( @titaniumthamnophid )
“If that can be solved with just ‘sleeping earlier’, we wouldn’t even have this drama in the first place!”
Metalman did not expect such a reaction.
Aggravation, yes.
Emotional to the point of tears? No. He did not expect that from his girl.
Crash’s bedtime hours had ticked forward over the course of years.
First it was 2 AM
Then 3.
Then 4. And back in the day that was beyond late.
Now there were reports that she slept at nine: the time when office workers clock in for work.
Large groups of people meant juicy gossips ahoy. Siblings have joked from her being a vampire, to pinning blame.
‘Because you slept at such weird hours, we can’t go anywhere as a family.’
In a way, it was true. Many family plans can’t be coordinated without her, be it work or play.
But it was also unfair. If they really wanted to go somewhere, they didn’t need to include her. Just have fun on their own. They had close to 50 people to choose from.
Metal didn’t want to see Crash further alienated. It was bad enough that she had a social stigma in the outside world. To suffer one inside the Wily House itself? Not what he’d like to see.
Alas, his attempts got on the wrong foot.
“...Crash,” he began. “I’m not saying you’re a burden. Or stupid, or a freak. I know you can take the effort to solve this issue.”
She did not believe his words. Not one bit.
A sigh breathed out behind his mask. “...You’ve overcome challenges that you didn’t think possible. I’m so proud of you for that. That’s why I know you can work out this issue too.”
“Even if you don’t have faith in yourself, I have faith in you.”
Then the phone alarm rang. It was Metal’s sign to begin the long commute to work. Of all times, now.
Again he sighed.
“You take care in the meantime, okay?”
At least she said farewell. Still, Metal was worried. The atmosphere at home was ‘off’, but no one would disclose why.
Lil’ Heat approached him time and time again. It was clear that he tried to tell something. However every time he tried, he just couldn’t. Then the kid slipped back to his forge.
What is going on in this world anymore?