haileyrobotnikova

[haileyrobotnikova]

I'm assigning Owen as your father figure now knowing what we do. Mans really guided you through all that training?

... He helped me a lot, yes. He's not my dad, though?

*Thinking about her real father for a second, then quickly shaking that thought.*

I suppose you might say I accidentally became his mentee back in the day but we've long passed that stage now.

Right Owen?

@agent-owen-byrn

[haileyrobotnikova]

Bobbi and Asher are... okay. Ever since my mother, eh, "made sure" that the G.U.N of our world couldn't cause any more harm, all three of us have been trying to adapt. The new General is different from Director Cooper. Which was necessary, but it's difficult to unlearn our training. We're actually in class again to break down all of our mental programming and it brings up so many harsh memories...

But let's not dwell of that now shall we? Does Wade know? How are you going to resist that being's desires of you're so... intertwined? I know how tough you are, how you have been able to choose duty or personal gain over and over again but...

*Her eyes flash with hurt, but it's gone when she blinks.*

How do you know it won't take over like it did with Cooper?

*She turns to the creature.* No offense.

Owen.

Tumblr anons came asking me about your eyes. I hate to ask, but... What's changed? You never wanted to accept the voice. Why now?

- Hailey

.....I died Hailey. It wasn't for long but I know I did. I don't know if it was the creature that brought me back or if I just got lucky when Popcorn found me and she was able to eat my heart going again but all I could think about was Wade.

I need to protect him. I promised his mother I would. I promised him I would take care of him.

It told me it could help me keep him safe when I was touch and go in the hospital.....it was what I clinged to. A promise the man I love could be safe. Pretty sure that solidified the bond. The damn thing can manifest outside my body now, it can see and talk.

Good seeing you little Hailey, I apologize for nearly killing you during our time together.

@haileyrobotnikova

[haileyrobotnikova]

Oh Owen...

*Hailey hesitates at first... They're not exactly on speaking terms. But then she takes a step forward to reach out and squeeze his hand. No matter how much his past actions may have hurt her, she'll always care about the one person that taught her the resilience she needed to make it through G.U.N.'s harsh and relentless training methods. She owes a lot to him.*

I often dangled on the edge of death but... I can't imagine what it's like to have actually- eh, yeah... Fuck, Owen. That must have been terrifying. And the Whipple-boy? You must love him so much. I... I understand why you would... Accept.

*She lets out a surprised noise when it slithers up Owen's shoulder and speaks to her. That voice- She's heard a faint echo of it but had never been able to speak to it. She'd still recognize it anywhere. Ever since Maria used the extractor on her to balance out the energy to healthy, manageable levels, the echo had become nothing but a faint, distant, unreacheable hum in the back of her mind. Hearing it again feels soothing and comfortable.*

I... Thank you? It's alright, I suppose. I'm sorry I wasn't a strong enough host for you... Are you two in an equally symbiotic state right now?

Owen.

Tumblr anons came asking me about your eyes. I hate to ask, but... What's changed? You never wanted to accept the voice. Why now?

- Hailey

.....I died Hailey. It wasn't for long but I know I did. I don't know if it was the creature that brought me back or if I just got lucky when Popcorn found me and she was able to eat my heart going again but all I could think about was Wade.

I need to protect him. I promised his mother I would. I promised him I would take care of him.

It told me it could help me keep him safe when I was touch and go in the hospital.....it was what I clinged to. A promise the man I love could be safe. Pretty sure that solidified the bond. The damn thing can manifest outside my body now, it can see and talk.

Good seeing you little Hailey, I apologize for nearly killing you during our time together.

@haileyrobotnikova

[haileyrobotnikova]

WHY ARE OWEN'S EYES GREEN?! EXPLAIN!

Oh my darling anon. You're asking me? ME? Out of all people? Hah! Your question betrays you. You already know the answer, don't you? But, if it is validation you seek... then yes, Agent Byrn has been injected with Chaos Energy too.

... Did you know he begged for it, at the time?

- Hailey Robotnikova

[haileyrobotnikova]

*She looks down at her mom and shrugs a bit helplessly. Her system doesn't quite understand that her mom isn't her enemy anymore. Never has been.*

It had to be done. Simple as that.

*Looking over at @maria-hedgehog-robotnik for help. She doesn't know what to do with her mom's empathy. Thirteen years is a long time, Ivana could as well have been a stranger. Of course, her unconscious knows better.*

... Mom?

*She freezes, her hands mid-air where she was working on improving her Portal Opener tech.*

Hailey? I- I am so happy to see you.

*She puts her tools down and wheels over to her daughter to take her in. This time, there's no hurry. Right now, they have time to get re-acquainted.*

I heard the news about Cooper. I'm so sorry.

[haileyrobotnikova]

Can we... can we go see her together?

September 4th, 2012

Halina,

I know you'll find it cringe to receive some letters from your mother of all people. Believe me just this once when I say that one days these might be invaluable to you.

I can't wait to hear how your first week at G.U.N. has been like. Did you make any friends? Are the instructors less dull than you expected them to be? Aaaah, you're such a big girl now. I am so, so, so proud of you.

I've finally made a breakthrough in my calculations on how to extract the rings' energies. I'm making my very first prototype soon. Commander Ardley is impressed and decided to send some more funding my way. This will help tremendously. I am excited to show you.

Working for G.U.N. together is a dream come true, Halina. We'll have so much fun together!

Love, mom.

@maria-hedgehog-robotnik

[haileyrobotnikova]

Boys did you have to change your names for GUN too

You know what's ironic, I honest to God forgot I ever had another name prior to the G.U.N. traineeship - thirteen years is a long time. Their manipulative tactics once again prove to be extremely efficient. My birth name was... Jasper. I guess I don't really relate to that anymore. B?

Well, G.U.N.'s whacky name policy was a blessing in disguise for me. I never vibed much with "Lindsey" for reasons I don't think I have to explain. I still think they're a shitty bunch of a-holes for enforcing it, tho.

Yeah, especially since we're the only ones that had to? Even when I transferred to my current division, they didn't allow me to change it back.

... Those brainwashing bastards. I never realized then how many little things they did to us to make us fit their mold. The name-thing was still a minor offense compared to-

Don't.

What?

Don't tell them. Please, B.

... Sorry. You're right. I won't.

[haileyrobotnikova]

Then why did she never get me out of there? I don't understand... At one point she must've known that- That it was-

*Taking a deep breath and opening the next letter. She desperately needs more answers. She skims through a few ones that are still as upbeat and innocent as the first two, until... The last one. After this, there are no new letters.*

///

February 19th, 2013

Hi there, it's Mom again. I heard some rumors about G.U.N. forcing your squad to change your names. Hailey is a wonderful name and I'll try to use it as much as I can, but I don't have a good feeling about this... Don't ever forget who you are, Halina. Names are just names, yet they hold power.

Something has shifted in G.U.N., I can feel it. Management has never been this secretive. They've been excluding me more, as well as the other scientists. Half of the time we don't know what we're actually working on for them. And now they're changing your name...

I love you, Hailey. And I know how much you wanted this, but if you ever need a way out or if I don't trust what they're doing to you, I'll come get you.

///

*She stares at the letters in silence for a while, before looking up at Maria*

She wanted to get me out of there? What happened...?

September 4th, 2012

Halina,

I know you'll find it cringe to receive some letters from your mother of all people. Believe me just this once when I say that one days these might be invaluable to you.

I can't wait to hear how your first week at G.U.N. has been like. Did you make any friends? Are the instructors less dull than you expected them to be? Aaaah, you're such a big girl now. I am so, so, so proud of you.

I've finally made a breakthrough in my calculations on how to extract the rings' energies. I'm making my very first prototype soon. Commander Ardley is impressed and decided to send some more funding my way. This will help tremendously. I am excited to show you.

Working for G.U.N. together is a dream come true, Halina. We'll have so much fun together!

Love, mom.

@maria-hedgehog-robotnik

[haileyrobotnikova]

Hey fellas with Cooper dead does that make Maria's dad your boss? Since he's director now?

Ehhhh, Ash? Is this true?

... Technically, yes. He does outrank us, and if he were to give us an order, we'd have to comply. We aren't from the same universe, though, so he's not our assigned Director. It's unlikely he'd give us a mission or anything like it. I doubt he even knows we're here.

Mh that makes sense. This whole multiverse stuff is so confusing... I'm glad you understand how all this works.

*Asher nods in agreement and blushes when Bobbi gives him a little kiss on his cheek.*

[haileyrobotnikova]

*She nods, tears glimmering in her eyes. She suddenly remembers what it felt like to be 16 again, how much fun she used to have with her mom. Sure, being the daughter of G.U.N.'s lead scientist was challenging but... they used to be a team. Hailey forgot how that felt the day she joined G.U.N.*

She would've known I loved them before I did...

*Leaning against Maria, sniffling, as she opens the next letter.*

///

September 28th, 2012

Hello Halina, it's Mom again. I just hacked into the system to read your first duty report, and I couldn't be more proud of you. Top of class, at your age?? I knew you had it in you. You've always worked harder than anyone I ever met. You're a true Robotnikova.

Take this from your mom, dear. Make sure you take enough time to wind down, too. Our brains are powerhouses, but even those need time to rest and process. We don't burn out easily, but when we do... I don't wish that for you. Balancing this will make you the best G.U.N. Agent they've ever had.

I understand that you've been busy, but call me soon? I miss talking to you.

Love, mom.

September 4th, 2012

Halina,

I know you'll find it cringe to receive some letters from your mother of all people. Believe me just this once when I say that one days these might be invaluable to you.

I can't wait to hear how your first week at G.U.N. has been like. Did you make any friends? Are the instructors less dull than you expected them to be? Aaaah, you're such a big girl now. I am so, so, so proud of you.

I've finally made a breakthrough in my calculations on how to extract the rings' energies. I'm making my very first prototype soon. Commander Ardley is impressed and decided to send some more funding my way. This will help tremendously. I am excited to show you.

Working for G.U.N. together is a dream come true, Halina. We'll have so much fun together!

Love, mom.

@maria-hedgehog-robotnik

[haileyrobotnikova]

September 4th, 2012

Halina,

I know you'll find it cringe to receive some letters from your mother of all people. Believe me just this once when I say that one days these might be invaluable to you.

I can't wait to hear how your first week at G.U.N. has been like. Did you make any friends? Are the instructors less dull than you expected them to be? Aaaah, you're such a big girl now. I am so, so, so proud of you.

I've finally made a breakthrough in my calculations on how to extract the rings' energies. I'm making my very first prototype soon. Commander Ardley is impressed and decided to send some more funding my way. This will help tremendously. I am excited to show you.

Working for G.U.N. together is a dream come true, Halina. We'll have so much fun together!

Love, mom.

@maria-hedgehog-robotnik

[haileyrobotnikova]

... I guess you're right. I- I find it hard to believe that that Cooper is gone... y'know? Somehow I expect him to give me a new mission any second now.

*Hesitates*

Mom wrote me letters, it seems. Your Dad found them. I might have to read those first. Before I see them. Do you... do you think you could sit with me while I go through them?

*Pacing around, worried like hell about her sister and unsure what to do with the letters that Gen gave her.*

[haileyrobotnikova]

The Cooper he turned out to be doesn't deserve to be grieved, though...

*Trying to suppress her anger.*

... She isn't mad? I- Tell her I appreciate that. And the portal thing sounds good. Maybe we could ask mom to lift the G.U.N. portal block now that Cooper is gone. Would make traveling a whole lot easier.

*Pacing around, worried like hell about her sister and unsure what to do with the letters that Gen gave her.*

[haileyrobotnikova]

*Smiling at Maria's enthusiasm, happy to see she's okay too.*

I'm so glad he's home, little one. They both seem like really great parents. Your must've missed them a lot.

*Stroking Maria's quills*

They've been good. They're trying to hide how relieved they are that Cooper's dead. For my sake, I suppose.

We're thinking about maybe going back to our own universe for a little while...

*Pacing around, worried like hell about her sister and unsure what to do with the letters that Gen gave her.*

[haileyrobotnikova]

Maria!

*Hugging her tight*

Yeah, I just wanted to be with Bobbi and Asher. Your fathers are... nice. But I don't know them. I needed some familiarity around me after all that. I hope you understand.

Are you okay?

*Pacing around, worried like hell about her sister and unsure what to do with the letters that Gen gave her.*

[haileyrobotnikova]

You know.....you could go ask your mom to read them. The letters I mean

Heck no. That's too much.

Maybe... maybe I might talk to her after I've read them.

[haileyrobotnikova]

*Pacing around, worried like hell about her sister and unsure what to do with the letters that Gen gave her.*