Kitsu POV
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Dennis and I are currently in a fish shop, I'm crouched down looking up at the Slider turtles they have in a little aquarium. Dennis is checking out the betta fish a few feet away from me. I decided to come in here because I'm developing more olfactory sensors and need to get used to strong smells. I'm not developing them all at once mind you, that would knock me out from sensory overload. but they're there and will slowly develop over the next month.
Even so, I'm already starting to smell things more clearly.
That and I made an illusion of myself and snuck off to grab a fish. Using my biokinesis to tell exactly how their gills work, I memorized it for later. Just need to practice.
"Huh. Hey Kitsu, did you know that female betta fish can live together? It's only the males that kill each other on site." He says, reading a pamphlet next to the small tanks they have for the fish.
'I did in fact know that already.'
"Dennis, are you trying to hint at something?" I ask with a smirk, looking up towards him.
"What?" He asks, now looking at me.
'Don't look in his eye. Look at his eyebrows.'
"Multiple females in one 'enclosure' one male? Are you trying to ask me something?" I put my arm on my knee and rest my head in my hand.
"I uh, no? Are you trying to ask me something, and hiding it by saying I'm asking you something?" He asks with a blush.
"I'm only asking if you're asking." I say
"Uh, where is this going? Cuz I'm a little lost now. You gotta a map I can borrow?" He says jokingly.
'I'm loving him more and more.'
I make an illusion of myself sitting next to me crisscross and leaning forward with its head in its hands, and have it speak.
"Multiple females." It says in my voice.
His blush deepens greatly at that. Likely thinking of the possibilities of dating someone who can make, Tangible illusion. A harem of Kitsu, lucky him.
When I say they have the durability of reinforced glass, that doesn't mean they have the texture of it.
"Uh, no that's not, I would never um. Are you-"
Standing up with a laugh, I dispel the illusion and grab his hand. Pulling him out of the store.
"C'mon, let's check out the lawn and garden store, I wanna check out the gardening section! See what flowers they have!"
Pulling him out of the store and towards the escalator to the bottom floor we pass even more people staring at us. Mostly confused and curious looks with only a few glares from the older population.
'Let them stare, they can't have him. He's mine and there's nothing they can do.' I think and nuzzle into him for the umpteenth time. It just feels so right doing so.
'Besides, who's gonna say something? Basic bitch Bethany with no powers and a twitter account?'
I have no delusions over my power. With enough energy stored I'm in contention with the likes of the triumvirate, I could easily take on Alexandria and win. Just knock the bitch underwater, grow gills and hold her there as she drowns.
She can go braindead, I can't. [Conduit] has made so many contingences in my body after I brought up the possibility of me going braindead, it's no longer a concern. Nothing on the level of what Aegis has going on throughout his entire body, but it would take a lot of effort and more than a little creativity to put me out for good.
Sliding up the sleeve of his jacket I nuzzle into his forearm, enjoying the soft bristle feeling of the hairs as I further make it known just who he belongs to. Like this I can also see how his body is functioning with my biokinesis.
'Heh, someone's nervous. Should I~ no, maybe later when we're less, public.' I think deviously.
Like this I can manipulate all biological functions, blood flow included.
Finally reaching the gardening store, I wander alongside Dennis as we look at the various flowers. There's a purple rose, neat.
Enhancing my perception I read the tag as quick as I can.
'Suntory "blue" rose, genetically modified to yada yada. It's PINK! Am I colorblind or something? That rose is not blue.'
"Hey Dennis?" I say, still attached to his arm.
"Hmm?"
"What color is that rose?" I point a finger towards the Suntory.
"Uh, pink? Why? Do you want it? I can buy it for you."
Shaking my head I point to the tag.
"Read it."
He turns slightly to get a better look. Mumbling under his breath as he lists of the information.
"Well I guess if you make it, you get to name it."
"Really?"
'Is that how it works?'
"I can google it. Can I have my arm back, kinda need it seeing as my phone is in that pocket."
"No, it's my arm now." I say and squeeze tighter.
"Please? I'm kinda attached to that arm, it's my dominant one."
"No, I'm your arm now." I say and reach into his pocket. Finding his phone, while purposely moving my hand around a little too much. I pull it out and hand it to him.
"Got it, my arm now Identifies as a girl. That won't get confusing." He says and types into his phone.
"Actually I identify as a problem, your problem now."
He's not paying attention.
'Come on! That was a good one!'
"Okay, looks like the rules for naming something you discover in the science community are. One, it has to be in Latin letters. Two, it has to be unique. And three, it has to be published publicly."
"Wait that's it? I'd thought you'd need a degree or something."
He purses his lips a little and shakes his head. Still looking at his phone instead of me.
"Nope, just gotta find it, name it, and publish it so others know."
That gives me an idea for later practice with my biokinesis.
We wandered around a bit more. Not much of note other than me continuing to nuzzle Dennis and test his patience further.
I made a mental list of plants to grab for later. With enough luck I can convince Amy to help under the guise of making sure I don't create a deadly toxin or anything by accident.
'He's trying so hard, it's like he wants me to pick on him.'
Getting a devious idea, I smile up at him.
"Hey Dennis, do you work out?"
"Uh, not really." He says with a blush.
"Are you sure?" I reach up and squeeze the side of his bicep. "These had to come from somewhere. They don't just pop up." I say with a grin.
"Maybe I'm just so awesome, muscles want to be on me." He says.
Looking at his arm I'm starting to get that itchy feeling in my teeth again.
'Maybe this has gone far enough? We ate, talked, and had fun. At this point I-'
My heart thumps in my chest at the thought of ending the date here and now. All we really did was eat.
'We still got two hours left. Besides, I'm enjoying myself.'
I squeeze him a little tighter, wanting to be close to him.
"You sure it's not from your, extracurricular, activities." I say.
"You! Right Vicky mentioned that." He says, looking away.
We just stand there for a while, neither of us sure about what to say next.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry I killed you." I say awkwardly.
"I don't think you killed me per se, just-"
"You were braindead. If you made it to a hospital you'd be in a coma." I finish.
More to it than that but, it gets my point across.
We stand there awkwardly for a few more moments. Before I decide to change the subject.
"C'mon! We got two hours left! Let's check out that amusement area!"
.
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-12:15-
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Finding ourselves at the back of the mall. They've got an assortment of various attractions. A mini-Ferris wheel with cabins shaped like hot air balloons, a massive ball pit, a trampoline section, rock wall. And food vendors selling overpriced snacks.
Few games around like ring toss, balloon pop, and others here and there, with a fountain in the middle of the center.
'Maybe some games? Like, no I suck a throwing.'
I really have zero natural athletic ability. Without enhancing anything I could maybe run a few blocks. Lift fifty pounds and jump over a little kid's tricycle. I can't even build any muscle as that would require tearing them apart in the first place.
'Thoughts for later, for now. MINI FERRIS WHEEL!'
Last time I was anywhere near a Ferris wheel. I was on top of it. To be fair, it was on its side already.
Behemoth showed up near a local festival. His arrival had knocked everything over.
"I wanna go in the Ferris wheel." I pull Dennis over to the line.
"Now my arm controls where I go, neat." He says sarcastically.
Standing here waiting. I can't help but just fall in love with him.
'He's just so perfect. Kind, funny, and he likes me!'
Looking forward I see the sign next to the operator.
(5 Dollars per Person)
'Overpriced, like everything not in a shop around here.' I think.
Getting an idea, I turn invisible and let go of Dennis's arm.
He looks down, doesn't see me. And starts looking everywhere.
"What, Kitsu? Where'd-"
"Shh, trust me. Just go and pay for yourself." I cut him off with a whisper.
"But-" He goes to continue.
"Shush, I'm making sure you only pay for one person!" I whisper shout.
"I don't-"
"Excuse me, If you're not going to move, can I have your spot?" A lady asks, walking up with her kid.
"Uh, yeah I'm just waiting for someone."
'IDIOT!'
"Thank you." She says with a nod and steps in front of him.
I return to visibility and glare at him.
"What? I'm not about to cheat this place out of its money. That's like stealing." He whispers.
'Goody too shoes, handsome, sexy, fucker.' I mentally mumble.
"Fine, waste your money." I grumble.
'I was trying to help you save some cash.'
After about fifteen minutes we finally get to the front. A portly man in pinstripe orange shirt under a blue vest. He's smiling but, it's that practiced kind that doesn't convey any real happiness.
"How many? Two? That'll be ten bucks."
After paying and stepping in, I seat myself on Dennis. He jumps a little at the contact and I can't help but giggle at his blush. I sit back on him, rather than sideways, wrapping my tail close and around the front to rest in my lap to avoid squishing it.
'Come on, get excited! You did earlier!'
"What's the matter?" I ask.
"Uh, nothing, just being a chair again I guess." He states.
"Good, you know your place. Now do what you promised and be the latest model. Talk to me."
"Okay, what do you wanna hear?" He shrugs.
"I wanna know if we can do this again, tomorrow?" I ask hopefully.
"I actually can't tomorrow." He says.
"Why not?" I whine.
"Patrol duty, we still haven't caught Shadow Stalker and Pigot is really riding our asses over it."
'Keep being a good boy and eventually you'll get to ride me~'
Intrusive thoughts, gotta love'em.
'Wait, so if Shadow Stalker is caught, that'll free him up tomorrow?'
She frequents the docks and uses a crossbow. They make a very distinct sound when fired, well, they do to me at least. All I would have to do is wait around, listen for it. And there she is! There're enough powerlines in the docks to use against her. And no way in hell can she outrun me; I have enough energy to go a full night and then some.
'Well, I figured out my plans for tonight.'
Just about hitting the arc of the Ferris wheel, being able to now see the entire amusement area. Getting an evil idea. I hop up and look out the window.
"What's up?"
"Just enjoying the view from up here, you can enjoy the view from back there~" I wave my tail around for added effect.
Seeing the control booth from here I make a glass dagger, push the Ferris wheels lever, and then stab it in. Stopping the wheel and shutting it off before dispelling the illusion.
*Krtch*
I smile as the cabin sways at the sudden stop at the highest point.
'That'll take them at least a little while to fix.'
"What just happened?" He asks.
"Looks like a malfunction, we're stuck here."
"Uh, can't you just jump down?"
"I would need to break the lock. It's better we just wait." Looking over my shoulder I flash a smirk. "Besides, don't you like spending time with me? We're alone up here, and you've been such a good boy~. I think you deserve a reward."
'MY good boy'
"Huh? What kind of reward are we talking about? Do you do coupon rewards or?" He says nervously.
'He is too cute like this.'
"Hmm, let me think."
I look out the window and lean over, just a bit to rest my elbows and put my head in my hands. Arcing my back down a little and waving my tail while swaying my hips with it.
'A panty flash? No. A kiss? Save it for later. I could get him excited. Sit back down, wiggle around, and give us both a reward. No that's a bit too much. Let him pet my tail? I'll let him choose.'
"Well, what does my good boy want? Does he want a good reward?" I turn around, push off the side of the cabin and stalk towards him. Putting my hands on his knees, keeping my arms straight I lean forward till we are face to face.
That warm feeling from this morning is now a burning feeling. And my teeth ACHE at seeing him, looking at his neck, trailing to his shoulder. A need to do, something, anything with them.
'How would his blood taste if I bit him?' I feel my heart pounding in my chest. 'What kind of face would he make? Would he be into it? Would it push him over the edge, make him shove me down and punish me for hurting him?' I can't help but get excited at the idea. No one can really see us up here, except those on the fourth floor railing and even then, all they would see is our heads.
"Or does he want a bad reward." I finish with a smirk.
'Would he be rough? Try and hurt me in the same way, despite knowing he couldn't? What would his scar look like? To have him leave a mark.' I feel my face heat up at the thought.
"I uh, I don't, Kitsu this is a bit far. I think that's enough." He backs up slightly.
'So cute, he's shy~ I want to mark him, make it clear to any and all who see. HE'S MINE.'
"You say that but. It's your choice Dennis. Good, or bad?"
'If you choose good, well, good boys get treats~' I think and my eyes drift to his lap.
'And bad boys get punished~' I think with a grin. Gazing back up to his shoulder with aching teeth at the thought of punishing him, before apologizing with a treat of course.
He swallows the lump in his throat and goes to talk.
*Ktchrrrrrnnnn*
And the Ferris wheel starts moving once more.
'Must be a backup control panel.' I think with disappointment.
"Oh well, maybe next time." I say and sit down next to him and snuggle up into his arm.
.
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Vicky POV
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Okay, after seeing that. I'm starting to see what Dean was talking about. She looked like a starved wolf ready to eat him!
There's puppy love and infatuation. And then there's literally clinging to a guy as though you're a part of him and then all but throwing yourself at him.
'Somethings way off, anymore and she'd had been molesting him. Kitsu is clingy and annoying. But she is not that, that, slutty or sexual! Hell she blushes at the hint of anything provocative and yells when people cuss.'
In any case, there's a fine line between someone acting different for a date and being a different person all together.
"Vicky, I really think we should call it. There is no way this is normal. A person cannot sustain that level of emotion for that long. It doesn't matter which emotion it is. And even then, I really don't believe this is normal behavior. I'm beginning to think she might even be mastered."
"Yeah, I'm calling Amy. Something's wrong here. Keep an eye on them. If it's bad enough call the PRT for MS Protocols. Hopefully Kitsu is just messing around." I step away, dialing Amy and getting ready to fly off and grab her.
"Hopefully? I think that might be more concerning, that she would consider this normal behavior." He says with a concerned look.
"If it is a master, then there is someone currently trying, and succeeding, at messing with the mind of a Parahuman capable of leveling a city when motivated. If she is just messing around, then we can just talk to her after this." I really hope it's Kitsu just messing around.
It'll be an awkward talk, but it's better than the alternative.
"Okay, good point." He says, pulling out his phone.
'C'mon Ames pick up.'
Amy may not be willing to mess with brains, but she'll be able to tell if something's off in Kitsus' head.
And knock her out if something is.
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Dennis "Clockblocker" POV
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Something is wrong here.
She was shy and cute at first. And the nuzzling was honestly endearing. But now she's just plain, not.
'She's someone else entirely. She's still her but, that shyness is slowly being replaced with, I don't even know. Not slutty but, she's acting like we've been dating for months and we're not in public!' Which we very much are!
And that bit in the Ferris wheel a second ago? That popped up almost out of nowhere! She was flushed, panting, flashing her teeth while staring at my neck!
Looking around for a clock I spot one above the dart balloon game.
12:42
'One hour left. Then we go home, cool down. Aaaand I still have patrol with Vergil tonight, damnit.'
It's not that I don't like her, I do. But she's getting to be a bit much for a first date. And her suggestive teasing was having the opposite effect.
It was fine when it was innocent. Now that it's blatantly deliberate. It only draws attention to her apparent age by making me view her in that light. For one she is now no longer nuzzling, and almost grinding on me. Gowing from rubbing her head against me to rubbing her side against me. Another thing is that she keeps looking at me as though she's trying to figure something out. And then reverts to blushing and nuzzling again.
We're currently walking out of the, now out of order, Ferris wheel.
"I need to use the restroom. You be a good boy and wait at the fountain, okay?"
Finally! A break!
"Sure, you go ahead. I'll meet back up with you."
She walks off, and I head to the fountain and take a seat the edge. Glad for the white noise of the splashing water.
Leaning forward, with my elbows on my knees. I bring my hands up to rub my nose in frustration.
"God damnit. What is happening?" I lament.
She was so cute and shy at first, I actually saw this MAYBE working out. Now I don't even know what to think.
"Dennis?"
Looking up I spot Missy, dressed in a blue sundress with white shoes.
"Missy? What are you doing here? I didn't think you'd like somewhere like this." I say.
She always tries to act the oldest so being in the amusement section of the mall was a bit out of character for her. Ironically enough her attempts at acting older have the opposite effect. Making her seem childish for wanting to grow up.
She turns her head away with a sad, yet frustrated look.
"It was my dad's idea; we were supposed to spend the day together." She says. "He hasn't shown up yet and it's been an hour."
Missy really got the shittiest hand out of all of us when it came to, family, problems.
"Uh, shit. I'm sorry. Do you-"
She cuts me off with a shake of her head.
"It's fine, what are you doing here? Don't you patrol tonight? I'd thought you'd want to catch up on some sleep first."
"I'm on a date." I say with a sigh, slapping my knees and standing up.
"Really? Mister single man himself? Who got strong armed into this?" She leans to one side with a laugh.
'Poor some salt in that wound why don'tcha, it could use a little more.' I think bitterly at her tone.
"I did, actually. I didn't want to come but, well I had numerous people pushing me into this. It was honestly going great at first, then she started acting different. Now it's not so great. Scary almost." I confess. Kitsu really did shift towards something else after the food court.
"Oof. Sucks to be you. Well who's the lucky gal?" she says with another laugh.
'You're enjoying this too much.' I think blandly.
"Kitsu." I say simply. "I promised her a date in exchange for curing my dad's cancer."
'She doesn't really need the full details.'
She pauses at that. She goes to say something, then stops, then starts again.
"You understand how wrong that makes you look right?" Missy asks with a raised brow.
"I mean, kinda, but she's, I'unno. Look, it's just supposed to be a one time thing. Why do you care?" I ask.
With a frustrated look she answers.
"I care because said girlfriend is my age, which, kinda creepy dude. And not only that. She literally has the power to punch an endbringers head off! And you're trying to hit that!?"
That brings a blush to my face.
"What does it matter? Last I checked you're gunning after Dean, who is also four years older than you! Let me figure this out for myself!"
Where is this all coming from? Is she just having a bad day over her dad blowing her off?
"That's different! I know I don't have a chance with Dean. A girl can still dream. But fantasies and reality are two very different thing that shouldn't mix for a reason!"
"So what? You get to decide who I can and can't date now?"
"You can have a girlfriend, I'm not saying you can't, that's not my place." She says. "But Kitsu!? In case you forgot, she literally killed you the first time you met! I know I didn't!" She huffs and stomps her foot.
Not quite able to meet her eye, I rub the back of my neck.
"I got better. Besides she didn't mean to." I say in her defense.
"Dennis, is this girl bothering you on our date?" Swinging around I see Kitsu. Eyes sharp and tail still.
'Shit! Good ears, how much did she hear?'
"Uh, Kitsu, this is just-"
"OH! Hi Missy! What are you doing here?" She asks, and her eyes return to ovals while her tail swishes lazily.
"How does she-" Eyes wide and directed at me accusingly
"Thinker rating was confirmed yesterday." I explain.
"Oh, for a second I thought you told her." She shakes her head. "Not the point! This is inappropriate! You could go to jail!"
"Well who would you rather I date, you?" Kitsu says with a mischievous look.
"Huh?" Missy says.
'Perfect time for a record scratch.' I think sarcastically.
Kitsu stalks up to the wide eyed Missy. Looking up at her.
"Are you jealous~" She teases.
"Why would I-"
"You are very cute, if Dean didn't ask first. You might have had a chance. With those gorgeous green eyes, and those adorable pouty lips. It makes you sooo kissable." She says and presses herself against her.
Missy's face is starting to match my hair.
'What is going on here?'
"That, I, you. I don't even like girls!"
Kitsu just throws her arms around Missy and stares at her.
"Have you ever tried?" She asks.
She then whispered something in her ear that had her get real quiet. Face burning and eyes wide.
Kitsu nuzzles the side of Missy's face while she gives a quiet 'eep'.
"Or are you trying to steal my Dennis?" I hear her say.
"Kitsu!"
I turn to see Vicky walking up with Dean.
'What's going on?'
"Think about it. Kay? I hope your day gets better." She says to Missy, then kisses her on the cheek and turns to Vicky.
"Kitsu, Amy needs your help at the hospital. There's a patient who's got a brain injury that's messing with any attempt at doing an operation on him." She says quickly.
I notice that tone 'Okay, that's a lie.'
"Can't it wait like, an hour?" She whines.
"It really can't. C'mon, dad's waiting to take us with the car." Vicky persists.
"If it's important, maybe you should go. We still had a full day." I urge her
With a worried, almost betrayed look, she turns to me and then to Vicky.
"Mrrrh, fine. Tell Mark he can stay though, I'll just run there myself." She says then speeds off.
Vicky watches her run off and turns to Dean.
"Okay that bought us maybe a half hour at best."
"Okay what hell is really going on?" I ask.
"Something is wrong, Kitsus' emotional state is, well for one there is no humanly way she should be awake. Her emotions have been running so high all day she should be unconscious from the mental strain alone; we think there's a master effect at work."
'Really?'
"Oh thank God!" I put a hand to my chest.
"What? I thought you liked her?" Vicky said, glaring at me.
"I do, but not like that I was content to play the part of her boyfriend, give her a good day and let her get the crush out of her system. And maybe advance the relationship in a few years if we were still together. Or if she still had a crush on me. Not all of, whatever the fizzity uck all that's been going on since the fish store!"
"Your plan was to date her, to get her over you?" Dean says incredulously.
"NO! Kinda, I don't know?! This is why I never wanted to go on this date! Even if I like her, it's wrong! She's twelve and I'm sixteen. And even then, if that wasn't an issue, I still have absolutely NO clue what I'm doing."
It really sucked too; she is incredibly cute. And the shy teasing act at the beginning was helping me see past her height and age. But there is just something off putting about a twelve year old acting like they're trying to seduce you while looking like they're trying to eat you.
'Mom's not gonna be happy. That's for sure.'
"We don't have time for this, Amy is at the hospital waiting for Kitsu in the lobby. If we're lucky, She'll know what's going on."
"If not?" I couldn't help but ask.
"We, haven't got to that yet, we're thinking of calling in MS protocol but, well we don't want the PRT to make this public." Dean replies.
So a possibly mastered cape with the power to one v one an endbringer and come out unscathed? Yeah no, that's bad.
"Missy, do you have any ideas?" I ask. Looking to the still blushing Shaker.
"Eep! I uh, what's going on?" Missy actually jumped a little. "I, uh, I need to go!"
She rushes off past us without another word, leaving me very confused.
"What just?" I got to say.
"Don't ask, you don't want to know, and we still need to figure out a plan." Dean interrupts me.
This whole thing was a bad idea from the start.
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Kitsu POV
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Hopping rooftops, I can't help but be annoyed. I really wanted to finish my date. But if Amy needs me, she needs me. I'm not staining any attempts to help her with her issues by refusing her now just because I couldn't be bothered.
"Should let the guy die, interrupting my date like that."
[Request: Cease Movement]
I stop dead in my tracks and slam gut first into the railing of a tall building. Knocking the wind out of me.
[Conduit] NEVER makes requests.
'Uh, what's up?'
[Request: Data]
'You want me to halt my estrus cycle with my biokinesis, why? Won't that cause issues in my body?'
[Iteration: Only For A Minute]
'Okay, not sure what-'
…
"Wait."
…
"nooooo" I groan.
…
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH"
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[Conduit] POV
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Host Condition: Distressed
Current Threat To Host: None
Current Threat To Self: None
Results: Situation Humorous
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Kitsu POV
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"Aaaahaaaahaaaaahaaaaaa!" I take a breath. "Noooooohohohoho."
'I can't believe I did all that! I acted like prostitute sizing up a mark!'
I slump over the railing.
"Why?! Why did this happen?!"
[Host Emotional State Effected By Estrus Cycle]
"I KNOW THAT! It wasn't supposed to be that bad. Why was it that bad!?"
[Presence Of Perceived Possible Mate Exasperating Symptoms]
'Dennis being around made it worse? How?' I think incredulously.
[Host Perceived Possible Future Reproduction]
'In other words. A hot guy showed up, asked me out and that got me excited enough, for long enough, that my heat responded in kind.'
[Correct]
"Oh god!" I groan and slide down the railing to a seated position. Hands over my face.
"And I offered Missy!"
'I was serious about it too! I even said that if Dennis didn't work out that I would-!'
"I can't even think it!" I cry out.
*Clunk*
The door to the roof opens as a guy with his phone between his shoulder and ear. Smacking a pack a of cigarettes into his hand.
"So yeah, next week is not gonna work-"
"GO BACK INSIDE! TAKE YOUR SMOKE BREAK LATER I'M HAVING A CRISIS!" I yell and point at him.
With wide eyes he throws his hands up and walks back into the building.
*Click*
After seeing that he's not coming back, I continue my internal rant.
'I can never show my face at school again. I can never go to the mall again. I need to leave Brockton Bay. This is it; plan join New Wave and help everyone past their issues is dead in the water.'
[Current Host State: Distressed; Result: Overreacting]
'[Conduit], let me die, please? It was a nice run but I wanna die now.'
[No]
"Well then what do I do now?!"
[Proposal; Call Victoria/Carol/Mark: Explain Situation: Lock Self In Secure Location]
"You're right, It's not too late right?"
Can't call Carol, she's at work. I'd die of embarrassment if Mark of all people saw me like this.
With shaky hands I pull my phone out and call Vicky.
It takes a moment before she answers.
(Heeeyy Kitsu, h-how are you?) She says suspiciously.
"I'm not on speaker or anything, am I?" I say with a shake in my voice.
…
(You aren't now, what's wrong? You sound like you're about to cry.) She asks concerned.
I just might.
"So, um, I was going to say this at dinner tonight, make it a big announcement y'know? But uh, I decided to age!" I say, my hand running through my hair as I feel my hormones start to flood my body again.
(That's great? So, are you?)
"I'm fine, mostly but, I still don't get periods." I can't get the shake out of my voice.
My face is burning from my impending humiliation.
(Okay?)
Taking a deep breath to stop from shaking so much, I continue.
"Promise I'm not on speaker? No one else can hear me?" I ask, rather begged.
(Promise, now what's this about? Does it have anything to do with, earlier?)
'Oh god she knows!'
My stomach twists in agony at the thought and I want to cry at the humiliation.
'Just, get it over with. Like ripping off a band-aid'
"Yes? I, don't get a once a month menstruation, I get a once a year estrus."
There's a bit of a pause before she continues.
(Ooohh! That, that explains a lot.) She groans out. (Uh, where are you? Is Amy there? Can I talk to her?)
"Amy isn't here. I'm on a rooftop, somewhere downtown, I'm heading home. I'll probably never leave my room again. Bye." I hang up. Amy will understand just this once.
I take a deep breath.
"Somebody kill me pleeeheeheeeheeeeessse!"
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-2 days later-
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-Dallon House, Monday April 5th 2pm-
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Victoria "Glory Girl" Dallon
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You know, just once I'd like to successfully set two people up together. Is that so much to ask?
Amy? Failed multiple times only to find it was because she was in the closet. Kitsu? Turns out she's in heat! Like a dog! And now she's locked herself in her room and won't come out except to use the bathroom and sneak food! She won't even talk to Dad. She propositioned Amy when she tried talking to her. And Mom refuses to do anything. According to her Kitsu is doing the responsible thing and should be left alone.
Any and all chance of setting up another date with her and Dennis is gone.
The knowledge that the only girl to ask him out wasn't in her right mind when showing interest in him on their date had hit him rather hard. Like, I don't see any future where they get together any time soon.
Missy called, was rather cagey and mentioned that she heard Kitsu and Dennis wouldn't be a thing. She had asked if Kitsu was alright and if it was okay to come over.
I told her it Kitsu couldn't talk right now and asked why she wanted to know. She just made some half-assed excuse about homework and hung up.
'Maybe they could? No, first get through this.'
I knock on Kitsus' door.
"Kitsu, It's me, Vicky. Are you alright?"
"Am I dead? Are you dead with me?" She asks.
"No, you are not dead." I say in exasperation.
This is how every conversation has started over the last few days.
"Then I'm not alright! I want to be dead!"
According to her, she got far enough away from everyone that she could think more clearly, had stopped her own estrus to clear her head. And about jumped off the roof she was on in hopes it would at least knock her out.
Not in those exact words, but basically.
"You can't die remember?" I say with a chuckle in my voice.
"We all want things we can't have. For some people it's the girl of their dreams. Others it's a new convertible." She says. Sounding more tired than anything.
I won't lie though. If the situation were different I would've laughed at that.
"C'mon it can't be that bad can it? You've only got what? A day left?"
"Roughly. And it is that bad!" She whines.
'I know, hell the whole house knows.'
Kitsu is not very. Well, if you didn't pass her door, you wouldn't hear anything. However, her room is situated in the hallway between the kitchen and the living room. With the front door being connected to the living room, and the hall to everyone else's rooms being attached to the kitchen.
So you had no choice but to walk past her door if you wanted to get around the house. Unless of course you chose to hop out a window.
'Whoever she ends up with will certainly get an ego boost.'
"Do you need anything? I can get you a pizza?" I offer.
I feel partially responsible for all this. I did kinda help force Dennis to ask her out. And I did it behind Kitsus' back when she was planning to make a big surprise to everyone.
Not that I knew about her surprise, but that's not the point.
Amy found it all hilarious until yesterday when she went in there and to give Kitsu a checkup. Make sure she was doing okay physically.
Amy came out almost an hour later and refuses to say anything about it other than that Kitsu was fine. Just needed to stay away from people she viewed as possible partners.
Which apparently included her.
"A hug?"
"Last time you asked me for a hug you-"
"I know. Just go and let me rot." She groans out.
And me. Yeah, tuns out she bats for both teams.
'I mean, at least she has good taste.'
I just thought she could use a guy in her life, maybe it would mellow her out and get her to leave us alone. That and I thought I could make up for being a massive bitch to her. And finally give Dennis some actually confidence, seriously, he still doesn't realize he's rated as one of the top ten hottest guys in our grade.
Apparently, the only reason her heat cycle was this bad is because a 'willing partner' showed up right at the start and that normally she would just be giddy and affectionate for a few days. Again, partially to blame here.
'Maybe this is a sign that I should stop playing matchmaker.' I think with a sigh and walk away.
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Amy "Panacea" Dallon POV
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What a shit show.
I had gotten to talk to Kitsu the other day when I went to check on her. Only to find several, I repeat, SEVERAL modifications to her body to even allow an estrus cycle without deforming herself. Almost her entire endocrine system was different than it was a week ago! Mixing and matching in a way that made it an amalgam of human and canid that shouldn't exist but does because it's structured in a very specific way. One that couldn't be replicated naturally.
When I pointed it out she refused to talk at first.
After pushing further, she broke down almost crying, explaining that she could never have a family of her own. That she wanted to grow up but didn't want the possibility of the pain of having a child, raising it, only to outlive it and any possible grandchildren.
So, she robbed herself of ever having the option.
'God that's depressing.'
I asked why she wouldn't talk to Mark. She had said she didn't want him seeing her like this. Not because she saw him as a potential partner. So that was good.
She did however, see ME as a potential partner. Turns out Kitsu is Bi. Good for her at least.
'Heh, every girl in the Dallon house, representing each side, straight, gay, and now we got in-between as well!' I think with a dry humor.
Oh, and the cherry on the cake? She knew about my feelings for Vicky! Because of course she did! Tried to use them to get me to snuggle with her.
Didn't help that her and Vicky share numerous features. Like, they actually look like real sisters if you took away the fox bits. If I didn't know her hormones were running as rampant as they were, making her act unnaturally pushy, I would've slapped her.
'Now I get to deal with a pubescent, sex crazed wasn't the right term. Affection hungry, little girl who keeps switching between wanting to die in embarrassment, wanting someone to comfort her, and wanting said comforter after they displayed enough affection towards her. And then wanting die of embarrassment again.'
And apparently her, fluids, make a scent when she's in heat. I told everyone she just produces pheromones when it's her time of the year. They don't need to know, I wish I didn't.
If someone told me this was happening a week ago, I'd assume they were high.
She wouldn't do anything, too bad, to anyone while in heat, her first instinct was to find someone willing and then 'mark' them.
She figured that out herself, apparently she kept getting the urge to bite Dennis and leave a scar on him after he showed significant interest in her. In her own words her instincts were, find someone, mark them. And she couldn't bring herself to say the next part aloud, but I got a good idea of what came next.
I scanned her brain as well, that's off too. Her olfactory cortex has gotten massively denser and is slowly building itself up and connecting with the rest of her brain. Her prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex are also building more neurons. Allowing for more efficient and faster travel of neurotransmitters between the two.
Her amygdala is structured differently too, couldn't say how, I only got the time to notice it was different from before when she started going from hugging, to nuzzling and well, she likes my figure, I'll leave it at that. She backed off when I told her no, but was still rather pushy and insistent, constantly returning to the subject.
The longer she was around someone of interest to her, the more her hormones rose. And that list included me.
That's when I left.
'Maybe Vicky will take this as a hint and stop playing matchmaker, she sucks at it.'
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-Tuesday, April 6th, 8am-
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Carol "Brandish" Dallon POV
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She won't talk to Mark, so it falls to me.
'Well Mark asked me to.'
Standing in front of Kitsus' door I can't help but feel bad for the kid.
She finally decides to grow up, and her Case 53 aspect fucks over her first date. Her estrus should be over by now and she still hasn't left her room.
Vicky had been conspiring with Dennis's mother to set the two up. And it landed right on day one of her new yearly cycle. Turning a first date, what should normally be either an awkward or enjoyable memory, into one so full of regret it'll probably haunt her for the rest of her life.
Not that I think it would work out, even though yesterday I managed to get the paperwork edited before it was finalized, changing her official age from 11, to 11-14 citing unusual and extenuating circumstance. The age difference is still a massive issue, if someone said something a case could be made, not that it would go anywhere seeing as it's a very grey area, but the scandal could ruin lives if made public. Not to mention I would be required to take a side, and public opinion would roast my tits either way.
'Talk about a comedy of errors.' I think sardonically. 'Honestly Vicky, what were you thinking?'
"Kitsu, are you up? You're late for school! Is your cycle still going?" Might as well be blunt about it. Nothing gets done with Kitsu if you try and dance around. She had a talent for banter that left others spinning.
"No."
"No what? No, you won't go to school? Or no your cycle isn't still going?"
"Yes."
'This is going nowhere.'
"I'm opening the door. You better be dressed!"
Doing so I'm assaulted with a sweet earthy smell, Kitsu apparently produces pheromones when in heat according to Amy. They don't do anything other than produce an aroma when in a confined space. It's not unpleasant and I would have thought it the result of a scented candle otherwise, but still.
Walking over over to the lump under the covers on her bed I sit next to her.
"You can't stay in here forever." I say, folding my arms across my chest.
"Watch me." She mumbles from under the blanket.
"You're being dramatic."
"I was about to bite him! And after that I would've, MMMMRRRRRRMMM!" She squirms under the blanket.
'Looks like I'm calling off work today.'
"But you didn't, and the moment you started thinking straight, you did the responsible thing, let someone know, and took yourself out of the situation where it's an issue." I reassure her, rubbing her back through the blanket.
"I actually liked him, not so much as a crush but, maybe there could've been something." She says in a small voice.
'Boy troubles, at least this is something I can handle.'
"Maybe." I say lightly. "But no one ever knows for sure, not even precogs such as yourself."
Bit of a surprise to find that Kitsu really was a thinker, Vicky told me, she wasn't fully aware of it, having it for so long that it's just second nature to her, so she never felt the need to mention it. According to her, she can't control what she 'remembers'.
"Mrm. I know that, but after how I acted? I can't look him, Missy, Vicky, Amy, or anyone else in the face again!" She says and slams her head down to the mattress in a vain attempt to disappear into it.
"What do Amy and Vicky have to do with this? And who's Missy?"
She tenses under the blanket before poking her head out just enough to look at me.
"Missy is, a girl, I ran into at the mall. And I, may have, hit on Amy when she checked up on me." She says and looks away from my eyes.
'Bisexual confirmed then, or was it just the estrus making her target anything with a pulse? Doesn't matter.'
"And Vicky?"
She slinks her head back down under the blanket.
"Her too." She groans.
That made things a bit more complicated. For one, Vicky is my actual daughter, two she's straight, and three, she's in a relationship already. Most of the time.
'Conversation for later. Focus on getting the fox up first.'
"And everyone else?"
She doesn't answer and just groans again. I stand up and address her once more.
"Right, c'mon, get up. I know what you've been doing in here the last three days, and you need a shower and to clean your sheets if nothing else."
"What?!" Her voice cracks as she shoots her head out of the blanket. Sitting up with it still bundled around her.
"Kitsu, I'll say it now so that it doesn't become an issue later but. You need to learn to be quieter."
Her face goes absolutely beet red and her ears fall flat. Before she slumps back over. Throwing a pillow over her face.
"Aaaahaaaahaaaaa." She whines out. "Just kill me please!"
'Once again with the theatrics.' I think with a roll of my eyes. Vicky was just like this when she had a wardrobe malfunction in middle school.
'Though a handful of people seeing your bra through a sweat soaked shirt isn't as bad as nearly molesting a guy and going as far as to sabotage a Ferris wheel to do it.'
I'll make sure she pays for the damages through an anonymous donation.
"Alright enough of that, you'll get over it." I say and reach down to grab her blanket. "Now come on. You've been in here long enough."
"No! WAIT!" She shouts as I toss the blanket off.
Seeing more skin, I immediately turn around and walk to the door before I see too much more of her. It's nothing I haven't seen before, being a mother and all, but she doesn't need to be humiliated further than she feels she already is.
"Put a towel on and get a shower. After that get dressed and meet me in the living room. We can, play games with Mark or something." I say and close the door.
'When did I get so soft?'
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Bonus
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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Laying stomach down on my bed, staring at my phone I couldn't hope but agonize over what Kitsu said.
'Was she being serious? Did she really find me that attractive?' I think in a mix of confusion and elation.
'I mean, it was flattering. But I like guys! Not girls. Though I never really thought about girls like that before, so maybe? Maybe I just didn't find the right one or put enough thought into it and so I default to guys because that feels natural?'
"Oh, why did she have to say anything?" I whine. "I could've stayed content with myself."
Now I'm confused, do I really like guys only? Or is it because I just never gave it any thought?
'Maybe I could give it a shot? We're the same age so it'd make more sense. It would just be a harmless little venture to figure things out. And her date with Dennis ended badly enough that he won't talk about it, only saying that him and Kitsu won't happen anytime soon, if ever.'
"Hrrrmmmm." I grumble and kick my feet against the blanket. "I wish I had her number at least, then we could text or something."
I tried calling Vicky, but she won't give me any details and says Kitsu can't talk to anyone for the time being. Did the date really end that badly? Would it be wrong to try and ask someone out just after?
'I mean, she could at least use a friend, right? She might have killed Dennis, but looking back at it the whole mess was just mix of errors on all sides. Besides, like he said, he got better! And Kitsu was the one to bring him back, so at least she's accountable.'
That was always a good thing. It wouldn't be wrong to start out as friends at least.
'And I did find her to be cute. Does that make me bisexual? Can a girl like another girl's looks without it being sexual or romantic? What is it that one kid in gym said? Everyone's a little gay? Does that apply here?'
I tried taking a quiz online to determine if I was Bi or not, only for the link to say that if I was seriously taking a quiz over it, then I probably am.
I wish I had some to talk to about this. Mom would just make it about herself, and dad would try and use the fact that I confided in him rather than mom against her. Which would lead to another back and forth with me caught in the middle. Again.
"MMMMRRRRRM AGH! Why can't this stuff ever be simple!?"
"It'd be simpler if you paid more attention in class!" Her mom shouted from across the house.
Trust my entitled bitch of a mother to always throw in her two cents, even when she had NO clue what was going on.
Really quick I type in my phone the legal age to be emancipated. And groan as the answer comes up.
'Two more years left. Maybe I could be a ward of the state?'
Googling that I get even more frustrated.
Turning my thoughts back to my current dilemma.
'I could always meet her in costume?' I think anxiously. 'Talk to her then? See if we have anything in common? It's not wrong that I'm curious.'
I'd been meaning to get more patrol shifts anyway.
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Bonus
Kitsus' bio plans.
This is just what she wants to do, not that any of it will happen.
Plants
Rose- make an actual blue rose. Name it something silly.
Sandbox tree- Small pumpkins go BOOM!
Manchineel tree- Acid. Nuff said.
Venus fly trap- just wants to see its biology. Maybe make it so they have multicolored mouths. And give it a ridiculous name.
Banana- wants to see if it's possible to make it so they reproduce sexually instead of asexually so that there can be multiple kinds of banana through genetic recombination.
Watermelon- wants to see if it's possible to make it spicy, really mess with people.
Peppers- REALLY mess with people.
Bamboo- wants to see if it's possible to make them sturdier. Like steel. So you can grow steel out of the ground. Just an idle thought.
Blue Bells- wants to make them Bioluminescent. Decorate her room.
Wheat- end world hunger, maybe.
Moss and mold- create antibiotics. Market them maybe. Or give to PanPan as a gift.
Corteceps fungi- *Insert Evil Laughter here* March my army of ants, MARCH!
Animals
Porcupine- obvious
Bat- their immune systems are insane, see if it can be replicated into a person. Market it.
Poison dart frog- replicate through own skin. Synergize with porcupine quills for offense.
Spider- recreate spinnerets. market the silk.
Pit viper- heat sensing and chemical tracer venom stuff.
Mantis shrimp- see what those eyes do. And maybe see if replicating their hydraulics is feasible.
Cuttlefish- market the ability for others to change color. Or make so she can do so without the itchy or burning feeling.
Other Parahumans
Aegis- see if anything he has going on can be replicated in others.
Newter- find a neutralizer and neuter his bodies drugs. Sell it to him in exchange for said drugs and use them for pranks.
Bonesaw- who knows what she might find.
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