GOODBYE, KAITWO'S DIGNITY

[was_no_monster]

Mew. Mrrrrrew. ...Rrt?

[there are soft squeaking noises coming from one of the rooms Len uses for storing reference materials today. someone's enjoying herself!

except... the voice is slightly lower than Miku's. scratchier, without the almost bell-like tones hers has.

a peek into the room will actually reveal Kaitwo, rather than Miku. he's perched on a stool, taking notes on a pad of paper. there are a number of thick books left lying open around him on a small card table he's set up]

Me~e~ew.

Comments

[wisteriaful]

[hearing Mew squeaks around the place is nothing unusual at this point, so Fuji doesn't think much of it or take notice of the different sound as he opens the door to go retrieve some of the aforementioned reference materials.

he does stop, though, when he sees Kaitwo.]

[was_no_monster]

[startles at the sound of the door opening, the stool skidding as he jerks in surprise— and of course he's finally gotten used to vocalizing, so an involuntary chirrup slips out.

...covering his mouth with his good paw and slowly flattening his ears]

[wisteriaful]

Pardon me, Kaitwo. I was just coming in to get some notes.

[heading over to the bookshelves]

[was_no_monster]

[...everything went better than expected?! flipping the angry ears cautiously back up and dropping his paw]

... Which ones? Dr. Kagamine's filing methods can be rather obtuse to the uninitiated.

[wisteriaful]

Ah, I was looking for the behavioral study he did on young Pokemon raised by humans or other species of Pokemon, as compared to Pokemon raised in the wild by others of their species.

... also, if he has one, a reference guide for berry locations in Kanto. Miku's beginning to display a marked preference for sour foods.

[was_no_monster]

[giving him a bit of a Look at that first, but doesn't comment. ...snorting]

I'd noticed; she keeps raiding my fruit bowl. Here—

[he tugs one bound volume out to the edge of its shelf with a brief beckoning motion— and then holds his hand up, Teleporting another small book into the air above it for him to catch.]

Dr. Kagamine doesn't have one, but I do. You're free to use it.

[wisteriaful]

[what, it's a legit thing to be researching]

Aah, thank you.

[taking the notes \o/ and turns to Kaitwo]

I appreciate it. I'll make sure to return it as soon as I'm done.

[was_no_monster]

[nodding, starting to turn back to his own notes— and pausing]

Before I forget... if you spot anything language related in there—such as differences in comprehension of human speech, or what age the Pokemon in question started communicating—let me know. ...I don't believe there was anything like that in that particular study, but even I can't remember everything perfectly.

[wisteriaful]

[he nods]

I'll keep an eye out for anything like that. I'll ask Kagamine if he recalls anything similar from other studies, as well.

[was_no_monster]

[swiveling his ears out sideways, swishing his tail in bemusement]

...Thank you. That would be appreciated.

[wisteriaful]

Well, then, I'll see you later.

[and heading back out the door]

[was_no_monster]

[just... ends up staring it at it for a good few seconds after he leaves.

...catching and shaking himself before turning back to the desk. he has work to do.]

TIMESKIP

[was_no_monster]

[...the feeling doesn't go away so easily as that, however.

he had thought that he would be happy, left to himself. he has his doctor, and Miku, and the work— an entirely new way to keep his mind busy. a way to be useful, and needed, and good. something he'd picked for himself.

but... although he finally has a place and a purpose, it's not enough. not when his creator has gone from looking down at him to looking through him. he doesn't know what he'd wanted when he'd told the man to stop caring, but it apparently wasn't that.

he doesn't understand. it's driving him to distraction; he finds himself picking at the hurt like it's a much fresher wound, catches himself staring after the man like he's a puzzle that needs to be solved.

like right now, for instance]

[wisteriaful]

[and usually Fuji doesn't notice; or, if he does, he gives no indication.

but today, it seems, Kaitwo's luck has run out. today, Fuji happens to glance over and make eye contact in mid-stare.]

[was_no_monster]

[he is so caught up in ~FEELINGS~ it takes him almost a full second to notice—

FLIPPING HIS EARS BACK and looking away. you saw nothing!!!!]

[wisteriaful]

... Kaitwo, I'm sorry to pry, but is something wrong? You seem out of sorts.

[was_no_monster]

[between how ANGRYFLUFFED his ruff is and how flattened his ears are, it looks like he doesn't even have any...

he starts to snap something, a starburst of icy anger overlaying hurt, but it just... peters out before it can resolve into words.

barely more than a whisper] ... I don't understand you.

[wisteriaful]

[... puts down the file he was looking through]

Is there... have I been doing something wrong? I've been following Miku's advice, but...

[was_no_monster]

[...wat]

—Miku's... Advice for what?

[wisteriaful]

For... how to approach you.

That is... when I tried to offer help, before, or make overtures, it only made you angry. I was clumsy, and hopeless, and - you were right about me. I didn't want that... I didn't want to be the sort of person you had identified me as.

So... I asked Miku how I should approach you. Because I want to know you - I created you, to turn my back on you would be...

...At any rate, her advice was to find things to work with you on, and to treat you as if... as if you were a colleague that I had had a large disagreement with, but still regarded well.

nvm /2

[was_no_monster]

[slowly swiveling his ears up and sideways]

...

[was_no_monster]

I...

I know it was what I had asked for, but...

[there is confusion and some shame lying under his words]

...You were really trying to...?

[wisteriaful]

Yes. I didn't want to give up, but I wanted to respect your wishes... so...

[was_no_monster]

... I thought that you had proven me right. I didn't expect it to hurt as much as it did...

[wisteriaful]

... If that's the case, I'm sorry. I didn't mean - I was trying to establish a base of civility, before I tried being friendly again.

I'm sorry.