Experiment Logs:
Specimen Notes:
Rules:

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@projecth-aileth
Experiment Logs:
Specimen Notes:
Rules:
Releasing a shaky breath layered with a nearly inaudible whine; the door clicking shut, unlocking her lungs. And despite the silted movements, he nudged the experiment back to life; chasing off tension. Smooth motions impressively avoiding the adornments as her bandages slid over comparatively sleek fur until they caught on his matching wraps.
Disoriented by what had happened… or hadn’t- “…but I… wrong and …they… didn’t ….”
Among disjointed thoughts, all jostling for focus was concern for the beasts condition; other arm snaking up to hold lightly for a moment before giving in. Leaning into the supportive weight that pressed back; stealing a second of comfort. An action she had no name for, would have no way to know was called a hug.
Stiff limbs engaged by the gentle persistence; her swirling thoughts moved so much faster. N-nothing had happened -Why? Why? Why? Had done wrong broke rules but still- still… Silently overwhelmed to the point of her own skin felt uncomfortable; having difficulty processing the interaction. Everything was backwards and didn’t feel… real.
She could feel her stomachs twisting burn again from the thick foreign smells. Paying no mind on the short walk to the rattling iv cart rolling behind as the connecting lines pulled taught. Not noticing how one ankle rolling painlessly; leg numb from sitting too long on her knees.
Confronted with the strange collection on the tray; pale hand reaching for the slices that smelt the most familiar. Remaining confused by the brown paste, white liquid and metal tools- sinking down, somewhat curled; hand never losing contact with the only sure thing. Him.
Yet even that was lacking true solidity- incomplete and broken memories sewn with a fondness of the once much larger being. Seeming to loom over nearby specimen before he was moved from the professor’s personal lab.
Chin tucked behind knees, taking hesitant nibbles of the white slice, “this… it…” Back pressed against the corner made by the table with the tray and the too squishy exam table. She felt small, so small and disconnected. Distressed without experience without enough words to express it. Truly unable to anticipate what was supposed to happen anymore.
Voice shrinking, “n-nothing makes sense…”
Subdued stare was distant watching the beads adorning his mane sway; her grip on the world as it was understood was crumbling. Left to hope this didn’t change too; vulnerable trust, holding meekly to the fiery red strength.
It was hard to put together Aileth's words by the way she spoke. They were like broken strands, leaves blown far from the tree they'd come from, fluttering chaotically in the air until they fell aimlessly into the silence of her room.
The emotions her body exuded were far easier for him to grasp. Scent, body language, humans had all kinds of ways to communicate other than with their tongue, yet most of them seemed to do so out of their own control or even awareness. It had to be a difficult life to be one.
Far simpler to be on the receiving end, in this case. With a bow of his head, the beast moved closer and turned around, all but brushing against her side as he settled down against her leg.
"... Things the way you know them are not the same as I do. I know this is hard to accept." He said, rising his head to watch her with his good eye. "The things you're used to... the way life worked in that laboratory, that is not what people know as 'normal' out here. The orders. The punishments. The tests. Rules here are different... Easier, for the most part. It will take you some time. And some trust."
Thin sinewy body shifted, bumping the table a little too hard as she made room; not really achieving in moving much. Not that there was a desire to get away; the closeness diminished the experiments bubbling, jittery panic.
Talking was… frustrating, she didn’t know all the words and the ones she did, would get stuck. Sharing anything was clumsy, unpracticed; even showing expressions had been slow to emerge and quick to hide. Forcibly habituated to not react, not communicate in any way; a wince, twitch, gasp of pain, hesitation… every time met with corrections or improvements. Meeting him again created small cracks; expanding as ice melt in springs advance.
Wilting into the touch, inhuman eyes meeting his golden; pale face and brows crumpling slightly. Shallow frown trembling; ‘different rules’ meant having to relearn… so much repetition and pain until she could figure out the pattern, boundaries and what they wanted. But the humans would lie or change directions without warning.
Withered frame fully slumped to the side; head bumping against the beast “-imm… lost…” it felt like being the dark, back in the nothing. Directionless, despite being awake- despite not being… alone. not alone this time
Turning her face into his neck, displeased hum escaping at trusting people; unable to stop the images of hands, multitudes of hands reaching gripping- the way they pinch and bruise and
…h…A..rM…
-it all made her skin prickle.
For any sane being, there wasn’t a choice to make between the torture and chains left leagues behind and continuing forward. But this specimen… in her mind it was still right there; only a doorway, a metal corridor, a lift away- from being in a test chamber again.
What others saw as a simple beast at first, was quite literally the only thing she could remember being kind- so much so that the concept was impossible to imagine being shown the same behavior from anyone.
She stayed there, pressed into warm fur; able to hear his heartbeat, feel him breathe…alive and here…
“-trust… follow you.”
Though her head snapped in that direction, she didn’t jump at the door opening; there had been enough warning with him noticing first. Yet the malnourished body went ridged at the humans’ entrance all the same; eyes glued to the ground, barely following the shuffling steps.
While lacking a technician’s icy tone, the small reprimand sent the experiments heart racing; all his assurances already slipping away- not purposely, she was trying, so hard to quash it all down. Trying to suppress a cringe as objects clinked together on the tray.
Despite the unrushed entrance, the specimen was used to a ‘clear’ approach, being able to see the person coming through glass walls and loud electrical locks. Air, thick with sweet scents her guts twinged painfully and not recognizing the swirling mix except for one; draconic emeralds dared a quick glance. Pale brown paste, whiteish slices and some taller container… it seemed like a large amount of rations. Far more than she could remember seeing at once.
But it was a simple order, she could follow that- not wanting to give the human an excuse. After all… she… had already messed up. done wrong. sh-she wasn’t supposed to have moved, should not have moved… had not been told she could. would they take her somewhere else or make the burning come back?
Silently gripping the comforter at his unexpected noise and the increased scrutiny it brought; quickly looking directly at her lap with the attention. A slight tremor beginning in the girls frame, if it was out of fear or the chilled air from the greater house creeping in and the warm escaping out the open door was something she would struggle to say.
…
open door? Had left the…
Why would they leave the door open?
Whatever interaction the doctor might have hoped to have was probably not what was given; glued to the beast’s side and being offered stilled muteness.
"Thank you. I feel like I haven't eaten in years." Red sighed heavily, running his tongue to collect any dribble that had involuntarily started to form in his mouth at that inviting scent.
He'd noticed the way Aileth had grown tense, though in that moment, he did not think too deep on it. Mere nerves from seeing a stranger with clarity for the first time, he guessed.
Nudging her with his nose, he worked to stand up, grunting a little as his bandages made the movement very stiff. When the woman did no more than walk back outside to return to the kitchen -- to come back with the promised food, he hoped -- he turned to look back at the young woman.
"You must be hungry as well. Come on, let's get some of that breakfast inside you." He said, sneaking his head under her arm, using his own weight to try and push her on her feet with his back as support, as gently and patiently as possible.
Releasing a shaky breath layered with a nearly inaudible whine; the door clicking shut, unlocking her lungs. And despite the silted movements, he nudged the experiment back to life; chasing off tension. Smooth motions impressively avoiding the adornments as her bandages slid over comparatively sleek fur until they caught on his matching wraps.
Disoriented by what had happened… or hadn’t- “…but I… wrong and …they… didn’t ….”
Among disjointed thoughts, all jostling for focus was concern for the beasts condition; other arm snaking up to hold lightly for a moment before giving in. Leaning into the supportive weight that pressed back; stealing a second of comfort. An action she had no name for, would have no way to know was called a hug.
Stiff limbs engaged by the gentle persistence; her swirling thoughts moved so much faster. N-nothing had happened -Why? Why? Why? Had done wrong broke rules but still- still… Silently overwhelmed to the point of her own skin felt uncomfortable; having difficulty processing the interaction. Everything was backwards and didn’t feel… real.
She could feel her stomachs twisting burn again from the thick foreign smells. Paying no mind on the short walk to the rattling iv cart rolling behind as the connecting lines pulled taught. Not noticing how one ankle rolling painlessly; leg numb from sitting too long on her knees.
Confronted with the strange collection on the tray; pale hand reaching for the slices that smelt the most familiar. Remaining confused by the brown paste, white liquid and metal tools- sinking down, somewhat curled; hand never losing contact with the only sure thing. Him.
Yet even that was lacking true solidity- incomplete and broken memories sewn with a fondness of the once much larger being. Seeming to loom over nearby specimen before he was moved from the professor’s personal lab.
Chin tucked behind knees, taking hesitant nibbles of the white slice, “this… it…” Back pressed against the corner made by the table with the tray and the too squishy exam table. She felt small, so small and disconnected. Distressed without experience without enough words to express it. Truly unable to anticipate what was supposed to happen anymore.
Voice shrinking, “n-nothing makes sense…”
Subdued stare was distant watching the beads adorning his mane sway; her grip on the world as it was understood was crumbling. Left to hope this didn’t change too; vulnerable trust, holding meekly to the fiery red strength.
Spending any amount of time with another living being, was rare let alone positive like being with him had been. The two of them were basically the same size, huddled together on the quilt; mako glow showing more life juxtaposed to their bandages and Aileth’s withered drained body.
Shifting slightly as she continued drawing blanks; there were a growing divide it seemed- there was so much she had little or simply negative exposure to.
Not realizing the lack of noise in her own mind- he had her attention, absorbed with every word; even the hard ones she couldn’t understand or tie a meaning to like this ‘love’.
Having nothing to draw from, she could only blink at him; the explanation seemed anything but ‘simple’.
Here, without constant surveillance, his reassurances of no experimentation… the anticipation of future reprimand remained; the hesitation to let herself ask the building list of questions
Nothing relating humans and her experiences. People… protecting? Didn’t sound… real. Seemed… flawed- impossible. A small amount of fatigue showing despite the continued interest, as her grasp of the conversation quickly floundered; he knew so much
“…I don’t- … get it.”
"That's okay, Aileth. You don't have to understand right now." Red shook his head, keeping a solemn gaze on her. "Give yourself time. I am certain you will see what I mean, someday."
He then lifted his head when he heard a set of footsteps approach the other side of the door. The doorknob turned slowly, and as the door opened, the woman who had seen to their injuries came in, pushing her way through with an elbow while her hands were occupied with an heavy tray.
"Both awake, I see. Good morning." She greeted, not without an admonishing look on her face, pointed straight at the girl. "You should be in bed, Miss. I let you have it for a reason."
She moved further in to rest the tray on the nightstand nearby. It was loaded with bowls and a pitcher that smelled like fresh milk. Fresh fruits in one, the same apples they had found in the orchard the other day, and oats in the other, along with a spoon.
"Bryne said you like our apples, so I hope you will eat everything." She said, tossing a glance over her shoulder, looking at him next. "This isn't for you, but be patient, and I will bring you something too in a minute."
Right on cue, he felt his stomach groan in anticipation.
Though her head snapped in that direction, she didn’t jump at the door opening; there had been enough warning with him noticing first. Yet the malnourished body went ridged at the humans’ entrance all the same; eyes glued to the ground, barely following the shuffling steps.
While lacking a technician’s icy tone, the small reprimand sent the experiments heart racing; all his assurances already slipping away- not purposely, she was trying, so hard to quash it all down. Trying to suppress a cringe as objects clinked together on the tray.
Despite the unrushed entrance, the specimen was used to a ‘clear’ approach, being able to see the person coming through glass walls and loud electrical locks. Air, thick with sweet scents her guts twinged painfully and not recognizing the swirling mix except for one; draconic emeralds dared a quick glance. Pale brown paste, whiteish slices and some taller container… it seemed like a large amount of rations. Far more than she could remember seeing at once.
But it was a simple order, she could follow that- not wanting to give the human an excuse. After all… she… had already messed up. done wrong. sh-she wasn’t supposed to have moved, should not have moved… had not been told she could. would they take her somewhere else or make the burning come back?
Silently gripping the comforter at his unexpected noise and the increased scrutiny it brought; quickly looking directly at her lap with the attention. A slight tremor beginning in the girls frame, if it was out of fear or the chilled air from the greater house creeping in and the warm escaping out the open door was something she would struggle to say.
…
open door? Had left the…
Why would they leave the door open?
Whatever interaction the doctor might have hoped to have was probably not what was given; glued to the beast’s side and being offered stilled muteness.
What he was saying was probably the strangest thing, enough so to pull her attention away from the muted commotion elsewhere.
“Wh- huh” Looking increasingly confused all while the surety in his voice had her slowly mimicking his own relaxed state. Head tilting, listening and trying to make sense of it.
Being watched over almost sounded like a superior and people being protective was…. weird; completely skipping the parts of trust and safety. Having lived with only one view, experience, reality… one kind of human; anything else sounded absurd. “Why… would it do that?”
"Hmm... That is a deep question, even when the answer seems so simple." Red looked away, in thought. His memories were fewer and fewer, when he thought back on his own mother. But of what little he remembered, there were things that never missed: warmth, safety, patience... and a lot of courage.
"Out of love. Boundless love for a mother's child." His voice had softened even more. "Nobody can fully explain how it happens. How this devotion comes to be, from the very moment we are born. But a mother will do anything to protect her offspring. Even give her own life."
Spending any amount of time with another living being, was rare let alone positive like being with him had been. The two of them were basically the same size, huddled together on the quilt; mako glow showing more life juxtaposed to their bandages and Aileth’s withered drained body.
Shifting slightly as she continued drawing blanks; there were a growing divide it seemed- there was so much she had little or simply negative exposure to.
Not realizing the lack of noise in her own mind- he had her attention, absorbed with every word; even the hard ones she couldn’t understand or tie a meaning to like this ‘love’.
Having nothing to draw from, she could only blink at him; the explanation seemed anything but ‘simple’.
Here, without constant surveillance, his reassurances of no experimentation… the anticipation of future reprimand remained; the hesitation to let herself ask the building list of questions
Nothing relating humans and her experiences. People… protecting? Didn’t sound… real. Seemed… flawed- impossible. A small amount of fatigue showing despite the continued interest, as her grasp of the conversation quickly floundered; he knew so much
“…I don’t- … get it.”
Silver hair stayed sitting close on the floor, simply taking in the details of his face; just as near the night they met but with better light and clearer mind. Draconic eyes looking closer to then if betraying her weariness. At least, unlike last night, there didn’t seem in danger of imminent… decline- if too quickly for anything human.
Tilting her head, as he spoke; knowing this wasn’t THE lab but it wasn’t the drum or the artillery range, or a recognizable testing room. Didn’t look like any observation room she had been in either. It was oddly… soft for a treatment room… the hand not fidgeting with gauze hadn’t left the pile of fabric it sunk into. Maybe… this was what his kind needed? It was much better than the usual medical areas.
Perhaps her presence was a mistake an oversight that would be corrected… she would rather stay here…
It was difficult to ignore the sense of unease to the way he referred to people; it wasn’t that she didn’t believe the beasts words. The scars of experience had been cut deep. Yet she listened, trying to remember, keep up, quickly; internally repeating but stumbling on the unknown words. Boy made sense that got heard a lot- degradingly. Piecing together that ‘orchard’ had to mean the place from before but, “…wh- … mother mean?”
The louder sound of steps from the other side finally caught her attention; emeralds snapped to the door. Shifting so her back was no longer to the entrance, waiting; whatever had been the answer, turned to a quiet response of “…functional.”
Struggling to freeze that blank mask back in place with gaze to the floor.
"Functional is good." Red's head nodded. He noticed her look at the door, the way she raised her guard to that noise.
"A mother is a good thing, as well." His voice was calming, almost fatherly, not that he thought Aileth had any notion of what a father could be either. That one, he'd rather not explain. "It's someone you can trust to watch over you. Not like the people in the labs. Like a protector. Someone who will make sure you are safe."
What he was saying was probably the strangest thing, enough so to pull her attention away from the muted commotion elsewhere.
“Wh- huh” Looking increasingly confused all while the surety in his voice had her slowly mimicking his own relaxed state. Head tilting, listening and trying to make sense of it.
Being watched over almost sounded like a superior and people being protective was…. weird; completely skipping the parts of trust and safety. Having lived with only one view, experience, reality… one kind of human; anything else sounded absurd. “Why… would it do that?”
The little mess of blankets and cushions pilfered by the boy for Red’s comfort, ended up becoming a bed for both; she had been getting ready to let go when she stopped- eyes widening finally catching the white wound around him, stark against dark fur. “you-re… you got hurt…”
There was that feeling of ‘want’ again, the want to fix it- wanted to, even if it meant trouble later. However, couldn’t recall with certainty, if she only had offensive materia implanted… why, was it so hazy… Nothing stood out very distinct, most of their travel blending as a repetitive blur yet she had been using them, hadn’t she? Still feeling how deep mana had been drawn- ripped from, pulling more, more often than previous; she couldn’t help and that somehow hurt as well.
“did… were… you corrected?” letting go to look around more; trying to connect ‘reasons’ and what came next; growing confused as their surroundings weren’t adding up with experiences.
Pausing to stare at the door and untensing more the longer, it didn’t suddenly move revealing a team of whites-coats. After all, … she... she had failed, hadn’t she? Surely, they were going to show up and take the two away for another procedure, another test… but this still wasn’t ‘containment’. An unmistakable lack of glass, metal, and monitors were replaced with… dulled pale walls and fabric, so much fabric; draped on or over several objects and surfaces- hanging from the walls, on the floor.
Idly picking at the gauze around the thoroughly wrapped limb, another thing that was strange and rarely used on specimens. “… m’not… stored with others…” Seemingly bothered more by the strange space than anything being done or going on with herself; hardly pausing at the empty iv bags or the tubes running to the opposite arm.
“…more experiments?” despite being just two words, said with true curiosity, it was laced tired resignation, as the only reality that made any sense.
"No, no more experiments. This isn't the laboratory. They're good people. They're only helping us feel better." Red followed her gaze to the IV bags. This was the most talkative Aileth had been since... always, really. It was a significant improvement from her previous state.
His ears swiveled back in direction of the door for a moment. He could hear activity in the rest of the house. By the sound of it, the two of them had been the last ones to wake.
"Do you remember the boy at the orchard?" He asked her, patiently. "We are in his house right now. His mother tended to your wounds. ... and me, as well. I am all right now. But how do you feel?"
Silver hair stayed sitting close on the floor, simply taking in the details of his face; just as near the night they met but with better light and clearer mind. Draconic eyes looking closer to then if betraying her weariness. At least, unlike last night, there didn’t seem in danger of imminent… decline- if too quickly for anything human.
Tilting her head, as he spoke; knowing this wasn’t THE lab but it wasn’t the drum or the artillery range, or a recognizable testing room. Didn’t look like any observation room she had been in either. It was oddly… soft for a treatment room… the hand not fidgeting with gauze hadn’t left the pile of fabric it sunk into. Maybe… this was what his kind needed? It was much better than the usual medical areas.
Perhaps her presence was a mistake an oversight that would be corrected… she would rather stay here…
It was difficult to ignore the sense of unease to the way he referred to people; it wasn’t that she didn’t believe the beasts words. The scars of experience had been cut deep. Yet she listened, trying to remember, keep up, quickly; internally repeating but stumbling on the unknown words. Boy made sense that got heard a lot- degradingly. Piecing together that ‘orchard’ had to mean the place from before but, “…wh- … mother mean?”
The louder sound of steps from the other side finally caught her attention; emeralds snapped to the door. Shifting so her back was no longer to the entrance, waiting; whatever had been the answer, turned to a quiet response of “…functional.”
Struggling to freeze that blank mask back in place with gaze to the floor.
The room was warm; daylight still muted behind the drawn fabric. Bright streaks through the curtains catching on red and silver and the white of gauze on both. She didn’t wake immediately, nose scrunching slightly against their quilt as a quiet ambiguous hum escaped in unconscious protest. Needing more time, it was taking effort to drag herself back to awareness. Waking without immediate fear or panic, trusting the inhuman prodding touch despite being so vulnerable. None of the environment something she could remember experiencing either- tired body greedily bathing in the warm. Anything soft or comforting taken away long ago.
Slowly shifting, to sit up on elbows; stare hazy with something other than illness and injury.
“Didn’t take… d-did...n’t…” unable to stop the quivering in her whisper, or the thoughts of this being temporary. Could still take him away, separate them. Even with the stink of humans permeating the surroundings, the experiment finally let go; bandaged arms wrapped around his neck and mane. “…still here.”
§
Something happened.
She wouldn’t be able to satisfactorily explain how or what or why- unaware of, unmeaning to do so… an untapped power inherit in the girls genes. Allowing some of herself to unknowingly flow out; finding the same paths opened previously by the Cetras contact.
Sharing a glimpse of an endless mindscape made of only metal and glass, the empty darkness separated from everything… the ‘outside’, the brightest parts, each connected with him in a confusing flurry of colour and near overwhelming ‘new’; nothing like the lurking shadows- clawed and corrosive, with barbs dug deep. Watching from behind with a constant ‘hunger’
There was something else, a brief flash of sliver and blond through green mist; figures not connected or close, more like ghosts through distant fog- a friend being hunted All of it rapidly fading, taking only a second as the ancients vision before; leaving just the two antithetical beings, bruised and bandaged on the floor in the small den. A trembling Aileth, whos only comprehension was having woken to something ‘good’ and being uncertain if it would last- voice shrinking with each word “…n-nan… aki… you’… still here… ”
"... Yes. Yes, I'm here. Of course I'm here." It'd taken him a little while to respond to her words. Red's eye blinked a few times, retrieving focus as that mirage dissipated, like the remnants of a dream after waking up a second time.
Had it been her touch to show him that, just now? What even was it that he'd seen, feeling so familiar, yet not, at the same time?
He wanted to ask her, but she looked so frightened. No, she was not in the condition to have a complicated conversation like that. For many minutes, the beast just sat there and let the girl hold him around the neck, feeling her heartbeat against his sensitive skin. He hoped she could feel better, find some semblance of calmness at least. She'd been through so much, even before they'd met.
If only his Grandpa were here... he'd know what to do. Red's resolve to return home to Cosmo Canyon only became stronger.
The little mess of blankets and cushions pilfered by the boy for Red’s comfort, ended up becoming a bed for both; she had been getting ready to let go when she stopped- eyes widening finally catching the white wound around him, stark against dark fur. “you-re… you got hurt…”
There was that feeling of ‘want’ again, the want to fix it- wanted to, even if it meant trouble later. However, couldn’t recall with certainty, if she only had offensive materia implanted… why, was it so hazy… Nothing stood out very distinct, most of their travel blending as a repetitive blur yet she had been using them, hadn’t she? Still feeling how deep mana had been drawn- ripped from, pulling more, more often than previous; she couldn’t help and that somehow hurt as well.
“did… were… you corrected?” letting go to look around more; trying to connect ‘reasons’ and what came next; growing confused as their surroundings weren’t adding up with experiences.
Pausing to stare at the door and untensing more the longer, it didn’t suddenly move revealing a team of whites-coats. After all, … she... she had failed, hadn’t she? Surely, they were going to show up and take the two away for another procedure, another test… but this still wasn’t ‘containment’. An unmistakable lack of glass, metal, and monitors were replaced with… dulled pale walls and fabric, so much fabric; draped on or over several objects and surfaces- hanging from the walls, on the floor.
Idly picking at the gauze around the thoroughly wrapped limb, another thing that was strange and rarely used on specimens. “… m’not… stored with others…” Seemingly bothered more by the strange space than anything being done or going on with herself; hardly pausing at the empty iv bags or the tubes running to the opposite arm.
“…more experiments?” despite being just two words, said with true curiosity, it was laced tired resignation, as the only reality that made any sense.
The doctor returned after a few hours; several more bags of fluids hung, an additional line added to the still girl- without even a fluttering change in heartrate. Vitals taken and recorded once more before bidding him a good rest. Her son making an appearance much later; pausing to listen to his mother sleep, waiting even longer- staring motionless at the bed before entering with a pilfered plate of leftovers, cushions and a duvet. Retreating with a quick good night; clearly already fond of the beast.
~§~
Deep into the night by the clocks chiming, well after the doctors’ final checks on her patients; the rhythmic chimes meaningless and distant.
When… had the dark ended… unable to recall how long she had been staring at the ceiling. Unfamiliar, it was comforting, if confining compared to the endless white one the two had been traveling under.
Some wavering sliver of consciousness present enough to tell everything hurt, every joint throbbed yet felt like floating; it was all a dull ache compared to the smothering gnawing burning that was finally quieting.
Gaze drifting to the multiple bags by her head hanging from a metal pole, another familiar sight; sliding down the tubes to white bandages secured around the uninjured arm. That was new, usually able to see the ports and tape holding things in place. Face tilting to look down, drawn to a soft flickering light.
Breath hitching, draconic eyes widening- mind catching up- registering the shape not too far away. She tried to make a noise, dry throat failing. Briefly struggling against confusing fabric that felt like lead. Weak limbs hitting the floor in a pile. Still tired, so drained, unable to rise. Fumbling on shaky arms, making her way over- little wheels spinning on the iv stand as it trailed behind the girl in the shapeless square nightgown. Not confident, hesitant to touch, to grab like she wants; instead, simply pressing her head to his elbow- facing the flame, now guarded between both bodies. Simple blue cloth tied at the shoulders over the gauze that was wrapped, covering every inch of afflicted skin and the injury. She laid, curled on the wounded side, hiding it, protecting it. Silent trembling sobs slowly subsiding as she fell back asleep.
He'd woken up late in the morning. He'd noticed he'd been doing so pretty much every day since leaving his prison. That wasn't normal; he used to be quite the early bird back home. Red XIII concluded that living a whole year within Hojo's prison, without natural light or even a window to see the sky, had to have impaired his normal sleeping pattern. Hopefully that would right itself with time.
On the other hand, to be able to sleep indoors again had granted him some relief. A shameful thing to admit, perhaps, but in that sense, he'd always been partial to the warmth of walls and a roof over his head.
He'd been surprised to find that Aileth had moved in her sleep, to come rest beside him. She still smelled like antiseptic, which made his nose sting a little. Despite that, he was plagued with concern. Was she still in pain? Would she be able to move at all?
With a heavy sigh, he pushed his nose against her head, nudging it gently.
The room was warm; daylight still muted behind the drawn fabric. Bright streaks through the curtains catching on red and silver and the white of gauze on both. She didn’t wake immediately, nose scrunching slightly against their quilt as a quiet ambiguous hum escaped in unconscious protest. Needing more time, it was taking effort to drag herself back to awareness. Waking without immediate fear or panic, trusting the inhuman prodding touch despite being so vulnerable. None of the environment something she could remember experiencing either- tired body greedily bathing in the warm. Anything soft or comforting taken away long ago.
Slowly shifting, to sit up on elbows; stare hazy with something other than illness and injury.
“Didn’t take… d-did...n’t…” unable to stop the quivering in her whisper, or the thoughts of this being temporary. Could still take him away, separate them. Even with the stink of humans permeating the surroundings, the experiment finally let go; bandaged arms wrapped around his neck and mane. “…still here.”
§
Something happened.
She wouldn’t be able to satisfactorily explain how or what or why- unaware of, unmeaning to do so… an untapped power inherit in the girls genes. Allowing some of herself to unknowingly flow out; finding the same paths opened previously by the Cetras contact.
Sharing a glimpse of an endless mindscape made of only metal and glass, the empty darkness separated from everything… the ‘outside’, the brightest parts, each connected with him in a confusing flurry of colour and near overwhelming ‘new’; nothing like the lurking shadows- clawed and corrosive, with barbs dug deep. Watching from behind with a constant ‘hunger’
There was something else, a brief flash of sliver and blond through green mist; figures not connected or close, more like ghosts through distant fog- a friend being hunted All of it rapidly fading, taking only a second as the ancients vision before; leaving just the two antithetical beings, bruised and bandaged on the floor in the small den. A trembling Aileth, whos only comprehension was having woken to something ‘good’ and being uncertain if it would last- voice shrinking with each word “…n-nan… aki… you’… still here… ”
Bryne left them, the creak of wood and water running behind doors trailing in his wake; a ticking clock somewhere deeper in the house added to the heavy feeling the short exchange left in the room. Not wishing or meaning to cause more stress on either of their strange guests.
The low bed easy for the beast to see over while standing; the girl’s usual presence all but gone under the activity of the three. So small she could have been part of scenery. Scent buried under the mix of animals and antiseptic soap… it was however the most still and rest she’d had since the two met. There wouldn’t have been any complaints nor blamed him for her state; the thought wouldn’t have even occurred. Pain, exhaustion routine; for what little she understood, they were still somewhere deep in the Drum- waiting to be told she had failed- be dragged out and taken apart- have the weakness and defects removed before some new horror was brought upon the experiment.
Trading places when the son returned with arms red from cleaning, a basket of gauze and metal trays of tools. The spare room was not as good as the treatment rooms, but the girl was already here; the other spaces were designed for animals, most of their supplies as well… having to make do.
The doctor closed the door behind herself, scrubbed hands carrying a bottle and syringe; set to work placing an iv of fluids. Breathing was very light… had yet to react to anything and there was little enthusiasm at the suggestion of her waking but moving around once they start could cause additional damage. Injecting the needle in the line, she checked that it only slowed a little before picking up tools to begin.
Care still present, steady and sure in action; she was unflinching in the examination of the girl. Skin not darkened yet was already switching texture, both preceded by the veins encroach. Where it had changed was surprisingly whole; the dark tissue in and around the wound had not broken down. It wasn’t rot, gangrenous- and the impaled object was indeed bone-matter. Able to make out the jagged broken edge and porous blackened marrow interior.
Unfortunately, they were not lucky enough to be able to pull the piece out.
Opening the wound, the doctor could see it was not just stuck; black gunk clinging to fractured material fused to the sides of the wound- matching the look of sludge tainted veins.
Working to free and remove it- infected arm twitching more as she worked-
Until the patients eyes flashed open.
Unmoving emeralds pale compared to the toxic purple glow from slit pupils. It was distinctly not human, not friendly, and only Red would know… was not Aileth.
Ravenous gleam being of one of her progenitors; one who he’d know simply as a whisper, hidden in knowledge the ancient shared. One who haunted the life-stream and tormented Gi wished for.
The doctor focused on her hands instead of the not-supposed-to-be-awake-patient, continuing to sperate the object from the girl. Finally succeeding, abruptly cut free, that new glow flickered out. Eyes closing again as the sharp bone clattered into an empty tray.
The injury cleaned and covered; there was no further interruptions or surprises from her patient; taking merely a few minutes the whole ordeal had felt much longer.
Taking a moment to shake off the unnerving feeling the stare had left allowing thoughts to drift over the few things learnt about their guests. Even as a Vet, she might not recognize his kind but could tell beyond his eye and coat… that he was not at his best either.
Before he had even the time to process everything, Red XIII was the one subjected to the woman's care. When the tight bandage made another circle around his stomach, his nose curled up into a snarl, which she promptly shushed with a wave of her hand.
"None of that attitude. I'm finished, so you better be done complaining."
As she stepped back to let him rise, Red shifted to sit up. Immediately he felt the constriction of cloth and gauze. Some kind of tape around the edges pulled fastidiously at his fur. He wanted to jump out of his own hide.
"I can't move as I like with this." He protested.
"Good. That is precisely the intent. Any other animal in your conditions would be put in a kennel for at least three weeks." The vet said, hands on her hips.
Begrudgingly, the beast stiffly walked back to Aileth's bed, nudging her hand with his nose. He had to sit back down on the floor just after, exhausted both by the treatment and the emotional labor of everything.
"Ma... what do we do? You saw that before... What if she wakes up like that again...?" "I saw, Bryne. Trust me, that's not the kind of thing I can just forget, or brush off. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, and then I'll decide what to do about all this."
Red watched her leave the room with her gathered tools and dirty rags, her son soon following. Alone once more with the girl, he heaved out a sigh... or tried. Again, the bandages. His fiery tail tapped by his side in frustration.
For now, all he could do was wait for her to come to, and hope for the best.
The doctor returned after a few hours; several more bags of fluids hung, an additional line added to the still girl- without even a fluttering change in heartrate. Vitals taken and recorded once more before bidding him a good rest. Her son making an appearance much later; pausing to listen to his mother sleep, waiting even longer- staring motionless at the bed before entering with a pilfered plate of leftovers, cushions and a duvet. Retreating with a quick good night; clearly already fond of the beast.
~§~
Deep into the night by the clocks chiming, well after the doctors’ final checks on her patients; the rhythmic chimes meaningless and distant.
When… had the dark ended… unable to recall how long she had been staring at the ceiling. Unfamiliar, it was comforting, if confining compared to the endless white one the two had been traveling under.
Some wavering sliver of consciousness present enough to tell everything hurt, every joint throbbed yet felt like floating; it was all a dull ache compared to the smothering gnawing burning that was finally quieting.
Gaze drifting to the multiple bags by her head hanging from a metal pole, another familiar sight; sliding down the tubes to white bandages secured around the uninjured arm. That was new, usually able to see the ports and tape holding things in place. Face tilting to look down, drawn to a soft flickering light.
Breath hitching, draconic eyes widening- mind catching up- registering the shape not too far away. She tried to make a noise, dry throat failing. Briefly struggling against confusing fabric that felt like lead. Weak limbs hitting the floor in a pile. Still tired, so drained, unable to rise. Fumbling on shaky arms, making her way over- little wheels spinning on the iv stand as it trailed behind the girl in the shapeless square nightgown. Not confident, hesitant to touch, to grab like she wants; instead, simply pressing her head to his elbow- facing the flame, now guarded between both bodies. Simple blue cloth tied at the shoulders over the gauze that was wrapped, covering every inch of afflicted skin and the injury. She laid, curled on the wounded side, hiding it, protecting it. Silent trembling sobs slowly subsiding as she fell back asleep.
Even though the amount of fabric was a minor obstacle, Bryne had been more than capable of hoisting the limp bundle through the humble building; depositing her in the sparse cozy room, before the door was being loudly shut in his face.
Outside with a peace-offering for the ‘dog’ with a side of apologies; Red, somehow remained calm and patient as far as the fierce beasts tense terse tone could be held back. Having just watched his only companion wither over the past weeks, collapse, and be whisked away by strangers behind claw-proof walls and locked doors. Abruptly reprieved of that unsettling presence, that ominous bubble surrounding him this whole time- completely absent with her sudden unconscious state.
~§~
Curtains were drawn and lights kept low, aside from the flexible lamp directed towards the task at hand; unmoving, thin, her doll-like patient- heart light fluttery, breath shallow- too rapid for a restful sleep. Each rise and fall barely visible, buried under the thick covers; she remained clammy- not enough to bring a flush to show her body fighting a fever the ice attempted to cool.
Whether directly from the history of treatment or the journey, the doctors odds of losing her continuing to add up; at any point could tip and spiral into a rapid decline. How she hadn’t reached that just yet was initially surprising. The threadbare rags had supplied some answers- markedly too small clothing still showing the company’s logo; lifting white lashed lids- glazed unseeing eyes that rumored telltale colour tying more strings.
Able to feel the spheres embedded in the girl’s bony forearm, almost see faint glow of overused materia still eating away at non-existent mana reserves; any colour that might have been present to her was currently being wiped away. Cloth and water, quickly turning rust stained.
As layers of grime were being lifted… smooth, careful, and clean among the dust and dirt, slender silver scars could be traced along her limb. Easily discernible as surgical, but medical experience would recognize the pattern. Invisible dissection lines marked everything, not a portion of her body was spared. Following them up her arm, where abnormally obvious veins led to increasingly dark skin, streaked and dimpled; resembling the creature the two had been attacked by.
What had originally been mistaken for shoulder and chest bruising were deep punctures; the largest still open but clearly tried to close around debris. Exploratory prodding of the blackish mottling showed it staining veins- spreading through blood vessels.
Embedded in the wound, a hardened bone-coloured fragment jutted out slightly- fatigued body seeming to be less ‘rejecting’ it than… being overcome. A blatant lack of swelling, heat, or redness of a normal infection was replaced with this ‘dark’, creeping freely down the length of an arm; it seemed to be slower in its advance towards her chest and neck-not reaching the heart or brain yet.
All the pressure inspecting the wound should have been painful but the doctors’ ministrations brought no reaction; no movement except for the continued gentle, irregular, muscle twitches in that arm. However strange or unknown, whatever the ‘illness’ was, it wasn’t an unfamiliar tale in the countryside. Animals and livestock with terrible owners- ignored, mistreated or abandoned; eventually their weakened systems ends up unable to fight off a minor infection from even the smallest injury.
Pushed beyond both the body’s limits and whatever enhancements had been endured; exhausted, dehydrated, starved the experiment was holding on. As dark and ugly the spreading affliction was, there wouldn’t be improvement with remains stuck in the wound. Already in treatment mode when Bryne returned.
"Come in." It sounded more like an order than an invitation, but Red did not dwell on it. His body snuck right through the open crack of the door as soon as he had enough room, preceding the entrance of his two-legged host.
"Sorry, 'Ma." Bryne said immediately when the woman sitting on the edge of the bed turned her head to give Red a surprised scowl. "The dog, he..."
"I asked to be let in." He interrupted the young man. "I won't get in the way. I promise."
Surprisingly, the woman's reaction was far more composed than that of her son, earlier at the orchard. Brows furrowed, she stared him down for a few silent seconds. "Never seen a dog quite like you."
"I'm not a dog. Not really. You can call me Red XIII, if you need to call me anything. I know humans like things to have names." The beast approached cautiously, barely getting the opportunity to feel Aileth's scent before the veterinarian stopped him with the rise of one hand. "How is she?"
"... Not well at all, since you're asking." The woman sat back, looking down on the girl again, to where the most concerning issue was visible. "She needs surgery, and I'm afraid this is as stabilized as she can get. I don't know what she's been up to, but traveling in these conditions did not help."
Red's ears tilted back towards his neck.
"Bryne, go wash your hands. Use the good soap. I'm going to need your help."
"With that...?" The other was staring in mild horror at the blackened spot on Aileth's skin, and whatever was just barely jutting out of it.
"Certainly not with massaging her toes, not get a move on!"
Bryne left them, the creak of wood and water running behind doors trailing in his wake; a ticking clock somewhere deeper in the house added to the heavy feeling the short exchange left in the room. Not wishing or meaning to cause more stress on either of their strange guests.
The low bed easy for the beast to see over while standing; the girl’s usual presence all but gone under the activity of the three. So small she could have been part of scenery. Scent buried under the mix of animals and antiseptic soap… it was however the most still and rest she’d had since the two met. There wouldn’t have been any complaints nor blamed him for her state; the thought wouldn’t have even occurred. Pain, exhaustion routine; for what little she understood, they were still somewhere deep in the Drum- waiting to be told she had failed- be dragged out and taken apart- have the weakness and defects removed before some new horror was brought upon the experiment.
Trading places when the son returned with arms red from cleaning, a basket of gauze and metal trays of tools. The spare room was not as good as the treatment rooms, but the girl was already here; the other spaces were designed for animals, most of their supplies as well… having to make do.
The doctor closed the door behind herself, scrubbed hands carrying a bottle and syringe; set to work placing an iv of fluids. Breathing was very light… had yet to react to anything and there was little enthusiasm at the suggestion of her waking but moving around once they start could cause additional damage. Injecting the needle in the line, she checked that it only slowed a little before picking up tools to begin.
Care still present, steady and sure in action; she was unflinching in the examination of the girl. Skin not darkened yet was already switching texture, both preceded by the veins encroach. Where it had changed was surprisingly whole; the dark tissue in and around the wound had not broken down. It wasn’t rot, gangrenous- and the impaled object was indeed bone-matter. Able to make out the jagged broken edge and porous blackened marrow interior.
Unfortunately, they were not lucky enough to be able to pull the piece out.
Opening the wound, the doctor could see it was not just stuck; black gunk clinging to fractured material fused to the sides of the wound- matching the look of sludge tainted veins.
Working to free and remove it- infected arm twitching more as she worked-
Until the patients eyes flashed open.
Unmoving emeralds pale compared to the toxic purple glow from slit pupils. It was distinctly not human, not friendly, and only Red would know… was not Aileth.
Ravenous gleam being of one of her progenitors; one who he’d know simply as a whisper, hidden in knowledge the ancient shared. One who haunted the life-stream and tormented Gi wished for.
The doctor focused on her hands instead of the not-supposed-to-be-awake-patient, continuing to sperate the object from the girl. Finally succeeding, abruptly cut free, that new glow flickered out. Eyes closing again as the sharp bone clattered into an empty tray.
The injury cleaned and covered; there was no further interruptions or surprises from her patient; taking merely a few minutes the whole ordeal had felt much longer.
Taking a moment to shake off the unnerving feeling the stare had left allowing thoughts to drift over the few things learnt about their guests. Even as a Vet, she might not recognize his kind but could tell beyond his eye and coat… that he was not at his best either.
Which was more surprising, hearing the pleas of an apparent beast…
Or…
Finding anything without wings had managed to come over those dangerous desolate crags and to the resilient little orchards plateau…
To the boys credit, he hadn’t fled; bruised fruit the only victims to the initial shock. There was courage in his careful hesitant steps; kindness in believing the pleas of a self-proclaimed ‘not monster’ that simply appeared in the grove. And if telling the truth himself... was willing to take them both to a doctor. …
… a type of doctor
But still… it was an adult, someone more experienced- to take over, to help.
Her eyes had finally drifted, shut despite his shout and remained still at his gentle prodding. Completely out, she gave little reaction to all the commotion; which was perhaps a good thing, weakened or not she’d have been upset with the boys proximity.
There was some adjusting and awkward manoeuvring while trying to stay gentle. Smaller than the cloak suggested, she was just a mess of limp limbs under too much frayed, stiff cloth; the contents of both baskets probably weighed more.
Slumped, half upright for a moment, she had only the distant notion of being moved and a new solid pressure on her chest before being swallowed back into the dark. She hadn’t stayed long enough to wake. Hadn’t the energy to hold on; to be aware enough or retain the experience. To finally know the answer to unasked questions, finally getting what she wanted.
Secured over his back there was the sensation of tired fingers combing through layers of fur; followed by a deeper breath, slow subconscious sigh as her head rested alongside his neck.
Carrying humans was a challenge. He remembered the few times he'd allowed small children on his back, over a year ago in Cosmo Canyon. Unruly riders, always unpredictable with their movements, easily disturbing his balance and making him stumble if caught unprepared. An adult form, however small, compounded that feeling, particularly when unconscious. Aileth's ragdolling weight swayed at the mercy of gravity and harsh terrain.
That was why Red was at least a little thankful for the presence of that stranger, whom he learned was named Bryne, walking alongside him and keeping the girl steady with one hand whenever it looked like she might slip off the creature's back.
Their conversations never lasted longer than a couple of exchanges, both of them feeling the pressure of the situation at hand, eager to reach their destination. Red kept quiet when they reached the lone farmhouse hidden between the dry and grassy crags, allowing the human to perform the speech he'd rehearsed under his breath the whole way up the final hillside.
His mother, a dark-haired woman with a strong pair of shoulders underneath her light cardigan, would not wait to listen carefully. With a stern and calm voice she ordered her son around, carrying Aileth to the nearest bedroom to assist her.
The beast found himself awkwardly locked outside for a while... much like the dog he'd been mistaken for.
The sun was about to go down when the door finally opened again, and Bryne came out. In his hand was a bowl of food. The smell of freshly cooked meat was overwhelming.
"She's locked me out of the room, I think she's helping her get out of those rags, so she can wear some spare clothes." Bryne explained with a weary sigh.
Red rose a deadpan look, his voice laced with irritation. "Locked out? You poor thing."
"... Right. Sorry about that. She didn't really give me the time to introduce you. 'Ma is a bit like that."
"Then you should see to that, and fast." The creature said, flicking a side glance towards the house. "I need to be there when she awakens. She doesn't trust strangers, and her reactions can be... violent."
He chose to leave it at that, hoping it'd never get to a point where he'd have to say more. Even he wasn't sure about what he'd seen before, in fact.
~ Indoors, Aileth was still being looked over by Bryne's mother. Even without a full understanding of what kind of condition ailed the girl, the veterinarian knew when she was looking at a severely neglected living being.
Laid in bed and rid of the dark rags that had covered her, she had been covered under thick blankets, and a bag of ice sat on her forehead to relieve pain from blood pressure.
Now, gently and carefully, the woman had scooted nearby a bucket of warm water and soap to clean the skin of dirt and grime. She'd just started to work on Aileth's arms, looking for injuries or signs of infection, when Bryne came knocking at the door.
Even though the amount of fabric was a minor obstacle, Bryne had been more than capable of hoisting the limp bundle through the humble building; depositing her in the sparse cozy room, before the door was being loudly shut in his face.
Outside with a peace-offering for the ‘dog’ with a side of apologies; Red, somehow remained calm and patient as far as the fierce beasts tense terse tone could be held back. Having just watched his only companion wither over the past weeks, collapse, and be whisked away by strangers behind claw-proof walls and locked doors. Abruptly reprieved of that unsettling presence, that ominous bubble surrounding him this whole time- completely absent with her sudden unconscious state.
~§~
Curtains were drawn and lights kept low, aside from the flexible lamp directed towards the task at hand; unmoving, thin, her doll-like patient- heart light fluttery, breath shallow- too rapid for a restful sleep. Each rise and fall barely visible, buried under the thick covers; she remained clammy- not enough to bring a flush to show her body fighting a fever the ice attempted to cool.
Whether directly from the history of treatment or the journey, the doctors odds of losing her continuing to add up; at any point could tip and spiral into a rapid decline. How she hadn’t reached that just yet was initially surprising. The threadbare rags had supplied some answers- markedly too small clothing still showing the company’s logo; lifting white lashed lids- glazed unseeing eyes that rumored telltale colour tying more strings.
Able to feel the spheres embedded in the girl’s bony forearm, almost see faint glow of overused materia still eating away at non-existent mana reserves; any colour that might have been present to her was currently being wiped away. Cloth and water, quickly turning rust stained.
As layers of grime were being lifted… smooth, careful, and clean among the dust and dirt, slender silver scars could be traced along her limb. Easily discernible as surgical, but medical experience would recognize the pattern. Invisible dissection lines marked everything, not a portion of her body was spared. Following them up her arm, where abnormally obvious veins led to increasingly dark skin, streaked and dimpled; resembling the creature the two had been attacked by.
What had originally been mistaken for shoulder and chest bruising were deep punctures; the largest still open but clearly tried to close around debris. Exploratory prodding of the blackish mottling showed it staining veins- spreading through blood vessels.
Embedded in the wound, a hardened bone-coloured fragment jutted out slightly- fatigued body seeming to be less ‘rejecting’ it than… being overcome. A blatant lack of swelling, heat, or redness of a normal infection was replaced with this ‘dark’, creeping freely down the length of an arm; it seemed to be slower in its advance towards her chest and neck-not reaching the heart or brain yet.
All the pressure inspecting the wound should have been painful but the doctors’ ministrations brought no reaction; no movement except for the continued gentle, irregular, muscle twitches in that arm. However strange or unknown, whatever the ‘illness’ was, it wasn’t an unfamiliar tale in the countryside. Animals and livestock with terrible owners- ignored, mistreated or abandoned; eventually their weakened systems ends up unable to fight off a minor infection from even the smallest injury.
Pushed beyond both the body’s limits and whatever enhancements had been endured; exhausted, dehydrated, starved the experiment was holding on. As dark and ugly the spreading affliction was, there wouldn’t be improvement with remains stuck in the wound. Already in treatment mode when Bryne returned.
Inhuman eyes gaze at the fiery creature, attention drawn by his loud exhale; exhaustedly hanging on his every word continuing steadily crunching on the ‘apple’. Entirely lost to the ease and calm that seemed to flow with him… in this place, this warm little space. He felt… bright..er?… more… just more.
Like there was nothing outside this little sphere, moment. Unsure of the rows of the strangely living things- slowly growing aware of the imperceptible flow of life through the twisting forms. If anything, the space quietly sung of a safety it couldn’t understand… but he seemed to… and that was what it could feel. Could trust. It could… almost relax… if only it was in containment to rest, yet the choice had been made without conscious thought. Gradually having sunk down; crouched on the ground by his side still giving the structures with orbs a fogged distrustful stare.
The small grove was such a change from their travels; a needed and deserved reprieve after literally keeping the two of them alive traveling so far.
The spike of stress and surprise, making it’s own heart jump before even registering the new voice. Its own awareness lapsed, eating adding to the fatigue; reaction delayed, seconds behind Handlers.
It hadn’t noticed… how hadn’t it noticed
There was a human, still plenty far but any range was too close; something off about the size… about… the bright colour triggered a memory with a lance of pain, stomach plummeting at the rapid flashes of past fights and blue… blue was bad…
blue… blue meant swords
meant
blades… magic… soldiers…
It needed to move, it knew it would lose, it was so tired so drained; there was still no hesitation immediately moving, still a weapon… active. It would scrounge up the strength; it had to still have mana somewhere.
Tired expression broken with a dark snarl, unfinished rations abandoned, staggering to it’s feet.
It would remove the ThReAt IT HIM THEM AlL oF tHeM
But
It couldn’t find the target,
everything had greyed out…
the floor rough and cold against its face; it could hardly see, unable to force eyes open or look around.
It’s body wouldn’t listen anymore…
Maybe it should be taken apart
This was a significant failure, just one human… a smaller one, and it couldn’t move to stop them getting closer.
Maybe
it could keep his memory… after the dark this time…
The thread snapped; that flash of rage and sudden motion was all that it had left. The comparatively small exertion sent her knees buckling before legs even straightened. The scared hatred and bloodlust had evaporated along with the dark silhouette. Looking emaciated and small crumpled by the beasts’ feet, barely noticeable among the thready weeds; cloaked there had been little to mark she was anything different from the other wanderers, if not for Red knowing the kind of violence the boy escaped, or had nearly caused by his intrusion.
"Aileth!"
"Wha-- Did this dog just talk?!" The human had lost grip of his baskets, startled. "And that girl just snarled. Shouldn't it be the other way around..."
"This is not the time to joke around!" Red XIII lifted its head from his friend, watching the stranger with suspicion, but frantic. "We're not monsters, I promise to you... But Aileth, she needs help... a medic! Please!"
The young man hesitated, looking back and forth between the two. Only after a few seconds did he shake his head, moving cautious steps to approach and look at the cloaked girl more closely. "I... It might be hard to find a medic nearby, but my 'ma is a vet. Our house is not far. Oh, she's going to think I'm crazy. A talking dog..."
Red bit down the urge to roll his eye. It looked like he'd have to get used to that... being called a dog. People around these parts really seemed to know nothing about his kind.
"Help her onto my back. It'll be faster if I carry her..." He said, lowering his head again, nuzzling Aileth gently by the head. "He's going to help us, all right? Trust me."
Which was more surprising, hearing the pleas of an apparent beast…
Or…
Finding anything without wings had managed to come over those dangerous desolate crags and to the resilient little orchards plateau…
To the boys credit, he hadn’t fled; bruised fruit the only victims to the initial shock. There was courage in his careful hesitant steps; kindness in believing the pleas of a self-proclaimed ‘not monster’ that simply appeared in the grove. And if telling the truth himself... was willing to take them both to a doctor. …
… a type of doctor
But still… it was an adult, someone more experienced- to take over, to help.
Her eyes had finally drifted, shut despite his shout and remained still at his gentle prodding. Completely out, she gave little reaction to all the commotion; which was perhaps a good thing, weakened or not she’d have been upset with the boys proximity.
There was some adjusting and awkward manoeuvring while trying to stay gentle. Smaller than the cloak suggested, she was just a mess of limp limbs under too much frayed, stiff cloth; the contents of both baskets probably weighed more.
Slumped, half upright for a moment, she had only the distant notion of being moved and a new solid pressure on her chest before being swallowed back into the dark. She hadn’t stayed long enough to wake. Hadn’t the energy to hold on; to be aware enough or retain the experience. To finally know the answer to unasked questions, finally getting what she wanted.
Secured over his back there was the sensation of tired fingers combing through layers of fur; followed by a deeper breath, slow subconscious sigh as her head rested alongside his neck.
The unsteady shadow doggedly following the red beast had started to straggle slightly; never far behind and immediately at his side at the first sign of trouble. Even after its breathing became consistent silent pants over dry cracked lips and its arms throbbed, from the heated, overused materia inside.
Having done nothing but follow and stand guard since meeting, it continued to barely rest. Cloak truly weathered and ragged now, both beings were clearly wearing down yet they had managed to keep each other safe throughout the rough journey.
Voice still unavailable, its tired, fogged gaze purposely blinked in response to the sound of his call.
Pausing for a moment, confused and wary to approach the thing he stood under. Giving the brown pillar bursting from the hard, not floor, a hazy stare; it was bent and clawing at the air with fluttering green…feathers, red and yellow spheres drooping from below.
‘New… creature? ….rations?’
Reaching for one of the weird orbs and jerking back slightly in shock; the experiments first try ending in accidentally crushing the thing. Unexpectedly exploding into a shower of liquid and bits of white.
Standing still, processing, or trying to, as to what had happened… before reaching for another. Trying again… and still using too much strength on the …coarse brown… arm? appendage? It wasn’t a whole branch but significantly more than just a stem. Taking a dislike to how the weight hung off the thing- setting it down in favor of grabbing one more.
A successful whole sphere in hand, it couldn’t help but stare at the thing; from the texture to the smell and colours… there was nothing familiar….
Taking a bite- it was immediately and unceremoniously allowed to fall out… on to the ground with a small cough.
Not because it was bad, or a rejection of the desperately needed nutrition; the poor experiment was just overwhelmed by the taste. Never fed anything aside from the very same bland field rations infantry would be required when deployed; it had not seen or tasted real food… Or a plant for that matter, before.
Yet the need won out, after a moment taking slower, smaller bites.
Red XIII let out a deep sigh of relief at the sight. He'd almost lost all hope of seeing Aileth eat anything, worrying she might perish from starvation soon enough. This was an improvement, however small.
"They taste nice, right? Most of my friends back home love these apples." He said. "We should pick up some to carry with us."
"Is someone there?"
The new voice startled him. Red's hair puffed up slightly along the spine of his back and tailbone. So focused on watching his friend eat, he hadn't paid attention to their surroundings.
When he turned to look, he saw a young man standing atop the hillside at the end of the orchard. Barely bigger than a boy, but already carrying himself like a responsible grown-up. He held a basket loaded with fruit in each hand, and stared down in their direction from under the brim of a blue hat.
"I thought I heard someone talking." He said, stepping closer to cast a curious look at the four-legged beast, and the figure in her dark cloak. He frowned a little at the remains of a branch at her feet. "Uh... I hope you're not planning to tear down these trees. It took me a few years to get them to grow properly, you know."
Inhuman eyes gaze at the fiery creature, attention drawn by his loud exhale; exhaustedly hanging on his every word continuing steadily crunching on the ‘apple’. Entirely lost to the ease and calm that seemed to flow with him… in this place, this warm little space. He felt… bright..er?… more… just more.
Like there was nothing outside this little sphere, moment. Unsure of the rows of the strangely living things- slowly growing aware of the imperceptible flow of life through the twisting forms. If anything, the space quietly sung of a safety it couldn’t understand… but he seemed to… and that was what it could feel. Could trust. It could… almost relax… if only it was in containment to rest, yet the choice had been made without conscious thought. Gradually having sunk down; crouched on the ground by his side still giving the structures with orbs a fogged distrustful stare.
The small grove was such a change from their travels; a needed and deserved reprieve after literally keeping the two of them alive traveling so far.
The spike of stress and surprise, making it’s own heart jump before even registering the new voice. Its own awareness lapsed, eating adding to the fatigue; reaction delayed, seconds behind Handlers.
It hadn’t noticed… how hadn’t it noticed
There was a human, still plenty far but any range was too close; something off about the size… about… the bright colour triggered a memory with a lance of pain, stomach plummeting at the rapid flashes of past fights and blue… blue was bad…
blue… blue meant swords
meant
blades… magic… soldiers…
It needed to move, it knew it would lose, it was so tired so drained; there was still no hesitation immediately moving, still a weapon… active. It would scrounge up the strength; it had to still have mana somewhere.
Tired expression broken with a dark snarl, unfinished rations abandoned, staggering to it’s feet.
It would remove the ThReAt IT HIM THEM AlL oF tHeM
But
It couldn’t find the target,
everything had greyed out…
the floor rough and cold against its face; it could hardly see, unable to force eyes open or look around.
It’s body wouldn’t listen anymore…
Maybe it should be taken apart
This was a significant failure, just one human… a smaller one, and it couldn’t move to stop them getting closer.
Maybe
it could keep his memory… after the dark this time…
The thread snapped; that flash of rage and sudden motion was all that it had left. The comparatively small exertion sent her knees buckling before legs even straightened. The scared hatred and bloodlust had evaporated along with the dark silhouette. Looking emaciated and small crumpled by the beasts’ feet, barely noticeable among the thready weeds; cloaked there had been little to mark she was anything different from the other wanderers, if not for Red knowing the kind of violence the boy escaped, or had nearly caused by his intrusion.
As grim of a thought it was… though it was more of a rumor around the bar than eyewitness accounts, that some struggling families unable to care for them… had abandoned ill members in the slums. At least, that had been the theory for some of the cloaked strangers’ origins
The bright mako haze threatening to pull the pale girl under again made a strong argument for that theory… yet she could be mistaken as similar in age to the brothers which would be new and didn’t explain other details: like the strange pupils marking her as ‘other’.
If it had truly been some branch of the rebel group, then… whatever plans there had been, on this end or the next- whatever trade-off there was supposed to be, never happened. Exposed gauze showed discoloration leaking up from beneath, some covered sections had bits of torn tubing; whoever had left her here hadn’t bothered to remove the intravenous lines- suggesting haste and a lack of carefulness.
Occasionally feeling like it would all slip away, none of the weird place seemed real; so much noise and streams of humans. There had been so many more black laced infusions with the usual ones; everything burned and ached even as she showed symptoms of hypothermia.
It wouldn’t have mattered at the moment, too woozy and preoccupied with the bright hair to focus on the blue. Without much memory or exposure to the texture, the wispy blond seemed… ‘soft’… Eye contact never ended well for her, and with the environment swaying like it was, was barely able to understand if the expression had been angry; groggy mind also failing to track that he had moved closer.
Line of sight wandering instead, to give the bench and now empty fabric in the next seat an unfocused, confused glance before finding him again.
Doors hissed shut followed by the sharply increasing screech of stuck metal grinding against itself as the old trains brakes stubbornly refused to completely release. What had been open and unguarded, became a growing look of discomfort, then one of barely suppressed pain; the cycle of agony returned. So many times… again and again, a piercing lance through her head.
Voice drowned out by the noise, she still tried; only succeeding in breaking the rules to mouth the words. “…h-hurts…”
Hunched form becoming increasingly listless; hands involuntarily drifting down from her ears with a weak. “...w-will com..ply…” swallowed by the mako and poisons, wreaking havoc through the body.
Rain felt his stomach twist slightly at the sight of tubing still connected to the girl's body, the thought made him feel a bit sick and wondered if he knew anybody who could remove them. There's no way he could, he barely managed to put up with his IV drip while in recovery from his burns.
Squinting his eye at the horrible screeching of the train slowly pulling away from the station, he watched as she tried to speak but was unsure if she had made a sound or the train drowned out her voice.
Now that he was closer he could see other concerning signs, the way she shivered and the bluish colouration of her lips... She needed to get somewhere warm, tubing can wait.
Slinging off his bag, Rain would unzip his jacket and very carefully put it around her shoulders; the fabric was warm and thick, keeping the cold night air away. Next were his boots, while not recommended to walk around the slums in socks, Rain at least knew the place well enough to know where to put his feet. His boots were a bit big on her but they'll at least keep her feet warm and protected.
He hesitated on the next part but decided that warming up the girl with hypothermia was much more important than his comfort. Removing his gloves, revealing the severe burn scars on his left hand, Rain carefully helped her get her hands into them.
"...Can you walk?" He asks, clearing his throat from the dust kicked up from the departing train.
"I can get you somewhere warm."
Withdrawn, subdued… even ‘less present’ would all be deficient in where her awareness had gone; there had been no reaction following the trains departure. Shivering becoming less before he had set to work. Took no initiative to lead with aiding the additional garments being put on but did not resist. The added weight of the coat on shoulders had no response, she didn’t blink, didn’t move, yet everything had managed to fit over the gauze and all. Hadn’t seemed to notice at all until the gloves were finished being slid on and his abrupt cough cut through the ringing.
A little more… awake, if still floundering inside; haze tinged with puzzlement towards the gloves, giving hesitant tiny finger flexes.
Standing from the bench to follow his question as an ‘order’ she somehow went paler. World narrowing to a pinprick of light, a shaky grip unintentionally found purchase on the nearest thing, his arm; holding on, forcing aching joints rigid, waiting for any amount of vision to come back.
Breathing slow, letting her gloved hand fall away as the strange surroundings started returning in greys and static. The experiment was just so tired, exhausted after tests and procedures… but could walk… leave… could do that… be put away and not have to hold on.
While it had not been the most engaging companion, this was apparently worse; though it meant no complaints, the silence seemed to weigh on its Handler. Disconnected, drifting- simply letting go… It had always been the easiest way to endure, to get through the more painful experiments and tests. This was… this was different, this time it was difficult to come back. The dark felt deeper, thick, almost heavy and the burning refused to end… but it… trusted him… fading in and out even as it kept trying.
Things were fluid, the light above cycled just like in containment; on off on off on… though… in strange colours and never reaching the same darkness there.
The experiment itself, if anything, seemed obedient- and capable, keeping up with the agile leader over steep paths. Following game trails and rocky terrain most humans couldn’t; only coming across some small wild creatures as they went.
They kept going keeping the metal prison to their backs; even after it had shrunk to a tiny disk-shaped nightmare.
~§~
There was some improvement; early morning as the light brightened and they crossed regions- it came to a sudden stop with a muffled crunch and small hiss. A leg buckling, knee striking the hard ground, it stared down in confusion, blinking slowly as the haze and static retreated, quieting the slightest. Forcing out a huff, urging the limb to move and stand back up.
After that there was more familiarity and recognition in draconic eyes. Drifting closer to the surface, it picked up some pieces of body language, giving minute shifting movements as answers despite the absence of its voice and inconsistent focus. Though the good did come with its own negative aspects; still afflicted with tremors and unhealed wounds its pace had started flagging, undereye bags darker, cheeks just beginning to thin.
A breeze blowing from downwind, carried gentle scents the specimen could never name or place; absent of the reek of humans and damp medical rot. A good sign for a hunter. Perhaps fortune would surprise the beleaguered beast with a gift of friendly faces.
That scent had been the first familiar smell since they had left Midgar behind. Surprising enough to make Red perk his head up the moment he took notice, it became stronger with the next brief breeze. It was just up ahead.
"This way, Aileth!" He called, hoping the girl was still in condition to keep up. His energy was diminishing by the hour, having nearly depleted the use he could make of the little materia found along the way as well.
When he trotted up ahead, Red was delighted by the welcoming sight of a tree shining with deep red-and-yellow, plump fruit ready for the picking.
Striped apples. He'd have never expected to find them on this side of the continent. It gave him hope that home might be close.
"You can eat these." He told her, stopping underneath the branches with his tail up high. "Give it a try. Judging by their smell, they're ripe for the picking."
The unsteady shadow doggedly following the red beast had started to straggle slightly; never far behind and immediately at his side at the first sign of trouble. Even after its breathing became consistent silent pants over dry cracked lips and its arms throbbed, from the heated, overused materia inside.
Having done nothing but follow and stand guard since meeting, it continued to barely rest. Cloak truly weathered and ragged now, both beings were clearly wearing down yet they had managed to keep each other safe throughout the rough journey.
Voice still unavailable, its tired, fogged gaze purposely blinked in response to the sound of his call.
Pausing for a moment, confused and wary to approach the thing he stood under. Giving the brown pillar bursting from the hard, not floor, a hazy stare; it was bent and clawing at the air with fluttering green…feathers, red and yellow spheres drooping from below.
‘New… creature? ….rations?’
Reaching for one of the weird orbs and jerking back slightly in shock; the experiments first try ending in accidentally crushing the thing. Unexpectedly exploding into a shower of liquid and bits of white.
Standing still, processing, or trying to, as to what had happened… before reaching for another. Trying again… and still using too much strength on the …coarse brown… arm? appendage? It wasn’t a whole branch but significantly more than just a stem. Taking a dislike to how the weight hung off the thing- setting it down in favor of grabbing one more.
A successful whole sphere in hand, it couldn’t help but stare at the thing; from the texture to the smell and colours… there was nothing familiar….
Taking a bite- it was immediately and unceremoniously allowed to fall out… on to the ground with a small cough.
Not because it was bad, or a rejection of the desperately needed nutrition; the poor experiment was just overwhelmed by the taste. Never fed anything aside from the very same bland field rations infantry would be required when deployed; it had not seen or tasted real food… Or a plant for that matter, before.
Yet the need won out, after a moment taking slower, smaller bites.
None had paid any mind, easily walking past hour after hour as corporately owned radio stations replayed the same story over tinny speakers; local terrorist group assaults a medical center. Despite the seemingly violent story it had been relegated to minor news. Even with the terrible audio, it was difficult to miss the reporter’s cynicism in the company’s narrative; the lack of details on the unknown facility itself as well as the number of patients unaccounted for or lost in the fighting.
For now, with an aching skull and too fluid thoughts, all of it was just additional noise in her ringing ears; unable follow or understand what any of it meant. Impossible to follow swarms of humans blurring by in cycles of overwhelming commotion; renewing and increasing the disorientation- only really making it through the sickening waves by keeping her fevered, unfocused gaze on the weird… not metal floor. Weakly hanging on to the thought and slight relief of all the yelling and pushing and grabbing hands not returning.
Heavy black fabric had slid down over time yet was still showed signs suggesting someone else had bundled the girl, bare feet uninjured and clean. Part of her own face bandaged, nearly as pale as the stained gauze peeking up forearms buried in the cloak- more wrapped snuggly around her neck disappeared under dull laboratory linens. Stark against the thin garment, was a familiar sharp logo.
Distracted and hurting, she was sluggish to react the sound; something quieter different from the rest of the racket. Swaying slightly searching for the voice; quickly tiring trying to keep bleary eyes open. The too bright mako glow skimmed past the strangers’ face, settling unfocused higher; mutedly perplexed by the light hued tufts.
As the girl looks up at them, Rain felt an urge to pull their hood up; not only do they have the scars on their face but their hair was growing back, so right now it looked more like chocobo down than the spiky hair they used to have...
Though now wasn't the time to be insecure, she was lost and probably confused. Pushing down their insecurity, Rain approaches a bit closer and kneels in front of them.
"Do you... Have anywhere to go?" Rain asks, their eye sees the familiar ShinRa logo against the cloak; remembering the news reports of a medical facility being attacked by AVALANCHE, he knew that to be untrue (at least for the small group in Sector 7). Rain wondered if she had been a patient.
...Then how did she get to Sector 7? Surely the train scans would've alerted the authorities in some way. Everything about her presence seemed a bit strange, she wasn't like the usual people in robes who cropped up here and there, her hair was white yet she looked young... The only other person he remembered who looked like that was Sephiroth, even their eyes looked a bit similar. Other details caught his attention, like how clean her feet were, it all unsettled the young carpenter's stomach.
"...You need shoes. The ground here ain't safe to walk on without them." Rain comments, scratching the back of his head in thought.
As grim of a thought it was… though it was more of a rumor around the bar than eyewitness accounts, that some struggling families unable to care for them… had abandoned ill members in the slums. At least, that had been the theory for some of the cloaked strangers’ origins
The bright mako haze threatening to pull the pale girl under again made a strong argument for that theory… yet she could be mistaken as similar in age to the brothers which would be new and didn’t explain other details: like the strange pupils marking her as ‘other’.
If it had truly been some branch of the rebel group, then… whatever plans there had been, on this end or the next- whatever trade-off there was supposed to be, never happened. Exposed gauze showed discoloration leaking up from beneath, some covered sections had bits of torn tubing; whoever had left her here hadn’t bothered to remove the intravenous lines- suggesting haste and a lack of carefulness.
Occasionally feeling like it would all slip away, none of the weird place seemed real; so much noise and streams of humans. There had been so many more black laced infusions with the usual ones; everything burned and ached even as she showed symptoms of hypothermia.
It wouldn’t have mattered at the moment, too woozy and preoccupied with the bright hair to focus on the blue. Without much memory or exposure to the texture, the wispy blond seemed… ‘soft’… Eye contact never ended well for her, and with the environment swaying like it was, was barely able to understand if the expression had been angry; groggy mind also failing to track that he had moved closer.
Line of sight wandering instead, to give the bench and now empty fabric in the next seat an unfocused, confused glance before finding him again.
Doors hissed shut followed by the sharply increasing screech of stuck metal grinding against itself as the old trains brakes stubbornly refused to completely release. What had been open and unguarded, became a growing look of discomfort, then one of barely suppressed pain; the cycle of agony returned. So many times… again and again, a piercing lance through her head.
Voice drowned out by the noise, she still tried; only succeeding in breaking the rules to mouth the words. “…h-hurts…”
Hunched form becoming increasingly listless; hands involuntarily drifting down from her ears with a weak. “...w-will com..ply…” swallowed by the mako and poisons, wreaking havoc through the body.