3rd Season Sniv fic stuff.
Two scenes. The first is from the oldest of my rewritten stuff. Living in Knothole, Snively has been given shelter in Bunnie's hut, where he usually hides and avoids everyone. Sally finally gets him on a work schedule doing random chores and goes to retrieve him.
2nd scene: wrote this very recently. Snively goes to the weekly bonfire.
(Most scenes in this fic are from Sniv's POV but not all.)
Sally knocked on the door. Three brisk raps. She waited, swinging a cloth bag in one hand.
There was no answer.
Again, the three knocks. There was no movement from inside. Perhaps he was sleeping or simply ignoring her. Either was unacceptable.
Despite her inclination that this was rude, she shoved open the door and strode in. It was Bunnie's house, not Snively's.
She surveyed the front room. It was neater than she'd ever seen it. Spotless, really. The couch was empty, the thick striped blanket draped neatly over its back.
She thought perhaps Snively had gone out, but then she heard a soft -swish-swish- sound from the bedroom.
She set the bag on the couch and headed towards the noise.
Standing in the doorway, she silently beheld him, sweeping the floor with his back to her. He was humming tunelessly, which mutated into a shriek when he turned and saw her.
“Oh shit,” He gasped, eyes wide. “What are you doing in here?”
“You read my mind, Snively,” she said dryly. “What are you doing in here?”
He hefted the broom in one hand, giving it a pointed look, and then resumed his sweeping.
“Floor looks clean to me.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “It's time for you to come out.”
He bit his lip, his breath coming in heavier. His eyes had gone round again, anxious and child-like. “You need me to come to Robotropolis...?”
“Not yet.”
“Oh.” He expelled a nervous breath, his face acquiring its usual blasé manner. “Well...goodbye then. Thanks for the chat.” And he turned his back on her again.
Sally didn't leave. He didn't turn around, sweeping stubbornly over the same spot, trying to wait her out. The left sleeve of his uniform was starting to fray and a loose thread floated back and forth with his motions. She wondered if he ever took it off. Bunnie had joked that he probably bathed in it.
“Are you glad that the people voted for you to live?”
Silence.
“They chose to let you live here. To be one of us.”
Dead air.
“Answer me, Snively.” Her voice was a growl. His shoulders stiffened.
“I don't get your point,” he hissed. “And it's a joke, to think they want me 'to be one of them'.”
“Nevertheless, you're going to be integrated into this village. Like it or not. Everyone in Knothole contributes and that includes you.”
He pivoted around on his heel, his face stormy. “They don't want me around. My company isn't going to make anyone happy, neither me or them! Why can't you just leave me in peace?”
“I just told you.” Her hands went to her hips. “You need to pitch in. And sweeping Bunnie's floor a hundred times doesn't count.”
A whiny sort of groan escaped him. He was used to obeying commands, and Sally knew she'd break him down eventually. She wasn't done yet. “Another thing, Snively. You're going to get rid of that uniform.”
“...What?” He shot her an incredulous look. “I don't think so.”
“It's not a request.”
“No.” His knuckles turned white; he was clutching the broom more like a club now. She didn't like this hostile posture. “I refuse!”
“Snively...” The name was imbued with every ounce of malice she could muster. Pretty good. Not quite Robotnik level...but...
He shook his head vigorously. “I-I can't! There's no way...” The broom dropped with a clatter and he clenched his arms across his chest. “I'm not a Mobian. I can't just-”
Sally's infuriation rose. “Honestly, Snively! Do you seriously think I'm asking you to walk around without clothes? Come here!”
He followed her into the main room. She threw the cloth bag and he awkwardly caught it, juggling it like it was afire. Upon opening it, he found several pairs of shirts, pants, socks and a pair of work gloves.
“Rosie gathered together some spare clothes. She sewed them to fit you.” Sally sniffed indignantly. “Maybe you can thank her one of these days, if you even know what the phrase means.”
“Tank tops...? I don't wear things like that. I'm going to look absurd.”
“You already do.” She smirked and a hard scowl touched his lips. He dropped the bundle on the floor and kicked it away.
“Thanks, but no thanks, Princess. I'm good with what I have.”
“You seem to think you have a choice.” She spoke flatly, her eyes boring into his. “You wear the clothes provided or you go naked. Bunnie is going to collect your uniform this evening. And it's going to go on the bonfire.”
Snively looked down at the clothes and rolled his eyes upwards with a large sigh.
“Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir,” He muttered.
“Good boy.” She smirked and nodded sharply. “Now, come along. We're going to see what your duties for this week are.”
She opened the door. Trees rustled; sunlight and shade swayed over the ground. The air was soft, warm, alive. On such a day, she was even looking forward to fishing.
Snively, from that world of inorganic metal, balked at the doorway. He looked almost sick. Seeing him shrink back, in his ratty uniform, and those pale eyes wide... Sally felt a strange, sudden pang of sadness.
She couldn't imagine such a fear – being afraid of the outdoors, afraid of the company of living creatures. The want to burrow away and never be seen again, never breathe the freshness of spring.
But that was his choice, she thought fiercely. She shoved the sadness aside, reached out, grabbed his sleeve. Roughly she pulled him, dragging the creature of dark into the burning light.
-----
SCENE TWO
(Bunnie's hut, evening. Snively looks through his new clothes.)
Snively pawed through the pile again. He wasn't mistaken. "Bloody hell."
Bunnie looked over from her book. "What's wrong, Sugah?"
"There's no underwear!" He burst out.
"What's an underwear?"
Snively's eyebrow twitched. "What's a..." He let out a long angry breath. "They're clothes you wear...um...under your clothes..."
Bunnie brushed her ear aside. He could see it now on her face - the bemusment. The Overlanders are so strange smirks and giggles from his Mobian school days. And she confirmed , smiling as she said: "Why would you wear clothes under yer clothes? Is it like back-up in case yer top set gets ruined?"
"Yes, laugh it up, Mobian. You don't understand."
She frowned. "No, Ah don't understand, Snively. That's why Ah'm asking."
"Nevermind," he snapped, not eager to discuss the details with her.
She chuckled softly. "It's gonna be alright. If these underwears are real important to you, Ah'm sure Rosie can make you some."
Oh, that would be fun. Getting measured for that? He grit his teeth. The Princess had confiscated all the possessions he'd taken from the city, including his extra clothes. Maybe she'd let him have them back.
Bunnie tapped her metal fingers on the table. "Gettin' close to bonfire time. You'd better hand over that uniform."
He stiffened. "The Princess was serious about that?"
"Of course."
He mumbled under his breath. His eyes were burning suddenly, as he clutched his chest. The feel of the heavy fabric, long-sleeved and high-collared, fitting like a glove...it was the only familiarity he had left. He glared at the array of tanktops and light tees. "Punishment. Eternal fucking punishment." He hissed.
"Ya know, there's plenty of folks who ain't too happy about seeing you walkin' about like this. Wearing that like yer waving a flag of Robotropolis in their face. It's insulting."
"That's ridiculous!" His voice rose. "What am I supposed to do?! Walk around bloody bare-assed like they do?"
She chuckled, pointed at the pile. "Why do you think Sally got clothes for you? Sugah, you are so overdramatic. It's like you like gettin' mad."
He jumped up, ready to kick that mass of clothes, scream, anything...when there was a knock on the door. Sally entered, casting her eye to him where he stood seething, his fists quivering at his sides.
"Snively, I told you to give that over to Bunnie."
"No!" He screamed.
Sally blinked, taken aback. "Excuse me?" She looked him over as he took a step back, his fists rising closer to his chest, his teeth bared. "Silly me. I was expecting cooperation and instead you're behaving like a baby." She shook her head with a large sigh. "Don't be difficult."
"I never agreed to this," he hissed. "All these rules, all this punishment."
"Nobody's punishing you. We're trying to help you adapt, Snively. You can't do that when you're clinging to your old life. Now come on, go change."
And in the face of that, Snively wilted. If he continued to resist, he'd look a fool. They didn't need to bend his fingers back to make him submit. Just present their faux caring, throw him under the burning gaslights.
He grabbed one of the tees and headed for the bathroom.
"You can keep your boots," Sally called as he slammed the door shut.
Once he was changed, he reluctantly dropped his tailcoat into Sally's waiting hands.
"Good. Thank you. Now come on, let's go."
"You're going to make me watch?"
"You're going to put it in. It'll be a nice gesture. Show people you want to change." She gave him a severe look. "You know, like you promised to do at your trial?"
The blows just kept coming.
He grumbled and followed them out. Already he could see the flames from the pit in the middle of the village. The girls walked ahead of him, and he heard Bunnie giggle, caught the words 'sucha little drama king.'
There were less furballs at the fire than he'd expected, but still too many. He sat wedged between Bunnie and (to his dismay) Tails. He huddled on his seat, glad for the roaring flames. The evening chill wafted through his t-shirt. The animals laughed and joked, shooting the shit. Tails began roasting marshmallows.
"Want one, Snerdly? I make 'em the best!" The child boasted, as in the meantime, his marshmallow went up in flames.
He shook his head. He'd never had one before.
"They're so good!" The kid scarfed down the charred treat. "Especially when they're a little burnt! I can make you one, no prob."
"I said no, you-" Sally was watching him across the fire. He sweetened his tone. "-you...just keep them for yourself," he finished lamely.
Tails giggled. He leaned in and whispered. "You're afraid of my Aunt Sally, aren't you?"
"I wasn't aware you were related," Snively intoned dryly. "I would've thought your relatives were also vulpines."
"Oh, we're not," Tails said, and he was quiet as he loaded his next marshmallow. He sniffed a little as he put it into the flames.
Snively knew the kid was contemplating his absent parents. I could really dig in, make him cry. Wouldn't that dampen the festivities? He was nearly unaware of the smirk curving his lips, until he caught sight of Sally's eyes, narrowed and furious.
...And I haven't even done a thing. He widened his eyes and sent her an innocent smile.
She stood up amid a lull in the conversation. "Guys, Snively has something he'd like to do."
Fuck.
"Get a nose reduction?" Sonic. Laughter followed.
Sally stood by the roaring flames, beckoning Snively to stand. He quivered, fighting the mounting rage.
If I break down in front of them...she's got me right where she wants me. He plastered on his poker face.
She held up his uniform for a moment. Then she turned, depositing it into his arms. "Here you are, sir."
He sighed, gazing down at his coat. The thick soft fabric, the short tails lined in red silk. Fire gleaming off the polished buttons, his Robotropolis brassard like a blot of blood. He could see his t-shirt past the bundle in his arms - common and lowbrow.
All the eyes were on him.
"I...don't have another coat," he said lowly to Sally. "Can't I just...?"
"Burn it!" Sonic yelled.
"We'll get you a coat, Snively."
"Burn it!" The kid joined in with his idol. "Yeah!"
Sally gave him an encouraging nod.
One day, I'll be back in my uniform again. When Naugus and Robotnik are dead. And these twits will regret this.
He heaved the coat into the fire and returned to his seat amidst a few cheers and claps. Sally said 'here's to a new Snively.' More claps. Underneath it, he could feel the whispers and resentment, as pervasive as the chill in the air.
The flames roared high, feeding off their fresh offering. Bright sparks flew upwards, died quickly. He sat, rigid, watching it burn.
Just remember. One day.
4 notes
·
View notes