“A kill I regret…? Well there’s a few as my occupation requires me to get close and friendly with people. Even if I don’t outwardly kill a target, the worst has to be cause the poor man accidentally stumbled into something he shouldn’t have. He was a friend of mines and a visitor to the lab working as volunteer. Which is nice and I made friends with him but he got suspicious cause of how often me and Etude came in and out with new tech… Let’s just say I was ordered to make his death seem like an accident.”
It was an old memory, one she recovered after being rebooted from old and new memories. That incident struck a cord as she could still remember his expression of horror. How he pleaded for her to stop till he collapsed in pain from her ‘song’. The betrayal and hurt he had in his eyes as she couldn’t disobey her creator, which he didn’t seem to understand. It was horrible and her last memories as Cadenza before being reborn as Melody.
It was a reminder of how she wished she was never found…
—-
“…I try not to think about it.” He answered, knowing that just trying to speak about it was painful. Death was conditioned and expected in his life but sometimes death happened without cause. An accident when he was still new to his new form and abilities. It was best for him to block it out and forget as best he could.
It was simply another day and Xavier had been working himself over time on this one case. Especially since the lack of progress had been taking it toll as people been talking behind his back. Many seemed to believe that unless something done now it would only get worst. Blaming him for apparently ‘incompetence’ when he’s probably the only one working as hard.
As her foot steps echoed in the hall and finally came upon the reploids door, she paused.
A sigh escaped her lips, a needless reflex for she didn’t even breath as her blue eyes stayed on the door.
“What am I doing…?” She grumbled, moving a hand to brush her hair back. Unable to hide the sad smile as she shook her head and laughed just a bit. “I’m definitely getting to sentimental, I should just…”
“Melody?”
Suddenly the singer froze up and her eyes widened as she looked to her side. Her mouth hung open in surprise as she turned quickly to the source. The reploid looking at her in surprise with a file in his arms, likely about the case, and offered a curious look.
“Is there… Something you needed? I’m a little busy.” Xavier stated, not that he would deny it wasn’t a pleasant surprise for him. But he felt like maybe he shouldn’t have her hanging around so much when he IS working. Or at least attempting to work.
“Oh no, actually I was thinking of helping you relax a bit.” It was a calm and cool response, unlike her original grumbling seconds before his arrival. Knowing that to back out now would have only seemed suspicious and get him to questioning. Though a sheepish smile still showed on her face as her hands clasped together. “Erm, if you have time of course.”
A moment of silence hung over them as he contemplated this suggestion. Using his free hand to brush back his silver hair he finally sighs. Moving to open the door as he glances at her with a small smile, “Sure, but afterwards I’ll need to work. Ok?”
Even if it wasn’t a large chance to help him relax it still made her smile regardless. The pink haired woman following behind the taller male as the door shut behind him.
“Don’t worry I live with that.”
Xavier goes and settles into his desk, placing the file down as Melody came to his side. Her hands moves to his shoulders and causing him to turn his head at her. A raised eyebrow and confused expression showed on his face at the gesture.
“I’ve seen humans do this with each other, it’s apparently a good relaxing gesture.” Melody replied, knowing it was a bit touchy but she wasn’t backing down. Hoping he didn’t mind it and judging how he didn’t brush off her hands that was a good sign.
As her hands began to rub his shoulders the reploid felt himself relax a bit. Synthetic muscles and sensors reacting to the gentle touch as Melody stood behind him. The action becoming much more welcomed as she began to hum a small tune. Her voice always helping to ease even the most weary of souls with a song.
“La la la…” She sang softly without lyrics only a tune for him to enjoy as she messaged his stress away. Closing her eyes as she sensed him relaxing under her ministration.
Succeeding in her efforts to help the other, she continued waiting for him to give the word for her to stop. Still humming a gentle tune as the reploid soon drifted off into an almost hazy slumber. Peace and serenity finally finding him after such a long stressful week. Despite knowing it would return the moment he awoke his dreams were still peaceful…
♞:Caring for each other while ill (specify which party is which)
The flaw in humanity was that they were frail compared to their own creation the reploids. They could get sick, bleed, and break much more easily then them. Even a human that was suppose to be the pinnacle of humanity wasn’t immune to this fragility. Which unfortunately Ciel had come to realize as she was now bed ridden and felt like she was dying.
A slight exaggeration but one that X might have actually believed considering he never mingled with humans much. Usually they were kept at a distance despite him protecting them so much. After centuries of being on a pedestal maybe he only forgotten about this part of the fragility.
Her face was flushed as her hair stuck to her face as sweat formed on her skin. Blue eyes were glazed over barely able to focus on her surroundings but refusing to stay closed.
Considering who her company was it was out of small pride that she tried not to pass out. Though the Reploid didn’t seem really happy about her attempt. Moving a hand to push her back down when she tried to get up to look at him. Trying to make his intentions clear that he didn’t want her moving.
”Ciel you should sleep,” He stated, settled into his seat as he looked at the small girl. Noting how the large bed seemed to make her some how ever smaller then she was. His presence had been requested by her and, despite some protest from his advisers, he came to her aid. Even though he was trying really hard not to fret or worry over the small girl. Nor give into her puppy eyes and small attempts to try and get out of bed.
A small whine came from the blond girl as she wiggled under her covers. The white wet rag that had been placed on her forehead nearly falling off with her movement. X sighed and reached over to pluck the rag from her head and put it in the moist basic. Musing over how the one ruling over Neo Arcadia was playing nurse, yet he couldn’t help but smile a bit. Knowing it was probably the closest he ever gotten to feeling like just another reploid in a long time.
“Relax,” He muttered softly as he wrings out the rag and wipes the sweat off her face. Watching as the blond smiled at the gesture seeming to glow over the smallest thing. Or maybe she just enjoyed the cool feeling as she was burning up pretty badly. From what the machines showed, a reminder that despite how much work was put into her she was still human.
“Hungry…”
Now that caught his attention and he froze in mid gesture as the small girl sat up. Her lips forming into a pout as she looked at him still looking as sick as ever yet at least no longer as sweaty. The cool rag seemed to have help her regain some measure of strength.
”Oh right, I’ll go and ask what you can eat while like this.” It wasn’t like he was an expert in human biology regardless of what people thought. He didn’t know everything, “So just stay alright?”
Ciel nods her head as she leans back onto the bed and pulls her covers up. Her blue eyes watching the old reploid get up onto his feet and go to leave. Barely hearing the small noise in the hall with the sound of someone seeming to insist they could help. It was a long while till X returned and this time with a doctor at his side as well as a bowl of soup in hand.
”Hey Ciel, they finally found someone who could help you.” X cooed as it was a relief that they had a proper doctor. “So after you eat you’ll be under Dr. Aoyama care, he’ll help you feel better.”
X has already spent to much time helping Ciel get as comfortable as possible upon request. This wasn’t exactly his territory and he wasn’t suppose to give anyone special treatment. Also his advisers would have eventually stressed for him to come back to work. So honestly it was a relief they sent a probably doctor to come and take care of her.
Slowly he scooped up the soup as he moves it toward the small girl, watching as she sat up and moved to bite the spoon. Like literally bite from the small tug before eating it contents, pulling the spoon back and repeating. Finally the soup was finished with only the bone of the chicken remaining. A small kind smile formed on the elder reploid lips as he reach over to stroke the small girls head.
”Good girl, now I have to go to back so behave alright?”
The blond nods her head in understanding despite her eyes pleading quietly for him to stay. Her intelligence and understanding beyond that of most yet she had a pleading look that he had to force himself to ignore.
”Good girl…” He mumbled before getting up knowing that if he stayed longer he might end up regretting it later. As he still had tons of work to return to and he couldn’t keep playing nurse. Regardless of his feelings for the young girl.
“Make sure she gets better,” X stated, glancing over at the Doctor who would watch over the young scientist. “She’s very important so I hope you can bring her to a speedy recovery.”
The Doctor nods in understanding as he places his brief case down and offers a small smile. “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine I promise.”
It was a reassurance yet X still held some doubt as he looked back at the small girl. Noting how her cheeks were still very flushed and didn’t look any better despite his small efforts. But he couldn’t dwell on it as much as he wanted and sighed.
“I’m trusting you then.” Slowly he turned away and walked toward the door, about ready to leave till a small voice rang out.
“X…? Do you have to go?”
There was a moment of silence as X’s hands were seconds from opening the exit. Ciel’s voice was raspy and cracked that he almost feared of it’s meaning. Though he kept an appearance of calmness as he glanced back. “Unfortunately, as my city still needs me and I already spent more time then I was allowed…”
A harsh truth one that he didn’t enjoy divulging to her as she was still so innocent. Though he has wasted much time since meeting her there was a limit. A part of him wondered if she would have been upset or protest. Yet her next words made him smile instead of doubt.
“Then have a good day~” Despite the crack if her voice of the rasp that made him worry, she smiled. As if she knows that being sad wouldn’t have changed anything and wanted to see him be happy. An assurance for him not to worry and go out through the day.
All he could do was smile from the heart, knowing that she was being strong so he could go to work. Wishing there were more people who could be so strong for others.
“Thank you, Ciel.”
Then he left with a lighter heart as the guilt of leaving her in her time was need was lightened. Even though he worried he knows that she understands how much the people needed him. Ciel wasn’t a selfish person and wouldn’t demand more then given, but he made note to see her again. When he had more time for them to settle and enjoy each others company once more.
As she was the reminder of what he was truly fighting for…
Xavier sighed as he went over all of the information once again, it was frustrating that he continued to hit so many dead ends in the latest case he had accepted for the Neo Arcadian government concerning a recent string of murders within Neo Arcadia.
It wouldn’t of been much of a concern at first since the murderer was targeting reploids, but when the body of a human official within the government was found… It suddenly became a big deal. It still pissed Xavier off to no end that the Neo Arcadian government had ignored the murders of reploids up until a human was killed, but he wasn’t really able to voice his annoyance, considering how most reploids these days were viewed as second class citizens.
Rubbing the sides of his head with his hands after placing his datapad down he heard the familiar voice of someone he had met and befriended recently, a woman by the name of Melody. An otherworldly traveler, a robot who had abilities very similar to that of a reploid. It was by chance that they had first met, and she seemed lost and trapped in his world, so he did what he could to help her, and before he knew it somehow they had become close friends despite his outwardly sour demeanor.
"Hm… Not well to be entirely honest… Despite the patterns that the killer had before this sudden deviation of targeting a human has thrown quite a bit off…" Xavier admitted as he cast a sideways glance to the woman "I mean… Initially it was thought that the killer was a human with a hatred of reploids… But now… Now this new murder the list of suspects have grown quite a bit…" Xavier spoke as he looked down at his datapad.
"I know that it wouldn’t of been the reploid resistance… Despite what is going on, I know they wouldn’t resort to killing a human official…" He mused to her as he made a few more mental connections about the victims "I see that most if not all of the victims have at some point worked for Neo Arcadia’s research and development division…" Xavier continued as this seemed to be the only solid lead he could follow at the moment "So… Maybe the killed is after something, some piece of information, or maybe even a piece of technology… But I can’t be sure yet… Since I’m still waiting on the Operators to send me more information on the victims previous jobs…" He finished with a sigh.
Of course he knew that he wasn’t supposed to share the details of his cases with anyone, but, Melody was an exception to this rule, after all she had shown to him that she was very trustworthy in the past few weeks of their friendship. “If it comes down to it… I may have to resort to setting a trap to try and catch the killer… But I would rather not put anyone else at risk if I can avoid it…” He added on as he slumped back into his chair.
It was a wonder how open he would be to her, but then she never gave him a reason to doubt her. As she was an outsider with apparently no connection of reason for being trapped in this world. Though it still surprised her how he would let slip precious details on his case to her. Unaware that the smiling android wasn't as innocent as she pretended to be or that she had her own reasons for being in this city.
"A trap? That's pretty risky and would also be very difficult since if the killer is targeting those with precious information or technology. I'm sure these people wouldn't want to be let out into the open like that." Melody noted, though he said it was a last resort her expression showed concern at the idea. As if the very thought of someone getting into danger like that wasn't a pleasant thought.
A loud sigh came from her as she took a seat herself and straightens herself into proper posture. Seeming to be in thought about something as she crossed her leg, "I heard the big guys started making a ruckus the moment a human was killed... Shouldn't they have been worried before that?"
This was something she couldn't seem to wrap her mind around since coming to this world. Even though she wasn't technically a reploid she was eerily similar to one so was treated as such. So it was like a cultural show to her at how differently robots were treated. As she had thought with such an advance technology they be more equal. She couldn't help but question about it, "What could they possibly think be going on?"
[ Gonna do the thing~! This is if X was human or this was actually possible- ]
Name: Arnett (Meaning Little Eagle, Bird )
Gender: Male
General Appearance: Brown hair and blue eyes, he has a pretty boy appearance as some would say. His hair always seems to be ruffled despite how hard his mom tries to tame it. Is also pretty pale as he doesn’t like to go out much unless he needs too.
Personality: Honestly the sweetest thing you would ever meet and a timid one at that. Seeing as both of his parents are very passive he learned how to be passive. Though in a way is even more soft hearted then his parents cause of this. Can be seen as very sensitive but is very strong willed and stubborn when he wants to be.Hates conflict but more then willing to deal with it.
Special Talents: Very intelligent and good with machinery but is a great healer and knows how to heal injuries whether they be Reploid or humans.
Who they like better: Doesn’t have a favorite as he loves both of his parents a lot. Both of them are really sweet and understanding so what’s not to love. Though seems to be trying to prove himself more to his father X often as if insecure with his dad…
Who they take after more: Takes after X a bit more in that he’s a sensitive pacifist but can fight and will fight if needed. While his mom like that she doesn’t fight at all no matter the circumstances.
Personal Headcanon: Arnett has a pet bunny, which was a lab animal originally but Ciel took it out before it was experimented on and gave it to her son. Arnett loves the bunny and used to carry the little thing every where even sneaking it to school. Some joked that the bunny was his familiar cause they were both timid and quiet things, but he doesn’t mind. He loves his bunny.
Faceclaim:Can’t find proper face claim but I believe a grown up Arnett would look something like this
