"So... how have you been?" More like a very light conversation, coming from Syrup's mouth.

"Kheh.. Uh... I'm... fine?" Mike nervously said as he tried to keep up with Syrup's walking pace.

"Really now... well, I guess that's all yer gonna say... for now..." Syrup knew something had been troubling Mike, even the fact that he came home was proof enough, but she knew nobody would be talkative about it on the first day. She'd bide her time until Mike cracked and finally talked to her, and until then, he should at least relax for a week or more. A very simple healing process.

Something had been on Mike's mind for so long that he couldn't keep it in him any longer. "Hey... mom, aren't you mad that I became a Rescuer instead of a Rogue like you always wanted me to be?"

Syrup was a little silent for more than a few seconds, making Mike worry that he had signed a death wish, but then she finally uttered something. "Son... I was itchin' for you to be a Rogue, just so you could have the kinda' fun I had when I was yer age... but... I guess I was too busy seeing myself in you that I fergot that ya already had something fun in yer life... an' it's Rescuin'! I'm sorry for bein' such a stick in the mud... so I decided to let you do whatever ya want... Hope you can forgiv' me for putting such pressure on ya'..."

Mike was just... stunned. Flabbergasted. He couldn't believe that his mother had come to terms with him being a Rescuer, and he felt completely ashamed that he wanted to quit being a Rescuer. "...mom, listen, I--"

But before anything else could be uttered from Mike, Syrup had some more to say. "Lissen, I know yer in a tight spot at the moment, it's why ya came home without Maple, but it'll be okay. Just stay fer as long as ya like until you feel ready to get back to Rescuin', but for now... less jus' enjoy ourselves."

Mike sighed with relief, his mom saw right through him, and he was glad that she was able to do so, she was his own mother after all. "Th-thanks..."

"Don't thank me yet!" Syrup suddenly lifted Mike from his tail and hanged upside down, it was a completely uncomfortable spot to be in, especially with all the food in his stomach. "Ya better tell me my lil' girl Maple's doin' alright!?" The light coming from Mike's own tail made Syrup's face glower in an eerie light, and transformed her momentarily, from mother to a monster.

"O-of course! She's alright!! She's with her boyfriend right now so she's all okay! Really!!" Mike tried saying anything that would make Syrup let him go, and it did the trick, as he fell with a thud to the dusty ground. Ouch...

"Khaw haw haw... of course she is! I raised her tougher than you are, so she must be fine! Right! All's well, and look, we're already home!" Syrup ran up to the front door and unlocked it so she could hurry to bed. She was definitely tired and wanted to lay down and rest so she could let all the food digest in her belly. "You comin' in?"

"Y-yeah, I'm coming..." Mike walked up into the house and closed the door, locking it. He also was tired, and he walked toward his room... but before he could settle into his own bed, he heard very loud snoring from his mother's room. Already a step ahead of him into slumberland... Mike wanted to sleep in his own bed, but he decided she deserved another break, and went to sleep with her so she wouldn't feel lonely tonight.

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Part 6 of "Reprieve" by

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