Still here? Well, on with the show then!

Disclaimer: I’ve said it before, I’ll probably say it again and again…but really, I don’t lay claim to any thing. Even the characters I intend to introduce in this chapter are not truly “mine”, per se.
As always, the setting/scenario pertaining to “Roommates” was put together by Spelunker Sal and Dreamous.
Oh, and I forgot to mention this last time, but yeah…since this work is related to “Roommates”, the same type of content can be expected. And by that, I mean M/M related overtones, romance, and all that good stuff. But if that ain’t any good for you, nobody’s saying you gotta keep reading, you can just keep it movin’, instead!
Still here? Well, on with the show then!

These are My Reflections
Chapter 2: Visitors


A short time later, Junior, now clad in his favorite blue and white jumpsuit, found both of his pink-donning siblings sitting in the main hallway of the “Koopa Manor”, arguing with each other yet again.
Even as the two have gotten older, that was something that would remain consistent between them. Such was life, when you had one that proclaimed himself as the designated “HKIC” in Dad’s absence, and the other, who was the uncontested “Q. Bee” of the Koopa family.
For all that the two argued like a married couple of sorts, it was only further fitting the mold that Junior looked to the two as his surrogate “parents”, in a number of respects.
Wendy was the first of the two that spied his arrival. Clad in a formfitting pair of blue jeans, and a dark-pink shirt that had the saying “I Just Love Being MEAN!” written in white, cursive letters on the front, her eyes lit up as she started to speak again.
“Good! Junior’s here, now maybe he can help settle this!” Wendy said.
“…Settle what?” Junior asked, amused.
“YOUR sister and I were havin’ a bit of a discussion,” Roy stated plainly, arms folded across a plain, faded pink t-shirt, sitting atop oversized jean shorts that sagged down his rear.
“About…?” Junior continued to ask.
“YOUR brother is acting all like he’s on a ‘Psychic Friends’ trip,” Wendy shot a side-ways glance back at Roy.
“Ain’t nuthin what I’ve been talkin’ ‘bout! Don’t be just puttin’ words in my mouth, woman!”
“Alright, children!” Junior got in the middle, hoping to avoid anything getting any uglier. “Now, take it back from the top, for those of us in the audience just tuning in.”
“Well, what had happened was…” Wendy started. “…this one here just started out claiming that Hanbei’s on the way. And not just in the notion that we all assume that we know he’s coming, either.”
Junior raised a red eyebrow in amusement. “…is that right, bro?”
“Lemme put it like dis. He’s practically here. Just feel it.”
“…and…exactly how do you know this, exactly?” Wendy prodded.
“…got that vibe a lil while ago. All she wrote,” Roy continued to remain absolute in his convictions.
“See, Junior? Completely, and utterly ridonkulous. This is the one who couldn’t get past classes like Algebra and Chemistry without Hanbei’s help, and now he’s acting like he can see and sense things that aren’t there! What’s next, Roy?” she then proceeded to walk over, look up into his face, and then said in a hushed tone. “You’ll be claiming ‘you see dead people…!’ in a minute?”
Roy started to open his mouth, as if to immediately retort with what he wanted to say at first, but then thought against it, and shut his mouth quickly. Calming himself down, he started again.
“Y’know, woman…I could elaborate on why I feel the way I do. But I know better then to try and break it down for ya, when ya won’t understand, much less appreciate.
All I know is, you go through the kind of stuff that Hanbei and I did back in the day, and you get a…different sort of perception on things. Couldn’t even try to explain it if I tried. It just happens, and I go with it.”
Junior then just smiled, and started in on the conversation himself.
“Well, be that as it may…all I know is that I feel a ‘grave disturbance’ too, Roy…” and then, to accentuate his point, Junior’s stomach rumbled quite audibly. “I’m starvin’ like Marvin, we going to get some food soon?”
“Daddy said that dinner would be on, as soon as all that stand to be here, are here. So, the sooner both Hanbei and Daddy are here, the better,” Wendy stated.
“Well, if he is practically here already, like Roy says…”
“Wouldn’t count on it, no matter what Roy says. I just checked the schedule: the flight that Hanbei was supposed to get on got held up hours ago. It could be a while before he gets here.”
“Aw, man…” Junior groaned. “Roy, y’know I love the guy, but if he’s the reason keeping me from my culinary-related satisfaction…”
“Trust ‘n believe, son,” Roy stated calmly. “He’ll be here, soon. F’sho.”
“I wanna believe…! Really, I do! But it’s hard to put one’s heart into it, if his stomach has other plans…” Junior ended with another grimace induced from his stomach rumbling.

And then, taking the trio by surprise, was a distant, and yet still quite loud “call”, coming from outside the manor.
“Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-WHOOOOOOOOP!”
With that, an increasingly widening smile dawned on Roy’s face…followed by a few knowing chuckles of delight.
“…No way,” Wendy simply stated.
“Believe what you want, woman! Cuz I dun give a shit no mo’!” Roy said as he rose upright from his leaning position.
“Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-WHOOOOOOOOP!” the same call echoed from outside again.
“Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-WHOOOOOOOOP!” Roy bellowed in reply. And with that, he took off running down the hall like a boy half his age.
Junior chuckled in delight, and then soon followed his older brother’s example, sans using Roy’s interesting choice of a sound effect.
Just hearing the “call” itself brought back some memories of those long-gone days when Roy and his long-time friend were a nigh-inseparable twosome. This coming July would actually mark the 13^th anniversary of that friendship, as well as the many things that eventually stemmed from that bond.
Even the “call”, itself, had a degree of significance. As the story goes, from what Junior remembered Roy relaying to him, Roy and Hanbei went to the Aubrey Science Center with their class back in 6^th grade. The majority of that trip was boring for both of them…until they were able to bear witness to the new, at the time, entomology exhibit. The main attraction? Live specimens of the Kricketune variety.
Ever since the two were privy to hearing the fairly renowned “song” of that particular species of beetle, they were smitten. And from that point on, the two utilize their emulation of the “Kricketune Kry™” as their own personal means of communicating and greeting one other. Their version of a “holla”, if you will, and it was exclusive to the two of them.
And for most who hear them do it, they have been thinking that something must be wrong with those two, ever since. Wendy included within that number.

Catching up to Roy, Junior saw his brother opening the door and stepping out in the late, afternoon sky. Junior followed soon after him.
Looking around, it was sometimes easy to take for granted just how utterly expansive his family’s property was. Several acres of freshly manicured lawn stretched out to the east and the west. The very large manor itself was a Mediterranean-style mansion with a number of palm trees dotted around. There was also a good-sized fountain in the center of the brick-paved roundabout, just beyond the marble walkway and 6-tiered steps that lead to the platform where Roy and Junior stood. And to complete the marble motif, a large statue of Bowser Koopa Sr., stood tall and proudly, in the middle of the fountain.
Those who doubted the claims of Junior’s father’s renowned vanity were quickly silenced upon seeing such a grandiose, self-servicing sight.
But the actual thing to draw attention to was the white limousine that had pulled up at the bottom of the steps. Or further to the point, the 6 foot tall, periwinkle-blue Wartotle male that stood just outside of it.
He was dressed in an updated version of a look that he has sported ever since he was young: a pure-white gakuseifuku, which was the school uniform for Japanese males. Even though he spent the last half of his K-12 school years in America, he still opted to wear such uniforms every day he went to school with Roy. Reason being, possibly amongst others, was that, while the Nehru jacket combo was utilized as a means to conform within the Japanese school system, in America, it served the exact opposite, and made him stand out. The irony was too delicious for Hanbei to resist, and as such, donning his uniform became his trademark up to college and beyond. He was open to wearing other colors though, at Roy and various others' behest.
Today though, Hanbei had modified his guise to a much more “casual” one. The Nehru jacket he was wearing today was open, revealing a black shirt underneath that showcased his slim, yet taut abdomen. Additionally, he wore a slightly silver, reflective shell on his back.
As soon as the large, pink-domed Koopa and the smaller, blue Wartortle saw each other, they began yet another round of sound.
“Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-WHOOOOOOOOP!” Roy started off with a large smile.
“Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-WHOOOOOOOOP!” Hanbei responded with a matching smile.
“Han-BOI! My man! My second shell! What’s REALLY good!?” Roy shouted out.
“Hisashi buri nee, Roy!” Hanbei answered in Japanese.
“Hey! Didn’t ya get the memo, Bei-bei?” Roy asked as he walked down the steps to meet him. “You back in AMERICA now! No further need for dat moon-language of yours!”
Hanbei snickered to himself, and then spoke again. “Oh, Roy….watashi no anata….”
“’Ey, ‘EY! What did I JUST say?”
“What’s wrong? Come here and make me stop it, if it bothers you so much…” Hanbei responded in English.
“Don’t mind if I do!” Roy responded.
The two then started to approach one another as Roy got off the last step. Soon, Hanbei's brown orbs were able to look upwards into eyes obscured by shades as Roy towered over his terrapin friend even more than he did Junior.
“Hm…think you’re ready to FINALLY stop growing?” Hanbei asked with a grin.
“Say, what? I had thought you wuz the main one, saying that I could always stand to ‘grow up’ some mo’!”
“Obviously, neither you, nor your pituitary gland, were paying heed to what I truly had in mind…”
The two then shared a combined bit of light-hearted laughter as they then performed a short “dap” sequence, ending with them clasping their palms together, and then brought each other close to pat each other on the back lightly.
“…Welcome back, Hanbei,” Roy stated.
“It’s good to be back, watashi no anata…”, Hanbei answered.
Roy grunted in retaliation. “…you just can’t resist sneakin’ a lil in, can’t ya?”
“Nope…in the end, I can’t help being who or what I am...”
The two then broke the friendly hug, but the hands that were still clasped between the two of them stayed exactly where they were, as if they were getting ready to shake hands, once more The wartortle and koopa themselves, remained motionless, and each individual face was like stone, as they looked upon each other once again.

It was by this time that Wendy had caught up to Junior.
“What took ya?” Junior smirked at his sister.
“I am NOT about to sweat out my hair, chasin’ after y’all crazy lizzas. I JUST got it done.”
Her gaze then turned downward, spying her other brother and his friend.
“…and just what the hell are THEY doing? Looking into each other’s eyes like that…they twitterpated or sumthin’?”
Junior brought single finger to his lips to “ssh” his sister.
“Just watch and learn, Wendy O. This should be good….” he said in a hushed tone.

Another full minute passed, with the two still remaining absolutely motionless. Eyes did not blink, nor waver from the gaze of the other. Breathing was kept to a nigh-silent minimum. Muscles were controlled, so as to not betray any intentions to the opposing side.
A gentle breeze blew. The palm trees around them swayed in response, offering a short lived rustle, which was the only sound that reverberated in the direct vicinity. Even the billowy tail of the pokémon swayed a bit in the wind.
And then…it had happened in an instant. Roy attempted to make a quick movement of some sort, but it never even had a chance to be executed. Hanbei’s right hand immediately shot forward, breaking the former grasp it had on Roy’s own. His hand was out-stretched for literally a second, before it came together in a fist that hit Roy’s middle, and actually sent the large koopa male reeling, flat on his back. Roy’s impact into the road made a good-sized “thump”, and kicked up a bit of dust.
If Junior had not witnessed such a feat with his own eyes, he may have had difficult accepting it had actually transpired. Truth be told, Junior was the kind of guy who was not fazed easily, much less impressed by much. Yet, once again, the wartortle did not disappoint. It was all he could do but to look on with a newfound level of respect for Hanbei’s prowess.
“…Well, gyat damn…” Wendy uttered softly. And in her own way, her words probably best summed up the emotions she and her youngest brother shared.

Meanwhile for Roy, he was unhurt, for the most part. The pain of knowing that he had lost this particular exchange, was quickly erased by utter surprise and admiration as he was forced to look upward to meet Hanbei’s gentle gaze.
“…Really, man? Really? A fuckin’ ONE INCH PUNCH to da gut…!?”
Hanbei just gave him a smile.

“Dat’s wassup, Han-Boi! I wanna shake your hand AGAIN! THAT WAS SEXY!”

Hanbei snickered again as he reached out a hand to his friend, this time, to help him up.
“….Osoi desu. Zuibun namateru ja ne ka, Roy?” Hanbei asked, in a gentle tone.
“Lizza, you don’t exactly be coming with subtitles as an option! In English, for the sake of us ‘Nihongo-impaired’ lizzas, please…?!” Roy said a bit disgruntled, as he took his hand in Hanbei’s own, and started lifting himself up.
“I was merely asking ‘when was the last time you practiced’, my friend. You telegraphed that last move of yours poorly, not to mention had an overall poor stature in your legs. In short, I should not have been able to take you down as easily as I just did, even with my new technique of choice. Not some one who’s claimed to be my ‘eternal rival’…”
“Ummm…things have just been busy over here!” Roy stammered out as he was able to stand up fully. He then dusted himself off, trying his best to avoid his smaller friend’s gaze.
“…I consider you to be great at many things, Roy. Guile? Deception? None of these are exactly, how you say, your forte.”
“You ain’t never lied, ‘Hanbei-bei’,” Wendy said, as she and Junior approached the two of them. “All this lummox does, now-a-days, is just lie around the house and work out. Not doing anything to better himself, or otherwise contribute meaningfully to the household, or society as a whole.”
“’Ey! Din’t nobody ASK for any comments from da peanut gallery!” Roy stated gruffly.
“If I step on your toes, all you can say is ‘Ouch!’, boo. Junior, you can back me up, right?”
“Think VERY carefully about what you’re about to say, lil man,” Roy stated with more bass in his voice.
And Junior, undeterred, did think carefully. Roy was some one he loved and respected, but, in the end, even if the truth did hurt, it had to come out, if it was going to help his older brother.
“…Roy…y’know I love you and all, but as much as I may hate to admit it, she’s right. This last year, alone, you haven’t done much of anything that could be described as ‘meaningful.’”
“You call helpin’ out with getting all your shit together for college next year NOT meaningful?!”
“…please note how I said 'much,' brother of mine. As if to say ‘you at least did something,'” Junior quickly added. “But, being honest…what more can you say beyond the stuff that you did to help me out a bit? And what about for yourself? Career building, self-improvement, or otherwise?”
“…Well, I…” Roy started off, “….um….”
“…I believe this is the type of things that we can talk about, in greater detail later, I’m sure,” Hanbei calmly interjected. “After all, I have not seen you all in close to two years! This should be a joyous time, ne?”
“…Yeah!” Roy added on in agreement.


Such was so much Hanbei’s way. When at all possible, the periwinkle blue turtle was prone to try anything in his power to promote peace when unnecessary strife started to rise. Especially in the case when Roy was at the center, or possibly the direct cause, of that strife.
Some time had passed, and he immediately fell back into his old role of “protecting” his best friend, as if he had never left. At least it was nice to know that some things never change.

The turtle in question then turned his gaze to meet Junior’s red eyes. He did a bit of a double take, as it soon registered in his mind just what changes Junior had made since he last saw him.
Hanbei approached Junior with a raised eye ridge.
“…hmmm…”
“I see you recognize my new addition! Ya like?” Junior added with a snicker.
“Honestly? I do not know what’s more ‘disturbing’ to me…the fact that you now have a hoop through your snout, the fact that you’re actually TALLER than me now, or the fact that you…” Hanbei did a quick pan to view Junior, as well as his present siblings. “…as well as your kin, are ALL shell-less.”
Junior just continued to cackle some more. He expected that Hanbei was probably not going to find favor with his recent nose piercing, and was already pleased as punch that he got a reaction of some sort out of him. But he had completely forgotten the notion that suggested Roy’s friend was probably going to have a bit of a “culture shock”, seeing his siblings and himself going without the spiked shells which were their kind’s trademark.
Couple that with the wartotle’s bit of “disgust” at Junior surpassing him vertically, and that just made Hanbei’s overall, bewildered attitude all the more amusing for the teenage koopa.
“…Been out of the loop, have we, Bei-by?” Wendy added, lightly rubbing Hanbei’s shelled back.
“I’ve never professed to be one that was all that concerned with the movements of pop culture,” Hanbei openly admitted

“…Well…you’ve been away in Japan, so I’ll excuse you this time,” she said with a smile. “Any volunteers to get Bei-by up to speed, or should I…?”

“…I’ll do it,” Junior spoke up immediately. “I do it, he gets the CliffNotes version, which is likely all that a fellow male like him will care about. You do it, and Christmas shopping will be the next thing we talk about, due to that being next on the agenda by the time you finish.”
“For your information, Junior, I do NOT run off my mouth incessantly! I make it my business to always deliver information with plenty of details, so as to not cause any confusion and…”
“AW, SHADDUP! We’ll never get dis shit done!” Roy bellowed.
“Hmmph, well, I never!” Wendy said with a fake pouting expression, arms folded across her bosom.
“…’never shut up’, is more like it…” Roy said under his breath.
“What WAS that!?” Wendy said angrily.
“Ahem!” Junior cleared his throat to direct focus on himself. “I believe it’s my turn to talk now, right?”
Hanbei could only smile gently. “And here I was, beginning to wonder why exactly I missed you crazy Koopas so much…”
“We missed you, too, nii-chan,” Junior added with a wink. “And in any case, here’s what you missed out on:
‘Bout a year and some change ago, one of Wendy’s favorite bands, L.M.D.R., had another concert tour.”
“…L.M.D.R.?” Hanbei asked.
“Eh, I forget what it means off the top of my head. But any way, the theme of the tour was ‘Coming Out of Their Shells’. Everybody assumed it was probably meant to promote another new single. Well, it was a bit more than that.”
“That’s right! I was there at that first showing in Aubrey, me and my girlfriends! The 4 of ‘em just, quite literally, dispensed with their shells in front of everyone! Right on stage!” Wendy interjected.