Chapter Text
The sky was clear, and Station Square was busy as ever. People rushing by, slightly pushing past others. Everyone had a place they needed to go. Everyone needed to get somewhere. The destination never really mattered, though, not to Lucy. You’d think a city would be the last place a hare with sensitive ears would want to go, but to Lucy it was her new home. It was an area that was often attacked, and though they could protect themselves, Lucy felt it was best to stand by in case.
Joining the Restoration meant that she could finally do good. Finally, help and use her skills for something. As she walked by, she kept her ears open, listening for anyone who was in need. Any cry for help that could be missed. There was nothing yet, but you can never be too careful. As the green hare walked, she picked up trash. By now, she had a whole bag of just litter.
“So much garbage just lying around! I feel like I’ve been at this for hours…I would call this a job well done, honestly, there’s no way I can get everything cleaned up in a day! Maybe in a week? No, I could do it in two days! I just know it!” Lucy thought to herself with a big smile on her face.
Her eyes sparkled a bit as she finally threw the bag in the garbage. She dusted off her hands, stepping into a cafe soon after. Her goal? Head to the bathroom and have a break for a minute or two.
“Checking off garbage from my 50th step of today's routine!” She jolted, though, as she heard a voice-no three! Slowly turned her head to see where the noise was coming from.
“WOOOO COFFEEE COFFEE COFFEE-”
“Charmy, you are not getting any coffee for the last time! We’re not here to order! We’re on business.” A crocodile raised his hands gently grabbing the bee to settle him down.
“Aww phooey! Just a sip? Come ooonnn!”
“No! How about a candy instead? We can’t afford anything here!”
Can’t afford anything? She stared a bit before running over. She slid ten rings over to the cashier, buying three donuts.
“Hello! Sorry, but I got you three of these donuts! They’re just glazed, but I didn’t want anyone to go hungry if they’re going to work and-” her sentence trailed off. Her eyes met the two in front of her. “I…you-you’re the the the the the AAAAAAAAAAAAAA”
Charmy took the donuts out of her hands. “WOW, Thanks, lady!! That’s super nice! Hey Espio look look! This lady just gave us donuts! For FREE!” The young bee looked excited as he flew over and handed Espio one.
Lucy watched the two exchange the donut, and she was still screaming. Just, fully screaming. Not even once did she stop to breathe, but she felt her face grow red. Her large ears flopped down behind her, and she felt the stares from not just them but everyone in the cafe. Ohhhh nooo…
“Hey, lady, are you alright? Is there something going on? Do you need help? We can get you somewhere safe if you need it. We just need to know the issue!” The crocodile put his hands up, awkwardly looking around. “Hey, does anyone know her?”
Just.Stop.Screaming, that’s it, that’s all she needed to do, just reply calmly and apologize.
“AAA…AAyyeee I, I, I, I’M OKAY EVERYTHING IS OKAY!” Gaia felt like everything was going wrong. If she just realized she knew these three, well, knew OF them, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. She cleared her throat, leaning against the counter to finally take a breath. “Sorry, I’m just a huge fan…” A huge dork, more likely, oh Gaia no…and even Espio saw, in fact, he was staring.
“A fan?” Espio perked up slightly. He then leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he slowly took a bite of the donut. “Truly? I was unaware that we had fans.”
“I mean, we have been at this for a while now, we just never ran into one! Not until now, it’s nice to meet you, miss…?” Vector gestured to her, holding his hand out.
“Lucy! My name is Lucy! It’s super nice to meet you! I-uh sorry about my screaming I just didn’t expect it! I’m more than happy to meet you three, though!” She smiled, shaking his hand rapidly.
“A FAN!?! WOOOHOO! Who would of known!” Charmy cheered. He quickly flew over and shook Lucy’s other hand. “It’s fantastic to meet you! Lucy-YEAH Lucy!” Honestly, Lucy didn’t expect it. She was just so in awe of it all. She was more than happy to speak to them.
However, there was one she refused to look at for too long, or even speak to. And he picked up on that. Perhaps he was not her favorite? Clearly, she had more interest in Vector and Charmy… not that it bothered Espio in any way. Surely…
The Chaotix eventually left the cafe, and so did Lucy. The group and the hare heading two opposite ways. Lucy was practically skipping away. She just met the Chaotix. THE BEST DETECTIVES AROUND. It was as if she were running on clouds with how she jumped around…
Meanwhile, Espio was still thinking about the interaction.
“I do not think I got to properly introduce myself.”
“Well that’s cause you didn’t talk much, you were too busy trying to be Mr. Cool again!”
“I have told you that I do not try to act to be cool, I am cool-”
“And I don’t like honey! Are we done saying lies now?”
“My point still stands. I will make an effort to introduce myself if our paths align once again.” Espio stated for the last time before Charmy flew up ahead alongside Vector.