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 "Welcome Back Hoi Hoi" Not an outdated pop culture ref at all.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

I would think they do?

[At least, they have to live long enough to become large enough to ride. And bears in his country tended to live quite a long time, so why not bears from the mainland?]

He may indeed live as long as you, now that he's been given a second chance.

[He smiles and reaches a hand out, palm down and fingers relaxed, for Hoi Hoi to sniff.]

Now that he is back, what do you want to do together?

Oh, all kinds of things...! Like picnics, or rolling around like before. Or climbing trees!

[Hoi Hoi is a wobbly little critter, making a wop-squeak of a noise before he leans to inspect the hand.]

But I think he's too small for that last one right now.

Perhaps if they're very small trees he can start from there.

[He holds his hand steady for Hoi Hoi and smiles.]

Did you often climb trees at home?

[Hoi Hoi waggles his arms.

PICK ME UP, BRO.]

I climbed the trees in the Tranquility!

It was a ship like the Marsiva. Real, real big! I used t'live there.

[Saizou is less than enthused at Hoi Hoi wanting to be picked up and starts grunting angrily so Okita straightens up, shifting the piglet in his arms.

And this is another person who was somewhere else before coming here then. It seems to be a theme in the Fleet.]

Before coming to this place? You're quite the traveler then, aren't you?

[It's all good, Takeshi'll hold the complaining panda.

He's his mom and dad now after all.]

Mhmmm! I've been in space before plenty.

The last place I was in was way worse, though. The halls changed a lot and if you weren't careful you'd get lost forever.

Many people here have said they've been in places before...

[Saizou seems placated that he doesn't have to share Okita and snorts.]

What was it called?

The Tranquility!

Some bad people lost it in space and wanted it back... they did real bad experiments on it, though.

It made monsters.

[So it was the name of the ship and the place he was at? Interesting.

...Also interesting that it created actual monsters.]

I'm glad you're not there anymore. This place must seem very peaceful in comparison.

Yeah, it's a lot more peaceful...

There's still some bad stuff, but the ship was worser. It liked to see us hurt.

I am glad then, that you have come here instead.

[Since no one deserved to have pain visited on them for the enjoyment of others. Even when the Shinsengumi tortured people, it was for a purpose, not for their own pleasure.]

And I am glad that Hoi Hoi has come to join you. He's very round and cute.

[He laughs, smiling proudly.]

He is really round and cute!

And so's your grumpy little pig.

[Saizou snorts and starts grunting angrily until Okita puts a hand on his head.]

I think he's cute, too, but he likes to be called brave or handsome instead. He's just as vain as his namesake sometimes.

[To which Saizou starts grumbling again.]

...

Well, Mr. Saizou, you're very brave, definitely.

[He nods firmly. He has displayed the signs of a warrior.

... A rude, temperamental warrior. But still.]

[The pig is placated and he buries his face in the crook of Okita's arm.]

Saizou, at least say thank you!

[A muffled snort comes from the folds of his sleeve and Okita snickers.]

It's kind of you to say so, Takeshi-kun. Thank you.

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

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