Don't get lost in my exhaust!

quickly the harsh attitude the other had put on, soon faltered and faded, a slight look of worry and terror clear on his face. but different to last time, he didn’t quickly hide it. his ears were bent back slightly as he stared right at the emperor.

so…what was he even supposed to do now?! say no still? .. no he valued his home… somewhat. plus being left with nothing.. especially with how velo had put it. not enjoyable either. he could just simply say he’s given up racing? but.. there’s his other half who wouldn’t give the sport up for the world. and once again, strong doubts that velo’d even care about that fact.

beady red eyes looked away, darting about as his mind tried to conjure up the right answer. and it wasn’t until his brain landed on the most primal, the most instinctual response that he snapped out of the stupor.

quickly the fenomenan’s grip grew tight around his book, raising it into the air. his actions suggested he’d throw, but the pause in the air and the stuttering expression, undecided between fury and fear. certainly signified that he was too afraid to fully go through with the plan he’d conjured in the end.

typical fenomenan’s, just simply can’t commit.

Once the anger leaves, Velo is back to watching the other with a look of amusement.  All of his fussing results in a surprisingly hearty laugh from such a little guy.  Norm was always such a delight, even when he wasn’t trying to be.  Besides that, even if the other now towered him in height, Velo didn’t take Norm as a threat, not this Norm at least.

Wiping away a tear, he tries to compose himself.  “ Only you Norm can make a simple request so difficult.  I simply ask you to behave, for the sake of our galaxy, and you threaten me with a book? “

“ Or rubber balls!  Perhaps the Twenty-Eighth will take up tennis. “

Oh, what was this that the Gasmoxian was witnessing? His words actually got to the high and mighty Velo? Good. He leaned his body even more so, bending his back slightly, his nails resting against his hips, as Oxide now was the one who had an aura of smugness growing on his expression. He was pleased with the sight that he looked down upon, as the Goblien clumsily let go of his scepter. 

“Oh, what’s this, you don’t like being taunted? It doesn’t feel good to be told just how inferior you are? What a shock.” Oh dear, he was getting way too much satisfaction out of seeing the other throw a tantrum.

“Are you sure of all the words you are saying? I’m just curious because I don’t even worry about my subjects glossing over my existence just because of another. It’s kind of the perk from my situation.”

Not that he didn’t understand the concern, more so when it comes to the nuance and a deep rooted need for approval. But, alas, his patience was very thin for discussing that with Velo, 

Despite his clumsy cover Velo is still noticeably distressed over what the other said, and it only worsens as Oxide continues talking.  Nostrils repeatedly flare up and the faintest of growls can be heard rumbling deep in his throat.  It’s already bad enough he lost his cool once. He didn’t make it as far as he had letting lesser lifeforms push him around.  If he did that robot suit would’ve been destroyed a lot sooner than it was.

‘ 1, 2, 3... ’ while Oxide wraps up talking he closes his eyes and counts the numbers in his head, up until he landed on the best number of all. ‘ 24, 25, 26, 27. ‘

  “ Of course I am sure.  I will surely not be 'glossed over’, as you say.  I am Velo! “  Velo speaks loudly, his squeaky voice more piercing than usual. His chest is puffed out in an attempt to seem bigger than he actually is and he waves his scepter wildly. “ I am the most accomplished, most powerful racer my galaxy and and countless others have ever witnessed!  I have given them a thrill like no Velo before has. They desperately hunger for it!  They hunger for me, their beloved Emeperor Velo!  They will be talking about Velo and my racing prowess for countless millennium! “ 

It seems Velo depleted what little air his miniature body held, as he’s nearly out of breath at the end of that.  Yet, he still manages to let out a hearty cackle that quickly devolves into a cough.  He struggles to recover from it, yet still tries taking another shot at Oxide.

『🍎』The Bandicoot just stares down at the emperor for a moment. Well he had to be kind to the other and let him join the races….Even if he tried to destroy the earth as racing is for everyone!

            ‘ Racing always fun for everyone…No one should be left out! ’    

“ Very right!  Something you and I can agree on.  It’s important to include everyone in on some fun.  “  Of course, his method of doing this was by kidnapping people and forcing them to participate. 

More so was the goblien observed by the sharp leer of Oxide. He couldn’t get a read on what he could be thinking, all he knew was that it wasn’t going to make him happy. He wasn’t necessarily oblivious to how his rather feisty nature was amusing to others, he just hasn’t caught onto that being Velo’s exact intention. He was used to the demeaning feeling behind being provoked, yet he still let it happen.

He growled, before loudly exhaling. Darn it, Velo actually had a point for once. But was he going to deny that he did? Absolutely. “Yes, I know, I use your mask, but not everyone can pull magic out of their sleeve! The Smog hasn’t necessarily graced us with something physical of it that contains that sort of energy, so unfortunately, I have to rely on you. Between you and the shouting piece of wood that sides with Cortex, I’ll take what I can get.”

His mind briefly pondered over the bit of information revolving the Gasmoxian deity, The Almighty Smog. It wasn’t everyday someone thought about getting that kind of information to a power-seeking cloud, but Oxide’s life was weird, plainly put.

“I don’t exist to fascinate you. Neither do I care how loved you are by your subjects. Knowing your subjects, they are probably biding their time until Velo the Twenty-Sixth returns.”

He didn’t even respond to the last remark, he just let his retort linger.

There it was, finally a retort from the Gasmoxian that gets under Velo’s skin.  It takes a second to sink in, that smugness persisting on his face, and then wide-eyed shock. There’s no playing it off either, as his grip loosens on his scepter and it slips from his hand.  Quickly, he grabs it before it falls, his ring smacking against it with an awkward thud.

It was so easy to toy with Oxide, the risk of him snapping right back was always forgotten.  Like, actually forgotten this time.  A throaty gurgle like growl escapes him, eyes narrowing. 

“ If Velo the Twenty-Sixth were to return my subjects would still love me!  Me! Me! Me!  “ With each ‘Me’ he slams his scepter into the ground. “ I am Velo! “

seems his plan to just ignore the alien had already failed, mainly because the little demon here didn’t leave. a hefty sigh left the small alien as he glared daggers at velo. but despite the anger there was certainly a look of confusion, he had several questions on his mind.

for one, why is he here? second, ‘more kind’?? hard to believe. he rolled his eyes. shutting his book with an audible slam. a brow was raised, ‘representing our galaxy’? maybe he would, if it wasn’t velo who’d been asking it of him. sides he didn’t trust the ‘i won’t try to take your books’ thing. he knew how things worked.

a strong shake of the head was given the goblien’s way, putting the book gently on the ground and folding his arms.

Of course, Norm had to be difficult.  When wasn’t he?  Velo’s lower lip quivers as he tries to keep from snapping into a scowl. He grips his scepter tightly, so much so his ring can be heard faintly scraping against it.  It looks as if he might blow!

And then... he laughs.  Norm’s defiance was always equally as amusing as it was infuriating.   “  You refuse?  I see...  My request was simply looking out for your best interest, too.  “

“ After all,  if you become an embarrassment to me and my empire I’ll have no choice but to destroy Fenomena for the sake of the rest of the galaxy. “  Velo’s eyes narrow now, words hissed out.  Now HERE was the real Velo.  “ And once I do that where is a has-been hack of a mime to go when everyone knows it’s his fault the fun was ruined? “

There was a visible wince through the insectoid’s body as Velo referred to him by his own royal title. It came across as so condescending when he spoke it, which didn’t help the discomfort that he was still in the process of overcoming, when it came to the matter of him also being royalty.

Setting aside the fact that he was a prince that ran away from his own home after his failure, and he had spent so long trying to hide his royal status from the Earthlings, then finally he had just started to try to re-establish himself on his world, grasping at the authority of who he was…

… the words ‘Prince Oxide’ were still coming from an Emperor, someone who long established his spot in the throne.

“That’s Prince Nitros Oxide to you.” He tried to recover, his voice having a stern force behind it. “My family name is important.  You should understand, being from a lineage that all calls themselves Velo.” Was this a good time to mention Oxide’s hypocritical tendencies, as he’s actually Oxide VI?

For a split second, he nearly bought into the emperor’s demeanor, wondering if he had pitied him. Then he remembered who he was talking to, and he continued to have the look of being next-level peeved.

“I’m the finest racer, and don’t you forget it. But good on you for not taking the rumours too seriously, they aren’t true. Besides, the respect of most Gasmoxians don’t matter, I’m an absolute monarch, and all of them hated me from the beginning simply because of my relation to My Queen.”

He had to admit, he took some pride in his words. He was satisfied with getting a hold of his life. That didn’t change who he was at his core, so there was still room for Velo to get under his exoskeleton.

Velo stokes his chin, nodding along as Oxide speaks, pretending to be engaged in the actual conversation at hand.  The emperor couldn’t believe how easy it was to the other riled up.  Couldn’t he see he was only toying with him?   Did he not know how funny it was when he got angry?  Not that he would complain.  Talking to Oxide alone would charge him for the next week at least. 

“ Please excuse my rudeness, Prince Nitros Oxide, but I must point out I think my original wording of one of was correct.  After all, who’s using who’s mask of protection in their races?  “  It was probably his most obvious jab at Oxide thus far, yet he says it with hurt confusion in his voice.  A sigh escapes him.

“  Crash Bandicoot!  I must thank you for allowing me to participate  in your... heh, wonderful Earth races.  Velo is very happy we can both let bygones be bygones.  “