[Audio]

[changelingdude]

So, back where I come from, err...a version of Earth that is. We have a holiday to celebrate Fathers. And like so many holidays from my world it looks like the Digital World carries this one too.

I was adopted when I was just a kid after an accident took my parents from me. The man who took me in was a brave and brilliant scientist named Steve Dayton. While I'll never forget my first father...I can never repay my second father for all he taught me.

Sure he was stiff at times...most of the time...all the time. And he wasn't very good at playing pretend. And I'm pretty sure if he showed up here today he'd probably ask why I'm in my twenties and still playing with action figures and watching cartoons. But he's a good man. A loving husband and the best dad a guy could ask for.

What about the rest of you. Funny dad stories? Touching dad stories?

...wait...that last part sounded bad. You know what I mean! Inspirational or whatever!

Like this one time I tried on Dad's helmet and we accidentally swapped brains. It was totally wild! We ended up having to use each others superpowers to fight this giant monster. It was alot harder then he made it look to have telekinesis and stuff.

Comments

[shinkannosenshi]

I suppose, in a way, my father sacrificing his soul to keep me alive after the lab accident that killed my mother and wounded me could be considered touching.

[changelingdude]

Well err...yeah that's true. I know I'd want to be the kind of man who could do that for my daughter when I finally have kids.

[shinkannosenshi]

I'm sorry. My relationship with my biological father is...a little complicated.

I do miss my adoptive father, though. I'm sure she and my mothers are wondering where I've disappeared to.

[changelingdude]

I'm thinking that's probably pretty common around here. I mean my biological father had to save my life by defying conventional science and finding a genetic link between man and beast and testing it on me.

I wonder how much time has passed in our home worlds, if any.

[upgradedtohero]

My dad's always been very understanding. Things would different if he didn't allow me to make the choices I have.

On that same thought, one of my brothers wouldn't have a workshop that can walk around our home city if Dad had said no. [bit of a laugh] He wants us to be our own people, even if that means a little wackiness.

[changelingdude]

Now that's what I'm talking about! wackiness is always a good thing. It keeps life interesting!

[keepsthefire]

There's... a holiday for dads?

[changelingdude]

Totally! One for mom's too but that was last month. As I understand it, it's tough work being a dad.

[keepsthefire]

I guess I never really paid much attention to holidays that weren't Japanese...

[Hell, he didn't really pay attention to holidays period.]

... yeah, it is. I probably gave the old man more grief than he deserved...

[changelingdude]

We all did man, it's part of being a kid. And it's why they get a holiday.

[keepsthefire]

I'unno... there's bein' a kid and then there's... me.

[An ungrateful asshole, at least in his mind now.]

[changelingdude]

World domination type? Death destruction and mayhem? Or did you used to fuss when it was time for bed?

[keepsthefire]

... pain in the ass punk who never listened and got in to fights... and dropped out of school but couldn't keep a job for shit.

[changelingdude]

That's pretty rough man...but you sound like you've made some changes? Or at least realized your mistakes?

[keepsthefire]

Yeah, I guess. Doesn't change the fact that he's gone, though.

[changelingdude]

As long as you never forget him?

As long as you take what he taught you and carry it with you?

He'll never really be gone. People who have touched your life that deeply stay with you for as long as you let them.

[keepsthefire]

Yeah... I know that. It's hard to remember sometimes. 'specially when I miss him...

[changelingdude]

No kidding dude.

If you want some company, swing on up to Tetha. I feel like hitting the arcade. First round of Skiball is on me.

[keepsthefire]

Arcade? ... you sure you wanna have some one like me around?

[changelingdude]

Yeah sure! Why wouldn't I?

[keepsthefire]

I'unno. Can't say I've been very good about makin' friends here...

[changelingdude]

Well then I'll be the first. Nice to meetcha! I'm Beastboy.

[keepsthefire]

Beastboy... ?

[Man the Digital World has some people with weird names...]

... Okumura Rin.

[changelingdude]

Nice to meet you Okumura Rin!

Anyway arcade?

[keepsthefire]

Yeah, I guess...

[a beat]

... Rin is my first name.

[changelingdude]

Ah heh heh, thanks for that. I always have a hard time telling. Nice to meet your Rin!

[keepsthefire]

'sokay. Not everyone is Japanese... just habit to introduce myself like that.

[cure_moonlight]

...Fathers...

I suppose you could say mine gave everything for me...

[changelingdude]

Seems to be a reoccurring theme.

If you wanna share you've got ears and eyes. Seems like everyone's got something to relate to.

[readmyback]

My old man's usually busy working so he ain't around a lot. He pretty much lets me do what I want and just complains when I do something stupid and he's gotta patch me up or bail me out.

I like him not hanging over me all the time, but I kinda wish sometimes that he'd be home more. I guess part of it's the whole "losing yourself in your work thing" from after Mom died.

[changelingdude]

Sounds like you guys understand each other, and that's the first step dude. The two of you can hash it out like men and start hanging out more.

[component_1i]

I don't know anything about my birth parents, not even their faces. But I met Mr. Wick and Mrs. Basil a bit over a year ago, when me and Ruby and Ball visited them to get information on the ruins. We stayed with them for a month before...

[A pause. He will not cry in front of anyone else. He will not.]

They gave me a birthday. They treated us like we were their kids. I'd never had anyone treat me like that before. They're my parents, even if we weren't related by blood. ...I wish I'd been able to call them Mom and Dad while I had the chance.

[changelingdude]

Hey don't give up buddy. Once we get outta this digital world you can do it then! Or maybe they'll show up here!

[component_1i]

...They'd have to show up here. Kujaku from the Zenom Syndicate killed them to get me to come to him. [Will not cry will not cry will not cry...]

[changelingdude]

Aw dude. That's harsh.

[Attached: Bowl of ice cream]

Just honor them with all you do now. They'll never stop loving you. Trust me.

[component_1i]

[Attachment: Received.]

...Why are you giving me ice cream?

[Not that he's complaining about getting something for free, but no one ever gives him stuff.]

[changelingdude]

Because you sounded really bummed out and I couldn't think of anything inspirational.

[component_1i]

...Thanks.

[A moment later.]

It's good.

[changelingdude]

Awesome! See I keep telling people you can't tell the difference between dairy and non-dairy ice cream and no one ever believes me.

[component_1i]

...Didn't know you could make it out of anything besides milk. Only had it twice before, so I 'unno what it's normally supposed to taste like.

[Well this is certainly distracting him from sadtimes. Success?]

[changelingdude]

Well it's soy-milk so it's milk but a different kind of milk.

Doesn't matter what it normally tastes like, what matters is if it tastes good am I right?

[Winner!]

[giveadragonsomelove]

Well there was this one time I went camping with my Dad and my friends. Yo, my dad totally took on the Jersey De-...this Jersey Bear. Like, ran it right off a cliff with some awesome camping gear and saved me.

My dad can be a bit whack sometimes but I know he loves me and I couldn't ask for a better Dad.

[changelingdude]

Hahaha! Dude that sounds amazing! See it's stuff like that, when regular every day non-metahuman super powered people step up to protect their families. It's because of THAT that Dads and Moms are awesome.

[giveadragonsomelove]

You totally got that right, dude. Totally right.