Reunite with your loving father (Private)

[nintendonut1]

“Dad! Daaaaaaaad!!! DA—!!”

Before John knew what the hell was happening, his equilibrium was flopped turnways and he was leaned forward on… someone. His eyes were screwed shut in shock for a second or two. He caught the scent of fresh leaves. And manly cologne.

Blue eyes snapped open and looked up directly into a face that he… partially recognized. It seemed different. He only vaguely remembered ashen eyes, thin lips, a firm brow. The big nose was always there, though, that was in his memory clear as day.

John felt like he was looking, truly looking at his father, for the first time in his life.

A few moments of wide-eyed staring past before emotional tears welled up. The boy collapsed into his father’s arms, clutching tightly and balling his fists into and surely wrinkling his clean shirt, not to mention staining it with tears. Any words along the lines of ‘oh god,’ ‘I can’t believe it’s you,’ and the like were also muffled in the cloth. He also in his sensory peripheral noticed his hood was a bit heavier all of the sudden but that wasn’t his first concern, he was much more focused on the fact that he was hugging his dad.

He almost didn’t want to let go. Not now, not ever again.

[shiftyPotentate]

The wrinkling and tear-staining could be taken care of. Right now an emotional heartfelt reunion mattered more than gentlemanly refinement.

He rubbed his son's back in a comforting way. A dad way. He'd noticed John's surprise at seeing him. Maybe he'd finally matured enough to really see him. (A child psychology book had told him once that sometimes kids didn't perceive all of their parents at once, just what stood out.) Even more to be proud of.

There weren't any more words that would really help the moment, but there were a few worrying sounds. Dad looked around, and saw that the tree was giving way. He tried to react to stop it but it was too late. The limbs beneath them snapped and the three of them (including the passenger within John's hood) plummeted toward the ground. Dad tried to twist them in midair so he would break John's fall, while trying to grab onto something, anything.

This will not be pleasant, was all he thought as they fell.

[nintendonut1]

John only faltered in his soft sobbing a little at a series of crackles, and his eyes popped open at a huge SNAP! and a jerk down lower. He froze up and clutched at his dad tightly as he realized the tree was giving out under their weight.

Really... it had been a long while since he felt terror from something as mundane and ordinary as falling out a tree. He felt like a little kid all over again, haplessly falling off his Slime Ghost Pogo Ride and sobbing over skinned knees, which his dad was always swift with healing. He couldn't help the feeling, really.

About halfway down, he screwed his eyes shut and waited for a miracle. Thankfully, his powers that he had for the moment forgotten about kicked in for him.

The three of them found themselves scooped into a pocket of air, hovering gently about half a foot from the ground. John was still tightly squeezing his dad, not realizing what was going on for a second or two.

[tsifan]

Faltering in the waves of deep dark blue the eternity of night continued as the Light vanished along with his hopes.

He heard nothing but the deep deathly breeze whistling through his ears as he tumbled throughout the sea as he tumbled into the dark sea of nights eternity. There he doggy paddled for his life seeking aid, it was so dark with no hope.

But then

A Ship came in sight, as he was lended a helping hand by the survivors of this sea, The Lint Brigade. He only could accept the help upon their beat up ship. Their situation was as grave as his. Numerous times they've failed to escape in hopes of seeing the Light of Day once more. He was believed to be the prophet of the Descendant of the Heir of Lint, such white fur told no lie. He would accept the role of their profit as he would lead them as the captain. The name Captain Pup would come to mind as he held the name with a strong heart, and upon paws honor he promised that they would see the light of day once more.

The eternal night dragged on as they presumed their work load as the captain worked on his scheme of shenanigans in order to provide such escape elaborate enough to escape the abyss of the Hood Sea. Such small tail wagged, seeking the answer within the solace of the darkness. Ears perked, tail stopped. He had the perfect plan.

Puppy brigade one and two were sent off to scout

Puppy brigade three and four were to aid in pulling the main ship upstream, into the opening of the sea, such impossible task, but nonetheless directed.

This pup stood on the edge of the boat, watching proudly as he was truly a captain for thinking of this plan. Captain Pu- no. Captain DOG would be his new title.

So close to the true light they all saw, energized, as they sailed full forced forward, closer they drew.

Suddenly there was a yell, confused the captain rushed to see, but only viewed as the Puppy Brigades sent to scout fell downstream. Chaos followed as the other brigades began to panic and discord broke out. The Captain, He didn't know what to do as he was swiftly grabbed by the crew as he was greatly confused. Such loyal crewmen, he barely had time to say goodbye before being thrown up aided by the breeze as the rest of his crew fell back into the darkness, He would never forget them.
---

Poking his head out, The puppy looked about to see the whole world around him, clinging onto John's neck as he yipped, ears lowered and tail slightly shaky. Puppy didn't like the dark.

[shiftyPotentate]

As the wind caught and carried them, Dad smiled once more. He was just so darn proud of his son. When the puppy popped out of John's hood, he could tell it had been through quite the journey in there, and cautiously reached up and gave him a pet.

He worked with the wind and touched down, righting himself and John onto their feet. At least they were on solid ground again.

"That was very impressive, John," he said, smiling. "Nice job." As John would slowly let go and see what he'd done, James stepped back a little bit, to give him some more space. He discreetly took a cream pie out of his sylladex, ready to toss it, as usual, when the moment was right.

It was an Egbert thing.

[nintendonut1]

When they didn’t hit the ground, John slowly eased, having it dawn on him, oh, yeah. I’m a windy god. Herp-a-derp.

With his dad’s help, John gently straightened them both out to safely plant their feet on the ground. But not before noticing the puppy on the nape of his neck and pulling it into his arm before it could fall back down into his hood. He leaned over to place the young pup on the ground safely as well, and he paused about halfway up as his face tinted pink in modest embarrassment at Dad’s compliment.

“Th…thanks…!!” He turned his head up and blanched at the cream pie that was coming right for his face. After all this time, Egbert Senior had not changed his quirky way of greeting.

His son, on the other hand, had gone through changes of his own. Strife reflexes instantly activated, and he ducked to the side to avoid the tossed pie. Then, in a split-second decision, he swept the pie up in a windy curl before it could hit the ground and turned it around.

Because why waste a perfectly good pie?

The following SPLAT! was incredibly satisfying to hear. John stood arched and twisted at the end of his wild hand gestures, looking up as the pie tin very slowly slid off his dad’s face, now caked in gooey white cream.

The heir then whooped, throwing up victorious fists to the sky.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!” he cheered, pointing at him. “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! I got you! I got you!!! I finally got yooooouuuuu!!!!” He proceeded to dance circles around Dad and laugh in victory and generally make a spectacle of himself..

[tsifan]

Upon the hand of a god himself the puppy was taken up into his hands and set down to land. Feet once again feeling the soft warm comfort of hte earth, his paws finally at rest as he gazed up wagging his tail, He remember that pet thoroughly from the fatherly figure then murring slightly, ear raised and.. tongue panitng.

The puppy watched as the act of the strange pie continued as he heard a loud splat as cream kinda splattered on his face as he yepled.. but licked it up, it was sweet. He suddenly felt hyped up then, getting on his feet with a derpish smile then running circles around the blue human as he yelped and barked happily in his high pitched voice, wagging his tail in victory, it was settled.

This Human would be his friend.

[shiftyPotentate]

With a warm smile, Dad calmly pulled out a tin case he'd been keeping in his shirt pocket. The tin case had been opened once, and then kept sealed until now.

Inside, was a large folded handkerchief. With it, he cleaned off his face, before placing it in the case once more and closing it. He'd told himself he'd use that handkerchief when his son finally beat him.

That day had come. John enjoyed the PRANKSTER'S GAMBIT on that exchange, and he was okay with that. He watched as his son eagerly enjoyed his victory. He had to admit, he'd never seen his son this happy. Ever since he'd discovered his son's horrific scrawlings on his bedroom wall, he'd been trying so hard to bond with John and support him, show a common interest, which coincidentally his mother had also been a longtime fan of.

For a time he'd thought he'd been mistaken, that his son really didn't like all the harlequin-inspired nonsensical hijinx, but this...

This moment, right here, made it all pay off. All of it.

"You did, you did." He grinned. "You finally got me, son. You are truly a man, now."

[nintendonut1]

John gradually slowed down, panting a bit from his extravagent jubilations, but he stopped to turn his huge grin towards Dad. It eventually faltered a bit after staring at him for some time, and soon he was pulling his father into another hug.

"God, just," he sputtered a bit, squeezing tight. "You... you're the best dad ever. Sorry I... wasn't the best son."

He had a lot to say now that he had composed himself, a lot of it was the same spheal he had given to his friends earlier. But before he could gush again, he felt a warm brush against his leg, and he looked down over his shoulder curiously. For the moment, welled-up emotions were forgotten.

"Oh! Is this the puppy you were talking about?" Releasing Dad, John knelt down beside the puppy, petting it from the head down its back. "Yeah, wow. He looks just like Jade's dog."

[tsifan]

The puppy looked up blinking as he smiled letting his tongue hang as he felt that warm hand, touch the top of his head, it felt good. Stroking down to his spine, he felt chills run up, slightly purring, growling a little in happiness. His ears lowered to give more space for such petting before hearing what he said. Waggling his tail a little more.

So he did have a Master already?

Confused for a moment, he presumed the one who was called a shade of Green would be his master. The blue one made a good friend after all, and a petter. As soon as John went to stroke his head third time however, the puppy had a little bit of a prank of his own!. Opening his maw, he latched onto that soft human hand, giving it a layer of dog slobber! He remembered the taste of him, but he did not bite of course. His teeth were still setting in anyways!

Shortly after his tummy growled, hunger set in with whimpers along with the puppy.

[shiftyPotentate]

Dad was hugged again and returned it firmly. He frowned a bit when John said he wasn't the best son. He didn't have time to explain why his son was wrong, because the space-bending puppy had inserted himself in both their fields of awareness.

"Yeah, it is. I tried to pet it and the next thing I knew, I found myself stuck in that tree." Jade... That was John's friend. James remembered the name from a package John had gotten in the mail. From the postmark it looked like it had been from an island in the Pacific Ocean, and John knew her from the internet. Unlike most parents, Dad was a firm believer that powerful bonds could be formed even without personal contact. Spend a couple years talking to someone and you really get to know them.

John hadn't been terribly forthcoming about his internet friends, but he'd gathered he had three especially close ones, Rose, Dave, and Jade. Coincidentally enough, Rose's mother had been the woman he'd taken a fancy to. He'd planned to tell John and Rose when they arrived at the top of the castle on the Battlefield, but he'd never gotten the chance.

Dad smiled as the puppy licked and played with John. He sure was a happy little guy, but he seemed to be hungry. He would have checked his wallet, but it had been missing since he returned to the world of the living.

[nintendonut1]

"Ohp, ohhhheeewwww ahahaha!" John drew back his hand dripping with slobber, openly laughing. Well, it was better than his first encounter with a baby thingie! One would think he'd learn after almost getting his finger chomped off last time, but, old habits die hard.

Wiping it off on his pants, John glanced up and frowned at Bec's whimpering, and the soft tummy growls immediately diagnosed the issue. "Aww. Little guy's hungry!"

Gently, he scooped the pup into one arm and used his free hand to inspect his porkhollow. Oh yeah, he had plenty of boondollars to spare, even after what he gave to Wax. "Um, I could chip in for maybe getting all of us something to eat... if you're hungry, I mean." Why was he suddenly so nervous talking to his own dad? So weird.

"So uh, what does a mystical puppy with powers of space EAT, anyways...?"

[tsifan]

The puppy was shortly scooped up into john's arms, it increased his mood a bit, raising his ears, panting a little bit, as he pretty much curled up like a little floof ball into john's arm a little, except for that bit of tial , as there was another growl! Shortly subdueing his happy pants as he whimpered again then. Nibbling on john's arm a little, mainly licking it. He liked meat, but human meat wouldn't taste good, he knew that already.

Curious still yet he pulled back looking around, sniffing the air, he smelled.. meat of some kind! Oh what he'd do for a irradiated steak, that would make his day. Well other than his new friend of course!

Lying down in the human's arms he lowered his ears resting, whimpering. It was a strategy that came to mind, perhaps his friend had some steak!

[shiftyPotentate]

Dad frowned. As worldly as he apparently was, even he didn't know what a space puppy ate. But perhaps someone did know...

"John?" he asked. "You mentioned that he was a lot like the puppy of your friend, Jade, right? Why not ask her what her puppy always ate when he was hungry," he said. He remembered Mr. Harley making a passing reference to it before but the answer eluded him.

Looking at the puppy was almost agonizingly heart-melting. And yet he could not pull his eyes away from the sight.

[nintendonut1]

“Oh… right!” John nodded eagerly, whipping out his lunchmuffs and quickly booting them up. Again, the screen floated in the air, allowing the adult and pup to also read the text (if the newborn pup could even read, that is).

It was a bit tricky, but with Bec occupying one arm, John opted to type with one hand pecking rapidly at the floating keyboard as he pestered his ectosister.

-- ectoBiologist [EB] began pestering gardenGnostic [GG] at ??:?? --

EB: hey jade!
EB: you there?
GG: hey john!!!!
GG: whats up : O
EB: sorry to bug you if you were busy, but i had a quick question.
EB: what kinds of things did you feed your dog?
GG: you mean becquerel?
GG: well his favorite food is iradiated steak
GG: .........was : (
EB: huh.
EB: wow, i wonder...
EB: if there's a restaurant around crazy enough to carry that.
EB: i betcha there is!!
GG: what do you mean
GG: did
GG: oh my god
GG: did you find bec!?!?!?!?!!!!
EB: i think so! he teleported me and dad into a tree! haha!
EB: well... it's bec as a puppy, anyway.
GG: oh my god john!!!!!
GG: where are you!!! where is he!?
EB: ahhh!!
EB: we're at the park!
EB: ...oh yeah!
EB: jade i found my dad!!!!
GG: i have something that can iradiate some steaks but you have to buy some
GG: john!!!! thats amazing oh my god!
EB: i know right!!!
EB: god this island is just so amazing.
GG: it really is oh my god okay so
GG: you get some steaks and will you bring them to the apartment!? ill meet you out front
EB: got it! we'll see you there!!
EB: bye!
GG: okay!!!
GG: wait!
EB: huh?
GG: give bec a really big kiss for me!!!!
EB: will do!
GG: okay bye!
EB: hahaha, bye!
--ectoBiologist ceased pestering gardenGnostic[/size][/b]

The first thing the heir did after he shut off his lunchmuffs, before he even put them away, was to honor that request. He lifted Bec up with both hands, holding him just in front of his face, and smooched his wet little nose. “That’s from Jade!”