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-Dallon House, 5:30 AM-
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Kitsu POV
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Waking up and stretching, I promptly flop back down on my bed. Enjoying the warm feeling coursing through me.
I went with option three, [Conduit] made the appropriate modifications last night. So today is the first day of my yearly estrus cycle. I start developing today, and I'll finish in about two to three years.
Honestly? I just feel giddy and warm. Like that feeling you get when you just get out of the bath, dry off and climb into a freshly cleaned bed? It's like that. And I kinda like it.
So here I am, nuzzling Mr. Star the narwhal. High on life and hormones. Looking around my room at the stars all over the walls of my room, courtesy of my new nightlight projector. I forgot an alarm clock. Oh well, maybe next time.
Hopping out of my bed and stretching. I go to pick out my outfit for the day, before I stop halfway to my closet.
'Screw it. Lazy day.' I think to myself and just wrap my blanket around me, laying down on my new rug and letting myself fall back asleep.
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-7:00 am-
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*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Kitsu get up already! Of all the days you choose to sleep in!"
"Hmm?" This feels familiar.
Sitting up with a yawn I look around. Oh, right.
"Doors unlocked you can come in!" I shout.
Opening the door, she walks in fully dressed for the day in a pink shirt and skinny jeans.
'Weird, she normally sleeps in on weekends.'
"Kitsu there's-" She stops before sniffing. "Did you spray perfume? It smells sweet in here, like apples and, bread?"
Taking in a big whiff and getting nothing. "I don't smell anything." I reply.
Shaking her head, she continues. "Never mind, anyway, there's someone here for you at the door."
"Who could be here for me?" I ask with a tilt of my head.
"Just go alright, I got things to do." She says and walks out.
Wrapping the blanket around myself, I walk out and head to the door to see what this was about.
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Meanwhile
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Dennis "Clockblocker" POV
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Pacing back and forth I can't help but lament at how stupid this is. When I'd said I'd even go on a date with her I wasn't thinking! I just saw a chance to save my dad and went for it.
'No, no. Mom was right, I dug this hole, now I gotta dig myself out. I'll just take her to the mall, and treat her to a meal. And that's it! Except that I promised to give this an honest shot! And I'm fairly certain mom and Vicky would murder me if don't!' I think running my hands through my hair.
"Okay, okay! You're Dennis Dynamite! You got this, you can handle anything! You're sleek, suave, and smooth." I run a hand through my hair and make finger guns at the car in the driveway. "Yeah, you can do it." I say with a nod.
"Pshht" I hear a snort from behind me.
Turning around I see Kitsu. Wrapped up in a blue grey blanket, one hand on the door, the other covering her lower face. With the way she has the blanket bunched up in her hands I can only see the upper half of her head. Amusement dancing in her eyes.
"Uh, how long where you there?" I ask, feeling a massive blush burn my face.
"Dynamite." She says with a barely restrained giggle.
'At least she's got a cute voice, No! Bad intrusive thoughts. Go away!'
"Well, uh." 'Shit, what did Vicky say? Okay.' going through the mental checklist in my head. Avoid calling her hot, it's crass and comes off as lazy, call her gorgeous or beautiful.
Recentering myself and putting a hand on the door frame, leaning on it I look down at her.
"Hey beautiful, how're you?" I say, and mentally cringe at the sound that just came out of my face.
I backpedal that thought in favor of astonishment at the blush that floods her face. Her ears go flat against her head as she shrinks into her blanket just a little. Her sharp oval pupils expanding slightly as she reddens slightly.
'That WORKED?!' How?
"I, uh, I'm good." She says.
'Okay? Keep it rolling! You're a natural!' Leaning a shoulder on the doorway, crossing my arms and looking down on her even more.
"I was just wondering if you had any plans for the day? If not then I figured I'd take you out on that date, I was thinking the mall would be a good spot, lots of things to do, lots of places to go, they got that amusement area at the back we can check out. You in?" 'Confidence, don't overdo it and come off as entitled or arrogant.'
I see the back of the blanket start swishing around as I speak.
"Um, yeah, that's, that'd be great." She squeaks out. Teal eyes wide and staring right into mine.
"So I'm free all day, what time works for you?"
"I, uh, now? No! Nine? Nine works." She says fidgeting in place. Looking away from me.
'If she keeps this up, I don't think- No!' I don't let that thought finish.
"Right. Nine, see you then." I push off the frame and start walking away.
Hearing the door close. I let out a breath and put a hand to my racing heart.
'Honestly though, if I'd known it was that easy, I'd already have a girlfriend by now!'
*Ring*
Grabbing my phone, its Vicky, I answer it.
"What'd she say?"
"I just got done, how'd you know-"
"Me and Dean are down the street. Not important! What. Did. She. Say?!" She says quickly.
Looking around I spot Vicky waving two blocks down. I start walking towards them.
"She said yes, nine o'clock."
"Okay, so show up at eight forty-five and be prepared to leave at ten." She replies.
'What? That made no sense!'
"But she said nine? Why would-" I'm cut off as Vicky explains
"You want to show up earlier than stated, it shows you WANT to be there. And if she is anything like a normal girl, if she likes you, she'll wanna look her absolute best and will agonize over her looks, redoing her hair and trying on multiple dresses until she's certain she's wearing the perfect one. Classic first date jitters. And she has a LOT of outfits. Like, more than fifty complete outfits. All custom." She explains.
'Who needs that many?' I think to myself.
I have like, three pairs of shoes and maybe fifty pieces of clothes all together, not including socks and underwear.
"Who is she trying to impress with all those outfits? She trying to be the Eidolon of fashion?." I say with a laugh.
"Uh, no one." She says sounding unimpressed. "We wear what we wear for ourselves, we LIKE looking our best. The only time we girls dress up for someone else is when we're trying to get someone's attention." She hangs up at that seeing as I'm only three houses from her.
Reaching them she continues.
"Also, whatever you do, and I cannot stress this enough. DON'T, do not, ever, mention Boston or the Slaughterhouse 9." She says with a stern look.
"Um, why?"
"It's not your business, and it's not my place to say. Just know it will turn out badly, for everyone, I will know, and you will be in pain." She says ominously.
Looking to Dean he just shrugs and shakes his head.
"Remember the key to impressing a girl on the first date?" She asks divertingly.
"Good hygiene?" I don't remember, but that's gotta be a good guess at least.
She glares at me while Dean shakes his head and mutters to himself. "Ha, no. If you think good hygiene is the key? You've already failed miserably." She says sternly. "Good hygiene isn't the key, it's a prerequisite. No girl want's to kiss a guy with garlic breath. The key is to pay attention to her, if she says something, you better damn well be paying attention. Don't let your attention drift, today is supposed to be about you and her. Make sure that's all it is." She finishes.
"Real quick, why go through all this effort, couldn't we have just, met around the side of the house? Instead of being this far?" I ask.
Dean rubs the back of his neck with a blush.
"We recently discovered she has, very, good ears." He says, lokking down and away as though suddenly finding the sidewalk interesting.
'Sounds like there's a story there.'
"Also, there's a fifty/fifty chance she knows about you and Deans 'Vocational' activities. So don't be surprised if she drops that out of nowhere." She adds.
"What? How? Does this have to do with her speculated Thinker rating?" I ask.
"Confirmed, actually, as of yesterday. Allegedly she gets information by spontaneously remembering things even if she wasn't there for it, it's not always accurate, and often times vague, but yeah." Dean answers.
I go to say something but get interrupted.
*Ring*
"Hmm? Oh, it's Kitsu. Everyone hush." She takes a few steps away and answers it.
"Help meeheeheeheeheeeee!" And she immediately holds the phone out at arm's length, waiting for Kitsu to quiet down.
"Okay, first. Volume, second what's going on?"
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"Okay, yeah I remember."
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"Well, maybe, okay again, volume, I'm right here."
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"You want me to come home? Kay be there in a bit." She hangs up.
She looks at me with a smirk.
"Someone left a lasting impression, eh Casanova?"
"What? What'd she say?" I ask, feeling the blush creep up my neck.
"Oh, not much." She says smiling, tilting her head and making that thinking gesture, tapping her phone against her chin.
"Just that, you have gorgeous almond shaped ocean blue eyes that she got lost in, and that your deep, smooth, voice mesmerized her into agreeing to a date like an incubus tempting a maiden." She says in a dramatic wispy tone. "And that those jeans really show how cute your butt is when you walk." She finishes with a grin.
"My mom picked these out for me." I say quietly, not sure what else to say. Feeling embarrassed at having my butt of all things called cute.
Vicky levels a flat look at me while Dean just smacks a hand to his face and groans.
"Dennis, that's fine and all, but don't bring that up on your date." Vicky says.
"Why not? It's true." What was wrong with it? The clothes work!
"Because Mama's boys, can be a major turn off." She says plainly.
"Turn off?" I say.
"Some girls are okay with it, some even find it attractive. Emotional vulnerability and all that." Dean says reassuringly.
"But again, bringing up your mother? It's a first date don't, unless she asks about your family." Vicky finishes.
*Ring*
She pauses to look at her phone.
"It's Kitsu again, I better go help the poor girl. Probably stuck between outfits and thinking about those 'mesmerizing eyes' and fantasizing about that 'cute butt'." She says with before walking off towards her house.
"Why me?" I groan.
All I'm learning is that dating is convoluted as all hell, and Vicky enjoys playing matchmaker way too much.
Dean pats me on the back reassuringly.
"Don't worry, you'll do fine. From what I was seeing she really had the hots for you there. Hell from what I saw her radiating, I'm more worried about you keeping her off you." He says.
"What?! Dude! She's twelve!"
He just raises an eyebrow at me. Before sighing.
"According to Vicky she could be as old as fourteen, twelve is just the number she goes by, and besides that, you do realize girls develop those kinds of feelings earlier than guys, right?" He asks.
"How do know that!?" I ask, more than a little concerned.
He just gives me blank stare for several seconds.
"Right, empath." 'Now I feel stupid.'
"Look, will something like that happen? I strongly doubt it, but just remember she likes you, I can guarantee that." He says. "At first it was idle attraction and amusement when she messed with you. But just now? When you just opened that door and asked her out? I saw a literal spectrum, of affection, lust, nervousness, and excitement." He finishes.
"Do you have to mention the lust part? It sounds, I'unno." I do not need those images in my head right now.
Dean just rolls his eyes at me. "Dennis, when you see what I do, you quickly realize that humanity is a mess of all emotions in equal measure, like if there are ten emotions, and you look out at a crowd of people going about their day? You'd see an even split of all the emotions. Lust? Is just one vague emotion mixing among a very broad spectrum." He rants.
I just stare at him, kind of spooked at the info dump.
"Sorry, I can't turn the empath thing off and it gets annoying."
"Do you uh, want to talk about it?" I say, genuinely concerned for him.
He stares at me questioningly before sighing.
"No it's fine, thanks for the offer though, it means a lot."
"Anytime man." I pat him on the back with a smile.
"Alright, let's go. I got a list of things you need to get. And apparently, we can go ahead and skip getting you new pants for this."
I sigh in defeat, resigning myself to my fate.
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Dallon house 8:30 am
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Kitsu POV
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Sitting in front of the mirror in the bathroom, braiding my hair to a simple side braid going from where my hair parts in the front, along to the back of my head, running under my ear, and reworking my hair to have a wavier texture while allowing the side without the braid to hang over half my eye. I cheated and used my biokinesis. I can't help but nitpick at my appearance.
'Why did I say yes! He just called me beautiful and I went all has crashed, please stand by. And now I'm freaking out!'
I spent the last hour just bathing and brushing. Vicky's here helping me pick out the right makeup, I've never worn it before, never had reason, and I still haven't decided what to wear. I thought about my Lily outfit, both of them, but it's the mall, not a picnic. My Jasmine of Olivine outfit? Too formal. My Serena outfits? Just doesn't feel right, maybe if it were a restaurant date. My Neptunia outfit, the dress one? I'd need to change my hair color otherwise it'd be garish, and I'm not changing my hair color for this, it feels wrong.
'I didn't think he'd accept! I was hoping he'd call, try and talk his way out. I'd say I was joking and it was all good. And I could use that as brownie points with the Wards! Nothing he said or did before ever implied he would say yes!' I think anxiously.
Hearing the door open behind me and seeing Vicky come in with what looks like a mini pink suitcase.
Setting it down on the counter she opens it up and grabs a small bottle.
"Alright, stay still. First, we apply the primer." She grabs a little yellow bottle, squeezes a small bead of it out and starts rubbing my face with it.
"What is this supposed to do?"
"Keeps the make up on your face." She answers. "Alright next is foundation, luckily you and I have the same skin tone, so we don't need to experiment or anything."
She grabs a little brush and a small clear glass bottle with a pinkish peach coloring in it. Putting dots of it on my cheeks, forehead, chin, and the bridge of my nose. She grabs the brush and spreads it out on those areas.
"What does this do?"
"Creates a uniform base for us start. Okay, get that out of your eyebrows." She finishes up and just stands there in a thinkers pose.
"Is, something wrong?" I ask worried.
"Just wondering if we should use contour or not, I'm thinking not. I use it to make my nose slimmer, but you really don't need it." She explains. " Even then, I can't think of a way to apply it without making it look like you are wearing makeup and we don't have time to try. So just bronzer this time."
She grabs a little disk and pops it open, taking a small brush and spreading it on the sides of my face.
"There, you have a bit more of a rounded face, almost oval, so we want to work with that."
"Is that good?" I ask uncertainly.
"It helps you look younger than you typically are, but that's a good thing! With your height and stature, and that celestial nose, it's perfect, you don't want to try and be someone you're not." She says.
A warm feeling spreads through me as I smile at the compliment.
"Next some blush." She brings out wide puffy brush.
'How many brushes are there?'
After that she takes a long pause.
"Now, lets move to eyeshadow, you have large, vibrant sea green, turquois eyes, I'd say they're one of your best features, so we want to use a more earthy color to draw attention to them." She applies a yellowy brown makeup to my eyes, but it's so light I barely notice it's there.
"Are you sure this is going to work? I can't even tell I'm wearing makeup."
"Kitsu, that's the point. Besides, the only reason you don't notice is because you've been watching the whole thing gradually. Trust me."
"Right." I say uncertainly.
"Now some liner to really make your eyes pop out, close your eyes." Doing so I feel her press the pencil and draw.
"Okay, open."
'That's me?' I think as my attention is just drawn in to my eyes, the black outlining my eyes and just over all making them appear to shine. I think I see some specks of blue glittering in the black.
"Honestly your lashes are perfect, I'm a little scared to mess with them, maybe just a little on the bottom outer edges." She grabs a small black cylinder, unscrewing it to reveal ANOTHER brush. Brushing it daintily on my lashes. Making my eyes seem twice as expressive as before.
She takes another pause, rummaging through the box and continues.
"Now some lip balm, this one is my favorite. It's called royal blush."
Again it's applied so lightly I can hardly tell it's there if not for the slight shine it gives.
Honestly? I can see myself using the eyeshadow and eyeliner, and lip gloss more regularly in the future. Not everything else, the foundation, bronzer and everything else can stay in that box.
"And finally, setting spray, helps it last, close your eyes again." Doing so, I hold back the flinch at feeling the wetness hit my face.
"Thank you Vicky."
"Thank me when you get a second date, or second base." She adds with a teasing smile.
Blushing, I start to squirm a little at the image. 'I'd be straddled in his lap, leaning up on my knees so that our faces could meet, we'd be kissing softly as he held me gently yet firm against him, just enough so that I could push away if I wanted to, but I wouldn't. My arms wrapped around his neck tightly, deepening the kiss as he wraps an arm around me and presses a hand to my hip, forearm crossing the small of my back, pulling me even closer to him as we break for air, we'd gaze into each other's eyes as-'
"KITSU!"
"Eep!" I jump in surprise.
Vicky just stares at me with a knowing smirk, looking all too much like the cat that caught the canary, and I can see my face in the mirror rapidly lighting up.
"My God you've got it bad. At first I was feeling sorry for Dennis, but now at this point I'm more worried about you. Think you'll go the day without a need to change your underwear?" She asks with a teasing grin.
I squirm in place. Feeling myself die a little at the mortification I'm feeling.
"Stop it, please." I mutter out.
"You are surprisingly easy to tease when it comes to this stuff. Don't blame me for capitalizing on it." She says. "Consider it revenge for everything, I'm going to enjoy this as much as I can."
'I can't even argue that.' I think in despair.
"And speaking of." She continues with a devious smile.
"Huh?" I say dumbly, still struggling not to get lost in my thoughts.
"Just imagine it, months from now, it's your half year anniversary, You decide to surprise him with something special, you sneak into his room, he gets home and you're there on his bed, you start making out, he pushes you down onto the blanket, his hand cupping the side of your face, trailing from the base of your jaw, down to your side as he reaches just past your stomach. And then, just as you think he'll pull back up, he goes lower, reaching the brim of your-"
"STOP! Stop! Please!" I cut her off. The images in my mind racing. 'Of all the times to start my cycle, it had to be when I got my first date! WHY DID I SAY YES?!'
She bursts out laughing.
"Oh God! This is far better than anything I could've hoped for! Consider that one payback for yesterday in the lunchroom." She jabs. "In all seriousness, do you think you'll need to borrow some panty liners?"
After a few seconds I answer. "I have my own."
"Alright, I'll leave you to finish your hair." She says and gets up to leave.
"Vicky?"
"Hmm? Yeah?" She stops.
"Would he even, want me? Like that? I know what I look like, even taking away all the Case 53 parts. Am I, desirable? I look so much younger than him, what if other people get the wrong idea?" I can't help but vent my insecurities.
"Oh Kitsu, yes, you are. I can't speak for every guy out there, but you are attractive. And hell, if you ever decide you want to grow up? With how you look now I can guarantee, Dennis will be glad he got you before someone else could." She reassures me with a hand on my shoulder.
Looking at her with tears forming, I can't help but feel so loved.
"Hey! No! No." She grabs a washcloth and dabs my eyes. "No crying. We just got done, you are not ruining your makeup. This stuff is not cheap."
I just hug her tightly. Enjoying the warmth between us. She takes a moment before hugging me back. Rubbing my back gently.
"And hey, if someone does say something, just say you have dwarfism or something, make'em feel like shit for not minding their own, it's not entirely false." She says.
"That's mean." I say with a small laugh.
We stay there for a minute before Vicky moves to let go.
"Okay, that's enough of the sappy shit, save it for your date. Now come on, you still have to get dressed and Dennis is in the living room waiting, Dad just got back from dropping mom off and he's giving him the shovel talk."
I pushed off her in alarm.
"HE'S HERE!? I'm not ready! Oh God what time is it?! I'm not even dressed! I haven't even decided what to wear!"
"Don't worry, I picked out the perfect outfit for you. You labeled it Rosa on the hanger."
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9:48 am
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Turns out she did pick my Rosa outfit. And I have to agree, it's perfect for a mall date. A white short sleeve tee with the shoulders, sleeves and collar being sky blue. A pink pokè-ball design with a black border on the chest. My version swaps out the wavy shorts in favor of a slightly longer, wavy skirt over black leggings. I drew the designs for each outfit and didn't do a good job detailing the shorts. This was like, outfit thirty something and I didn't have the heart to tell Parian she got it wrong.
That and I was too lazy.
No hat, I do have the purse though. Overall it accentuates what little curves I have without coming off as slutty and trying too hard.
I really love these shoes as well.
I peek into the living room and see a ghost white Dennis, he's sat next to Mark whose got an arm wrapped over his shoulder.
"Just remember what we talked about kay? And don't worry, it'll be less painful than what someone like Lung would do. And seeing as he also has a soft spot for Kitsu, you can bet he'd be in the line of people waiting to get a piece." Mark says cheerfully.
'I got a good guess at what he's talking about. Still, it's nice see Dennis is about as nervous as I am.' I think as I gain a little more confidence at seeing Dennis lose his. 'Okay, you can do this! You're cute! You look amazing! You're not small, your fun size!' I blush again at the implication I just put in my head. 'NOT THAT KIND OF FUN! Well, maybe? Maybe he likes girls that are shorter than him? Yeah, he likes me! He wouldn't be here if he didn't, he even showed up early according to Vicky! He'd have called and tried to find a way out of the date if he wasn't interested!' I cheer myself on.
Stepping out and taking in the sight. I take in his state of dress, form fitting blue jeans, folded at the ankles, a black shirt with blue lightning strikes across it. Over it is a red flannel jacket. He's clean shaven and got a jawline like Taylor Lautner without the cleft. His red hair's grown out and styled like Mitchel Musso's was back in, well now in 2010. Broad shoulders set in place, giving me the impression of a swimmers build. He's holding onto a long pink plastic bag with white flowery designs.
He sees me and goes to say something before he stops, mouth slightly open, eyes roaming up and down. It makes me feel a mess of excited, nervous, and embarrassed. Mark notices his attention is no longer on him, looking over he smiles brightly at me.
While Dennis just winces at Mark squeezing his shoulder a little tighter.
"I, didn't make you wait too long, did I?" I ask, arms behind my back, staring at my foot pivoting into the carpet.
"I, uh, not really no. Was just talking to Mark for a bit." He replies numbly. Looking up I see him staring right into my eyes. Getting butterflies I immediately look away.
*Click*
Turning to the sound, I see Vicky, hiding around the corner of the hall, on her phone taking pictures.
"Shit, forgot to put that to silent." She says. Looking up she just smiles. "Ignore me." She says cheerfully with a wave.
Dennis gets up and, taking a small breath, reaches into the pink bag and hands me a small midnight blue rose bouquet. Five roses surrounded by green bushes with small white flowers I can't name, wrapped in a black cloth with a silver bow.
With a confident smile he hands me the bouquet. "Thought I'd get some beautiful flowers, for an even more beautiful girl." He says.
'That was so corny! And I love it.' I think and take the bouquet, holding it tight against me. With the roses up to my nose, hoping it hides my burning face.
"Thank you, I love them." I say quietly, trying and failing to use my biokinesis to stop my blushing and hammering heart. I keep getting distracted!
"Alright!" Mark says with a clap. "How about I drive you two to the mall? It's hot out and it's a long walk from here. I can drop you off and you can go on your way." He says, though the way he says it leaves no room for denying the offer.
"Uh, let me go put these up." I say and hurry off.
I don't use my speed as I don't want to mess up my braid, and I don't know how it'll effect my makeup. Vicky can fly off at super speeds and not worry about it because of her force field.
I don't have that luxury.
Putting the bouquet on my nightstand I take a moment to touch it and see its genetic makeup. Out of sheer curiosity and a need to distract myself for a few seconds to get myself calm.
Interestingly enough, the flowers are real, they just have a blue dye added to them. They're naturally white. Looking through its genome helps me calm myself. They smell nice, a bit more citrusy than I would've thought.
Now calmed from my earlier hysterics. I take a breath and prepare myself.
"Okay, you got this, you're Kitsu! The Endstopper! You don't get flustered, you fluster others!" I say to myself. Finding my confidence in full and recovering from being caught off guard, I head out to do what I do best!
'I'm going to give that boy a day he'll never forget!'
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-Brockton Bay Mall, Downtown, 10:09 am-
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The drive to the mall was more nerve-racking than I thought it would be and I found myself losing my confidence again at the tension. Mark made Dennis sit in the front seat, while I sat in the back. I couldn't stop thinking; scenario after scenario of how this could all go playing in my head. Some wholesome and sweet, others terrifying, and few, spicy, ones. And I'm pretty sure Dennis noticed me fidgeting and squirming in the back seat.
Mark dropped us off at the mall's entrance and waited for us to head inside before driving off. Dennis held the doors open for me as we walked into the mall.
"Where to first beautiful? It's your day." He says, flashing a sincere smile.
'Stop calling me that!' I think. It makes me want to run and hide when he says it with that smile. 'Turn it around, make him blush damnit!'
"Anywhere is fine as long as I'm with you handsome." 'Please work, he's not blushing damnit!'
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Dennis "Clockblocker" POV
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'How in the hell am I supposed to take her somewhere if she just says anywhere?' I think in frustration. 'The food court is a good first spot right?'
"How about the food court? Have you eaten yet? We can share a pizza?" I suggest.
She smiles at that, her tail, which was swaying lazily, is now wagging a little faster at the mention of pizza.
"That sounds good." She says with a smile. 'I swear, she was not glowing like this before. Does she actually like me? We've barely talked, hell the first time we met she killed me!' I think, and then laugh at the idea, getting a scene in my head.
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A small red-haired boy with large fox ears and a tail walks up to me.
'Daddy, how did you meet mommy?'
With a chuckle I respond. 'Well son, it all started when your mother killed me while stealing a TV.'
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I'm snapped from my thoughts as Kitsu latches onto my arm.
"What's so funny?"
Feeling a blush creep it's way up my face and burn my ears, I see her start to grin that vulpine smile of hers. The way her perfect teeth glimmer, the canines longer than what would be normal, making me think of a vampire or a modern Earth-Aleph anime character.
"Were you thinking of me?~" She asks in a teasing voice.
"No?" My voice cracks. 'Shiiiiit'
"Don't lie to me Dennis~" She says with teasing grin.
"Uh, maybe I was?" I say, embarrassed at being forced to admit I was in fact thinking about her.
Like a light switch she returns to her earlier shy cheerfulness. Tail swishing about, ears flat against her head as she looks away from me.
"Oh, uh, that's." She says quietly. "I was thinking about you, if it helps you feel better." She continues. Peeking up to meet my eyes, and immediately turning them to the side again.
It both does, and doesn't make me feel better.
'I mean, hey, look on the bright side man. She could be fourteen and just short! All you know is that she's at least twelve. That's not as bad, right?' I try to think further but can't focus the thought as I feel Kitsu start to nuzzle the side of her head into my arm, making my heart thump harder than it already is.
'Stop being so cute damn it! If you keep this up I'll run out of excus- reasons to, dump you? Not like you? Go back on the deal I agreed to? God there's no way to put it without sounding like douche.' I think.
Stepping on to the escalator heading to the second floor, I can't help but shrink at all the stares we're getting. Raised eyebrows and a few glares.
'Just ignore them, they don't know the full details.' I think to myself.
"What's the matter? You suddenly got goosebumps."
"It's nothing you need to worry about. Why don't you tell me about yourself?" I flash a winning smile and she once again looks away, ears hugging her head again.
"There's, not really all that much to tell. Outside of recently, my life has been nothing but hitchhiking and just trying to survive. The amount of people I even knew personally before a few months ago could be counted on one hand."
"Well, tell me about them, who are they?"
"If you're sure you wanna hear it." she says.
"I am, it's about you, and you are what I want to hear about." I say smoothly. I totally ripped that from one of my mom's romcoms.
She squeals in what I hope is delight and presses herself closer to me. Tail hitting the back of my legs as it goes wild.
"W-well, there's Wade, I met him in Chicago just shortly after he triggered about a year ago. He's a chubby kid, African American, and now stays holed up in his room. He's a Thinker specializing in data analysis and a Tinker specializing in code. He made me my phone after I helped him out and he gives me a discount on his services." She explains.
'Okay, interesting, but still normal enough all things considered.'
"What'd you help him out with?"
"Uh, bullies." She says quietly.
'I can see that. If for no other reason than it being a whim.' I mentally shrug.
"Anyone else, you said there were others." I ask, more because I don't know what else to say.
"There's Nilbog and his children, they're nice to me." She continues.
'And once again I'm reminded of who I'm talking to.' I think plainly.
"Nilbog is nice to you so long as you play along with his fantasy, referring to him as king, show respect and kindness to his subjects. If you're powerful enough he'll even treat you as an equal of sorts." She lists off.
'What am I supposed to say to that? That's nice?'
"He calls me The Errant Princess." She says with a giggle.
'Princess, saving that for later.'
"Mark mentioned Lung when we were, talking, earlier. How do you know him?"
"I was in the bay a few years ago, I was bored and just staring at the sidewalk when he ran into me in his civilian identity. Literally by the way, I was trying to avoid attention, so I was invisible at the time. After apologizing he let it go, even helped me out later that day." She says with a small smile. She looks up at me. "What about you? What do you like?"
Reaching the top of the escalator and stepping off we headed to the food court. Though I'm 90% certain Kitsu isn't paying attention to where we're going.
"Well, I like a lot of things. Comedy shows, action movies, I enjoy fps games, and listening to music."
"What kind of music?" she asks.
"I don't really have a preference outside not liking country, just feels a bit depressing to me."
"Fair. After we eat where do you want to go?"
"We could visit a few stores, maybe see the indoor arcade. If you want, we could check out the small amusement park at the back of the mall." I answer.
'Can't really say I have no idea.'
"I'd like that." She says and nuzzles me even more.
'Is the nuzzling a fox thing? Is it a her thing? A girl thing I just don't know about? Is it rude to ask?'
We reach the food court to see a bunch of people going about their day and eating, more than a few eyes turn to us. Though Kitsu doesn't seem to notice, her eyes looking up at me, ears twitching about every other second.
"HAAAaaaa!" someone squealed.
Spooked at the high-pitched wail, I look to my left to see a thin guy in a striped shirt, several feet away on a table, hunched over and clutching his crotch.
"What happened?" I ask no one in particular.
"I'unno, sounds like he has issues, c'mon let's go get that pizza!" Kitsu says and starts pulling me towards the line in front of the pizza vendor.
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Kitsu POV
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'People need to keep their comments to themselves.' I think bitterly. The guy had jokingly called Dennis a furry fucker to his friends.
'How about an invisible block to the dick? Think that's funny? Cus I do.'
I calm myself down, a little thankful for the distraction as now I'm getting past my earlier nervousness and anxiety.
Standing in line I can't help but to enjoy myself. Just letting myself be happy at the idea that someone wants me for themselves. He wouldn't be trying so hard if he didn't want to impress me. The corny lines, the false bravado, it shows a level of effort I can't help but appreciate.
Being this close I notice his cologne has an earthy sweet scent to it. I like it.
We finally got to the front of the line.
"What kind do you want?" I ask him.
"Well, what kind does the Princess like?" He asks with a smirk.
'STOP THAT! STOP IT BEFORE YOU KILL ME!' If he keeps up the names, I'm either going to run away, pass out, or kiss him.
"M-m-mushroom."
'No, we are not doing this again! I make you blush and stammer! I'm the one in control!'
"One large mushroom pizza for the beautiful girl at my side. Oh, go ahead and make it stuffed crust too please."
'He's polite to staff, that's a good sign.' If he had been rude I probably would have just up and left without a word.
"Drinks?" The skinny, tired-looking teen behind the counter asks.
'He seems familiar.'
"Mountain dew for me, medium. What about you?" Dennis asks.
"Lemonade, large." I speak out, looking everywhere on the menu to avoid risking seeing that smile again. Or those blue eyes.
The guy types into the register before looking back to us.
"That'll be Twenty eight, eighty six after tax."
'Why is it so expensive?!'
Dennis pulls out a black wallet with grey clocks all over it and hands him a twenty and a ten.
"Keep the change."
"Alright, here are your cups, and your number is thirty-six, we'll call it out when ready. You can fill your cups at the fountain over there. And here's your receipt." He points to a soda machine at the end of the counter and hands Dennis the paper the register spat out.
'Guess we didn't need to tell him what drinks we wanted.' Looking over I see Dennis is likely thinking the same thing, going by awkward look on his face.
"Right, thank you. I hope you have a good day." He takes the receipt and his cup in one hand while I have to let go of his arm to grab my cup in both mine.
"I'll try, see you at school Monday, Kitsu."
'Chemistry! I sit next to him. Small world.'
I nod to him and follow Dennis to the soda machine.
'Okay, turn this around. Make him blush, trip him up somehow. Think, he's a teenage boy who-' I mentally pause at that. Reaching the machine, illusioning a step stool to more easily get my lemonade.
'He's a teenage boy. He's got more hormones running rampant in him than I probably do right now! Maybe.'
I am running on a ridiculous amount of estradiol and progestogen right now, among other things.
Making our way to a circular benched table and taking a seat, I scoot in close to him.
"So, what was the first thing you noticed about me?" I ask with a smirk.
'Just don't stare at his eyes, and you'll be fine.'
"Your tail." He says absentmindedly before his eyes widen and he looks down at me. "I mean, uh-"
"Staring at me from behind huh?" I cut him off and scoot even closer. "Well I can't blame you, it is a nice view. And hey, be a good boy and maybe you'll get to touch it. It's very soft and fluffy." I grin at his rapidly reddening face.
"I, I uh." He swallows a lump in his throat. "That's not what-"
"Not what you were starring at back there?" I cut him off again, not wanting to lose my momentum. "Well what else could you have looking at?" I say with a wide grin.
Leaning my shoulder into him, tilting my head to the side I look up and give him my best sly look. "Well? What is it?" I say in a teasing tone.
His breath gets caught as he goes to say something, but just keeps opening and closing his mouth.
"THIRTY SIX!"
"I'll go get the pizza!" He says quickly and jumps up so fast I almost fell over.
Watching him walk away I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Feeling the pounding of my heart settle and taking a few deep breaths.
With him gone I think to myself.
'Okay, you got this. He's a boy with little to no experience with girls, and I'm a girl with no experience with boys. No! Don't think like that! He's more nervous than you are. Just keep pushing the right buttons and don't let up. He's putty in your hands! Keep it up and- HE'S BACK!'
"H-here we are, one large mushroom stuffed crust for our resident princess, the Mushroom Princess one could say." He says nervously.
"Hmm!" I cover my mouth to stop from laughing at the horrible joke.
He grins that sincere smile again and continues.
"You-a got-a that-a one? How-a about-a this?" He says in a very exaggerated high pitched voice.
"How-a many pieces do-a you want-a Princess?" He continues.
'It's not even that funny! It's just so stupid!' I think to myself.
Shaking my head and trying not to laugh.
"None? But-a Princess, it's-a your pizza, you-a ordered it."
"That's not! I, I!" and I can't hold it in anymore as the dam on my laughs bursts.
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-Earlier-
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Dennis "Clockblocker" POV
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Reaching the counter and looking behind me, I see she's staring at the table now.
'Good.'
Pulling out my phone I call Vicky.
"What's up Casanova?" She answers
"Help me!" I whisper shout, not wanting to draw too much attention.
"What's wrong, you're doing great from what Dean and I can tell."
"I'm dying out here! Every time I think I have things under control, she pulls something new and it, it just, I." I'm left at a loss for words as I struggle to get my thoughts across.
"Why Dennis, it almost sounds as though you like her." I can hear the smirk she's giving.
"I give up." I say in defeat.
"Huh? What'd ya mean?"
"I like her, okay? She's cute, quirky, and I don't know! The more this date goes on, the more I want it to continue, there, I said it. Now please, for the love of everything, help me!?" I beg.
There's a bit of a pause before I hear anything more.
"Yeah I know I owe you; you don't have to be so smug about it." She says in the background.
"What?"
"Talking to Dean." She says quickly. "Anyway, make her laugh. She finds humor attractive, use that, be your usual goofball, dorky self."
"That's it? What happened to confidence and all that other junk?"
"Dennis, you're an idiot. When I was talking about confidence I didn't mean put on an act, I meant be confident in yourself and who you are. Nothing is hotter than a guy who's not afraid to be himself."
Why can't her advice ever be clear.
"Okay, I'll try." I say unsurely.
"Good, now go, you're making a line."
*Click*
Looking behind me I see two people. the guy right behind me raises an eyebrow.
"Sorry." I say, grabbing the pizza and quickly rushing off.
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-Now-
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Her laugh is honestly the most adorable thing ever. And a warm feeling spreads through me as I realize how much more of it I want to hear.
She starts to snort and that fills me with pride. Knowing I made her laugh hard enough that she's trying and failing to catch her breath and she can't because she's too busy laughing.
The blush she gets as she realizes the sounds she's making, is icing on the cake.
Having calmed down, she slumps into me with a smile, still giving a laugh here and there.
"You good? You're not gonna pass out on me are you?"
She nods her head with a smile. Eyes closed she speaks up.
"Feed me."
"Hmm?"
She tilts her head up and opens her mouth.
"Aaahh."
Taking the hint, I grab a slice and start to do as she asked.
Doing this over and over for three slices she finally stops.
"Good boy." She says, snuggling her head into my arm. I can't help but blush as I remember the last time she said 'good boy' and the conversation it was with.
She reaches hand up to my chin, frowns. And then gets a small smile.
"And good boys get treats don't they?"
'I don't like how she said that.'
'All my thoughts come crashing to a halt as she proceeds to get up and hop into my lap.
Sitting sideways on my leg, she grabs a slice of pizza and brings it up, one hand under it to keep crumbs from falling.
"Your turn! Say Aah!" she says cheerfully. Wholly unaware of my struggle as her tail swishing around adds a slight wiggle to her seating.
'Calm down, don't pop a boner. Think about something else, uh the pizza!' I bite into the slice.
I don't like mushrooms, and I was planning on just picking them off. But I'm glad for the little distraction. As I continue to eat down to the crust, I'm mildly upset that she instead took the crust for herself.
"Hey!"
"Don't worry, there's more! It's only one piece." She says innocently.
She grabs another slice and brings it up.
"Here comes the airplane!" I keep my mouth shut at that one. A little insulted, and also not wanting to eat the mushrooms again.
"Hrmn!" She growls. "C'mon! Open!" She keeps trying to shove the slice in my face. I keep moving my head back and forth as she tries to stab the slice into my lips.
"Just!" Stab, miss. "Accept!" Stab, miss. "The!" Stab, miss again. "Fine!"
She stops and eats the slice herself. Biting into it angrily as she glares at me.
"I-" I begin.
"HA!" She slams the slice into my mouth with a smirk. "Gotcha!"
Swallowing the bite and grabbing a napkin to wipe the grease and sauce off my face, she just continues to grin at me.
"I don't like mushrooms." I say blurt out.
Ears flattening against her head she looks away from me.
'Why did you say that, you were having a genuine moment and you ruined it! Dumbass!'
"Oh, um, why didn't you say anything?" She asks.
"I didn't want to be rude?" I say nervously.
'Hard to admit I couldn't think because a cute girl just sat herself on my lap.' I think.
Getting a good look at her now, I can tell she really is just short, not young. Her shirt hugs her in a way that I can't help but notice the way her waist and belly curves inward, showing she does in fact have some curves.
'I know for a fact she has more curves than Missy, who is supposedly as old as her.'
Missy complained about her lack of development more than once, and I was around the corner when she asked the designer to add just a little more to her chest plate under the guise of 'Added protection'.
I don't think the lady fell for it. Still did as she asked though.
Turning my thoughts back to Kitsu.
'She just has a face that holds youth, the kind that hints she could be in her thirties and cashiers would still feel a need to card her when buying beer.'
She is also very warm. Like, enough that I might start to sweat from the heat and nerves if she decides she wants to snuggle against me again.
'It's not that I don't like it, but I need to focus on something else.' I think. 'If she scoots closer, does she even know what she's doing?'
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Kitsu POV
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I know exactly what I'm doing.
Having calmed down enough to think clearly, I'd started using my biokinesis to help calm myself further. And keep it so.
I'm not stupid, nor am I so innocent that I don't understand the position I'm putting him in. Sitting on his lap, was a spur of the moment thing, I was trying to get to him by feeding him.
'Every guy wants to be hand fed by a cute girl, right?' I think uncertainly.
I noticed I couldn't exactly reach him with my short stature. Being just shy of comfortably being able to reach his mouth with my hands. I could do it. But I thought it would look more awkward than anything else.
So I hopped up onto his leg.
I'll admit. A part of me is a little disappointed that I didn't feel anything, other than him tense up. Either he has better control than I thought, I'm not trying hard enough, or.
I don't want to admit to the other possibilities.
And now here I am, feeling like crap because I'd been forcing him to eat something he didn't like.
'I probably came off as too pushy. I just got frustrated that he wouldn't let me feed him! Now I seem inconsiderate.'
"Hey, are you okay? You got really quiet there. Did I do something wrong?" Dennis asks.
Snapping back up to look at him, and immediately regretting it as I met his eyes.
"N-no! I mean, no you didn't do anything wrong." Being this close to him I can hear his heart start to slow at that.
I peel away from his gaze.
'having eyes like that should be against a law somewhere.' I need another distraction. Something to help put me back on track.
I look out at the food court. Noticing more than a few eyes on us. Though no one is saying anything from what I can hear.
'Good.' I think darkly.
One person saying something was my limit. Next one is probably going to find themselves tossed over the railing.
Must be the bystander effect at work here. There are so many people around, everyone assumes and expects someone else to do something.
I feel a strange sort of possessiveness over Dennis right now. Like an insult to him, is an insult to me. More than that, it's an attack.
Strangely, the longer I'm with him. The more I get this itchy feeling in my teeth. And a need to do, something, with it.
It's probably nothing.
Calming down and now being able to focus enough to regulate my body again. I close my eyes and scoot into his lap more, resting my head against his chest. I'm starting to get tired and emotionally burnt out from the cycle of, embarrassed, anxious, excited, worried, calm, and so on. I just need a second to relax and collect my thoughts.
I quickly realize my mistake as I feel something rise up and poke my thigh.
'Well at least I now know he likes me like that. Or at least likes a warm body in his lap.' I think. And a wave of anxiety mixed with excitement floods me. And I have to regulate my blood to keep certain parts from becoming too sensitive at the anticipation.
'I wonder how big it is? Maybe after the third date I'll let him get far enough that I'll find out. Maybe.'
I'm affectionate, clingy, and a tease. But I am not easy.
I pretend not to notice and just snuggle into him. Though the hitch in his breath and the force of his heart act as a reminder of what I'm doing to him. To say nothing of the subtle twitching under me.
I almost giggle at the idea of what he must be thinking. Picturing him going 'AAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!' in his head.
'I'm taking this too far. But I can't move now!'
For one, I don't wanna. He has nice muscles, firm with just enough give. Two, I don't want anyone else looking over and see his, state of duress. I want to embarrass him, not humiliate him and make him regret going out with me.
"So, am I just your new chair now?" He asks jokingly.
"Yes. Now hush. Chairs don't talk." I reply in the same joking tone.
"That's because I'm not like the other chairs, promise. I'm the latest model, here to talk to you and listen." He says smoothly.
His pounding heart betrays his tone of confidence.
"Maybe I should trade in for an older model, one that's quieter and gives me massages. And isn't so lumpy." I wiggle around to, get more comfortable.
'Read that as make him more uncomfortable.'
"Yeah, uh. Maybe you should get up so I can clear my pockets?" He says nervously.
Again his heart pounding is telling me all I need to know. And I feel a kind of elation at knowing the sort of power I hold over him right now.
'Learn something new everyday.'
"No it's fine. Besides, everyone knows any decent piece of furniture needs broken in." I say.
"I'll have you know I'm already broken in! I can use the bathroom on my own and everything." He says.
I look up at him, bringing a hand to the side of his face, and scratch his cheek. "Well aren't you such a good boy~" I coo.
"Woof!" He says with a smile.
His heart is slowing down, and I feel his erection go down with it.
Satisfied that I'd had my fun I go ahead and scoot off him.
'He was such a gentleman, not trying to take advantage or make me uncomfortable. He's a keeper.' I think and let the earlier warmth from this morning flood my body.
'But more than that, He's mine.'
Glancing at a large digital clock over the salad vendor, I see it's 11:39.
"So, you gonna eat that? It's getting cold, I can pick the mushrooms off." I say.
"I'm not hungry anymore. How about we do some window shopping?" He asks.
"Sure!" I'm going to ruin this boy for other girls after today.
'I'll make sure he only thinks of me. No other girls~' I think happily.
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Victoria "Glory Girl" Dallon POV
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Leaning on the railing two stories up and across from the food court with Dean and Vergil. Watching the two lovebirds walk out of the food court is honestly the cutest shit I've ever seen.
For one, Kitsu is positively beaming, nuzzling, snuggling, tail wagging. Two, Dennis finally cracked.
"Still can't believe it only took forty five minutes, I mean, c'mon! For as much as he complained about this, you'd expect him to hang on at least an hour." I grumble out.
"I warned you not to bet on feelings with an empath. Your fault you didn't listen." Vergil said.
We ran into him on the way here, he had nothing better to do.
"Yeah yeah, don't you have an outlet to stick a fork in sparky?"
Vergil just rolls his eyes.
"Hey Vicky?" Dean pipes up.
"What's up? Notice something?" I ask, we've been using Dean as a sort of, emotion radar, to know if or when we'll need to step in.
Almost hopped the rail and flew down when she sat in his lap. Till Dean informed me she was the initiator there, not Dennis.
'Damn bold to just hop in a guys lap on the first date, you go girl!' At this rate Kitsu might have Dennis on a leash by this time next week!
'Credit where it's due, she knows what she wants and goes for it.'
"How stable would you say Kitsu is, on a scale of one to ten?" he asks.
'Where'd that come from?'
"I'd saaaayyyy, seven on a good day, maybe eight, five on a bad. Why?"
"Because, I, don't know how to put this. But she's developing some rather worrisome emotions right now." He says slowly.
"Uh, whatchu mean man, we talkin murder hobo rage, or sociopath in the making?" Vergil asks with a raised eyebrow.
"I couldn't tell earlier from all the people around, but now that I'm seeing her clearly? Lust, obsession, they're all mixing and slowly bleeding into her affection. I don't know how to describe it but, I think she might be starting to obsess over him. Almost like a stalker might."
"Okay, red flag for sure, what can we do about that?" Vergil asks.
"I don't know, I'm just telling you what I see, and what I see is starting to worry me." Dean replies.
"You're sure it's not just puppy love? Infatuation at a guy she likes giving her attention? No offense but, remember when you thought Amy was jealous of me because I was with you?" I ask.
He takes a second. Shaking his head he replies.
"You're right, besides my empath abilities have been screwy with her all day." He days.
"What do you mean?"
"Just that. She's radiating an aura of affection so strong that it shouldn't be humanly possible. I've seen others display this much before, but never for this long. Every emotion she gets keeps getting consumed and overpowered by her affection." He answers.
"Yo, not to sound like that guy or nuthin but, how human does she count as? Like, on an objective, science level I mean." Vergil asks.
"Dunno, I'll ask Ames next chance I get. How's Dennis doing?" I ask. Trying to steer away from Kitsu.
'So what if she's obsessing over a guy, she deserves a little happiness and companionship.' I think. 'How bad could it be? Deans probably overreacting.'
"Better, now that he and Kitsu are over their first date jitters. He was spiking lust earlier, though it was mostly unwanted." He says.
"How do you tell it's unwanted?" I ask.
"When it's mixed equally with fear and discomfort." Dean shrugs.
"Well guys, this has been fun but, I'mma head back and get a nap before I head out on patrol tonight. I'll ask Dennis how it went when I see him in suit. Later!"
"Later Vergil hope you get some good sleep."
"See ya sparky."
He turns to leave and waves us a goodbye.
'He better be good to her or I swear to God.'
After finding out Kitsu was a Slaughterhouse Survivor, it really put a new light on her.
No one knows where Case 53's come from. But one theory is that they experience trigger events soo bad their powers run rampant in an attempt to deal with it, mutating their body to a form that allows them to survive whatever is threatening them, and the trauma leads to repressed memories. Kitsu may just be proof of that.
'What she needs is love and support, not any form mistrust and mistreatment. God I was such a bitch.' I think to myself.
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BONUS
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-Mall parking lot, 10:15 am-
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Mark "Flashbang" Dallon POV
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Sitting here in the car, I wait as the dial tone finally stops and I hear Vicky's voice.
"It's my dad. Hey dad what's up?"
"Not much, just calling, want to know how Kitsus' date is going." I say.
"Uh, how would I know?" Vicky says in the most suspicious tone ever.
Rolling my eyes I reply.
"Because I know you're spying on them? Vicks, one, you're bad at lying. Two, I was there yesterday with Kitsu when you did that 'quiz'. Your mother was too, we all gave our answers and treated it like a game. Now Dennis shows up, asks her to the mall and gives her blue flowers. Oh, and I thought you should know, Kitsu only said the mall because she was getting tired of texting, her idea of a perfect date is a picnic."
"Shit. Wait, did she give your guys's answers?!"
'At least she's not hiding it anymore.' For as much as I love her unconditionally, Vicky can be rather shameless at times.
"No, as far as I'm aware she gave her answers."
"So the thing about the books was?"
"Yes, her favorite genre really is romance, she even went into spiel about it. It was honestly one of the cutest things ever." I say with a chuckle.
'Kitsu the romantic, who'd of thought.' I think with a smile.
"We're getting off topic, what's happening?"
"They're both blushing so much I'm surprised they haven't passed out. Kitsu is nuzzling his arm as they're walking, she'd better be careful or she'll rub her makeup off. Dennis is trying to act cool, failing miserably at that, he's switching between a blushing nervous wreck, and an overconfident playboy wannabe. According to Dean, he appears to be like her more than he admits. Meanwhile Kitsu is, uh, lighting up with affection and slowly regaining her confidence as the date goes on. She seems to melt anytime he pulls out the playboy act, so at least it's working for him." She lists off.
"Okay, she's enjoying herself then?"
"I'd certainly say so."
"That's good, I'm glad for her. Do me a favor?" I intone.
"What's that, dad?" She asks.
"If his hands go above or below her waist, break'em. And if he makes her cry? Let me break him." I say.
"Uh, jeez that got dark. I can't promise anything but, okay."
"Also, answer something for me. When did you start caring so much about Kitsu? Just a few days ago you treated her an unwanted stepsister."
"I uh, found out some things, made me think y'know? Put certain things into perspective. Hey while we're on the phone, have you ever thought about signing Kitsu up for therapy?"
No way in hell were those two things unrelated.
"No, she seems alright, why? Is there something I need to know?" I ask concerned.
"Not at all! Just that, well, she's been a homeless vagabond from day one of her life until now, that's gotta lead to some issues, right? Don't want anything, popping up later and be unprepared for it, y'know?" She says evasively.
'Vagabond? Haven't heard that word in a while.'
"I'll talk to Carol and Kitsu about it. For now, call me if something happens. I'll be in the parking lot waiting to pick them up at two." I say.
"Gotcha, love you! Bye!"
"Love you too sweetie." I hang up and think to myself.
'I failed to be there for Vicky most of her life growing up, I failed to be any sort of father towards Amy, and I failed to help Carol past her issues. Now I have another chance to give a little girl a father figure, I will not fail again.' I think.
'Kitsu had barreled into our lives like a bull running through a China shop, literally almost. And even after everything, with Vicky fighting her, Amy keeping her at arm's length, Carol trying to find a reason to kick her out and turn her over to the PRT. She stayed.
After just almost a month, Amy has started to accept her, Carol actually bonded with her yesterday and is no longer looking for a reason to get rid of her. And now Vicky is taking fully to the role of older sister to Kitsu, helping with makeup, picking out dresses. Even spying on her first date.
'Though that could be Vicky making up for all the failed attempts at playing matchmaker with Amy, rather than seeing her as a little sister. I'd like to think it's at least a bit of both.'
Hell, last night Carol told him that if Kitsu turned out to be a decent person in a year or two, and if she accepted, they'd adopt her fully.
'Kitsu Dallon, I like that. Maybe I should call Amy and see how she's doing. She's been pulling a lot of hours at the hospital and that can't be good for her. I may have failed to be a proper father to them growing up, but it's not too late to start.'
Picking up my phone again, and opening messages instead of contacts by accident.
'Seriously, make'em different colors already.' I think in exasperation before seeing my most recent message from yesterday. It brings a smile to my face seeing it.
(Take your meds old man! I want you as bright eyed and bushy tailed as me for our shopping trip! XP) -K
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