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 "Welcome Back Hoi Hoi" Not an outdated pop culture ref at all.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

[He cocks his head to the side.]

People don't splat on walls here if they miss the monthly jump!

I think that's pretty good changes.

...That happened in the other place? The splatting?

[That's a little worrying. ]

It was because the ship jumped through space. It did it every month.

[He nods, recollecting the rules, which had always been carefully recited to him by worried adults.]

If you weren't in your pod when it happened...

[He slaps his hands together. Splat.]

...Wow. They really didn't fuck around, then. Did people at least um...come back from that?

[... He thins his lips grimly.

Then shakes his head, a bit more solemn.]

Oh.

...Well.

Bugger. That's bad. Sorry.

It's okay... Sometimes people go and don't come back.

I'm real lucky I'm still here! I'll have to live for people who didn't get as lucky.

Ah, well. That happens in all these kid-nappy places, I've found.

That's an interesting way to look at it. Very noble.

Mhmm!! You gotta find happy feelings where you can.

You can't turn off just 'cus people go away, I mean. I tried when I came here, but it was lonely.

It will get horribly lonely, and not get you out of here any quicker. Best not to let it get to you, really.

You tried to do that too, Mr. Crowley?

Maybe once in a while. At the start.

I'm glad you stopped.

[He pats Crowley on the arm supportively, nodding. So sincere.]

It's good to have friends.

[Ugh. This is far too sentimental for his liking. ]

Yes. Well. I have things to do, and I'm sure you do too. So-

[He beams at him, looking so very fond.

You're so hosed, Crowley.]

Oh, yeah! Let's go get some lunch!

Hoi Hoi would love some warm milk!

[He's returning off to the kitchen with the panda in tow; god bless.]

[This is it. This is his life now. ]

[Yep, you're hosed.]