Ask The Lost Clover

Niko, why don't you show us how you ate it. Quickly! Before Mama can stop you.

not fun! got everywhere!

Surely you weren't eating it.

Hazel’s face shifted, one much sterner. She kneeled down so she was closer to eye level with Proto.

“Prototype Solstice.”

...silence.

“You will get up and join us for a trip right now young man, now stop acting like a child before I start treating you like one, alright?”

There was no immediate reaction.

Then, he sighed, and rolled onto his back.

"[It's not supposed to be like this.]"

Hazel looked at him, still stern but now a little confused.

"[I am not supposed to be here. I am not supposed to make Rue and Cedric and World Machine worried sick. I am not supposed to make you and Niko worried sick, nor am I supposed to burden you both.]"

Hazel's expreesion slowly shifted from stern to sad and concerned.

"Proto..."

"[ALL of this could be avoided... If only I paid a bit more attention to where I step.]"

After a few more moments of silence between them, Prototype finally sat up.

"[I guess a little walk won't hurt after all...]"

Before he got off the bed, Hazel gently pulled him into a hug.

"You're not a burden Proto. We made a choice to help you, you are not burdening us."

...

Proto was sure that if he wasn't a robot, he'd have tears streaming down his face right about now.

He returned the hug, leaning into it, letting his antennas "relax" and droop on his head.

"[Thank you...]"

"You're always welcome."

With that, they both left the room.

Can we know why?

She did that to Proto.

(Proto isn't even a child)

WE ARE BACK!

Did you miss us?

I really hope they are doing well. Especially with how it is going so far.