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Assistant: Title: A Self Insert Experience - Echo
        Author: HHS_YankoMoonlight HHS_YankoMoonlight 
        Chapter: 1/27 
        Summary: After transfering to Pueblo University and spending three years around an otter and turning into partners for a school project. The young aspiring cameraman wolf, follows the otter for a week-long project vacation back to his birth place, the town of Echo, to take on a mysterious and disturbing past it holds in hopes of a decent enough grade. What could possibly go wrong?
        Contents: Chapter 1: Saturday
    

    


      
        
          
          (See the end of the chapter for  notes.)
          
      
  

  
  
    
    “Yeah mom, I brought it.” A tinge of annoyance almost escapes his lips. “No, no I’ve got everything.” A little pause follows. “No, TJ is with us, we picked him up yesterday…” he shut up suddenly, and may have been interrupted. “No, I… I did call you yesterday, but there was no answer.” A millisecond before he stopped himself from snapping on his own mom through the phone. “Fine. Yeah, I’ll try more than once next time.” He sighs and follows. “So, I’m… Of course, they’re clean!” starting to get annoyed at his mom probably trying to make sure her son is up to date on his daily tasks. “Listen, I’m driving right now, so…” interrupted again as he rolled his eyes at what was being said towards him. “Yeah, so I shouldn’t be on the phone, should I? I’m gonna hang up.” A short pause follows. “Okay, love you, too… bye.” He sighs again, finally dropping his phone on his lap. TJ that is on the passenger’s seat stretches and scratches behind his ear.
  
“Aww, that’s cute. It’s been a while since I’ve seen your mom, Chase. How is she?” he excitedly asked, making Chase shrug.“Fine, I think. She wouldn’t tell me if she wasn’t, anyway.” He flatly replied. TJ taps a foot on the car’s dashboard before yawning.“Wow, it feels like we’ve been driving for daaays.” A bored lynx commented, it seems like our VERY long drive is getting to him. It does get to me too, but I don’t like to whine around others, I don’t want to sour the mood… not that it isn’t right now, but I sure don’t want to add up to the formula. Chase looks up to TJ since we are on a straight road.“We’re almost there. Why don’t you listen to some music, or something?”“My phone’s been dead for the past two hours. I didn’t know it would take us eight hours to get here.” That made Chase sigh once again. He can’t help it, want it or not, Chase got lost trying to reach for the route 93, guess his GPS messed up somewhere or wasn’t properly updated around these roads.“You should have brought a book; those don’t run out of batteries.” Commented the female fennec beside me, rightfully holding a hefty book titled ‘Cognition’. TJ sighs at another realization of his.“All my books are on my phone…” Oof…“Why don’t you listen to the radio?” Offers Chase. Finding it optimal for the situation, TJ reaches for the in-built radio of the car“Don’t bother, all we get out here are hick stations. I have some music on my phone, though.” The fennec explained, but also offered a solution. “Do you have an AUX cable, Chase?”“In this clunker? No, but like I said, we’re almost there.” The aura inside the car is a bit weird, these 3 are all friends, but the feeling I have is like they have a very thick wall for themselves, like they grew apart and I wonder why. Still, I don’t feel like it is my business to interject.“ Take exit 127 onto Flint Road. ” Chase’s GPS finally came to life on this straight road, which also took him back to realizing he wasn’t fully paying attention to it. Using his breaks and swerving the car up a ramp to said road, taking everyone including me by surprise.“Whoa!” Everybody held as best as they could on their seats, TJ was less ready for that since he was with his foot at the dashboard.“Sorry! Sorry…” Chase apologized.“Chase! Come on, pay attention.” TJ chastises Chase, but adds a little giggle showing he isn’t that mad at him. Not that he is the kind to be mad at someone. If anything, Chase still felt a little embarrassed with his action.“Hey, me, Yan and Jenna went three hours out of our way to pick you up from CCU, you could have taken the bus.” Defensively replied Chase.“No, no I am grateful. I’d just rather this not be the place I die, haha.” We kept silent for a while, Chase doing his best to avoid a number of potholes in the road. The silence though has other meaning, at least for them. Chase told me that they are all from this place called Echo. A said slow dying town that they all moved out from. Well, at least three of them, the other three Chase mentioned, still live in Echo. He told me many stories about them and how one of them was his boyfriend. Nothing about them wasn’t mentioned at all and I felt it was a very sensitive matter, so I never pressed about that. And I guess Chase is ever so grateful I didn’t.“Are you guys excited?” Asks Jenna, now that she put down her book and was staring out of the window. I guess she also feels like we’re getting there and is maybe reminiscing about it.“I dunno, it’s been a while since we’ve all been together. Think things will be the same?” Says Chase, feeling nervous about it.“I meant Echo. Are you excited to go back?” Jenna reiterates her question.“Oh.” Chase realizing it is about the town itself, he kept silent from an answer.“As long as we can go for a hike.” Added TJ. “I don’t wanna be sitting around in the motel all day.”“Well, it beats having a heat stroke in the desert. Are you seriously hiking the trail?” Jenna commented.“Oh, come on, it’ll be fun! At least I know Chase will come.” TJ says while looking up towards Chase with a very eager face, that makes me chuckle.“Yeah, yeah, of course.” Says Chase with a little forced smile, but focused on the road.“Anyway, it sounds like you’ve only got the boys on your mind, Chase.” Jenna spats playfully towards Chase. “… Leo, maybe?”“ Make a slight right onto Emma Lake Road. ” Chase uses the GPS as an excuse to not answer Jenna’s jabs. Jenna, noticing she’ll get nothing of entertainment from Chase, turns to me.“Yan, you’re Chase’s partner in this  news  thing you are making, right?” I flip my ears and look towards the fennec, we’ve not talked since we got into the car, what brought interest in communicating with me right now… after freaking 6 hours.“Umm, yes I am.” Feels a little weird to finally speak after so long.“What is it about, exactly?” After the question, Chase swerves from another pothole.“Ehhh… well, it’s some kind of news packet.” I begin. “It’s about that one thing that happened in Echo around the 1900s. I studied a bit of it with Chase when we did some research. It’s a pretty messed up situation.”“Oh, I believe I read about that too at some point.” TJ offered.“Hehe, well, that being said. We are to dig more about it. And nothing better than research right at the source of it, right?” I confirmed.“Well that sounds kinda fun. Are you going to have enough time to hang out? I just know Leo has some plans for us to spend time together.” Explained Jenna.“… Umm, I believe it is an outing between friends, right? So, you don’t need to worry about me.” Jenna tilts her head.“What do you mean by that?”“I mean, I’ll just be in the way of your outing. I’m just a stranger in your group.”“Huh? Why a stranger? You’re the most chill guy Chase ever introduced me to.” TJ offered.“I hope that isn’t something Chase stuck in your head. Cuz those thoughts are pretty mean spirited to my liking.” Says Jenna with a piercing stare towards Chase.“W- what? I didn’t do anything.” Chase was defending himself and accidentally ran over a pothole, gladly it wasn’t a deep one, but enough to make him focus back on the road.“Heheh… no. Chase told me lots of things about you guys. Even those from Echo, it’s just…” I scratch my head and fix my hair a bit. “I just really feel off around new people, so I don’t want to… just be there.”“Huh, now now. I tell you; you should worry about it later. You’re going to meet up with them before we get to do those plans for an outing. From there you can decide if you’ll join us. Seems fair?” Jenna offered using cautions in her voice.“I…”“And Leo is also helping us with footage, he chose those places so we could also take the shots and b-rolls we’ll be using. So, I… need you to be there too, Yan.” Chase also offered while focused on the road, but paying attention to our chat.“Umm…”“Also, I believe our first hike will be the perfect spot for your project. I want to help you guys and Chase told me a lot about you. I’d like to get to know you better on these occasions. I mean, if you allow it.” TJ added. I’ve known Jenna for some time because she was closer and I met her on a few outings with Chase. TJ is a bit far away, but only Jenna was the one to visit him, so I’m a little off around him. Not so much, since Chase made sure to talk about him to me and just as he said, he is very chill and collected. I mean, educated.“I’ll… fine, I guess I can have some time to think it through, right?”“Of course, you have. No need to rush, take your time to meet them. And don’t worry about details, just focus on the project if you feel off.” I nod towards Jenna. This chat took long enough that Chase pointed towards the approaching motel we’re spending our week at… With a few cars parked, we took a spot next to our room’s door. Chase after switching off the ignition seems relieved. I guess we all are, it was a long ride and I feel stiff from sitting for so long. Chase lays back on his seat and rubs his eyes. “Uuuugh, I never wanna drive that long again.”“Thaaaaaaanks, Chase.” TJ playfully says as he hops out the car, finally standing. “Eeeeuuuughhhhh!” Once out he put his paws on his back and stretches from toes to ear tufts, audible cracks sounding from it. “Gosh, it feels good to be out of there.” We all follow suit, hopping out of the car on our respective sides.“Alright, I made the reservations, so I’ll check us in.” Jenna says. “You boys wanna bring in our stuff?”“Sure!” TJ confirmed and we all just nod. Coming to the trunk of the car, we got our stuff and equipment, TJ took care of Jenna’s stuff. Before heading for the room. I grabbed my camera and took a few shots around the motel; I have a separate SD card for the project as I use my personal one for practices and my own leisure uses. They look fine, I want to remember these days.“Come on, Yan.” Chase called out for me.“Coming!”Inside, looking around I notice how spacious the place is, aside from it being a tad musty. I’m not used to motels mind you, so I can’t place if it should be something normal. I just put my foot down in this town, so I can’t actually judge. “Hey, this is nice. And two double beds?” TJ questioned the pair of double beds.“Yeah, thought I’d get one of the nicer rooms, since everything here is dirt cheap.” Jenna explained while TJ sets their bags on one bed.“So, how will we share the beds?” TJ inquires. I believe he won’t mind which comes from this decision.“That is a good question. But since Chase and Yan are partners. They get a double bed. It’s logical.”“Ehh?” Chase almost dropped the bags out the bed. “Where did that come from? Where is the logic in this?”“And why are you so against that idea?” She flatly retorted back with another question.“I’m not… I mean… I just… ugh…” Chase is a bit out of his comfort zone there.“I… can sleep on the sofa.” I offered, which made them look at me, TJ with a pity look, Jenna as neutral as I’ve seen her and Chase just feeling a little bad that I said that. Jenna looks back at Chase.“Are you sure you didn’t fill his head with things before we got here?”“Gah… I didn’t do anything, I…” Chase made like he would continue, but stopped himself. Maybe thinking on what to say.“Heheh… it’s fine Chase. And it is my decision, if he isn’t comfortable with me, then I take the sofa.” Jenna just sighs and shakes her head. Maybe a bit judgmental from her, which makes Chase shrink on his shoulders. Decided that I check out the sofa and place my bag beside it. It does fit two people so it can house me well enough.“If that is so…” TJ says a bit discouraged. “I’ll stay with Chase and you can have the bed for yourself Jenna.” I think that is fair.“That’s… nice of you. Anyway, here are your keycards.” Jenna delivers a keycard each, those are used to allow us into our room. It’s a fine technology for a motel, security in the first place, I guess. I pocket mine for now.“When are we gonna eat? I’m starving.” TJ commented and I’m not gonna lie. I’m starving myself too. Surviving the trip with water and cereal bars isn’t enough, the only fulfilling meal we had was breakfast and it was just late afternoon, we literally missed lunch. At that, Chase did check on his phone for something.“Leo said he’s gonna get us some sandwiches from the diner.”“Did you tell…” TJ started talking but Chase cut him off, already answering a possible question he was about to ask.“Yes, I told him to substitute the bread with lettuce for yours, TJ.”“Nice!” And not even surprised by that, TJ just celebrates.“Alright, well, I’ve texted everyone that we’re here. Let’s at least unpack.” Jenna offered. “It’s going to be crowded and I don’t want our stuff in the way.” We nod and start to unpack. Deciding which drawer is mainly ours, aside from our camera equipment. Me and Chase watch them again to be sure they’re ok for use.“Yan…” Chase called out in a hush.“Hmm?”“I’m… sorry if I gave the impression, I was uncomfortable with you…”“Heheh, it’s ok Chase…”“It’s not… And I thought I stopped acting like that with you.” I met Chase at our Journalism course. We're classmates mostly but live in separate rooms with different roommates. This year we bonded over our interests and ended up as partners. This project came out and Chase took on himself and chose to do a news article on Echo’s event in the 1900s, as he said, it was his homeland, said with a bit of disgust but, it was perfect that he is already familiar with the history and research would be easily spotted, even if he just wants a very good material for an enough to pass grade. About the uncomfortable part, is that I was a recluse student but whenever he'd go, I was there too and the fact that I was a wolf set him off somehow. But later I discovered that Leo is a wolf too. So, I guess I just connected the dots.“But for real, it’s fine. I’m used to that. My roommate is so paranoid that I sleep on the couch anyway.“I… know that, you told me. Still, I’m being unfair with you.”“I insist, it’s fine. It’s just a week-long project, it’s not a big deal.” Chase harshly rubs his head, Jenna is too focused on her laptop, doing her school work and TJ is watching TV. “So, how is the equipment on your side?” Chase looked at me and begrudgingly gave a report of his own equipment. While we are sharing information.“You know you’re on vacation, right?” TJ directs towards Jenna. “And didn’t you already get into grad school? You should relax.”“That’s exactly why I need to be keeping up.” Jenna responds still focused without taking her sight from her laptop. A knock is heard and Chase takes it upon himself to get it as I finish checking up our equipment.“I’ll get it!” Chase went for the door. It’s out of sight for us and a bit of a humble welcome is heard. The other voice is so jovial but at the same time deep and afloat. I wonder why.“Is that Carl I hear?” Jenna left her laptop aside and stood from her bed and TJ did the same from the TV. Following Chase back into the room, a slouched ram came in and Jenna went to welcome him.“Hey, Jenna!” They briefly hugged.“Carl! How have you been?”“Not bad, just livin’ life, like I’mma be…” The way he was speaking sounded like he was singing a line of a song but he just trailed off it, the others were expecting for him to continue. But he just smiles back and everyone seems like it was expected to happen, kinda.“Huh?” says a confused otter.“Hey, is that TJ?” Carl reacted once the lynx approached.“Hi!” The lynx is smiling towards his old friend, but is wrinkling his nose at the same time. Now that I notice that, there is a funny smell in the air all of a sudden. “Still up to your old habits, huh?” The ram just shrugs.“So, what have you been up to, Carl?” Says Chase, calling attention towards him with a clap of his paws. “You’re not online that often.” The ram shrugged again. That is one very disinteresting way to answer, I tell ya.“Oh, you know… just hangin’ out.”“Must be kinda boring, considering it’s Echo.” Jenna commented.“Not going out helps, haha.”“Have you been able to find a job? I know they closed the old Corner Market you used to work at.” TJ added.“Yeaah, it's been kinda hard since pretty much everything is closing around here.” Retorted the afloat ram with a less enthusiastic demeanor. “On top of that I still don’t have a car that can get me to Payton.”“Oof, that’s right.” TJ with a compassionate smile follows. “You crashed the one your parents got you.” The ram hunches further into himself after that one, sulking. I guess he can’t live up to that one event, eh?“Man, don’t kill my vibe.”“What about school, have you been thinking about going back?” Jenna asked.“N- not really, maybe…” The ram lost a bit of that afloat demeanor, even narrowing his eyes.“You should! You went for what, a semester?” Jenna dismissively commented that. “That’s not really enough time to tell if you’re really cut out for college.” She proceeds. “Classes get easier to handle once you get used to it.”“Yeah, well, it wasn’t exactly the school work that was the problem.”“You cooooould try smoking less weed, that might help.” TJ playfully offers.“W… wha…?” The ram stepped back in shock at what the lynx had offered. “Is this… Was I set up for an intervention or something?” he gave a pleading look towards Chase.“Hey, don’t look at me. I had to deal with them for the past ten hours.”“Yeah, guess I just forgot how naggy they can be.”“That’s because we care about you, Carl!” TJ retorted.“Anyway, since you dropped off. Chase got around Yan once he established on his class in that final semester.” The ram gave a confused look towards the fennec and finally looked around the room, landing an eye on me, blinking lazily while placing that I was there the entire time.“Who… is the purple-haired wolf?” the ram asked, but placing himself a bit onto Chase to cover my sight of him.“Yan, he is my classmate in journalism.” The ram after hearing it looked at our equipment, which I’m still close at. With a confused look but slowly approaching me, but fixed on the equipment.“Journalism… Are you guys, boyfriends?” I felt that tinge of playfulness coming from it. But I don’t react as much, aside from Chase.“N- NO WE’RE NOT!!!” A bit defensive from him.“Ya sure? He is a wolf, so you know, I thought…” the ram absent minded says, leaving it at that. Chase just rubs his temples and Jenna and TJ just chuckle about it. Maybe they thought the same?“Look… if you’re gonna joke about that, try not to do it in front of Leo. I guess you know the possible risks.” Says Chase, a bit annoyed that he didn’t see through that joke.“Yeah, I’m not up to get punched, hehe.” The ram looked at me this time and with a creeping smile plastering his face. “So, Yan. Nice to meetcha, you can call me daddy.” The ram offered a paw to me as I lifted a brow at him. Followed by a confusing TJ and a disappointed Jenna and Chase.“Hee, sure thing ‘daddy’.” I say while shaking his paw and him stifling a laugh.“Dude!” he blocked his muzzle to avoid losing himself in a fit. It’s not even a funny joke though. Looking back, TJ is still confused and Jenna is just nodding in a disappointing approval and Chase is just smiling and shaking his head at that altercation.“Why call him daddy?” TJ asks, which made Jenna to slide him off from it.“Hoho, your friend is wild, Chase.”“Yeah, guess you guys would get along great back at school.” From there Carl got to know once he dropped off and Chase finished his summer vacation. We met when I came in as a transfer student and after that year together as classmates we started to bond. Then Carl got curious about the equipment and we filled him in on the news segment on Echo.“Ohhh, sounds like a feel-good movie of the year, Chase.”“That is what you get out of the feel-good town of the century, Carl.”“Hehe, yeah.” The ram scratches his muzzle before turning to TJ. “And… are you doing what again?” The ram gives a little thought. “Sports… something… bible Olympics?”“Athletic training, but yes, it’s a Christian school.” TJ resumed to the ram. And Carl just gave him a thumbs up.“Super! So, we gonna eat? I’m hungry as hell.”“Hell is a little extreme there, Carl.” TJ retorted, a bit uncomfortable. “Not even YOU can be that hungry, hehe.”“Mhm, sure. Where’s Leo, he’s bringing the sandwiches, right?”“He actually just texted me that he’s here. He was picking up Flynn.” Jenna explained.“So, we’re all gonna be here! Just like old times.” Said TJ, looking over to me. “And with a new member to our group.”“Ooh, I’m curious to see their reaction too.” I rub my neck as a knock is heard. “There they are.” Carl, moved by his own hunger for sammiches, went to open the door. Chase sat at the bed and gripped at the mattress. He’ll be meeting back with his friends after what he said is a 3 years gap. So, his nervousness is understandable. The door opens and a brassy voice can be heard.“Hey, why are YOU getting the door, fatty?” Oof, whoever it is surely isn’t how Chase said his boyfriend was like, so…“To get my sandwiches, dickface. I’ve got the munchies like a mother.” Carl retorted in kind. Those are that kind of friends, eh? “Er… where are they?”“Leo has them… here he is.”“Hey, are they all in there?” Follows a voice with one high baritone. It's serious but there is a friendly tone to it and Chase reacted just by its voice. Which tells me that it is his boyfriend. I stood in a corner of the room just like I was with Carl, close to our equipment. Jenna said it’ll be crowded here, seven in a single room, I guess I can take it, the room is spacious. After a bustling, they start coming into the room, starting for a lanky lizard walking in like it is no news to him.“And who you callin’ a dickface?” He says back at Carl landing a fist on his head with a loud thunk, but Carl just grinned it off. I believe it is a normal interaction? “Hey Jenna, TJ, Chase…” After the lizard acknowledged the group, his eyes landed on me and they frowned, I just gulped and looked away. He was rubbing his knuckle he used to bonk the ram. Following the lizard, a big red wolf came in, holding some big paper bags which I believe are the sandwiches. He instantly scans the room with his eyes and ears. Singularly, landing them on Jenna, then TJ and stopping on Chase on the bed, looking very nervous. But he just gave a very large grin and made a beeline right to Chase, setting the bags down on the table. As they are face-to-face, Chase lifts a paw for a shake. But the wolf grabbed his paw and yanked him up into a tight hug, it was so effective that Chase’s air blew out.“Chase!” He happily spoke. “Man, I missed you…” even making Chase lose his breath in a hug, Chase looks a lot less nervous, guess he was stressed about meeting his friends after so long, but it wasn’t like the way he thought it would go.“And just like that he forgets we exist.” Jenna stated. Making Leo put Chase down and smacking his shoulder, then turning to address Jenna and TJ. While he is at that, Chase sat back down on the bed, looking more relaxed.“F@ck, leave Carl in a room for five seconds and it smells like a g@dd@mn skunk sauna.” The lizard stated. “The weed is just oozin’ out of your pores at this point.” He plugs his nostrils while pulling open a window, just enough to air out the place. The ram though, just annoyed rolls his eyes and jam his paws into his hoodie’s pockets.“Oh, shut up. I think everyone here agrees that my smell is a lot better than your shedding.” I… never smelled a shed scale before so I can’t actually speak about that. “Nothing like leaving a big pile of lizard dust on the couch for the next person.” From there they start bickering about speciesism and back at the smell issue. They both have a very colorful language that is getting TJ increasingly uncomfortable. IN an attempt to ease their bickering, he joked around about their language, which their stone face blew TJ’s determination, but yet, the lizard friendly held the lynx in a headlock that he can’t just break free from. No one is actually trying to step up to separate them so, I might think that is how they act in the past? I can only guess. Even the lynx not being able to act but the lizard doubling down on attacking his religion, the lynx elbowed his stomach freeing himself, but for a brief moment before the lizard retaliated by grabbing his ear tuft.“Foul! Species feature.” The ram crossed his arms in a X and stated like a judge, maybe it’s a tussle rule for them or something. Cuz they are getting wild there.“TJ! Come get your sandwich.” Jenna called out for TJ as an excuse for the lynx to get away from that said tussle. He does so to get his tuft away from the lizard.“Well, I can see things haven’t changed…” And so, the lynx walked over to the table for his food. Chase is having fun by just watching his friends interacting.“Hehe, I think TJ won that one by technicality.” Chase stated.“Or did he? He might have fouled, too.” Carl follows. “Flynn’s got a soft lizard belly, haha.” The lizard snorts, rubbing the area the lynx hit him.“Oh, don’t even try to tell me, @ssh@l@. It looks like you swallowed a beach ball.”“Speaking of which, food!” They all gather around the table, getting their respective sandwiches, I just wait, I don’t feel like getting in the way. The lizard seems not hungry at all, he hasn’t approached the table and just stayed on the sofa, sometimes staring at me... Chase got his sandwich and sat back at the bed, unwrapping the foil that surrounds it. It smells like beef and eagerly took a bite out of it, a slice of yellow bell pepper slipping from the other end, landing back in the foil.“Whoah! Slow down, you’re going to choke.” Leo spoke as he, with his own sandwich, sat beside Chase in bed. It was a landing; Chase almost fell to the side of the bed from it. Chase uses a napkin to wipe the excessive grease.“Ey, Leo…” replies Chase, a bit embarrassed. Leo chuckles and unwraps his own sandwich.“Sorry if the bread is a bit soggy. Garrobo over here took his sweet time getting to the car.” Garrobo, I’m not sure what he means, but it sure was directed towards the lizard, which on his defense, said he was busy at the Town Hall. Well, everyone seems to get their food and there is a sole sandwich on the table aside from the other bag which seems to solely belong to the ram. I approach the table and inspect the last one. Grease… a lot of it. I thought only the meat carried them but even the veggies got it on themselves, what kind of diner is that? “By the way, you asked for an extra sandwich, I didn’t think you were that hungry, Chase.” The wolf asked and now it dawns on me that he didn’t notice my presence at all up until now. Flynn did face slapped himself, Carl snickers and Jenna sighs. Finally, Chase tilted his head towards the wolf.“Umm… it was for Yan.” Which in kind made the wolf tilt his head as well and look towards the last bag with me there, a sandwich in tow. Leo’s ears pointed towards me and he just like Carl blinked, processing my presence.“Who…” before the wolf could ask what was already answered. Chase chimed in.“Yan, he is Yan. My classmate and project partner.” The wolf stayed confused, I’m a total new face for him and he can’t stop processing it.“Hi…” I nervously waved and the wolf waves back. With that, I returned to my corner, standing and carefully eating the sandwich. Chase seems to be explaining about me at some point before they start chatting about his family business and what not, I still feel uncomfortable for the lizard constantly throwing stares at me. Not to mention Leo. Carl just got used to me, that fast, but these two are another story. Around their almost finished sandwiches, mine are already done and having a hard time using the napkin to free myself from the grease, I’ll be needing a bath soon. Chase approached me with Leo in tow.“Hey, Yan.” Chase calls out in a hush tone, so I follow.“Yes?”“Ok, look. I’m planning on having some photo shoots at Lake Emma. So, I was confirming it with you and Leo.”“Oh, ok. But why the whispering?” They both reacted to that.“It’s a personal and sensitive matter for all of us, so… Anyway, it’s kind of important to Echo’s history. And for around Monday, we’ll all be free during lunch” Chase continues with Leo getting increasingly uncomfortable with that idea. “Of course, I wanted Leo’s confirmation too, but I wanted to let you know about this as soon as possible. At the same time, Leo told me that the town is making it look better, so we could do our project and enjoy some time together…”“Listen, Chase…” Leo prod, making Chase feel remorse for just offering that idea, since it is a sensitive matter for the others.“S- sorry, I know it’s a dumb idea…”“No no, Chase, if it were up to me, I’d definitely do it, it’s just…” they both specifically looked over towards the lizard, distracted bantering with the ram. It’s weird that his face shows how annoyed he seems to be, like they say, a resting b@tch face. But chatting with Carl just seems like he is holding back from smiling. They return to our convo, Chase looking downcast. Whatever the sensitive matter is, the focus of it must be Flynn. “Hey, don’t worry about it, it’s not your fault.” The wolf consoles the otter, but just as suddenly, his ears perked up. I believe he got an idea. “Listen, there is a cool little spot by the river that’s actually pretty close to the lake.” That got Chase’s attention. “We could have lunch there, while you both walk over and get those shots!”“Hmm, alright, that could be fun. Also, this motel doesn’t have a pool, so it’ll be really nice to swim in something.” Since Chase is a river otter, he has a necessity to swim. He explained to me it is a psychological thing. He’d get crazy without a good pool of water to deep himself in and freely roam the depths.“Heh, otters and their waters. Anyway, I’ll have to ask Flynn, but I think he’ll be ok with it.”“I can only hope.” I spoke.“Also, introductions. Seems like Leo didn’t notice you since he got here so…” Chase is a bit ashamed for not introducing me to anyone, really. Did so about Leo. “Leo, again, this is Yan, my classmate and partner.” The wolf looked rather down about something.“It sounds so wrong when you call him partner…”“Hmm? What does that mean?” I ask, but Chase only rubs his temples.“Not important… And Yan, Leo my ex.” The wolf’s ears flopped, but extended his paw to me anyway and I took it.“N- nice to meet you, Yan…”“Same, Leo.”“Now…” Chase called me over and I followed him, Leo in tow. Standing in front of the lizard and the ram.“What is it, muskshit?” Quite a nickname there. I know that too well, otters do have a smell about their musk and Chase is very aware of it around others.“Introduction, if you don’t mind.”“I actually do and I already heard it from Carl. So, it is not necessary.” He flatly replied, not making anyone happy at that. Being a sore ass really is a thing about him, eh?“… I insist.” Chase promptly ignores it and follows with his plan. “Yan, this is Flynn. Flynn, this is Yan.”“Hee, delighted.” Again, flatly said the lizard. I just nod once.“A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He scoffs, making me rub my neck nervously. Jenna came over with a paw of hers on my shoulder.“Don’t worry, as far as I know, he is happy for your introduction. Even if he doesn’t like to show it.”“Hee, as if.” I guess she is right, he is really holding back on his facial expressions. To show annoyance and anger he just does it, but positive ones are like a forbidden thing for him. So, I’ll accept that with a grain of salt.“Yeah, don’t be an ass, Flynn. This dude is cool.” The ram vouched for me.“Thanks for the vote of confidence,  daddy .” That made the ram almost choke on a bite from his sandwich, holding back another fit of laughter. Again, it isn’t that funny of a joke.“Dude!!!” Only the ram and Chase laugh at that as Jenna just hides hers, while the others 3 look confused.“What did I miss here?” the lizard asks. And we briefly explained our first altercation before they got here. “Hee, guess that is what you get for being a jackass.”“Fine, fine. Ya got me good, dude. You can call me Carl for now on.”“Fine by me.” Now I can feel a little bit more welcome into this group. There are still a lot about them that I don’t know and maybe this project vacation gives me that one time to know them better before we just leave Echo. At some point, TJ spoke up about a movie that he heard Chase did watch called The Last Game. I remember that one, Chase wanted to share a movie for distraction and he invited me. Carl was going over that it didn’t follow the comics and how that ruined the movie, it was your usual violent movie with gunshots and such. The theater would use that as an excuse to fill it with action shots all around and won’t focus on a story that possibly were there but was never brought up, as for TJ bringing about one with an actual story that Flynn commented about the actress being a thick bi. We spent the afternoon bantering about movies all around, it was a relaxing bonding moment with Chase’s friends.“Alright, alright!” Leo called out for attention. “Now, we all need to remember that Chase and Yan are here to do their project, so that comes first.” Posing in a proud manner. “But! I did make a few other plans for things that we can do on their off time.” He walked towards the entrance of the room. “I’m pretty sure all of us know that we’re going to Southwest Adventures tomorrow, so I’ll pick these two up…” the wolf jerks his head pointing at the lizard and ram. “… then swing by the motel to get you guys at 9, alright?”“Sounds good.” Jenna nods approvingly.“Then I was thinking about doing some stuff in Payton towards the end of the week, but we’ll make those plans later.” Leo added. “In between those times, we should find time to hang out as well, make the most of this.” Thinking the wolf is done, but suddenly snaps his finger as if remembering something else. “Oh yeah! I saw your equipment and there is a camera in there, right?” Me and Chase nod. “Think you could get a pic of us? It would be nice for all of us to have something that isn’t camera phone quality.”“I can take a photo of you guys.” I offered, but Chase interjected.“Wait, you’re not going to be in it?”“Why? You guys are the friends here.”“…”“Dude…” the ram added.“Yan, come on. Don’t tell me you think we don’t see you as a friend.”“… I am not…?”“Yan, you know that isn’t a healthy way of thinking, right?” Jenna states with her arms crossed.“Maybe we just met this year, but… I already like your company.” TJ followed.“Puchica, I don’t think you’re being fair with yourself. It’s not like we asked you to be off from the photo, which we didn’t. And I ain't against you being a part of our group, it’s like a breath of fresh air.” The wolf says while rubbing his neck.“Aside from the smell of  pot  that still lingers in here.” The lizard once again flatly said. Which, I’m not gonna lie, it was a bit funny to hear that in all seriousness. I look over at Chase with a half laugh and his eyes widen.“Yan… please don’t…”“Why not? Pfffft, can’t lose this… oPOTurnity.” I laugh with myself as Chase cringes hard from my silly humor.“Was that a f@ck@ng pun!?!” The lizard spat that out. But it is noticeable that it made at least TJ and Carl snicker over that, but nothing landed for the wolf. Guess he never got in contact with puns before, only nicknames.“Glad that this is settled then, I believe.” Leo smiles and I nod. “Great! Everyone, get together.” I get the tripod set and Chase aligns the camera and sets the self-timer for 7 seconds as I get closer to TJ, Carl and Flynn. Leo saved a spot for Chase.“Aaaaalright, here goes…” pressing the timer, Chase got in place and after 7 seconds…  CLICK 
  
From there, since we started talking about movies, TJ got one going on, not that anyone was paying attention to it, the chatter was more about how everyone has been. Carl pulled me aside and we talked about some of his interests and Flynn got around too, not adding much to it. I guess he just likes the company. But asking, he did give answers. He works at the Town Hall, something I heard since he came around. And knowing how it works, that could be a great place to search for information on Echo history. Gotta talk about that with Chase at some point. About Carl, he lives in the sole mansion in Echo, he got a bunch of stuff like games and comic collections, asking about the mansion itself, he did mention that the place is historical as well, it was a castle before and his family does keep some stuff from the past with them, still planning to turn everything to a museum. Another good opportunity for our project… I guess, I’m also helping while bonding with them. At some point Chase looked over and smiled, giving me a thumbs up and I returned it. He really hoped I’d get along with his friends, eh. Finally, it was 10 PM and our 3 guests went on their way out. Chase called me over to tinker with our equipment once again, we need to make sure everything is in order, don’t know how many times we forgot to change the battery or if the SD is full or whatever comes. Everyone takes turns to bathe, Chase going last. I’m settled on the sofa with my sheet and a pillow. Before Chase went to bed, he approached me.“Hey… sorry again about that.” I believe he meant about the sofa.“Again, it’s fine. Anyway, rest up. We have a lot to do tomorrow, Leo is coming at 9 AM, right?”“Yes… and I’m glad everyone got to know you. Being sincere, I was mostly worried about Leo and Flynn.”“I know where you're coming from. I’m also curious about this Southwest Adventures place.”“Hehe, it was an amusement park from our childhood. It isn’t the biggest, but it is a fun place to go.”“Cool, can’t wait.”“Good night, Yan.” Chase taps my back.“Good night, Chase.” Chase joined TJ in bed, TJ was already fast asleep, but Jenna was sitting at the table reading something, maybe more of her school work. So much effort, I only hope she doesn’t stress herself out too much, I too believe that isn’t a healthy demeanor. But I can’t judge, she got her goals set. Chase is just looking up at the ceiling right now, maybe the glow Jenna is using to light up her book is distracting him. I have nothing against that and today I did interact a lot more than I thought I would. I feel pretty tired. I’m looking forward to tomorrow… no, for this whole week, being that about our project or our future hangouts. I have a good feeling about this…
  
  

    
      
        
        
          Using the own game as inspiration but changing some events, adding my sona in the midst of the visual novel. Not sure which more tags to add tho.Another experiment of mine into a visual novel with a theme I'm not too used to.'
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