Chapter Text
Wemmbu was itching to get out of everyday life, find something new and exciting to get him out of his rut.
A road trip came to his mind, it was cliche, sure, but the feeling of gliding down a back road in the late hours of the night called for him. He had fond memories of going on what some would consider long, grueling drives, but to him, they were peaceful and relaxing.
The car he drove was nothing special, an old beaten up SUV. It was rough around the edges, paint chipped, rust gathering near the bumper. By no means was it a lemon, it worked fine, just had to be mindful once he reached a certain speed. He’d bought it from an old friend of his, Zam, he’d found no use of it after getting an upgrade, so he had sold it off to Wemmbu for cheap.
Yeah, he probably could’ve bought a better car for less, that’d last him longer, but that car held more value that way, it made him cherish his time with it. The car was charming, in its own weird way. Nothing was permanent, especially to him. With the many decades he’d spent drifting through years in the blink of an eye, Wemmbu had learned the importance of slowing down. Things slipped away from him quickly, quicker than he’d like to admit.
Wemmbu didn’t age normally. His form only shifted when it had to, adapting to his needs. There were times where he had large wings for high-speed flight, or sharp teeth that stuck over his lips. But in the present, his form had settled into something considerably more human. There were a few features that made him seem a bit more animalistic, but for the most part, he could pass as nothing more than a shifty looking person. Not that hybrids and people with animalistic traits weren’t common, it was just easier to present more humanoid than going on a long rant about the ins and outs of his immortality.
In the hundreds of years he'd been around, everything was always constantly changing. Himself included. There was one thing, however, that never seemed to change. Egg. A being he'd met years ago while adventuring, they found to enjoy each other's company. Wemmbu also came to learn about Egg’s immortality, mirroring his own. They became close friends, it was comforting to Wemmbu knowing he had someone who he couldn’t lose easily. He had made bonds with mortals in the past, the friendships ending with scars embedded deep into his skin.
Egg was a breath of fresh air to him. Still, there were some differences between the two of them. He preferred to distance himself from most conflict, with the years turning the world more harsh, this left him with a lack of skills regarding most interactions with people who weren’t Wemmbu. It didn’t seem to bother him though, he still talked to people, on occasion. Egg had never really cared for making his form more appealing, or trying to hide the features that would be unnerving to some, he simply was. Wemmbu admired him for that.
His control on his form was more firm than Wemmbu’s, while Wemmbu’s body made the choice for him, Egg decided what he needed. One time, he’d voiced to Egg that he had some untapped potential when it came to how little he shifted his form, only making small changes as he thought was necessary. His thought was met with a simple, “I’m too lazy to do all that bruh.” which, with Egg, was fair. Wemmbu enjoyed that Egg just went with the flow of things, they had ended up on many quests together, Egg getting accidentally roped in most of the time. It was a shame he’d have to spend so much time apart from Egg while he went off on a long trip. Wemmbu didn’t necessarily have to leave him behind. That sparked an idea in the back of his mind.
Maybe he and Wemmbu could take the trip together.
It wouldn’t be too different to the usual activities they got up to, going on impromptu missions for things that had no impact in the long run. Wemmbu’s car was big enough to fit them and all of their stuff, he’d just have to ask him. Yeah, maybe they could take this trip together.
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It was muscle memory as he drove his way over to Egg’s apartment, using his spare key to get into the lobby. Wemmbu had basically become an honorary roommate to Egg, with how much time he spent over. The lobby looked the same as ever, a little rundown, the only thing out of place being the elevator. He recalled many times where that thing had put the fear of god into him, with its loud banging and random stops throughout the ride. But this time, it had a note poorly taped to it, a piece of printer paper with the big words, “OUT OF ORDER” written on it. His shoulders slumped and he let out a shallow sigh, of course it had to be today, swallowing his pride as he made his way to the long staircase.
Why out of all the apartments to choose, Egg had opted for the one with the most annoying placement? By the time he had reached the top of the dreadful staircase, his back was cursing him out. He was absolutely in his rights to complain to Egg about the entire annoyance getting up to his apartment was, both the options equally sucked. Either he had to climb the Mount Everest equivalent of a staircase, or he had to ride the elevator that was praying on his downfall, literally. Wemmbu quickly realized as he opened the door into the hallway that the apartment he was looking for was on the other side of the building. He silently cursed at himself as he dragged his feet down that grueling hall, absentmindedly studying the decorations people had placed on their doors.
The patterns on the hallway’s carpet almost ingrained itself into his mind by the time he’d reached Egg’s door. Letting out a breath of relief as he brought a hand up to knock. His knocks were heavy and impolite, it was to let him know that this was Wemmbu, his friend, and not some random person from his building. Abruptly stopping his knocking to give him some time to answer, being met with not even a clatter from inside. Egg only answered his door after Wemmbu pounded on it for ten minutes, it was almost routine at this point. But this time, Wemmbu wasn’t having it, not after he had to climb those monstrous stairs. He slammed his fist hard onto the wood of the door, “Egg, answer the damn door!” he yelled, starting to get irritated.
His shoulders relaxed as he finally heard some shuffling from inside the apartment, hearing the lock click before the handle started to turn. The door opened, and standing in front of him was a very tired looking Egg, dressed in nothing but boxers and a tank top that looked like it had seen better days. “Huh” Egg muttered out, rubbing at his eyes. “You look like shit.” He deadpanned, “I just woke up bro.” he groggily responded. “I- Wh- It's 4 pm? It's 4 pm and you just woke up?” Wemmbu motioned a ‘what’ sign with his hands, dumbfounded. “I was up late.” Egg elaborated, struggling to keep more than an eye open. “Dude your sleep schedule is fried.” Wemmbu laughed, “I know bruh.” he agreed. They both paused for a moment, letting Egg fully regain consciousness.
“So like, why are you at my doorstep?” He asked, regaining most of his cognitive ability. “Oh, yeah.” Wemmbu had almost forgotten his whole purpose for coming here, his irritation over the journey there dampening his thinking. “Do you wanna go on a road trip?” Wemmbu prompted. Egg stared at him for a minute, before shrugging. “Yo, uhh, okay.” He accepted his invitation, taking a quick second to yawn. “I’m gonna go back to bed, I’m lowkey tired.” Egg mumbled, starting to walk back into his apartment. “I just got here- It's 4 pm- On a weekday!” Wemmbu called, hoping he’d make a turnaround, seeing nothing but a door get shut in his face. He swallowed his anger, pulling out his phone to leave Egg a quick text about his plans.
when you wake up pack some crap you want on the trip (we’ll be gone for about like two weeks btw) ill come by tomorrow to pick you up and load all your stuff into my car be up before 4 pm this time
He sent the text to Egg, starting to make his way back down the bleak hallway. Going down the Mount Everest adjacent stairs was easier than climbing them, but still annoying nonetheless. The air somehow felt cleaner as he stepped out of the building, unlocking his car and slipping into the driver's seat. There was a gas station right near where Egg lived, so he decided to get his hands on some sub-par gas station food. An edible looking chicken sandwich that he promptly downed in his car, before making the short trip home.
His keys jingled as he unlocked his door, Wemmbu shrugged his coat off his shoulders, it most definitely wasn’t coat weather, but he was always one to not dress for the occasion. He sat himself down on his couch, unwinding by watching some videos on his old TV.
A few hours into his accidental binge-watching session, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Egg had messaged him back, one word.
Ok
Wemmbu chucked at how overly simple the message was. He flicked off his TV, quickly getting himself ready, he’d need rest for tomorrow. Big day ahead.