WhiddySoulss

I was immediately blown away with the release of Lone Echo 2, and I’ve already played through the game in its entirely and I’m starting over again. Everything about the story, animation, and gameplay is just incredible, and I can’t get over the way that Liv looks and moves. So I made this edit about Jack and Liv sticking together even when “the world is going sideways.”

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I remember standing at the launch site a couple hundred meters back from the Hail Mary. Yao, Ilyukhina, and DuBois all were in that ship. It saddened me to see them all going out to their deaths... but I knew it was for the greater good and that they wanted to.

Stratt stood next to me, also watching the launch. I noted that there were a few very professional looking police officers who stood near, keeping their eyes on Stratt and I, and not on the launch of the hail mary.

Stratt checked her watch, making what sounded like a sound of approval. She looked back up at the Hail Mary and I followed her gaze.

"It will launch in 30 seconds," Stratt spoke, her demeanor not changing at all. But something did feel... off.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, looking at her once more. The power she held over everyone here was... insane. Incredible? Astonishing? I wasn't sure what word to use here.

"Yes, Dr. I am fine," she responded. I raised a brow at her, not entirely trusting her answer. But I mean, who was I to question her authority? If she says she's fine, I'm sure she's fine. I look back towards the launch site, watching as they prepare the ship and unhook the loading dock. It still is crazy to me that I helped breed all of that astrophage. 1.8*10^23 joules of pure energy. I chuckled at myself a bit for the math equation I made in my head. I mean, it's really a simple math equation. It just calculates how many molecules are in a full atomic mass of an element. I could easily convert that into a really big number, but I guess my brain automatically went to the equation instead. I mean, I am a middle school science teacher.

I jolted when the ship suddenly launched. I watched, my attention fully set on the ship now. I waited as it got further up into the atmosphere, a grin slowly spreading across my face. I laughed and watched as it went up all of the way. My giddiness was cut short.

"Hands behind your back," a stern voice said behind me. For a moment, I thought that I was getting arrested. I turned and saw Stratt calmly put her hands behind her back as a police officer quickly put a pair of cuffs on her wrists.

"What? Stratt, what's happening?" I asked before it hit me. Oh yeah.

Misuse of power and manslaughter, I think, is what she said. I had forgotten that she said she would get arrested the moment the Hail Mary was safe in launch. Right.

"Oh gosh..." I muttered as Stratt looked at me, her eyes looking... tired. I'd never really seen her this tired.

"Goodbye, Dr. Grace. Thank you for the help throughout this project. You will go home and live your life as if this never happened. Do not dwell on my memory," Stratt said with a slight nod at the end. I blinked a few times, the words not quite reaching my mouth. Before I could say anything, she was getting escorted into a police vehicle to be taken to prison. I wouldn't see her again after that.

And I didn't.

I stretched, stepping into my apartment. It'd been about a year since the launch of the Hail Mary. Yao, Ilyukhina, and DuBois were all in medically induced comas, the robot within their dorm taking care of them and making sure they were safe and healthy.

I shook my head a bit, setting my work bag by my coat rack and hanging my coat up. I went over to my freezer to get one of my pre-made meals I could throw into the microwave. Sometimes, I'd grill it on the stove if I were feeling a bit fancy that night. Maybe crack open a cold one. (A cold on as in a can of coke I keep in the fridge... I don't drink.)

I pulled off the lid of the container, discarding it to the side as I put it into the microwave to heat. As it heated up, I went over to the door and took my shoes off, discarding them beside the welcome mat. The microwave beeped, and I made my way back over to the kitchen. I got myself my food and everything I needed as I sat down on my couch. I didn't turn on my TV tonight because I wasn't very interested.

I was about three quarters of the way through my dinner before I heard a knock on my door. I flinched a bit, turning over to look at my door. Who in the world would be knocking at my door at 8:30 at night? I groaned, upset that my food time was interrupted. I made my way over to the door and opened it, freezing as I made direct eye contact with the person on the other side of the wooden slab.

"STRATT?!"

"That is me. Hello, Dr. Grace."

"Holy guacamole, what in the HECK are you doing here?? I thought you were supposed to be in prison!"

"Technically, yes. I still am. I am just no longer there... hmm. Physically, if you may," Stratt said, tilting her head a bit.

I stood there, absolutely astonished that she was HERE! Holy moly.

"How did- you? What??" I couldn't even properly get words out with how shocked I was. Stratt entirely ignored my questions.

"Would you like to go out for a drink, Dr.?" The question caught me off guard. She's asking me out for a drink? Is she asking me OUT?

"No, I am not asking you out on a date. Do not take it like that." Well, that answered my question.

"I- uhm. Sure? When? Where would we go?" I asked, shaking my head a bit. I was trying to fathom the idea that Stratt was ACTUALLY here right now and that this wasn't a dream.

"Now. And we would go to the local pub," Stratt answered, her voice keeping that same authority she's always had, despite no longer having any sort of authority. It made me realize that i... kind of missed it... wait. The local pub?? That place is a straight-up ask to get robbed! If we go in there, we're practically just screaming, 'Come rob us! We want to be robbed and hurt very badly!'

"The local pub?? Stratt, do you know how dangerous that place is?"

"Oh, I'm aware. I would still like to go. I'd like to talk to you, and that place is less likely to have people who will recognize a wanted criminal," right. Stratt is a wanted criminal. Actually, more than a criminal. I think she's a wanted FELON. Wow.

"...right. You're a wanted criminal who escaped jail, probably. I forgot about that part," I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "Do you just want to come in? It's much safer than... that place."

"No. There could be microphones implemented throughout your home."

I stared at Stratt for a moment, eyebrows slightly raised.

"...okay, I may be a bit irrational with that. But I... hm," she paused, seeming to be at a loss for words.

I'd never really seen Stratt fumble over her words. She always kept up some kind of stern and stoic personality. It was a bit... nice. I liked seeing her softer.

"Fine. I will come in," she said after a moment of me looking at her with a slightly smug smile. "Do not give me that look, Grace."

I stepped to the side—well, I more stumbled to the side, considering that she kind of shoved past me.

"Well, at least take your shoes off!" I called after Stratt, stumbling into my kitchen as I shut the door. She already sat at my table, folding her hands. She didn't have her tablet with her. I guess she didn't need it. I walked over to the table, adjusting my glasses. As I walked by, I noticed my discarded dinner from earlier. I frowned a bit and sighed, sitting adjacent from Stratt.

"So... uh," I began, anxiously bouncing my leg and rubbing my hands together. Holy cow, a wanted felon was actively sitting in my kitchen. A literal murderer wanted to talk to ME. Me?? But I mean... her criminal acts can be justified...

"How have you been, Dr. Grace? Have you gone back to teaching again?" Stratt asked. I, once again, was caught off by her question. I analyzed her face for a moment before answering. She looked.... so exhausted. She didn't have that same stoic demeanor to her. It was a bit strange seeing her so.. vulnerable, I guess.

"Uhm.. I've been.. okay, I guess. Yeah, I've gone back to teaching. I really missed my kids, you know?" I laughed a bit, my mind drifting back to my classroom. Oh, man, I missed my kids a lot.

"Hm. Good, I'm glad. You look much less tired. Do you have anything to drink? Alcohol, preferably," Stratt asked at the end, looking at me.

"Oh, yeah uhm. I have something." I got up, thinking to myself. I guess I'll open that coke sooner than I thought... I walked over to my fridge and grabbed my can of coke, reaching on top of my fridge to grab the bottle of whiskey I stored 'in case of emergencies'.

On my way I got two cups and then sat down beside stratt so I could pour her whiskey easier.

"Whiskey work?" I asked, setting the things down and playfully nudging her. "Didn't think you'd drink this late. Nor did I think you would drink like this."

Stratt nodded to answer my question, then huffed a bit as a chuckle. It was always her way of laughter.

"Here. Want any ice?" I asked, smiling a bit as I opened the bottle and poured some into the glass I had given her. She shook her head and took the glass, taking a sip. As she did so, I poured my coke and slipped a bit of whiskey into it.

We kept the conversation flowing, and after a while, I finally got a laugh out of her. It was probably the whiskey getting to her, but I didn't mind. She laughed, and that's all I needed.

I laughed and poked playfully at her side to tease her for finally laughing. She jolted, a cut-off sound escaping her mouth. It kind of sounded like a hiccup. I froze a second, watching her face as she turned away with a slight smile.

"What was that?" I asked a bit playfully, a nervous edge to my voice.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it," Stratt replied, still averting my gaze.

"Really?" I asked, a playful smirk coming onto my face. I poked at her side again, getting a bit more of a reaction this time. Is Stratt TICKLISH?

"Oh my gosh, Stratt, are you ticklish?" I asked, my smirk stretching into a grin.

"I will not be answering that," Stratt said, her tone of voice a bit more giddy than usual. Oh, that was just wonderful!

"Oh my gosh, you're ticklish! Eva Stratt is TICKLISH?" I said, getting giddy at the idea. Stratt pressed her lips together to hide a smile, turning her head away a bit. I wiggled my fingers a bit playfully before 'attacking' her. She yelped a little bit, her fear soon falling into giddy laughter.

"Aaiy! Youueuhaha- Ryllahahandd!!" She laughed, not moving much away from my hands. Oh, she was loving this!

"Eevaaa! What is It, hmm?" I laughed, still wiggling my fingers over her sides and stomach. I made sure to be gentle enough that I didn't hurt her, but it was still hard enough where it really got her laughing up a storm.

"Eehhaha-eenouhfhahghh!" She finally got out, her face flushing up a bit. It paired well with her hair. I laughed and ceased my attack, pulling back my hands. Eva took a few breathy laughs, shaking a bit with a grin on her face. I loved seeing her grin like that. It was so nice. It took me a moment to realize she was looking right back at me with... oh no.

I shrieked as she tackled me to the floor, immediately going for my underarms as she pinned my wrists above my head. I shrieked and laughed, trying to catch my breath after my back hit the floor weird and almost knocked the wind out of me. I gasped and kept laughing, tears welling in my eyes from the lack of oxygen, pain, and.... getting tickled.

Eva had an 'evil' grin on her face as she mercilessly went for my underarms and ribcage. I wriggled around, trying to get free, but I didn't have nearly enough strength to overcome Eva.

"AEHRHeheEHDBF-- EVEVEAA PLLREHHEHASEEE," I gasped, wheezing a bit. I could feel my face and neck turning red, a bit of sweat beading on my forehead.

"Hm. You're quite ticklish too, aren't you, Ryland?" Eva says teasingly, which makes me internally scream as I throw my head to the side. I keep wriggling and trying to break free from her grip, but there's no use.

I gasped and wheezed, laughing and giggling my head off. "Meerrehrhcccyy!! Pleeeheaase!" I beg through fits of laughter and loss of oxygen. I inhale sharply as Eva pauses, a look of pondering on her face.

"Hm," she hums in thought for a moment. I take sharp breaths, out of breath from getting absolutely wrecked. "Why should I?"

I freeze. I swear, if my face weren't already beet red, I would have just gotten there. I breathe out heavily, whining a bit as well. "Pleaaassee! Have mercy on meee..." I weakly beg, already worn out from how much she attacked me.

Eva laughed, releasing me and standing up. She kept a smile on her face as she offered out a hand for me to grab. I laughed a bit, taking some more breaths before I grabbed her hand. As soon as our hands collided, I got an idea. I smirked and used her arm to pull her right back down. She tumbled down on top of me, "Ryland!!" She yelped. I grin and flip her over onto her back and immediately pin her hands up.

I go right for her ribcage and underarms. She yelps and laughs, panicking but not trying too hard to get out of my wrath. I laugh and continue moving my fingers over her sides, stomach, ribs, and underarms. Her laughs became more high-pitched as she squirmed a bit under me, her eyes squinting closed. I kept mercilessly getting at her sides until I got an idea. I grinned and slowly moved my fingers up to her neck. She yelped in surprise, trying her best to curl her shoulders up to hide her neck. I lit up.

"Ohh, is your neck that ticklish!" I spoke, overjoyed at this. I continued softly wriggling my fingers over her neck. She laughed and almost squealed, her face flushing a pretty red color. It fit her.

"Beheha- Rryylahahandd! Pleeheasse!" Eva begged for mercy after a few minutes of me relentlessly wrecking her. I grinned and took a breath, relaxing my grip on her hands and ceasing my tickling. Eva took a breath of relief, shakily exhaling. She closed her eyes, going a bit limp as she practically passed out. I chuckled a bit, moving to the side of her and softly running my hand across her side so it wasn't a sudden stop. She laughed a little bit, pulling herself up. She looked absolutely exhausted, but.. happy. Happier than I've ever seen her. Gosh, it was nice seeing her like this. I didn't care if she was a wanted felon. She was a person. A person who desperately needed a break after many years of constant stress and pressure. I was more than happy to provide that.

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I apologize if any of this is out of character (for stratt or grace) or if anything is inaccurate at the beginning. I really enjoy this little fic, and I might post a part 2! That is, if I don't lose motivation and forget that tumblr exists (again...)