage as best as we can, Rouge realized. She turned her attention to the older of the two chameleons. "Please, try to stay calm," she instructed as she took a couple of delicate steps forward. "Try to take deeper breaths, before you hurt yourself..."

The bat knelt in front of Espio, still gradually drawing closer. "What is it that's the matter?? Please, we want to help, but we can't until we know what's wrong... Are you ill?"


Good advice, but given a bit too late; the ninja had already come to feel dangerously queasy, and the bouncing and shifting about of the truck as it rumbled onward really wasn't helping matters. Espio wheezed and curled his knees up around his ailing stomach, sweating profusely by this point. And though she was trying to help, Rouge's closing in on him only worsened matters. "D-D-Don't!!" he gasped, pressing his back against the wall. "I can't... Ah-I just.... I'm not......"


It really is important to keep an eye on Espio. If you glance away from him for even a second, he could disappear -- literally.

The ever-mischivous chameleon darkened his hide to match the dark of the van, then proceeded to climb onto the wall. Doing his best not to snicker, Espio crept along until he was mere inches away from his counterpart. Fascination, confusion, and amusement swept through his mind as he watched the ninja's meltdown progress. What IS up with him?? You'd think there was some kind of monster in here poised to eat him in one gulp!

Espio paused, and glanced at Rouge, then back at his doppleganger. "Dude, she's not dangerous."


"KYAAAAUUUUUURRRGGHHHHHH!!" Espio let out a strained shriek as the teen startled his already tense nerves, springing to his feet and attempting to flee.... But there wasn't much of anywhere to flee. The van was so small. Too small. And he had to share it with other people. The chameleon clenched his eyes shut and pressed his back firmly into the wall. I have to get my mind off of this!! The more I stew on it, the worse it gets!! Block it out!! At great length, his breathing did slow down slightly, but remained laboured.


Back at the back of the van, the other Espio let out a nervous laugh. "Was it something I said?"

[Jamie Lee]

"ESPIO!" Rob shouted again with more force, whipping back around once it had become clear that flagging down the driver was no use. He rubbed at his temples, knitting his brow together while trying to figure out how best to deal with things "Espio, just leave him alone, please."

"And you... other... Espio," he drew in a deep breath as he switched focus "Please just calm down! Just... Sit down, close your eyes and try to take a few deep breaths or something!" Honestly, I don't know what I do to deserve any of this...

[Leedzie]

Rouge turned to Rob and nodded discreetly in the direction of the younger chameleon. Keep an eye on him, she requested non-verbally, and I'll handle this one.

The bat turned her attention again to the ninja, this time slowly approaching him from the side rather than head-on; she had a hunch as to what might be upsetting him. "Shhhhhh..." Rouge quietly hushed, gently wrapping her hands around one of his trembling fists. "Espio... are afraid of darkness...? Or, maybe..."


"C-C-C..." he stuttered, his eyes still tightly clenched, "C-Claus.... t-trophbia..."


"I see," Rouge replied, giving the panicking chameleon's hand what she hoped was a reassuring squeeze. "Then, you pick whatever space you want, wherever will make you the most comfortable, and we'll try to stay out of it. But please," her voice became a bit more grave with her concern, "please try to calm your breathing before you faint."


"I know!" Espio grunted, mostly with frustration. Finally he cracked his eyes open again, but his shaking worsened. "I-It's riduculous!! I... I know I... I sh-shouldn't.. d-d-do this... But I... I can't..!!" All of a sudden the chameleon yanked his arm away from Rouge and backed away once more from the others. "I can't breathe!!"


"Oh please," the other Espio groaned with a roll of his eyes. "This is getting obnoxious. Who cares if he makes himself faint? If he passes out at least he won't be acting like such a drama queen. Claustrophobia is a stupid fear anyway; what's so scary about a tight space? It's not like it's some conscious entity that's going to come out and get you." Espio rose from his seat and began banging on the aluminum roof. "OOOOH, I CAN TOUCH THE CEILING!! OH GOD IT'S SO SCARY!!" Then, pressing his back to one wall, the chameleon's tongue snapped out repeatedly at the opposite. "LOOK AT ME, I'M TOUCHING BOTH WALLS AT ONCE!! OH NO THAT MEANS THEY'RE JUST GOING TO COME SMASHING TOGETHER AND CRUSH ME!!"


"UugghahwlF(@#*JWOIML:QWslhfi4...." the ninja groaned weakly, crumpling back into a ball to nurse his churning stomach. "P-Please, don't.... I f-feel... sick...."

[Jamie Lee]

Rob... smacked his forehead. And then planted both hands firmly down on the younger chameleon's shoulders authoritatively, giving them a yank meant to urge the boy to sit and whispered sternly into wherever his ear was "Espio, when we get home that's two hours for you on the archery range. And if you don't sit down and leave him alone I'll be adding more time. Now do as I asked."

[Leedzie]

@satamespio@ The teen quickly dropped into a sit, cringing slightly under Rob's disapproval. Another two hours? He'd already been in the middle of a long sentence when he ended up in this mess! Espio grunted and sank his chin into his hands. "Geez, it was just a joke." The young chameleon flopped his weight back against the nearest wall and began grumbling to himself. "He should be so happy he's got as much space as he does; I had to spend HOURS in that stupid tiny little cage. When you can't even stand up or lady down, it puts a serious crick in your back!"


"K-Kid.... just...." The ninja's body convulsed slightly, and Espio was just barely able to withhold the urge to vomit. Once the crisis was averted, the otherwise unshakable chameleon rested his forehead against his knees and draped his arms over the top of his head -- ironically nearly the same huddle the other Espio had curled into in his fear of Harper. "J-Just shut up."

[Jamie Lee]

The hedgehog sat down beside the boy, grabbing at the bridge of his nose and massaging it with a vague groan "Not all jokes are funny to everyone... when will you learn that?" he glanced over at the other Espio, twisting his mouth to one side. After a moment of thought he concluded that, perhaps, it may be for the best if he just left him to his own devices for now. It seemed as though any attempts to calm him were going to be for naught, and besides that, he needed to make sure his Espio didn't do anything to agitate him further.

He shook his head, then planted his hand on the chameleon's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze "Espio, I need you to do something for me. I want you to treat this situation as though you were on a mission, alright? I'm not going to lie to you. This ride is going to be long, and it's going to be boring, but I need you to try to stay focused. That means no mischief and no tantalizing our friend. Can you do that for me?"

[Leedzie]

Despite the darkness, it was easy to see the chameleon's face fall. A long and boring ride did NOT sound like something to look forward to. After all, he'd just spent several long and boring (not to mention frightening) hours stuck in that little cage. Now it was as though he were trapped all over again in a slightly larger one. But with roommates. One of which was a complete freak show. Espio let out a frustrated groan and slumped further against the wall. "Fiiiiiine... I'll try to be quiet. I wasn't TRYING to upset him. I can't help it if he's a weirdo."


Rouge took a seat with the boys at the back of the van, allowing the Chaos Espio plenty of space up front. Hopefully he would be okay on his own until they made it back to the city.

In the meantime, they had a young ward to entertain. Sitting opposite the pair, Rouge folded her legs and patted Espio on the knee. "Let's all play a game," she suggested softly, keeping her voice low so as not to upset the claustrophobic chameleon. "Rob's right; let's pretend we're on a mission. Let's pretend we're on a night raid in Merica... So we have to be very calm and quiet."


Espio immediately perked up. "Yeah, let's do a raid!! Can I lead this time?! You guys NEVER let me lead, but this one isn't real!! Please?!" His hide quickly began kaleidoscoping at a rapid pace.


"Heh..." The bat raised her hands. "Sure, you can lead.... so long as you're quiet, or else we'll get caught." Rouge raised a finger to her lips and planted her back against the same wall Espio and Rob sat against, pointing outward at nothing. "There goes a Swatbot on patrol! Hopefully it won't see us." Her eyes flickered to Rob, encouraging him to continue the story.

[Jamie Lee]

Sheepish eyes met with hers as he struggled to think of a way to continue the roleplay. The van not only was cramped and empty besides it's occupants, but he wasn't particularly in the mood for games either.

"Ah, well..." he paused, then, lowering his tone, "Well Espio, we're counting on your guidance, what'll you have us to do?"

[Leedzie]

@satamespio@ The chameleon grinned and cracked his knuckles. Games of this sort didn't typically get him so excited, but not only was there -NOTHING- else to hold his interest, but dammit, he was actually going to get to LEAD (even if it was all pretend). Espio's wild imagination took off, and for that moment, he no longer saw the cramped G.U.N. van; he saw the oily and grimey alleys of the former city of Mercia. And as Rouge suggested, there was a Swatbot heading in their direction.

RIGHT in their direction.

Espio popped to his feet and vanished before his friends' eyes. "You guys hang back!!" he announced, more loudly than he probably should have (for a mission or otherwise). "I'm taking on this one myself!!" Before Rouge or Rob could stop him, the chameleon charged off, prepared for battle with the Swatbot.

Except the alley in his mind was longer than the van in which he actually resided. Espio slammed face-first into the wall just behind the driver, leaving him quite loopy and disoriented. "W-whoa... I sh-showed THAT o-one..." was all he muttered before losing his balance as the driver took a sharp curve, sending him tumbling off his feet.


Aaaand right on top of his counterpart. The ninja yelped deafeningly and attempted a hastey retreat, but ended up slamming into a wall himself in his panic. Now also knocked silly, it wasn't long before both chameleons were on their backs on the floor.


@satamrouge@ Cringing with each progressive collision, Rouge sighed and buried her face into one hand as the chaos continually escalated, eventually mumbling when both of the Espios were incapacitated, "...Sorry, Rob.."

[Jamie Lee]

At first Rob also cringed, but once the two were down he just blinked, staring with exasperation. He opened his mouth with the intent to speak, hung it there for a moment, then closed it when he found his ability to get upset had been exhausted. Instead, he huffed in half-hearted amusement, shook his head, and took to resting his forehead against his palm.

"... Heh. With any luck they'll both be out of it for awhile."