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Omega has always had a knack for creating trouble for those around him, but it would just so happen that today something has created trouble for him in return. As he stomps towards the rabbit family’s abode, a little Chao with vague likeness to his chassis giggles happily as it holds onto his shoulder handle. Its home in the wild had been destroyed by some inferior models that Omega had recently defeated, leaving the little guy without a place to call home.
Initially, Omega had planned to relocate it to the nearest tree so it could find a new home, but the Chao had a different idea. Its different idea being imprinting onto the E-100 unit and establishing a connection, much to Omega’s dismay. Because of this inconvenience, he is on his way to deposit the Chao at the one place where he knew Chaos were taken the best care of. Once Vanilla's front gate comes into view, the robot dares to swivel his gaze to his shoulder where the Chao babbles happily. Unfortunately for the robot, it forsakes his shoulder handle for the point on his hood shielding and grabs on with a smile.
Surprised, Omega stops in his tracks and swivels his head back forward hoping to throw it off, but the Chao clings on tight and attempts to find footing on his metal nose. As it smiles into his oculars and obstructs his view, sounds of the gate opening and closing along with the unmistakable clank of metal footsteps are picked up by his audio inputs.
Omega reaches his claws up as gently as possible and manages to pry the Chao away from his face plate. Its mood bubble shapes itself into heart while it happily drums on Omega’s metal fingers with tiny twangs.
“Greetings, Omega.” Gemerl moves to stand near the Chao that Omega holds and glances between it and him, possibly analyzing the vague similarities the Chao holds to him. “I see you have acquired a companion.”
“NEGATIVE. IT REFUSES TO LEAVE.” Omega states and attempts to set the Chao on the ground, but it clings to his fingers and uses them as monkey bars. “I REQUIRE CREAM’S ASSISTANCE.” Omega tries to shake him off, but Gemerl’s hands reach out to still his claws. The larger robot’s oculars flash in anger, but the reborn gizoid does not remove them. Although this staredown is intense, the Chao could care less and lifts itself up on top of Omega’s hand.
Elevating the chao away from Omega for a minute, Gemerl holds it close, petting it fondly while scanning it with internal systems. “You may request Cream’s assistance, but she will tell you the same thing I will.” The Chao seems fine with being in his hold for a moment before it starts to squirm and reach with grabby hands back towards Omega. “Once a Chao has imprinted, the bond created is difficult to break.”
Omega watches with slight annoyance as Gemerl sets the fussy Chao on the ground and it quickly crawls its way back to Omega. He evades it with large steps and it chases him around until its big round eyes well up with tears. Having quite enough, Omega’s fists ball up in anger and he punches the ground nearby. “CEASE! I AM NOT YOUR PARENTAL UNIT! YOU WILL BE SAFE HERE.” It cries harder yet clings onto his hand, refusing to let go.
Gemerl clasps his hands behind his back and looks at Omega expectantly. “This Chao is undeniably yours. It gravitates to you with an unshakable force akin to your own.”
“IRRELEVANT. IT IS SMALL AND FEEBLE. I CANNOT GUARANTEE ITS SAFETY.” Reeling his shoulder forward, Omega readies a tug that would remove his hand from the chao’s impressively strong grip. But he hesitates when his oculars meet the chao’s wide eyes watering with the fear of abandonment. An emotion he knew all too well. He stills the rest of his processor, considering while he watches the sniffling Chao crawl back up his arm and onto his shoulder.
“As its guardian, you are responsible for its safety. It is necessary for you to understand the weight of the consequences if something were to happen due to your negligence.” Gemerl continues standing at Omega’s side, watching what he can of the E-100 unit’s gestures he could determine.
“I AM NO PROTECTOR.” The larger robot admits, mostly to himself and the other robot in his company.
“Perhaps not, but it desires companionship with you as you are.” Gemerl falls silent as Omega and the Chao lock eyes again. It grabs onto his head and squeezes tight with all his might, denting the edges like it's holding on for dear life.
“I…” Omega’s voice box vocalizes but he trails off soon after. The ultimate robot then finds his resolve quickly melting when the chao takes desperate attempts to snuggle against the base of his helmet plating. “...I AM NOT A CARETAKER.”
“Neither was I at the beginning.” Gemerl gathers the attention of Omega's oculars. “It is an acquired skill. A learned trait. One I believe you are more than capable of, if you allow your unit to be. Cheese is only as strong as he is because of the nurture and care Cream gave to him. The position of caretaker also includes cultivation. Definition: to foster the growth of. Your Chao will grow and learn to adapt to your tendencies. Prediction: under your care, it will not stay ‘small and feeble’ for long.”
The front gardens of Vanilla’s house are silent for a moment as the larger robot takes one last moment to consider. He lifts a claw up and pets it gently where it lays. The mood bubble softens itself back into a heart and the rest of the chao’s upset sniffling quiets down into soft snores as it nestles itself down to sleep.
Gemerl tilts his head to the side as he watches Omega clench his other fist only for it to relax and fall to the ground. Smoke emits from his vents in defeat and he points at Gemerl for a moment with a claw before returning his attention back to his Chao. “THIS IS YOUR FAULT.”
“I do not care what amount of blame you put on me as long as you raise your Chao right.” Gemerl folds his arms. “But, since you believe I am partially at fault, I will happily provide you with ‘child support’. We have an abundance after all.” Gemerl turns on his heel and walks back into the house. “Wait here.”
While Gemerl is away, Omega allows himself to place his claws over the Chao protectively as a small hug before returning to pet it. The moment is over all too soon as Gemerl returns with a small box in hand. He opens it in front of Omega and shows off the items contained within one by one. “This should supply your Chao for one month. Included are fruits and toys dedicated to enhancing it's climb and strength stats since those seem to be its advantages. I have also included fruit tree seeds that you may grow yourself once you run out. I recommend planting them as soon as possible. It takes them a bit to bear fruit.”
Omega takes each item as it is presented to him and places them inside his stomach hatch.
“I also have outfits for your Chao to wear in case the temperature outside is too warm or cold. I will demonstrate.” Gemerl reaches his hands up towards Omega’s neck to take the Chao away, but Omega’s arm quickly blocks his attempt.
“DO NOT.”
“Caretaker test 1: passed.” If Gemerl could smile, he would be grinning.
“HOW DARE YOU?!” Omega roars. The loud volume accidentally wakes the sleepy Chao up and it rubs its eyes, looking around slightly confused until it catches sight of the new snacks in Omega’s possession. With wide, hungry eyes, it climbs down his front and uses his vents as foot holds, eventually pressing his face against the transparent pane. “LATER.” The larger robot picks it off gently and places it back on his shoulder. When it keeps trying to climb down, Omega finds he has to hold them up there to keep it from escaping.
“Caretaker test 2: passed.” Gemerl announces proudly earning a glare and faceplate full of gatling gun which he carefully points away from his family’s abode.
While staring him down, Omega swipes the rest of the materials from him and puts them away before pulling the squirming Chao to secure him with both hands. (Air jail.) After this, Omega releases a portion of his anger. “INQUIRY: HOW OFTEN ARE MEAL TIMES?”
“Twice a day, usually, but I would recommend adding a third.” Gemerl answers quickly. “You do not sleep as organics do. Slowly, it will lose its need to rest as much and will require more nutrition to keep pace with you.”
“UNDERSTOOD.” Omega responds and removes one hand from the Chao so he can give its first meal. It babbles for joy once the fruit is given and Omega places it back on his shoulder as it eats in peace.
“What will you name it?” Gemerl asks as Omega turns around to leave.
“CURRENTLY UNKNOWN. HOWEVER, I HAVE ACQUIRED A REPLACEMENT NICKNAME UNTIL THEN.”
“Oh? What is it?” The reborn gizoid asks curiously.
“‘GEMERL STINKS’.” Omega glances back at him over his shoulder with a glint of satisfaction in his oculars.
All at once, Gemerl’s nonchalance falters when he begins thumping his left foot in irritation. “You would be wise to find another name. Another suitable name.”
“FOR MY PURPOSES, IT IS SUFFICIENT.” Omega announces proudly before addressing his newly acquired chao. “WOULDN’T YOU AGREE, ‘GEMERL STINKS’?”
“Chao Chao!” The Chao babbles happily, not understanding at all what his new name means. Then returns to nom on the rest of the fruit in his possession.
“SEE?” Omega throws the reborn gizoid an antagonizing glance while he stomps back through Floral Forest from whence he came.
Gemerl watches in disbelief and dismay as Omega makes a show of using his Chao’s new name as a means to mock him. Even after all his help too. “You're welcome.” Gemerl incredulously calls after him which only earns him a half-hearted wave from the E-100 unit before they both disappear from sight.