"Those are awful," Sonic punctuated with a short laugh bristled by the energy he wish he could maintain. Its start and end were overshadowed by ghostly exhales, signaling Sonic was going to fall asleep anytime soon now.

A glistened bottom lip slipped away from its partner. The hesitation was simply a prelude to something Sonic didn't do very often: recollect.

"I ever tell ya 'bout a friend of mine named Chip?"