Sowing Seeds

In this Our World story, Hannah makes new friends.

This is a transcript from Discord.

## Story

```
March 29th, 2021. Location: The Dash household. Hannah, having just been discharged from the hospital, finds herself overjoyed to be back in her own bedroom.

Hannah:
(Out of that bed... and right to my own!)
*Grabs a blanket and lies down atop the bed.*
"..."
(Hm, surely there's something more productive I can be doing right now...)
(Wasn't there something I was *supposed* to do after I got back...?)

Her attention is drawn to a flower vase on her dresser that was brought home from the hospital...

Hannah:
(Oh, yeah, that's right.)
*Gets up, sifts through a pile of stuff on the desk, finding a certain business card.*
*Texts the number on the card.*
<This is Hannah Dash. Thanks for the flowers :)>
*Grabs the blanket off the bed and sits down on the beanbag chair.*

It's not long until she gets a response...

Elk:
<Glad you like them! Are you feeling any better?>

Hannah:
<Yeah, I've finally got enough energy that they let me out of the hospital.>
<Still not enough energy to do much of anything, but it's a start! XD>

Elk:
<Well, I still think this calls for a celebration! Would you like to grab dinner with Penny and I tonight?>

Hannah:
<Sure, sounds fun!>

Elk:
<Great! We'll pick you up at 6:30. Get some sheep until then, okay?>
<Whoops, sorry. "Sleep". Freaking autocorrect. Lol>

Hannah:
<XD Yeah, I'll do that>

Elk:
<👍>

6:29, the Seraphinas arrive at the Dash house. Is Hannah ready to go?

Hannah:
*Is rushing to put shoes on.*
*Has forgotten to brush her hair.*

An impatient car horn sounds outside.

Hannah:
*Momentarily checks the time on her phone before putting it in a small purse.*
"It's not even 6:30 yet!" *Annoyed.*
*Hurries over to the door and peeks out.*

Elk:
*Elk waves from the passenger seat.* "You ready? No rush!"

Hannah:
*Gives Penny a look.*

Penny:
*Yells from the drivers seat.* "Little bit of a rush! I'm hungry!"

Hannah:
*Shrugs.* "Sorry. He said 6:30..."
*Sits in the back seat, buckles in.*

Penny:
"Oh well. You look alive. That's good."

Hannah:
*Smiles.*

Elk:
"Have you ever been to That One Fancy Café Downtown?"

Hannah:
"I haven't, no."

Penny:
"It's sooo cute! And the food's pretty good too."

Elk:
"We used to own a little boutique next door, before the war broke out..."

Hannah:
"Did you... fight in the war?"

Penny:
*Talks as she starts driving.* "No. We were on the sidelines. Our shop was destroyed and our home was wiped out, so we had to take refuge at a shelter..."

Hannah:
"Oh... I'm sorry."

Elk:
"We both wanted to fight, but we were both injured pretty badly in the attack. Spent the whole six months recovering. The war... really changed us. It changed a lot of people... What about you?"

Hannah:
"Dad went to help in the war, so I also went to a shelter..."
*Shudders.* "I don't like to think about it..."

Penny:
"Makes sense. Everyone's got PTSD to some extent from it. Some more than others..."

Elk:
"Um, let's switch to a less depressing topic, shall we?"

Hannah:
*Nods.*

The three of them continue to make small talk until they arrive at the café.*

Elk:
*Holds the door for the ladies as they enter.* "After you."

Hannah:
*Smiles.* "Thank you."

The café's interior is a bit rustic and dated, but with a sleek white color scheme on the furnishings. The smell of fresh coffee and sandwiches wafts in the air... It's a calming and pleasant atmosphere.

Elk:
"I can go order for us so you can grab a seat. What would you like, Hannah?"

Hannah:
"I'll have to look at the menu..."

The menu is displayed on several LCD screens above the counter. There are a lot of options ranging from cold cuts to cheesesteaks. Plenty of drinks as well: coffees, teas and housemade sodas.

Hannah:
"Hm, I'll have a ham and cheese. Root beer to drink."

Elk:
"Good choice!" *He turns to the counter to order.*

Penny:
*Grabs Hannah's arm and gently drags her to a table.*

Hannah:
"..."
*Follows.*

Penny:
"Sooo... What do you do for fun?"

Hannah:
"I spend most of my free time at home. Chilling. I like drawing."

Penny:
"Ooh, an artist, huh? Do you have a boyfriend? Or is that not your thing?..."

Hannah:
"I'm not opposed to having one. Just haven't met anyone."

Penny:
"Aw, that's too bad." *She smirks.* "But hey, if you want, you can have Elk when I'm done with him!"

Hannah:
"But you're married?"

Penny:
"...That was sarcasm. I'm not the type to give up what's mine."

Hannah:
"And I wouldn't take him from you."

Penny:
"Good. Glad we're on the same page." *She laughs.*

Hannah:
*Smiles.*

Elk:
*Comes over to the table.* "What are you two talking about that's so funny?"

Hannah:
*Is NOT about to answer that.*

Penny:
"Oh y'know, girl talk."

Elk:
"Say no more. Food should be out soon."
*He takes a seat next to Penny.*
"Well, I'm glad you could come with us, Hannah. We don't really get a chance to hang out with anyone anymore."

Hannah:
"GLACIA keeping you super busy too?"

Elk:
*Groans.* "It never ends... especially under Vulcan. He's a taskmaster, I tell you what..."

Hannah:
"Surely not as much as Flame."

Penny:
"You'd be surprised. We're pulling double time preparing for the Gala thing next month."

Hannah:
"What gala?"

Elk:
"Oh, um... That's supposed to kind of be a secret... But, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let you know. There's gonna be a huge Peace Gala. A bunch of different leaders from all over Mobius will be there."

Hannah:
"...I won't get in trouble for knowing too much will I...?"

Penny:
"Nah. Just don't go blabbing to everyone about it."

Hannah:
"Alright. I can keep a secret. So you two are going to it?"

Elk:
"Yeah. It seems a bit unnecessary for us to be there, but Vulcan insists that we have to represent the Intelligence Division..."

Hannah:
"Isn't he already doing that?"

Elk:
*Shrugs.*

Penny:
"The Admiral's gonna be there too, so I guess we won't be too bored."

Hannah:
"Beauregard?"

Penny:
"Yep! Did he tell you about what happened back in January? When we were all brainwashed?"

Hannah:
"...I was there."

Elk:
"I think she means what happened to us... We got stuck with Beauregard tracking down Sonic. Then when we found him, he turned on us and knocked us out. It was pretty cool of him."

Hannah:
"Oh, I see. That's cool you guys actually found Sonic."

Elk:
"Hey, when I want something, I get it. Can't help myself." *He leans back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head.*

Penny:
"You make it sound like you did all the work..."

Elk:
"I did at least 80% of it."

Penny:
"Uh-huh. Sure."

Hannah:
*Sitting there awkwardly.*

Elk:
"Aaaanyway... When do you return to work?"

Hannah:
"Friday."

Elk:
"Bet you're not looking forward to that, huh?"

Hannah:
"Not really, no."

Penny:
"You Rangers work really hard. But I guess all the shiny stuff they give you makes up for it."

Hannah:
*Shrugs.*
"The reward is having a world to live in, I guess."

Elk:
"Hah. That's true. I wouldn't want to live in a world ruled by people who tell me how to live my life."

Hannah:
*Hannah's face takes on a thoughtful expression.*
"Sometimes it's already like that though..."

Elk:
"When you work for the government, yeah. But where else am I gonna go?"

Hannah:
"They need me."

Elk:
"Maybe they do. You seem to be pretty reliable."

Hannah:
"Heh, thanks."

Elk:
*He smiles.* "Of course. Just don't let anyone do your thinking for you. You're your own person, okay?"

Hannah:
*Nods.*

Penny:
"Me personally, I'll follow anyone's orders as long as I get something out of it."

Hannah:
"That's how it always goes, I suppose. There's gotta be something to make it worth it."

A café employee brings out the food.

Elk:
"Thank you." *Elk has ordered a club sandwich and an iced tea.*

Penny:
*Penny gets her usual: a spicy Spagonian sandwich with extra vinegar.*

Hannah:
*Is okay with the scent of vinegar.*
*Starts eating the ham and cheese sandwich.*

Penny:
"Pretty good, huh?"

Hannah:
"Yeah. Thanks for letting me join you guys."

Elk:
"Don't mention it. We take care of our own."

Hannah:
(I'm your own already?)
*Smiles.*

Penny:
"Hey, how about after we eat, we go walk the boardwalk? We can get some dessert from the stands out there."

Hannah:
"Sounds good!"
(Maybe he just means a fellow overworked GLACIA agent.)

Before long, they've finished eating. The Central City Boardwalk is quite busy in the evening, and for good reason; the water looks gorgeous in the sunset. There are shops and vendors all along the way.

Elk:
"Man, it's been a while since we've been out here..."

Penny:
*Walks over with way too many churros. She chomps on one as she tries to talk.*
"Theesh are dhe besht shurros in town. Hansh down."

Hannah:
"Oh?"

Penny:
*She excitedly shoves one inches away from Hannah's face.* "Try it!"

Hannah:
*Gladly takes it and tries it.*
"Yeah, this is good!"

Elk:
*Also takes one and goes to stand over the railing.* "There's nothing better than this."

Hannah:
*Joins him in admiring the view.*

Elk:
"Y'know, despite trying to capture him once, I really admire Sonic's way of life. Free as the wind. I'd like to be like that some day."

Hannah:
"What would you do?"

Elk:
"What else? Whatever I feel like doing..."

Hannah:
"Figure it out as you go?"

Elk:
"Sure. I guess that's how it would go."

Penny:
*Joins them, still chomping away.*

Hannah:
*Stares out at the water.*

They spend quite some time looking over the bay, thinking about where life might take them. Soon it gets dark. The Seraphinas drive Hannah back home.

Elk:
"Hey, thanks again for hanging out, Hannah. We should do this again sometime."

Hannah:
"Yeah! That was fun. I really don't get out often enough these days..."

Penny:
*Laughs.* "If you ever need someone to talk to, or whatever, call me!"

Elk:
"Have a good night! See you Friday, hopefully."

Hannah:
"Yep!"
*Goes inside.*

To her surprise, Hannah is met by her brother... and Flame?

Calias:
"Oh hey, sis! Welcome home!"

Hannah:
"Hey."
*Looks at Flame.* "What are you doing here?"

Calias:
"I invited him over for some extra training. Don't worry, though. It's just for me."

Hannah:
"Okay, good. ...You okay, Flame?"

Flame:
*Looks concerned.*
"Why are you hanging out with them?"

Hannah:
"..."
"Because they're friends? They invited me to join them for dinner."

Flame:
"They can't be trusted..."

Hannah:
"Oh come on, why are you being paranoid now?"

Calias:
"Chief... Hannah doesn't get out much. Let her have this. So what if they're bad influences? It might do her some good at this point!"

Flame:
"How are bad influences good?!"

Calias:
"I dunno. Different perspectives on things? You can learn a lot from people who don't think like you. ...When did I start talking like a philosopher?"

Flame:
"I've seen them. They're no good. Trust me..."

Hannah:
"Trust you and not them?"

Flame:
"Yes! You've known me!"

Calias:
*Looks at Flame, concerned.*

Flame:
"Let's go, Calias..."
*Starts walking away.*

Hannah:
"What? No explanation?"

Calias:
*Shrugs at Hannah before following Flame.*

Hannah:
"..."
(And I missed out on my chance for a hug...)
*Goes to her room.*

Hannah's phone buzzes.

Hannah:
*Checks it.*

Elk:
<Forgot to send you this. Goodnight!> *Attached to the message is a picture they took together on the boardwalk.*

Hannah:
*Smiles.*
<Goodnight :)>
*Pulls out drawing notebook and starts a new creation...*

And so, Hannah Dash made some friends...

```

## Characters

*In order of appearance:*

* Hannah Dash
* Elmer "Elk" Seraphina
* Penelope "Penny" Seraphina
* Calias the Phoenix
* Sonny Flame

## Participants

* HannahDash
* Captainclay55