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 "Welcome Back Hoi Hoi" Not an outdated pop culture ref at all.

[throwsdown]

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.]

Comments

[hollystrike]

Do you remember how I helped your arm, Takeshi?

[throwsdown]

Yeah, I remember...! You got magic hands.

[hollystrike]

My magic hands are good for pandas, too. Used to fix them up at my zoo, sometimes. You let me know if he ever gets hurt, okay?

[throwsdown]

Ooh! I'll let you know! I'll let you know as soon as anything ever happens!!

[He sighs sadly.]

I wish you were around on the Tranquility.

[hollystrike]

...is that where you were before this?

[throwsdown]

Y-yeah, yeah, I was! There's where I met my adopted parents.

But there was a lotta' bad on the ship, too. Lots of bad. It was a mean place to be, sometimes.

[hollystrike]

A lot of places are like that. But as long as there are such good things to remember... [Adopted parents is good. Especially given what she's seen hanging around this kid.]

So you got adopted parents and a panda. [And the panda died. Dots connected.] If your panda followed you here, perhaps those parents will, too.

[throwsdown]

[Oh, Katie, don't get his hopes too high. He's practically beaming at the thought.]

Maybe if I keep working hard, I can win them back, too.

[hollystrike]

[Sorry, dude. Getting a person's hopes up too high is kind of a fae thing. Doesn't mean she won't hope it turns out to be true, though.]

Working hard to do what?

[throwsdown]

Work hard to be a good captain...! And — trying to finish other trials!

Maybe something'll work, and mom and dad'll come back to me...

[hollystrike]

[...she somehow very much doubts there'll be a correlation between said parents arriving and anything Takeshi does. But shes' not about to say as much. Instead, she diverts.]

Captain, you say? I didn't know you were in charge of your ship. That's very impressive.

[throwsdown]

Y-yeah! I am! [Good job Katie, crisis diverted.] I got made a captain! It was kinda weird. But I'm glad I get to help people on my ship... it makes me feel like I'm doing good stuff!

... As long as I do my best, anyways...

[hollystrike]

And you'll always do your best. I bet you're a wonderful captain. [Or a very adorable one. More children should be in charge.] But even captains have time off, so make sure you don't work yourself too hard.

[throwsdown]

[He nods firmly.]

Yes, ma'am! I'll make sure to take plenty of food and pee breaks.

[SALUTE.]