[FICTION] Pants writes!

[ImPantsAtThis]

Hi there! I'm ImPantsAtThis (AKA Pants, Dan or whatever you feel like), and in the last few years I've tried to have hobbies other than playing games; I was never good at English as a kid, so why not pour my heart, soul and effort into it now?

Wait, what?

So yeah, I'm an amateur (if I'm even that good) writer, with hopes on the side to become a competent hobbyist animator.

The link of all links


My fanfiction account: https://www.fanfiction.net/~calibrationstation


Current project

Well, I think I write better than I draw. I've experimented with a few genres, such as noir and action, but I'm sticking with satire and drama for now. I have a Sonic the Hedgehog fanfiction advertised in the spoiler tag, along with a write-up of why I think it should exist, how I thought of it etc. I have a pretty nice crew helping me beta this, and as we move forward we should be able to give you a more full story.

Are you ready to read a derivative piece of fiction? No? Aww.

Anyways, today I'd like to peddle my fanfiction, 'Watch your life' -- a story in which I try to parody both the real world, the Sonic series and Sonic Team (Spoiler: I don't really pull it off).

The story itself can be found here:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9839137/1/Watch-your-life


So, what's it about? I'm glad you asked (you did, didn't you?).

The Premise

Imagine, if you will, that Eggman retired. Somewhere along the line, he shut down his mechs and got out of the world-conquering biz. A tough suspension of disbelief to make, I know, but an interesting one nonetheless. What would happen to our blue hero, with no arch-nemesis to awaken the monsters of the week? Would Sonic the Hedgehog, a true free spirit, settle down and put up his feet? Sit down in a big house with his friends and live happily ever after?

Well... maybe. But either way, there's a very slim chance he's going to live a similar life after the Doc's retirement.

Fast forward to about a decade later. Things have quietened down: the world doesn't need Sonic any more, and has moved on from him, just like his one-time friends. The speedster was the hero once, but now he gets to lay back and watch everyone forget about all he's done for them. Luckily for Sonic, one company has decided to make video games based upon the life of Sonic T. Hedgehog -- SEGA.

The Plot

We join Sonic after a number of years working with SEGA, growing accustomed to the needs of starring in the games but frustrated with his vapid, if comfortable, existence. Most people he once called buddies have ridden off into the sunset and either become some horrible cliche or worse, work with him.

The Characters

Without ruining this/putting you off, I'll say that a lot of the SEGASonic characters have become very different to how you, someone who has played the games, remember. A lot act in contrast to their established personalities, or are completely phony stereotypes with less substance than a breadstick. Those writers over at Sonic Team know how write a good character-driven story, eh?

Authour's notes

Why am I writing this? A number of reasons, but let's go with the top two.

Number one -- GTA V. During my childhood I was always fascinated by multiple perspectives on things (i.e. What happens at the beginning of your life is also happening at the end of someone else's life, giving them a different view of the same event) but it wasn't until Rockstar's latest entry in the series that I began to dwell on the narrative benefits of multiple main characters. Many POVs can add new dimensions to characters, showing how they interact with one another when certain others are or aren't around, implying further information about their relationship. As such, I've opted for a non-omniscient 3rd person viewpoint here that is 'tinted' through each character's perspective to provide insights into secondary characters' motivations and personalities.

Two: the midlife crisis (No, not mine -- I'm too young for that.). The concept of re-assessing your life thus far and being grossly unhappy with it never interested me, but how it can cause some to act out does. I've always wanted to take it a little further. Buying a convertible? Nah, how about he steals cars instead. Getting a tattoo? Lame. What if he hospitalises the guy his wife is cheating on him with to prove his manliness? Stuff like this is what made me want to write, and this fic allows me to make a less criminal version of that, but gives me the opportunity to laugh at stereotypes as well (which I live for). Every character here either represents a stereotype or trope I have noted down in my years of absorbing media, or is an personification of a point I'm trying to make. That's all an uppity and presumptuous way of saying I'm making fun of stuff.

--

Well, that's it. Updates come through roughly monthly, maybe faster if I have a brain wave. Please do let me know where I've messed up or if I'm doing something wrong. If -- by some small chance -- you like it, I'd love hear about it and why.

[Crash]

I read through it and I really enjoyed it. Can't wait to see some more chapters!

[ImPantsAtThis]

Thanks for the kind words. I have a chapter in the pipeline right now -- waiting for my betas to clear it.

[ImPantsAtThis]

I don't know if I'm allowed to double post like this, but I've updated the OP to reflect my addition of self-deprecation in the topic. I draw art sometimes, so here's a pic:

 

 

One of my earlier pictures, done with the touchpad on my laptop (a nightmare to draw with by the way). A disembodied Classic Sonic head, with strange looking spines. Interestingly enough, it was the first drawing I did where I put a separate line under the mouth to mark the chin.

[ImPantsAtThis]

Time for another content bump that'll get buried. Recently, I've been trying to organise some of the ideas flying around my head in regards to what I would do/write if I were in a position to create pieces of media, and I came up with an idea: RUSH.

 

Split into two parts, a screenplay and novella, named 'RUSH' and 'RUSH: An attempt to plagiarise 3 decades of media.' respectively. With each having different characters and stories but a shared theme, RUSH will be me trying to complete a project and not succeeding (probably). Anywho, I have some stuff to show from this.

 

This started out as a standalone scene I'd put in the middle of a generic action movie, but I began to put in things I thought would be cool or referenced earlier events in said movie. So, I started brainstorming ideas for characters, throwbacks, themes, references etc. Now, I've never even gone near a screenplay before, but I think I've included an adequate amount of information in this (I understand you'll know nothing about the characters and such, but treat it as if you've walked in during the middle of the movie. What would you think?). It's a little short, and be warned: strong language ahead.

 

 

[Handheld camera, DAVE’s POV. Should be as shaky as in found footage films, but show both of actors hands at times, as in Mirror’s Edge.]

 

[set in an abandoned industrial area. It is a dark and fairly cloudy night; the colour key should be an indigo with grey areas. DAVE is walking along, nervously carrying a package (shown by quick, frequent glances down to a brown parcel in his hands. He passes through the area in a brisk pace, frequently glancing backwards, until three men round the corner and approach him in a v formation. In the middle, a mid-40s white man in a red polo shirt, jeans and work boots (NICK). He is flanked by two short, early-20s white men with slicked back hair – one is in a leather jacket (JONNY), and the other wears a cheap suit (GIANNI).]

 

NICK: Whoah, whoah Davey boy, easy there. Where are you headed this fine evening?

 

MARK: Who the fuck are you?

 

JONNY: (advancing, circling DAVE) We’re with Sal deSilva.

 

GIANNI: (mock politeness, loud. Circling other side of DAVE) To whom I believe you owe a package, am I right?

 

DAVE: (glances at package, view flicking between JONNY and GIANNI) Listen punks, de Silva wants this package? Tell him to send more than two punks and an old man next time. (turns to walk away)

 

NICK: (explosion of rage) The fuck did you just say!?

 

[Dave snaps back to NICK, who has drawn a pistol, its aim levelled at the camera very steadily.]

 

NICK: Yeah, that’s what I thought. J, G, get the package? (As a question)

 

[JONNY and GIANNI begin towards DAVE. Camera looks at NICK’s gun hand, which is lowering.]

 

DAVE: (pointing at Nick) S-S-Screw you! (DAVE makes a break to one side, ducking around a corner and through an alleyway.)

 

[The camera is especially shaky here, showing DAVE sprinting through some beat up lots, hopping boxes as he goes. In the background, the three guys from earlier can be heard shouting after DAVE as he breathes heavily. The chase goes for ~30 seconds, ending with DAVE trying to climb a chain-link fence with the package in tow and falls. Black out for 5 seconds.]

 

[An eyelid effect on the camera shows DAVE’s eyes opening and closing gradually, simulating waking up. NICK and JONNY run into frame from the side. Both are knackered, with NICK bending over to regain his breath. After a few seconds of panting, GIANNI jogs into view, looking fine. NICK pulls the gun on DAVE, looking ready to launch into a tirade.]

 

NICK: See how you fucked this up Davey? We could’ve taken the package and gone. But no, you had to run away. You nearly got away too – I bet you ran track in high school, you little wimp. Now, I’m gonna clip ya-

 

DAVE: Look man, I know it wasn’t cool-

 

NICK: (theatrically) ‘Not cool’? Oh, how fucking magnanimous! You don’t get to do that, Davey. You pissed me off – I got football injuries, man. J and G’ll be the first to tell you I’m not exactly the youngest here; the ol’ ticker can’t take too much. But you tried to give me a coronary? Fuck you! Now you die. G, take the box.

 

[GIANNI doesn’t move, giving NICK a confounded stare.]

 

NICK: I said fucking take it!

 

GIANNI: Alright! Geez...

 

[GIANNI leans down a picks up the package, getting out his phone and heading out of frame. NICK is left holding the gun at DAVE. He hesitates.]

 

JONNY: (to NICK) Go on then, old man! Finish him! That’s what you said you were gonna do, right?

 

NICK: (turns head to JONNY, gun still at DAVE) Shut it. I’ll deal with this.

 

JONNY: Old man de Silva’d want you to finish the job. Go on, do it!

 

NICK: Why don’t stop getting so animated before you cause a fucking oil slick, you greaseball punk!

JONNY: At least I’m not some ancient, decrepit motherfucker who can’t even blast a snitch!

 

NICK: (furious) You know what!? Fuck it! (turns back to DAVE, gun hand shaking.)

 

[Gunshot and black out. Lasts for ~10 seconds]
 

----

 

[NICK, JONNY and GIANNI are sat in a 50s sedan. Camera is positioned on the left of the dash, showing seat level. NICK is driving, focusing on the road. JONNY is riding shotgun looking troubled and GIANNI is in the back, sleeping.]

 

JONNY: (to NICK, quietly) You’re a fucking psycho, you know that old man? First Frankie, and now this? What was your job before yo—you know what? I don’t even know when you started this shit.

 

NICK: (without a glance to JONNY) Three days ago.

 

JONNY: Bullshit. Johnny Law kind of guy like you, turns crook and kills a guy in three days? What were you, an actuary or some shit? (mock excitement) Oh, better yet, a murdering accountant! How awesome! Hey, can ya do my taxes, please, Mr. du Frense?

 

NICK: (eyes on road) It had to be done. You see any other way than what just happened? Then why didn’t you tell me before I killed him? Oh, wait, you didn’t think of any fucking alternatives did you? Exactly! Would you wanna explain to Mr. DS that the snitch fucking snitched? Again?(pauses, then sighs) G brought the shovels, right?

 

JONNY: That’s all you can think about? Shit, man – Gianni was right. You ARE crazy.

 

NICK: (forcefully) Did he bring the shovels?

 

JONNY: Yeah.

 

NICK: (wearily) Good.

 

[NICK switches on the radio, not taking his eyes off the radio for a second. He fumbles with the dial and static is heard.  RADIO GA GA by QUEEN comes on and plays over the subsequent cuts. Camera cuts to quick shots of: THE GUYS taking the body out of the trunk; them burying it on a hilltop clearing; JONNY and NICK sat on the hood looking at the night sky. NICK offers JONNY a cigarette. Blackout. The song plays, “You’ve had your time, you’ve had your power, you’re yet to have your finest hour.]

 

[End scene]

 

Edited January 19, 2014 by ImPantsAtThis

[ImPantsAtThis]

Spoilered for size:

 

 

Terrible art aside, I don't have much news on the writing front. Going for a second pass on my next chapter, but I also finished co-writing a 'bonus stage' of sorts for when the first season is done. The main writer for that one is darkerturbo, a good friend of mine, and he's done a good job of exploring the background of the in-universe SEGA and has some very nice satire laid in there. Here's an excerpt of dialogue:

 

 

“Vector.”

 

Rising from his seat, Espio offered his one-time colleague a way out.

 

“What if Eggman and Sonic teamed up?”

 

“Huh?” Vector quirked an eyeridge as he asked, “Then who’d be the bad guy?”

 

Another board member, a slender human in a double-breasted jacket, let out an exaggerated sigh from the far end of the table.

 

“Just make it up,” he called, slamming the flat of his hand onto the table, “Isn’t that what you do anyway? Just, I don’t know, throw some cardboard cutouts at the blue guy.”

“Like the kind they use for boxes?” Vector asked, cocking his head.

 

[ImPantsAtThis]

Hello again, nobody! 

 

So, I've been sitting on some of this for a while, but I finally have something to show from RUSH (book form). It's part of the opening, helping you get know our protagonist, his mannerisms and thought process. This is nowhere near the meat of the story, so please just judge this based on whether the prose and descriptions are interesting. I look for ways to improve over praise, so if you want to shout at me, go right ahead.

 

It's original fiction (or as original as it can be), with real-life locations, organisations and hopefully a sense of believability.

 

Let me know what y'all think.

 

 

RUSH: An attempt to plagiarise 3 decades of media.

 

What have you done with your life? What have worthwhile things have you accomplished? It doesn’t matter really; all too soon the curtains close and you fade out. You had your time, you’ve had your power, but like most, you’re yet to have your finest hour.

 

But what would be described as one’s finest hour? A vigilante action: taking down a fleeing criminal, doing your citizen’s duty out of a sense of justice? Or creating an indisputable masterpiece, a cornerstone in its field that is remembered by generations to come?

 

Whatever the peak was, Calvin North was long past it.

 

Long retired? Check. Overweight? Check. Sitting in the sun and drinking by the pool while his deranged family argue in his big house with two mortgages? Check. Having to bounce his mortgage repayments because his spouse can’t do without retail therapy? Check.

 

Calvin, or Cal to his friends, wasn’t very unique – his career hadn’t been exceptional by any stretch – and his cold-looking exterior never betrayed the torrent of thoughts behind it, moving at lightning speeds and in opposite directions. The man’s chaotic thought pattern never distinguished him as anything but ordinary. In fact, he was a pretty dull guy on the surface: he wore jeans and polo shirts, like any self-respecting 45 year-old; a German sedan was his primary mode of transport; and his favourite drink was scotch, a time-honoured beverage that, in his experience, seemed to go well with moping about in the fruits of your labour.

 

See, Calvin had worked for the FBI. Working for the bureau was pretty shitty, but one upside was the job came with a radical severance package. It had been enough for Cal, enough for a deposit on a mini-mansion in Beverly Hills, enough even for a yacht to sail the seas and search for a reason to live while still having some savings tucked away. But it wasn’t enough for her. Sarah North, Cal’s wife, had a penchant for ‘economic redistribution’, mainly the moving of money out of the Norths’ bank account and into the coffers of some Italian designer outlet for a new pair of shoes. Between arguments with Amy, their daughter, Sarah spent her time shopping on and around the likes of Rodeo Drive.

 

So how did Cal spend his time? Watching old movies and drinking.

 

And today was no exception. Laid on a sunchair in his backyard, shirtless torso displaying his love handles and pot belly, Calvin was thinking. As always. Mr. North had officially been retired 10 years. 10 years to sit around watching re-runs of the A-team. 10 years to drink himself into a stupor. 10 years to destroy his marriage. 10 years is a long time – and it’s a lot of time to do a lot of thinking.

[ImPantsAtThis]

Haven't posted in here about my fanfic in a while. Don't know which was the last chapter I posted about, So I'll go with the latest:

 

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9839137/4/Watch-your-life

 

Chapter 4: The hedgehog and the Fox. 

 

A pretty slow-paced chapter, we join Sonic at the end of 'day 1' and segue into 'day 2' while gaining some tidbits about his and Miles' home lives and friendship dynamic, if you could call it that.

 

Fun fact:

I've decided to include some 'making of' facts in spoilers at the end of each post so that this isn't purely advertising.

 

Fun fact 1: This fic was originally titled 'Sleepwalking', as a subversion of the idiomatic 'suburban slumber*'.

 

*That is, a comfortable but boring social rut middle-aged men are meant to feel trapped in after a few years of settling down with a family.

 

 

Oh yeah, I drew something awesome today:

Here it is with sketches: http://impantsatthis.deviantart.com/art/Boom-Did-This-432684408

 

I'm so happy with how this came out omg omg omg

[ImPantsAtThis]

https://m.fanfiction.net/s/9839137/5/

Well, I finally got something done on this! Instead of writing a full length chapter, I elected to write two shorter chapters and publish them simultaneously. The results, I hope, are just as enjoyable as normally.

This one's told from Amy's POV, and I think I've provided her with an interesting characterisation here. Hopefully, there's some constrast in the prose as well as the perspective; this multiple characters thing will look lazy if it's all the same style.

So please, let me know how you like it (or not).

Fun Fact: Originally, I was going to use this fic as an opportunity to sound off on the series, parodying both its production and reception today, as you can see me begin to do in these first chapters. Y'know, sitting at the back, making wisecracks?

Then, Sonic Boom happened. And it was a bigger deal than I expected.

There was a stage after the first reveal where I was in a panic, trying to work out what the general public's reaction to it would be, what it woupd mean for the brand. Would it be seen as a semi-fresh start, or woupd people drag the past into it, as they always do with Sonic?

So, after a while, I formulated a plan to roll with the punches, as it were, and now I can make some possibly relevant comment through this story as SEGA push to make Sonic a presence in modern pop culture. That's the dream, really; If people actually get this, and laugh at the Sonic Team centric chapters, but also see it as a legit allegory for Sonic's standing these days, then I'd be thrilled.

[ImPantsAtThis]

*looks around* No-one's updating their topics? Now's my chance!

 

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9839137/7/Watch-your-life

 

Here's the latest chapter of my fanfiction. Picking up where the last left off, we follow Sonic's view of the video game acting process, beginning with a team briefing.

[ImPantsAtThis]

...Aaand chapter 8 is here. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9839137/8/Watch-your-life

 

We pick up in Sonic's POV again, and observe his reaction and the beginning of the motion capture process. There are some character interactions I'm really happy with in here (namely Sonic and Vector), so please let me know if you enjoyed it too.

 

Fun fact: this didn't start out as a Sonic story.

 

My way of preparing this was by writing a whole list of characterisations of laughable stereotypes in modern culture: people like hipster armchair activists, sleazy movie producers and over the hill actors. Eventually I came to realise I was writing parody characters, and there was already an idea forming in my head...

 

Each character in the list has initials that correspond to the Sonic character that I wanted to characterise that way, so there's a lot of non-Sonic things referred to in there (i.e. clothes, career criminals etc.) which were added to give a 'feel' of the character. A lot of this has changed since I started properly, but I figured it's worth a read anyway. Some of these you'll get right away, others are a bit more difficult.

 

Anyway, here's the list (try and guess who's who):

 

Steven Hill – Couch potato with no social life. Once hailed as a hero, now makes his money acting in B-movies of his old adventures and starring in PSAs. Goes to the cinema every chance he can. Doesn’t realise his ‘friends’ don’t like him anymore and only sees them at work. Trying to court a colleague.

 

Simon Hunter – Retired government agent. Wears a suit everywhere. Longs for the thrill of the job again, but has picked up gardening in the meantime. Has a flaring temper; prone to melodramatic – and often expensive – overreactions for attacks on his masculine pride or lifestyle.

 

Sean Harris – Freelance IT technician in the suburbs. Has been laid off more times than he can count. Always wearing a polo shirt, usually featuring a decades-old stripe pattern. Between shifts, argues with his wife and tries to understand his kids. Has an idea of how the world should be, and doesn’t know what to do when the world doesn’t live up to his expectations.

 

Mickey Preston – Actor trapped in his contract doing films no-one watches. ‘Best friends’ with co-star Steven, but has begun to hate him despite their old partnership. Whiny; spends his time between movies running his vegetarian restaurant and protesting against animal testing. Drinks soy milk mochaccinos. Sees a shrink once a week. Hates his on-screen nickname.

 

Professor Smith – Reformed criminal turned college professor in the throes of a midlife crisis; eats energy bars and is obsessed with marathons. Used to be heavily obese, is now ‘porky’. Despite their history, is friends with Mickey and Kevin but is despised by Steven.

 

Kevin Edgebert – Bodybuilder/terrible actor, one-time rival and long-time associate of Steven. After a failed spinoff movie, quit acting to pursue a weightlifting career – is now humongous. Constantly called a moron despite his Physics degree. Arrogant and brash, but a good guy; naïve to a fault. In his spare time, tutors math to college kids.

 

Vincent Corolla – Two-bit director and first-class misogynist. Out of shape, but comfortable with self in a creepy way -- a half-open shirt with hairy chest kind of guy. Knows those around him are miserable and relishes it. Likes to live it up, hanging around with drug dealers and high schoolers.

 

Amelia Rogers – A woman at the top of her profession, held back by contacts from her past. Irritated with the misrepresentation of her life, but hides it behind a wall of dismissal and cynicism, resolving to move on when the world lets her. Into yoga, goes to spin class. Divorcée with a lot to lose.

 

Charlie B – College party boy with rich parents, no charm and less sense. Chronic pot smoker. Whiles away the night before a big test drinking booze in the corner while the football team do shots. Hyperactive when high. Is almost always high. Started on pot years ago, now moving onto harder stuff.

 

Edward Caldwell – Filthy rich businessman, long since retired who has become bored with life. Watches “how it’s made” on the discovery channel. Goes for walks to the inner city, hoping to encounter something that breaks the monotony. Looking into spiritualism, accepting new age psychobabble to find meaning within himself. Bores his therapist stiff. Finances a few high-profile scholarships at the local university.

 

Beverly Carrington – Used to be the sheltered daughter of a wealthy businessman, until his ‘princess’ married ‘beneath her’ to escape his control of her life. Sean’s wife. Highly strung on occasion, but wants stability more than anything. Single-handedly holding together her family.

 

Claire Richards – Sickly sweet little girl with more manners than a southern countess. Has a heart of gold – calls everyone Mr or Ms . Perpetually cheery and a student of the local suburban high school, she’s managed to avoid losing her innocent charm while maintaining her love of cookies. Seems impervious to corruption; nothing from horror movies to crime-based video games can alter her disposition.

 

Vanessa Richards – Claire’s mother. White picket fence type of lady; prim and proper, and so kind you‘d think she were a nun. Single. Sees ‘the good’ in Vincent, and has politely deflected his advances while also keeping that particular avenue open as a possibility.

 

Roxanne Bartfield – Owner of a casino-come-lounge bar on the fine edge between the good and the bad sides of town. High-maintenance and pricey – just like her club. Sings there most nights. Has a thing for men in relationships and flirts to get her way. Classy homewrecker with the smooth moves and sex appeal of a con artist.

 

Robby Stakowsky – Jumpy little guy from a backwater inner-city apartment complex. Forgotten for years and denied his claim to fame, but found his lot in life as a thief. Stays cool under pressure, but is shaky and awkward in most social situations.

 

Frank Swiper – Career criminal with an ego complex. Once was Simon’s nemesis, but left him alone after his retirement. Still boosts scores with Robby and Marty, trying to convince himself he knows how to be a leader.

 

Marty Atkinson – Forgotten by his friends for over a decade, he runs as part of a heist crew with a disguise so audacious it works. Methodical, level-headed; the born leader, but firmly second-in-command and liking it that way.

[ImPantsAtThis]

Let's skip ahead to Chapter 10 - Analyze this.

 

Day 10

8:38 PM – Miles 'Tails' Prower

 

"Dr. Tanner will see you now."

 

Glancing up from his seat, Miles looked to the receptionist. Sat behind a circular desk and manning two computers, she continued to work while Miles stayed seated.

 

"Uh, me?" The fox pointed to himself.

 

She gave him a nod, and gestured towards the therapist's office.

 

"Alright then," he muttered, standing, "Wish me luck."

 

"Enjoy your session, sir."

 

Miles headed for the door, and stepped into the room, shutting it behind him. Tanner must have paid a lot for soundproofing; the room had a stillness to it and, seeing the moonlight peer through the window blinds as rays, was beautiful. Serene, you could say. The night's light drenched the room in a subtle glow, subduing the earthy tones of the therapist's wooden furnishings.

 

The office was fairly typical of the trade: a large, open room with a desk in one corner for the doctor's admin work, and a sofa and chair in the centre for consultations with patients. In his usual seat in the middle sat Dr. Tanner, giving his widest grin to the fox.

 

"Miles! Welcome. Please, sit down."

 

He took to the sofa adjacent from the doctor, as always, and made himself comfortable.

 

"So, buddy..." Tanner leaned across to him, "What's up?"

 

Miles' therapist was condescension personified. While on the surface, he appeared professional and concerned, his voice had a playful lilt to it that smacked of someone talking to a petulant child. It got under the fox's skin, and a part of him guessed Tanner knew it.

 

"Where do I start, doc?" Miles looked up to the ceiling, kicking his seat as he thought. "Some guy came in the other day and ordered a cheeseburger. Can you believe that? The staff has been giving me trouble – they say their salaries are too low compared to how many customers we get. I mean, they say that, but I see the numbers every month and let me tell you, we're not exactly having queues out the doors, you get me? So I don't really see ho-"

 

"Yes, yes. The vegetarian restaurant. It's been a big source of stress for you, hasn't it? A risky business venture in an unstable economy, working with idiots, trying to get them to think when they do their jobs."

 

"Now hang on a second, doc. They're not idiots, I just don't think it's fair to give them a raise when-"

 

"You are... protective of your employees, despite your quarrels. Why, when put in a high-pressure environment such as the restaurant, do you grow attached to your staff when, in the calm of my office, you have no trouble being angry?"

 

"I've got no clue what you're talking about."

 

Tanner sighed and looked to the floor. "I can't help you if you won't admit your troubles, Miles. Anger always has a source – we need find your triggers in order to stop you acting out. Though, you don't seem to be here to work on your anger issues. So, what is the problem?"

 

"I don't know. I just... I... felt like it. Something doesn't feel right, but I don't know what. It's like my brain's itching, or like I'm being poked behind the eye over and over again. I'm getting itchy and antsy, but it's not a physical thing and I don't know the source. Something like that. It's just.. ugh, it's right under my skin, doc."

 

"How's Sonic?"

 

"What exactly are you suggesting, doc?" Miles asked, wary.

 

"Whenever you come to me with issues, they seem to be related to Sonic, Tails. I just want to-"

 

"It's Miles."

 

"-help you. So, how is he?"

 

"That's a hard question to answer. I haven't seen much of him – he's been given sick leave from work, and we don't exactly go on picnics afterwards, y'know?"

 

"I understand, but..." Tanner tilted his head quizzically. "Don't you live in the same apartment block?"

 

"Yeah, but come on – we don't get together every week and watch Ready Steady Cook. I have things to do; I'll be tending to the restaurant, or at work, while he's sat in his living room playing those games or tracking down old newspaper clippings."

 

"Newspaper clippings?"

 

"Yeah. From back when we used to be celebrities. Stuff like, 'Super Sonic Saves The Day!' and all that. Kinda pathetic, but we all need a hobby." The fox chuckled. "His just seems to be acting like we're out saving the world as best buds all the time."

 

"Indeed." There was a long pause. "Miles, have you ever considered why Sonic clings to you the way you describe?"

 

"No." Miles levelled his gaze at his therapist. "Should I have?"

 

"Do you not think you're being a little too distant towards him? Trying to disassociate from him too much? As a way of overcompensating for years spent in his shadow? I think," The doctor leant across once again and gave Miles' leg a cheerful pat, "that is the real issue. What do you think?"

 

"What do I think? What do I... Well, I... y'know, I actually never thought about it like that." Miles grew noticeably more involved; he leaned forward and began to gesture as talked, his voice becoming more excited. "I mean, yeah, Sonic's been like a brother to me; he took me in and gave me a home, took me on adventures. He was like family. But he wasn't just a brother, he was... a big brother. He was always lookin' after me, even when I grew up. How many times have we saved the world too? Like four? Sonic's been the headline hero every time – 'Miles Prower' is practically just a footnote in comparison. We were close back then because I needed that kind of care, but now I don't and... he doesn't get that."

 

"Oh? How so?"

 

Miles' brow furrowed as he raised a hand to his chin. "Well, he calls me Tails, like I'm still eight years old. He's always pestering me to go out with him, to some fan convention or grab a pizza after work. Other days, he asks me to go round to his apartment and play video games with him."

 

"And why don't you play video games with Sonic? That's behaviour more akin to a friend than an overprotective sibling."

 

"...They're our video games, Doc. The ones we make with SEGA. He wants me to go over and spend the night playing made-up stories where we defeat the bad guys and blow things up. It's childish, and it kinda creeps me out."

 

"Are you ashamed of him for playing the games?"

 

"...No. It's just kinda weird to see, is all."

 

"Why do you think he plays them?"

 

"Same reason he collects the clippings? I don't know, Doc; I'm not Sonic. Why are we talking about him so much? Aren't I paying you to listen to my problems?"

 

The psychiatrist's easy smile fell as his face dropped. "Very well," He began, leaning back into his chair, "how's work then, friend?"

 

"You know, doc, it's been pretty good. I think it's going well – we've got a new guy working on the next game, and it's shaping up to look pretty good. I think the fans might like it. The mocap, even though I was away for some of it, is really kicking off now – I'm even getting my own action scenes!" Miles became more vivid, sitting up from his slouching and growing excited. "And Ivo is just a blast on set. You see, we wear these suits when we record, right, and the animators attach these little white balls to us sometimes to track our movements. When Ivo had his stuck on, he said-"

 

Holding his hand out for Miles to stop, Tanner interrupted, "I can... imagine. So, 'Ivo' – he's the 'new guy', I assume?"

 

"Yeah. What about him?"

 

"You have a lot to say about him. A very large amount, considering he's just a colleague."

 

Miles squinted. "What are you trying to... Ugh, that's disgusting! No! Just... No!"

 

Chuckling at the fox's visible shuddering, Tanner continued, "You know what I mean, Miles. You two, to hear you tell it, are becoming fast friends. You're enjoying yourself more with this Ivo than you are with Sonic, a friend with whom you have a long history."

 

"Yeah, but Ivo ain't trying to take me on some communal nostalgia trip where he's the sole star."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"Oh yeah, you've never seen Sonic act, huh? You should. Out on the mocap stage, he changes. His eyes... glaze over or something, and he gets super into it. He takes the acting thing really serious, and straight after is when he's at his worst trying to be besties with me."

 

"You think Sonic's using the games to vicariously re-live his past?" Tanner asked, shifting in his seat.

 

"I. Don't. Know." stated Miles through gritted teeth. He stood and began to leave. "I don't think I can do this, doc. I'm just gonna head off for the night."

 

"You were booked in for an hour. It's only been 30 minutes, Miles."

 

Still heading for the door, Miles responded, "And?"

 

"Well... I'll have to charge you for the full session."

 

The fox stopped and turned, staring back at his therapist. His fists clenched and his eyes clamped shut. There he stood, digging his fingers into his palms, tensing all of his muscles in a vain attempt to avert the sea of anger washing over him.

 

After an eternity of his glaring, Miles left the room. As he passed through the reception, he avoided the practised smile of the talking head behind the desk – she wouldn't care to ask if he was OK. And she didn't. Miles pushed open the double doors and left the building, only to be hit in the face by a wall of cool air. It took him off-guard – it was the height of summer, and this refreshing lack of heat was rare. Stood on the sidewalk, the golden kitsune looked around.

 

The streets were pretty empty at this time of night; most were either out and getting drunk, or in and getting ready for bed. Either way, it was no surprise there were no cars passing by. It was time for Miles to get home; he began to wa-

 

brrring-brrring

 

Miles pulled out his phone.

 

"Sonic?" Glancing up from the caller ID, a snarl formed on the fox's face. His colleague was probably asking to go get some sushi. Well, not tonight; Miles had put up with too much for now. Bringing the device to his ear, the fox began, "Hello?"

 

A deep voice, much too dark to be Sonic's, rang back through. "Hello. Is this 'Tails'?"

 

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9839137/10/Watch-your-life

 

So, I've decided to spend the extra time and start copypasting the text itself and leaving a link instead of being a douche and just posting the URL -- you shouldn't have to site hop to read my stuff. Anyway, this was an interesting chapter to write; I had to get inside Miles' head and provide a balance between entertainment and legit representation of emotional conflict. I hope I did well.

 

What do you think?

 

 

Fun fact:

When I have spare time, I'm semi-seriously writing a M-rated spin-off set in the same universe with Shadow as the lead. I'm trying to make it reminiscent of fast-paced, less-emotion-more-events 80s and 90s crime movies (Point Break inspires one of the scenes specifically) and it's a nice change of pace from the slow, dramatic stuff. I may get around to posting it if I can get this first season done, but we'll see.