[a week passed by since Sylvia had left, n still no word frm her, tho Awesome and Ryder kept Peepers occupied with sightseeing n tourist-y stuff, as well as helping him with sign language, n now they hv a surprise for him]
Awesome: Keep ur eye closed there, pipsqueak
Peepers: >< (doing what the shark says)
Ryder: :D No peaking now.
Awesome: [rummaged his backpack n handed Peepers a present, which is just a brown cardboard box]
Ryder: :)
Peepers: (peeked to see the box) ?
Awesome: Alright, u can open the box
Peepers: (opens it, blinked and pulled out a device, looking at Awesome and Ryder to ask 'This is...?')
Awesome: Yup, it's the sign language translator. Ur lucky too, coz it was almost out of stock
Ryder: :) Got it just in time.
Peepers: ... :) (tries it on)
Awesome: How does it feel? Try sign something
Peepers: (think) (moves his hands slowly)
Device: (in monotone) I... Am... Peepers...
Awesome: Woah, cool~~
Ryder: :D It works.
Peepers: :O (signs some more) I am Watchdog...
Awesome: Wow, it totally does! Hmm, needs adjusting to the voice tho, too robotic [consults the manual]
Ryder: Think so? I thought it sounded cool like that.
Peepers: ... ;(
Ryder: :O Whoa, you okay, little dude?
Awesome: :O Woah, woah, u OK there? Do u not like it? I can always send it bk... :(
Peepers: (trying to sign while sniffling) I haven't...heard my voice...in so long, and...this...it may not be my own voice, but... ;(
Awesome: Aww, there, there... [patted his back] Like we said, a friend of Bee is a friend of ours, n this is wat friends do: we help each other out. Right, Ryder?
Ryder: (nod) That's right.
Peepers: (sniffles) :)
Awesome: So u want me to adjust the voice so tht it'll sound more human and less robot?
Peepers: (nod)
Ryder: :)
Awesome: OK, let's see... [flipped thru the manual] Ah, voice module, somewhere here [flicked at a button near the elbow] Let's make some adjustments... [pressed at some stuff] OK, test it out
Peepers: (signs) I am Peepers Watchdog.
Ryder: Sounds a bit better.
Awesome: Yeah, if u wanna sound like a female Watchdog -_-
Peepers: ^^;;
Ryder: ^^;;
Awesome: [adjusted again] OK, let's give tht another shot
Peepers: (signs) Peepers Watchdog.
Awesome: Ugh, u sound like a 5 years old on helium gas
Peepers: (shrugs)
Awesome: Here we go again [adjusted a bit more] There, hope third time's the charm
Ryder: (think)
Peepers: (signs) I am Peepers Watchdog.
Awesome: :) Much better, u sound just like a proper person. I like that voice. Won't Bee be surprised :D
Peepers: :D
Ryder: :) Sweet.
[the TV was playing some random reality show, then suddenly switched to breaking news]
News anchor: Breaking news, the headlines. In Planet Bordia, a building has exploded n collapsed, leaving 11 dead n 50 unaccounted for...
Awesome: Hey, that sounds like the planet where Bee's mission is
Ryder: :O That can't be good.
Peepers: :O
News anchor: The building is known for hosting numerous functions n auctions, including the famous legal slave trade auction. Authorities discovered contraband chemicals underneath the basement of the building, that may hv sprung a leak, causing the explosion. Among those dead is the manager of the building n a number of his closest staff [the photo of the manager Peepers n Sylvia met was displayed on the side panel of the screen] More investigation is conducted, but the initial conclusion is accidental leak, but they won't rule out foul play or terrorism...
Awesome: Woah, tht is so Bee. Go big, or not go at all :o
Peepers: :(
Ryder: Relax, I'm sure Sylvia is still okay. (though worried himself)
Awesome: Yeah, well, keeping our fingers crossed here
Ryder: So, should we head back?
Peepers: (focused on the tv screen)
Awesome: Head back where? We hv to stay with Peeps till she gets bk, remember?
Ryder: -_- I meant the room we're staying in, genius.
Awesome: [sees Peepers lost at the TV screen] Yeah, prolly better to give him some time alone to process this
Ryder: Yeah, we should.
Peepers: :(
Awesome: Hey, buddy. We're gonna jet a bit. Ur gonna be OK here?
Peepers: (signs) Yeah... I'll be fine.
Awesome: Cool. Cya soon [went off with Ryder]
Peepers: (still watching the screen, praying for Sylvia's safety)
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