yumemigaoka | June catch-all (and also some of May lmao)

...

So I hate to be that guy, but most bad guys one [he holds up one finger] don't admit to being a criminal and two [raises second finger] wouldn't turn down getting stuff for free.

[Is that how that works? Sonic says it so confidently, you'd think he was battling a madman shaped like an egg here too... Which, frankly, doesn't sound too ridiculous in a dream. He crosses his arms and starts tapping his foot]

So, big guy, what's the deal?

[Bruno shrugs, a little hard to see with the whole big shadowy cloak thing, and keeps walking.]

There's no deal.

[This is really the first time anyone here's asked him so directly. Or...really at all. Why'd it have to be some kid he doesn't even know?]

[Sonic stops following him for a moment before zipping next to him again, the wind he kicks up probably pulling at Omen's cloak like he's doing it himself]

All right, all right. I get it [in a stage whisper to no one and clearly meant to be heard by Omen;] I don't but we'll say I do. [then back at normal volume;] Listen though, if you need help or anything, Ma and I are always willing to lend a hand. We got a new studio opened up in the city - Hybrid Colours - so... Swing by if you need to.

[he huffs a quiet sigh then gives Omen a lopsided smile]

It can get pretty lonely out here in the Dream Sphere. For me, it always helps to know that you have friends you can rely on. [then he grins, all mischief] And I won't tell the the DU on you! Honestly, I have enough homework as it is. There's no way I'm voluntarily giving myself more paperwork on top of that.

Oh, um. Thanks?

[Very weird. Omen's cloak billows up in the wind, but it moves more like creepy shadows than actual cloth.

It's a nice offer and all, but Bruno can't have his actual identity getting tied to his Dreamer activities. Even if the kid wouldn't tell the DU, which...well, maybe he means it. He doesn't seem like much of a schemer. But it's still a risk.]

What, uh...what do you do at the studio?

Hehe~!

[Sonic grins]

We're an art studio! I'd call it a collaboration, but really, mom's the main event. I just help out by helping her get supplies and finding interesting bits of the Dream Sphere to bring back to her.

[he holds out his hands, index and thumbs of both hands extended, to make a frame. In this instance, he frames Omen in a 'picture' for a moment before dropping it]

I'm not the best artist in the world, but it's enough to get a sketch down for her to work off of. You've seen it yourself, right? How different places in the Dream Sphere look a little different too... Guess even if everyone dreams, what they're dreaming about is influenced by what they see in the waking world too.

Oh.

[That...sounds really nice, actually. Bruno likes to draw and paint; he loves art. But if he shows up there now, will this kid make the connection...?

Maybe he'll think about it.]

That sounds cool.

Thanks! [and a cheerful thumbs up too]

Feel free to drop by whenever! It's a gallery too, so there's always someone coming in and out.

Oh, uh. Sure, okay.

[He's gonna have to wait at least two weeks probably. Will the kid forget about meeting him by then?]

...

[who knows... Sonic's memory seems way too selective about what he does and doesn't forget...]

Awkward... [there's that stage whisper again before he smirks and... And basically resets the entire mood. It's like that exchange about the waking world didn't even happen!] Do you know how far down people usually go here? It would be best if we could just clear out the usual areas for everyone.

Don't worry 'bout any fights, I've got us covered! I just need you to point us in the right direction to get outta here if it gets dicey.

......um, right. [Okay then.] Well, not...much farther down, I think. I don't usually see many other people here in general. That's why - well, it's a good place to hang out.

[He stopped himself just short of saying something really pathetic there!]

It's easy to get lost in here too. [nod nod] Probably for the best it's a low traffic area. Can't imagine trying to figure this place out if I was new at this...

Yesh, let's get to it then! [all right, time to face the fear of cold, dark water in a tight enclosed space!]

Right! There's a larger chamber down here...

[Indeed, it opens up a little more as they turn the next bend! It's not a large chamber by any means, especially not now that there's something of a pond taking up the far end, but it is at least a little bigger? The crystals illuminate it okay. Omen sometimes uses the very edges of his prophecy power to light it up a little more, but the glowing eyes feel incriminating; he doesn't do that this time.

Omen tilts his head slightly, hovering near the door.]

Something's...in the water.

[It's not visible or audible just yet, but - something's there.]

[from the doorway, Sonic narrows his eyes at the pool of water at the far end of the room. This is already further into the tunnels of the Necropolis than he could go while the whole anniversary fight was going down...]

Aw man, don't say something like that. That's just asking for trouble.

[he's joking even if it comes off sounding like a complaint. If there's a fight waiting to happen-]

So what sort of powers do you have anyway? Y'know... Just in case a fight breaks out.

Uh...y'know. Rats.

[You know! Rats! Omen's obviously distracted. He tilts his head, and there's a flash of emerald green light beneath the hood of his cloak. He takes a step to the side, reaching out to pull Sonic along with him. His hand seems a lot smaller than you'd expect from a guy of his height.

A few seconds later, a Torment jumps up out of the water! Look at that, he was right!]

Rats, all right... [there's just enough of a pause as he stares at the pond suspiciously, mustering up the will to go further before what Omen said properly processes. Did the guy just say 'Rats'? As in... The animal?] Really?!

Huh-

[and he lets himself be pulled aside, clocking the strange size disparity before the Torment strikes]

Whoa! [Sonic pulls himself out of Omen's grip automatically, a bright gold ring manifesting with a cheerful 'ding!'] Hah! Wouldja look at that?

I'll take this one, but let me know if anymore try to get the drop on us, 'kay?

Sure, sure.

[Bruno's a longtime Sentry; it suits him to stand back from the thick of it and keep watch. He'll pull up some shields for Sonic against this one if he really needs to, but for now...]

There's...a couple more down there, maybe. [That future feels malleable; maybe they could scare them away too.]

What? Down there?! Man!

[he sounds... intensely offended at the prospect of having to go near water. So for now, he launches himself at the Torment that's revealed itself, his weapon left floating next to Omen.

... Yeah, so he's one of those Dreamers. Who needs weapons when you can just punch a guy? While he's fighting, he shouts back;] Should we get ready to bail? Is it really bad? There's no more water coming up, right??

[the water level is very important to him, thank you very much!]

Nnnno, it's not too bad. The water's fine.

[As far as he can see, they've got a few hours yet before it starts to recede, but that's more specific future-detail than he really needs to include.

As to the rest...Bruno side-eyes the golden ring floating next to him.]

What, uh, what do you do with this? [aside from apparently nothing]

Oh that?

[he kicks the Torment against a wall before zipping over to stand next to it]

You can throw it at people! Or- [he raps his knuckles against it] -jump through it to give yourself a boost. [then he pulls a face] But here, I'm just going to end up bouncing off the walls and not in the fun way.

[and off he goes, back to fighting the single Torment... Though on the second pass, it looks like he's just bullying it. Can Torments cry? This one looks like it might want to be put out of it's misery, Sonic keeps bouncing off it like it's the world's creepiest trampoline... Surely this is enough to make the other Torments think twice before picking a fight.

That or the more likely scenario; Sonic's taking out his frustrations at being stuck indoors on a convenient punching bag]

Huh.

[Sudden temptation to throw a rat through it just to see what happens...

But, no. Bruno turns back to watch whatever on earth Sonic's doing to that Torment for a moment.]

Iiiii think you've maybe scared the other ones away.

[yeet the rat, Bruno, you know you want to...]

Think so?

[his words are punctuated but a jump on the Torment. But if his buddy thinks this is good enough...

There's a quick 'Hup!' as Sonic jumps up before suddenly stomping downwards with enough force to pop the Torment he's uh... tormenting]

Right. [he dusts his hands and starts reciting what he needs to write down to staff don't but him later] So water level's not fully receded yet but most of the upper levels are clear. That should be good enough, yeah?

[... Wait, why did he summon the ring if he wasn't even going to use it?!]

Uh...yeah, I guess so.

[Bruno pokes the ring to see if it'll spin in mid-air.]

[and it does! It's almost as if it's just suspended there on a string-]

Having fun?

[Sonic zips over so he's looking at Omen through the ring, amusement written on his face]

[Omen chuckles nervously.]

Heh, uh! Yeah, I guess. What'd you even manifest it for, if you don't fight with it?

I mean... I was going to use it. [he tilts his upper body to one side] But then I thought about it and realized that I don't wanna be a pinball today.

[he points to the space around them for emphasis before leaning back and folding his arms behind his head]

Guess I'll just have to show it off another day~

June catch-all (and also some of May lmao)

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