driftfleet | Video. "Welcome Back Hoi Hoi" Not an outdated pop culture ref at all.

Who: Takeshi, baby Hoi Hoi (aka a panda version of baby Groot) and you!

Broadcast: Fleetwide

Action: SS Goldstone

When: Now

[When the feed opens up, Takeshi is in hysterics. Tears streaming and face all twisted up and splotchy and deep sobs heaving in his chest.

At first, extremely concerning — but then, you see what he's bear hugging (no pun intended) against his bosom. It's a panda, soft and babyish, still big enough that he's a handful for a boy who looks six or seven, but also very small for a panda bear. He's in a little black suit, round eyes peering around with some confusion at Takeshi's... very emotional outburst.]

IT'S MY HOI HOI!! HE'S BEEN G-G-G-GIVEN B-BACK TO ME — I did the trial and he was there, he was alive, and it's him; he's here, even after I lost him, he's back...!

HE'S ALIVE AGAIN, AND HE'S HERE AND REBORNED, AND HE'S — HE'S — HE'S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL.

[He rubs his cheek against Hoi Hoi's fuzzy cheek, leaving a wet spot there, and he heaves a sob.]

I l-love you so much, Hoi Hoi. I'll protect you now, I'll always keep you s—safe...!!

[Hoi Hoi yawns, unaware of just how important this reunion is. Takeshi and his panda friend can be found in the captain's room; he's got him on his bed and is feeding him some of that synthetic milk from a bottle kindly given by a local. Near Hoi Hoi's foot is a half-destroyed fish plushy. Or maybe you find him in the kitchen, Hoi Hoi sitting on the table while Takeshi writes a thank you note to place in that temple later.

His best friend is alive, and everything is so good.

If you're passing back and forth you may find your leg suddenly clung to by said panda baby.

... And if you're interested in why this is a big deal for the lad, just read this completely awful and terrible thread featuring pet death from his last game.

God help you, though.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She wanders into the kitchen in the early afternoon, holding some food that she found on the planet to put in the pantry... But of course, she's distracted by the fact that there's a panda on the table.]

Oh no. Oh no, it's going to get so big...

Edited 2017-03-09 22:36 (UTC)

Oh, don't worry!

[Takeshi waves an arm, as if trying to fan the don't-worry-ness to her.]

Hoi Hoi just likes to eat and sleep! He won't cause nobody no trouble, I promise.

[The panda yip-yaps, and Takeshi picks him up and hugs him because it makes him happy.]

It's going to get, like, full panda sized at some point. We have no room for a fully grown panda. Oh my god.

[She has concerns??]

It's okay! If he gets too big he can live in the cargo bay.

You think too hard 'bout stuff that hasn't happened yet.

How are we even going to find bamboo in space? How much is it supposed to eat?

[He is absolutely not wrong.]

Yeah, well, that's my job.

I dunno, but I'll figure it out. Nothin's impossible!

Besides, it's our job to figure out ways to fix problems, too!

To the contrary, there are definitely some things that are 100% impossible.

That... is true, but I'm pretty uncertain as to how I'm supposed to fix the panda problem that's been presented here.

You don't gotta fix a problem that's not a problem yet.

[He puts his hands on his hips.]

I took care of Hoi Hoi on the last ship I was on, and I can take care of 'em now!

[She blinks and makes a face.]

I can't believe a five year old is sassing me. I can't believe that's where I'm at right now.

[He sasses even still, excuse me.]

I'm eight.

M'gonna grow more, though. I'm buying it!

Video. "Welcome Back Hoi Hoi" Not an outdated pop culture ref at all.

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