A lesson in Caring [Melody/Mitch]
Something clicked for the dark skinned huntress during the team announcement ceremonies. Shortly after standing on a stage with her ‘team’ that she had been shackled with for the next 4 years, she heard a very familiar name get called.
Melody looked over to see none other than her cousin, who was supposed to be back in Kanto to her knowledge, standing alongside 2 other short faunus. And one very tall faunus. They all looked incredibly mean. Melody winced as she considered the ramifications of Mitch being here.
Not long after the ceremony, Melody ran after Mitch making an effort to corner them in the hallway while they were walking somewhere by themselves She enveloped her cousin in a tight hug, refusing to let go for a few seconds. Mitch reached up slowly and patted her on the shoulder, confused by the sudden extreme amount of affection. Melody let go and she looked somewhere between confused, worried, and angry. She set her hands on her hips and she gave her cousin a knowing look.
“Let me guess.” Mitch spoke first, almost cutting her off, “You’re wondering what I’m doing here.”
“Of course I’m wondering what you’re doing here! This is. This is Kalos Academy! It’s full of faunus, completely full of faunus! You. You had it all Mitch, you were supposed to attend the Kantonese Special Forces Academy, what… What are you even doing here…” Melody’s question trailed off as she looked down, knowing the answer before Mitch spoke it.
“It’s really simple. I’m here to watch you.” Mitch responded, relaxing their posture and crossing their arms.
Melody’s confusion flashed to outrage for a brief moment, “What, did Dad drag you into this? I don’t need a babysitter Mitch! I would have been perfectly okay by myself.”
“Uncle Richard? No. No.” Mitch looked down at the ground, as if searching for the words, “It was my own decision. Father allowed me to decide where I wanted to go to school. I decided I wanted to watch over the only true family I feel connected to.”
Melody sighed heavily, shoulders slumping as she paced the hallway and finally decided to lean on a wall, “Mitch that’s… That’s awfully kind of you, really fucking sappy too, but… You just landed yourself on a team full of really dangerous looking faunus. They’re going to try to hurt you Mitch. I… I’m not worth all that trouble.” Melody pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling sharply.
“That’s what you think.” Came Mitch’s response, even-keeled as usual. Mitch didn’t move much, but his eyes traced Melody’s pacing patterns with a hint of worry.
“Seriously, the first decision you make and you end up here? With me? Partnered with a bunch of dangerous faunus. I… I can’t believe this.” Melody sighed through her nose again, this time slumping down on the hallway wall.
Mitch moved slowly and sat next to her, “You know you’re not allowed to blame yourself right?”
Melody’s frustration was palpable as she opened her mouth to lash out again, but instead closed it slowly and crossed her arms over her knees, burying her face on her arms.
“I’m just worried Mitch. I… I don’t know what I’ll do if you get hurt how here. Because of me.” Melody only raised her head slightly, looking at her cousin with fear in her eyes.
“I don’t think they’re as bad as you think they are. I want to believe what Richard says. And so I will do so until completely proven otherwise.” Mitch wanted to look at Melody, but for some reason they found it too pathetic. She wasn’t always this upset, was she? “And also, Richard’s condition worries me. If something–”
“Shut up!” Melody shouted, her voice causing the other students in the hallway to pause, “I… Please. Don’t… Don’t talk about that. Don’t remind me.”
Mitch just looked at his cousin and nodded. “Very well then.”
Mitch couldn’t help but feeling like there was something else they were supposed to say.
Maybe something about lunch?
