otherfathering | Reprise #1 [Voice

The sun's barely rising when he's ushered quite quickly out into the snow-layered town, no good-bye and a newly-acquired Chatot flying behind him. He had originally thought it would be positive to get going quickly, to head and find his family and friends and home... and then he felt the freezing early-morning cold. Oh holy chicken breast, the cold. Pumpkins are warm-season vegetables; apparently his body temperature is reflecting that, which is why he takes a moment to stand there shivering, his lack of a coat and gloves seriously being problematic right now.

They travel a small while to a tiny eating establishment that just seemed to be opening for the day.

[The feed switches on as voice at first, a bird's whistle filling the speakers with its simple repeat tune; it's amateur, but it's catchy.]

Hoo~... he~re we go!

[The still-partially shivering voice will be familiar to some, but the face that just clicked onto the feed's screen'll jog your mind if you can't quite place it. His inquisitive face breaks into a big, toothy grin as he realizes that- yes- it' broadcasting! Which means, people, and more importantly his family are on the other end.]

Wou~ld've said I was back earlier, but our mom sent me away pretty quick this time. o~hoo, think she remembers me?

[A single eyebrow raises with that playful little smirk that always comes out in situations like these.
The fact he turned up at the door of her house to collect his ill-as-fuck wife, who had considered burying this 'Mom' alive aswell... Well, I think there are reasons why she's going to want to get rid of him.]

'Didn't mean to leave in the first place, would've stayed in an instant if I could've. Still, that makes three times from the Otherworld, hm? Maybe it'll bring back some'a the others? It'd make my day to see my little Coraline again.

I'll try'n be home as so~on as I can, kiddos. 'Gonna need to make my way to the next town soon, too! I'm freezin' like a pumpkin out there.

[Hardy-har, Other Father.

As he goes to shut off the feed, he gives a wave to the screen and begins to whistle a much more complex tune that fits perfectly in with the Chatot's, though it does seem to be vibrating a bit. 8| stupid cold.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Alright then, you're just a creeper? Seriously though what do you mean when you say other father?

E~very child has Other Parents; if they can't get the parental they need, we try'n be there to give them the love they ne~ed and deserve.

Yeah, no. You're high. That makes no sense at all. And anyway even if what you're saying is somehow try (it's not), Dave's never needed you so you're free to stay away from him.

[Stay away from him.]

But he doesn't have a father.

[Wait, you're a Strider... Are you his dad? Gosh this'll be awkward if you are. I mean, there's Jake, but he's young enough to need a dad himself. And Roxanne's a mother, so... Oh my.]

... Yeah, he does.

[His voice is stern, and it's obvious that those words have gotten to him a little bit.]

S'not common knowledge, but you're looking right at him.

[His face drops for a moment, but quite quickly regains a smile.]

Ma~gnificent!

[He should be happy. He should be really happy. He's showing he's happy, but he's hiding confusion. Does this mean he can't see Dave anymore? This is the first time it's happened.]

E~very child needs their father.

[Bro is really fucking confused why he would look disappointed like that, even if he's quick to hide it behind that smile.]

I saw that look you gave me. Like you were upset or something. What's the deal with that?

[8( This one's quick.]

It's pe~rfect that his father's here; It's just I'll miss him. He's a magnificent child.

[AKA He has that fatherly love for him; he may not have raised him, but it's just a love that comes naturally to Other Father.]

Miss him?

[He makes it sound like he's spent a lot of time with Dave, which... given Bro's creeper impression of him, isn't the best thought.]

Alright. Listen up. I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Maybe we got off on the wrong foot, or maybe you really are as creepy as you sound. I don't know, it remains to be seen. Either way, you seem sad about this, so I gotta ask. How long have you known Dave?

[He brightens up at 'the benefit of the doubt'.]

We~ll, I met him not long after I met John, Rose, and Jade... And I've been here for over a year.

[He's trying to figure it out, but returns with a sheepish grin.]

Sorry, time's not my best thing.

[He remembers exactly what it was like when he met him, but even after all this time here, he still hasn't grasped it properly.]

Okay, so it sounds like you've known him a while then.

[He just... sighs. This is a weird situation for him. Knowing some other guy was around Dave, acting like his dad. He isn't sure how to feel about that, but on some level, he's... grateful? Even if the guy is a little strange. Knowing Dave's had someone looking out for him is a comforting thought. And Dave hasn't said anything bad about the guy, so presumably nothing bad has happened. So maybe he's jumped to conclusions a bit.]

You know what? I don't care. You can still talk to Dave, I ain't gonna stop you.

Reprise #1 [Voice > Video] Encore!

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