***Hello everyone! Sorry for the late update. It's been a crazy week! This chapter is a bit shorter than the other ones, so please just bear with me! Thanks for the support!
***Warnings: Language, dark themes
***Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic
Chapter 3: Alterations
'I'm home again!'
Gilbert hurried through the flowered fields towards the glen where his tribe was eagerly awaiting him. His face was alight with joy and relief to see them all again, waiting for him, with waves and wagging tails. Now that he was home safe, away from that terrible place, he could be happy. Everyone greeted him with hugs, licks, and kisses. His nest was waiting for him, fresh meat and fruits were his welcome home treats, and the tribe leader acknowledged him fondly.
Only it had been a dream.
He woke up in a cold, stale room of white walls and ceiling while strapped to a flat surface, something they called a 'table'. He pulled at his binds, finding his wrists, ankles, neck and chest were all strapped to the table. He could feel some pinching on his temples and forehead, more of those round little dots with colored vines attached to them. These dots usually caused him pain but for now they were only itching his skin.
These men, these humans, took pleasure in making him hurt and feel pain. He couldn't understand just what they wanted with him for their language was peculiar and unique. They wore strange things to cover their bodies, wore odd things over their eyes, and had no tails. These humans, he knew that's what they were due to their frequent communication, meant to do him and his people harm. He should have never gotten so close to them when they arrived on his planet. He had wanted to protect his people, to warn them of these strange creatures who looked a bit like them but weren't them. Instead of getting to his tribe, he was caught with bright colors from loud objects in their arms and strange webbing to tangle his limbs.
His tribe and his pride are the reasons why he is strapped to this table right now undergoing pain and humiliation. That dream he just had was only wishful thinking on his part. His tribe had always feared him due to his odd coloring of pale white skin, white hair and pink eyes. When he was born his mother had abandoned him to die but he was saved by another female in the tribe who raised him as her own. After she died when he was young there was little option left for family so he had to defend for himself. Unlike the others, he knew that he was different, not only in coloring but in thinking as well. The first time he understood this was when he showed the tribe elder how to arrange the males and females by groups of equal numbers. The elder recognized his display as something bad and he was attacked for it.
When he grew into a young male of mating age he knew himself to be barren and that no females or males would want him. He tried, many times, to appeal to females but they would chase him off or attack him. The tribe leader wanted nothing to do with him, nor did the other males. They only allowed him to stay with the clan out of respect to his adoptive mother. His real mother, who still lived, never paid him any mind. He was alone in the tribe, without friend or mate. Even though his body gave off the scent for mating their hatred for him overrode their needs. No one wanted him.
But Ludwig did, the strange and funny yellow haired human who fed him food and 'kissed' him. This Ludwig was a different kind of human male, he was nice. He was kind and understanding for he did not care about pink eyes and white hair. Ludwig treated him like he was just another being, the same as him. He really cared for Ludwig and smiled at the thought of the tender man.
He did not hate Ludwig for standing there as he was taken away by these humans in white. He saw that Ludwig was a submissive to these humans so that is the reason why he could not interfere. He did not understand how these humans conducted their people or their lives, so he had to try and find an explanation himself. Ludwig was a good human, a human that he wanted to mate despite their different races. Ludwig, a human, understood him more than his own kind did back home.
"Hello Gilbert."
'They call me 'Gilbert'…that is not my name.' He said to himself, recognizing the voice of the alpha male human. He turned to look at the smug man.
"How are we feeling? Did we have a nice sleep?"
'Sleep. I know that word.' All he did was grit his teeth at the man.
"I see."
He saw him take the little black object out and he started to panic, fearing the pain that came when the red dot was pushed. Immediately he turned straight faced so as to not threaten the alpha human.
"We're going to do a little bit of cutting today."
'Cutting? I don't understand him! What is cutting?' He saw more people dressed just like the alpha come in with a 'table' of sharp things. They looked like hunting blades but they weren't. Did cutting mean to open his skin? Like a wound? His pink eyes widened. 'No more pain!'
"Don't worry, Gilbert, you'll be sleeping for all of this."
'Sleep? They are going to put that clear liquid in me that makes me close my eyes.' And the alpha human did just that. 'No…don't sleep.' He told himself while trying to force his eyes to remain open. There was no use in fighting for the liquid was too strong and he let the darkness take over.
He never felt a thing, until he woke up.
'Mmm…what happened?'
He was in a strange white room again, this one with soft walls and floor. There was a strange ache throughout his whole body, meaning the humans did something to him again. Something about 'cutting'. When he tried to push himself up with his arms a wave of pain burst through the limbs that ripped a cry from his throat. He tried to use his tail to help lift him only to find that it wasn't responding. When trying to move his feet he was met with the same type of lightening pain through them reaching all the way up to his tail.
'What's wrong with my body?'
Ignoring the pain in his right arm, he reached behind him to feel for his tail. Instead, he found a covered stump where tail should be. Slowly, his eyes widened to saucers as he began to realize just what the humans had done to him. Calmly, he forced himself into a seated position and looked over his body. Not only was his tail missing but his feet were different- on each foot his three talons were pressed together and held by thick black vines, just like the ones in his neck. However, the talons were missing. The pain in his arms had him noticing that the thin layer of skin there that helps him to glide through the trees was removed. A thin dark red line with more black vines remained where the skin was cut from his arms. The humans had cut off his tail, his skin, and stuck his toes together.
It was then that the full account of what has been done to him struck his brain- and he screamed.
/
Ludwig sipped lazily at his third glass of beer, still seated at the noisy bar but it was all silent to him. He kept thinking about Gilbert and how the alien reached for him, seeking his protection yet did not receive it. He hated himself for this. Getting drunk was not the best option but at this point he needed to feel a bit buzzed, at least to keep some of his mind numb. He needed a change of scenery. He paid for his beers and left the bar, heading down to the kennels.
The dogs were eager to see him. When he entered the main kennel play area they all came running to him with tails wagging and mouths barking. They helped to bring a smile to his face, especially when he knelt on the floor to greet them too. His face was showered in warm tongues and wet noses sniffing him. He laughed when the number of dogs forced him onto his back where he was dog piled on- literally. With one loud whistle the dogs moved away to sit dutifully, waiting for his command.
"Stand." Ludwig said the command, which was 'beg', but he liked using 'stand' better. The dogs all obeyed. He counted them, six in total, but one was missing. "Where's Nebula?"
"Ludwig," it was the kennel keeper, Louis. "haven't seen you here in awhile."
"Hello Louis. Where is Nebula? I don't see her here."
Louis gave a sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose before rubbing the back of his neck. "She was taken away on a mission. Some galactic soldiers came and took her."
"Why wasn't I informed?" Ludwig asked harshly.
"I'm sorry, Ludwig. I didn't expect you to be gone for so long or I would have told you."
Ludwig grit his teeth. "She was not ready for a space mission!"
"I'm sorry again." Louis said. "It wasn't my place to tell them 'no'. I'm just the kennel keeper!"
"You're right. It was wrong of me to snap at you. I'm sorry, Louis. I've had…a job change and it is…well…I have different duties and hours now. It's hard to get here to the kennels."
"What job?"
Ludwig shook his head. "I'd rather not say. But how have the dogs been? Are they eating well?"
"Oh, yes! No changes here!" Louis grinned. "They've missed you, though. They howl sometimes, staring at the door and waiting for you to come.
Ludwig smiled at them, looking at all their wagging tails and eager expressions. "I've missed them too. I'll try to get down here more often. But I should be getting back. Keep up the good work, Louis." He gave each of the dogs a few scratches behind the ears and pats on the head, hearing their sad whining for him as he left. He had another pet to get back to that needed his attention more.
/
"Gilbert!" Ludwig called from the door as he entered the habitat. "Gilbert! Food!"
When Gilbert didn't come, Ludwig put the bag of fruit down by his feet and waited, searching the trees for signs of movement. After ten minutes had passed, Ludwig assumed that Gilbert was sleeping in his nest for the experiments would have exhausted him. Taking the food, Ludwig made his way to the nest only to find that a ladder had been placed leading up to the entrance hole. Confused, Ludwig tapped the ladder and wondered what it was here for. Gilbert just climbed the tree to enter. Did something happen?
"Gilbert!" He called again. "It's Ludwig! Ludgug. Gilbert!" A small, weakened voice like sound of a wounded animal came from inside the nest. "Oh no!" Forgetting about the food, Ludwig climbed the ladder and crawled inside the nest. "Gilbert!" A sad pair of red-rimmed pink eyes looked at him.
Ludwig's eyes slowly widened as he took in the bloodied sight of Gilbert. The alien had bandages around his feet, under his arms, and around his waist all spotted with blood that started to leak through.
"Ludgug…" Gilbert reached his arms out to him. "Ludgug!"
Ludwig crawled to Gilbert's side and embraced him, paying special attention to not touch the wounds covering his body. He looked down Gilbert's back and saw that his tail was also missing, bandaged with a large bloodspot where it used to be. "What did they do to you?"
He left and came back with a medical first-aid kit to treat Gilbert's wounds. Though he was relieved that Gilbert didn't hate him for earlier he still did not like to see the condition his alien was in. He started at the feet, taking the left heel in his palm and gently lifting it to cut away the old bandages. When the soiled bandages unraveled in a heap to the floor he took in the grotesque sight of Gilbert's twisted feet. The once three bird-like toes had been stitched together and the same was done for the right foot. The bones had been broken as well to shape the foot with full removal of the talons. Ludwig pondered on the reasoning for this as he applied topical ointment to the stitches. Why would they sew his feet like this? He finished bandaging the feet and then moved to the arms.
'They cut the skin off…but why?' He applied the ointment and new bandage. 'And his tail. Why would they cut it off?' As he continued to bandage the alien he couldn't help but noticed how much Gilbert looked like a human now. That's when it occurred to him. 'That's it! They're trying to make him look like a human! But why? It makes no sense.'
"Ludgug?"
"Yes?"
Red rimmed eyes gazed at him. "Kiss?"
"Yes." Ludwig pressed their lips together in a gentle kiss.
'GillLLLLbrrrrrt.' The alien leaned into him, wanting to be held.
Ludwig held him for a few moments before bringing him over to the bed and helping him to lay comfortably. He took one of the blankets and covered Gilbert's body, wanting to keep the alien warm but also to avert his eyes from the terrible wounds. Gilbert continued to look up at him with those red rimmed eyes, a sign of crying, and the alien had every right to cry. Most of his unique alien features had been taken from him and by the looks of the wounds, the features would not grow back. The tail, though lizard-like, didn't seem to regenerate. The alien was maimed, probably for life, and all in the name of science. Since when did science start trumping humanity? The sight of Gilbert's maimed body like this had him seething with anger and he feared that if he saw Sai right now he would be unable hold back his words.
"You need to eat." He said softly. "Keep up your strength. I'll be right back." When he went to the mouth of the nest Gilbert called to him with a sweet little sound like that of a kitten. "Don't worry. I'll be right back. Food." He pointed down. "Food."
With the fruit now in his hand, Ludwig climbed the ladder to reenter the nest. Gilbert settled back into the bed once Ludwig showed him the fruit. Sitting beside the alien, he took out an apple and held it to Gilbert's mouth but he wouldn't take a bite. Gilbert turned his head away from the fruit.
"Food." Ludwig tried again but the alien still would not bite. So he tried some grapes next and still Gilbert refused. "You need food."
"Ludgug, no." Gilbert answered him. "Food. No."
Ludwig wanted to be pleased with Gilbert's slowly expanding vocabulary but at the moment he was focused on the alien's pain and depression. In a way, he started to feel that he was responsible for all that has happened to Gilbert too. After all, he is taking data on the alien, caring for him, and reporting back to Gilbert's tormentor. They wanted him to teach Gilbert how to think and act like a human while they are altering the alien's body to make him look like a human.
"Gilbert, please eat. Food." He started to peel an orange. "Food. Eat." Gilbert turned his face away from the offered piece of orange. Ludwig sighed. 'He has good reason to be depressed. He understands what was taken away from him. If only I could understand him further…then I could help him ease the depression.'
"Ludgug? Sleep."
"You want to sleep?" Ludwig asked him. "Sleep?" The alien nodded. "You sleep. Rest." He pulled the blanket over Gilbert's shoulder and ran his hand through the silky hair. "Sleep."
"Ludgug?" Gilbert's voice was soft and weak. 'Giiiilllllbbbrr?' He looked to the entrance of the cave and shook his head. "No."
"No?" Ludwig looked at the entrance and then back to Gilbert, finally understanding what the alien was trying to say. "Stay. I'll stay." He moved himself to sit by Gilbert's bandaged feet. "Stay."
Gilbert smiled then and said, "Day."
"Close enough."
Ludwig watched as Gilbert fell into an exhausted sleep, feeling guilt now along with remorse. He had to speak to Professor Sai about what has been done to Gilbert. All he had to do was approach the issue in a calm but assertive way.
/
"What is it that you wish to see me about, Ludwig?" Sai asked from his desk but did not look up at Ludwig as the soldier entered his office.
"Sir," Ludwig saluted. "I wish to speak with you about Gilbert's alterations."
Sai looked up from his papers. "Alterations? Oh, you mean what we did to his body." He sat back in his chair. "It looks worse than it is, Ludwig. Please, have a seat. And keep in mind that Gilbert's body heals quickly. We are certain that his scars will disappear once the stitches are removed."
Ludwig sat in the leather chair and kept his features stern. "I thought we were reintroducing human functions to Gilbert's life. I didn't think his body would be changed. He is very depressed now, he won't eat or get out of bed."
Sai nodded. "I figured as much. Ludwig, please try to understand that what we do, we do in the best interest for the human race as well as the universe. Yes, we are trying to alter Gilbert's body to see if we can reverse the adaption."
"What for? They were humans who escaped a harsh life and made a living elsewhere. Shouldn't we just leave them alone? They left for a reason."
"Ah, yes, that's true. But, they did not CHANGE on purpose. Their planet, climate, and environment changed them. The quick adaption is simply amazing. Life forms have the ability to change in all different ways to meet their environment and continue to survive. It's just…amazing!"
"So you want to return Gilbert's alien body back to that of a human? Just to see if the adaption and evolution can change quickly? You can't control evolution…not that quickly."
Sai gave a little chuckle. "I don't expect you to understand this much of science, Ludwig. It's very difficult to understand and you have not perused your life in the field of science. While you are intelligent, you are not at my intellectual level for science. Besides, Gilbert is an intelligent being. He deserves to be among other intelligent beings like us. He'll be much happier as a human."
Ludwig shook his head. "You can't know that. No one asked Gilbert what he wanted. I know that we can't but forcing him to become something that he's not-"
"Ludwig, please, calm down." Sai held up his hand to stop further speech. "I understand you care for Gilbert, and that's fine. Gilbert needs to know human compassion for he certainly was never treated kindly among his own people. He clings to you because you give him what he craves, understanding and compassion. Those are very basic human emotions that he is intelligent enough to feel, to want, to understand. You are feeding his human instincts and that is something for you to be proud of. We can give Gilbert the life he deserves."
"Then what about his planet?" Ludwig asked. "If we teach him human speech and make him think like us, are you going to try use him to catch other beings on his planet?"
Sai tapped his pen on the desk, licking his dry lips before tilting his head back to give an aggravated groan. "You see me as the bad guy here. I understand that. I've done terrible things to Gilbert without remorse or guilt. However, you should not be glaring daggers and wishing harm on me, Ludwig!"
"Sir, I-"
"Be quiet!" He slammed his palm on the desk. "I'm protecting Gilbert's humble little planet by having him on this ship! If it weren't for my persuasion at the board meetings then the galactic army would be taking over that planet and killing every being in sight."
Ludwig was surprised by Sai's sudden outburst as well as the explanation of reasoning behind some of this case. "Why do they want to destroy the planet?"
"There's special minerals there, and many other things that those bums on the Universe Committee would love to get their fat fingers on. I'm sure they have deals with other life forms and galaxies as well about this. But I saw other opportunities on that planet that they did not see, nor did they care to see. They see only money. I see long term answers to further understanding human development in the changing universe. I saw Gilbert's people. I knew immediately what they were and my tests proved my theory to be correct. We've been looking for life forms such as Gilbert's race to study, and it is on my good word and excellent conduct that Gilbert's planet is currently untouched. The committee board approves of my theory and experiments to reintroduce human ways to these evolved life forms. So before you plot my demise, think about that for a moment. Think about the good I am doing rather than the bad."
Despite Sai's explanation, Ludwig still was not convinced that it was the full story. It sounded legit, but something about it seemed off. "I'm not plotting your demise, sir. I just feel concern for Gilbert's health."
"I know you disagree with what we've done, and I don't blame you for feeling that way. But from now on, keep your nose out of my area in this experiment. Keep reintroducing human functions."
"Yes sir." Ludwig stood up to leave but Sai stopped him.
"Wait. You said he is depressed?" Ludwig nodded. "Then cheer him up. Bring one of your dogs to the habitat chamber for him to play with. Animal therapy is a well known aid for depression and healing. It's old fashioned, but something I think Gilbert will like."
"Thank you, sir."
/
"Alright, Skye," he spoke the dog's name outside the habitat chamber door. "Be a good girl. No barking." They entered the chamber with Skye by his side. He chose Skye because she was the most even tempered one out of the pack. Skye was a descendant of the old Border Collie breed and highly intelligent. "Come."
Skye followed him through the woods and to the nest. Ludwig knew he would have to carry Skye up there if Gilbert didn't come down. First he would try to get Gilbert to come out, and then he would attempt to carry the dog up. He called Gilbert's name twice but the alien did not show up at the entrance. He tried again, and then a forth time, until finally he appeared.
"Skye. Speak!" Ludwig commanded and Skye barked.
Gilbert looked frightened at first by the sight of the dog but Ludwig assured him it was safe by showing him how kind Skye was by petting her. Skye licked Ludwig's face and wagged her tail, two motions in which Gilbert is familiar with. Ludwig saw the alien take sudden interest and he began to descend on the ladder. Ludwig noticed how well Gilbert was using his newly shaped feet. The alien was wise enough to know to go slow and take his time on the ladder.
When Gilbert got to the ground he went on all fours, the same as Skye, and began to carefully approach her. Skye remained still, panting softly, and wagging her tail at Gilbert. Ludwig knelt beside her to show Gilbert that she was a tame animal. Skye, ever patient, allowed for Gilbert to sniff her. Ludwig had to keep himself from chuckling so he focused instead on showing Gilbert the proper way to pet a dog.
"Gilbert. Like this." He took Gilbert's hand and brought it to Skye's fur, showing him how to pet her.
Skye remained calm as Gilbert stroked her coat with both hands, marveling at her fur and softness. Skye even leaned forward and gave Gilbert's nose a few little licks. Gilbert smiled at Ludwig, obviously pleased with Skye and surprisingly, he brought the dog into a hug. Skye had to stand up to allow him to hug her but she kept her tail wagging. Ludwig could tell that she did not feel threatened by Gilbert at all.
"Dog." Ludwig pointed to Skye. "Dog."
"Gog." Gilbert repeated.
"D-og."
"D-OG!"
"Yes! Dog."
Gilbert scratched behind Skye's ear. "Dog."
Ludwig pointed to himself. "Ludwig." He pointed to Gilbert. "Gilbert." Then he pointed to the dog. "Skye." He also chose Skye for this because she had a one-syllable name, which is easier to repeat. He repeated the names again, wondering if Gilbert caught on to the quick lesson he was attempting to teach."
"Ssssssskye. Dog. Dog Skye. Skye dog."
Ludwig smiled and nodded. "Yes."
Gilbert pointed to himself. "Gilbert." The name was easy for him to repeat. He pointed to Ludwig next. "Ludgug. Ludvig! Mmm…Skye!" He pointed to the dog.
"Very good. Gilbert, you are learning fast!"
Ludwig couldn't believe how well Gilbert took to Skye. The two were playing on the ground but Ludwig feared Gilbert's wounds would open up if he played too rough. He took one of the balls from his bag and whistled for Skye to come. She left Gilbert's side to wait anxiously in front of Ludwig at the sight of the red ball. Gilbert looked on curiously as well. Ludwig threw the ball and Skye chased it, bringing it back to him proudly. Gilbert crawled over to Ludwig and took the ball from his hand.
"Throw." He showed Gilbert the motion with his arm. "Throw."
Gilbert nodded and threw the ball, laughing as Skye ran after it. She brought it back but didn't know who to give it too. Gilbert reached for it so she gently laid it in his palms. The two continued the game until Ludwig ended it with another whistle.
"Food." He said to Gilbert. "Food."
"Food." Gilbert said, pointing to his mouth.
"Yes. Food. Eat." Ludwig mimicked eating with his hands. "Eat."
Gilbert nodded, understanding him.
Although he ate slowly, Gilbert finished the bags of the fruit much to Ludwig's relief. The animal therapy had worked, it would seem, to lighten Gilbert's mood. Or Gilbert had quickly come to terms with the horrid alterations of his alien body. But Ludwig found that hard to believe since Gilbert showed signs of intelligence. His psyche would let him know the extent of his body and the changes within it.
"Ludvig," Gilbert said his name. "Skye."
"Yes." He took out the red ball again and showed it to Gilbert. "Ball."
"Bbbbbbbulll."
"No. Ball. BA-LL."
Gilbert tried again but as he was forming the word he burped instead. Skye's head tilted at the sound and Ludwig covered his mouth to hide his laughter. Gilbert began to laugh too but instead of his 'kesseese' it came out as a regular human laugh. The sound of the laughter seemed to confuse Gilbert as well for he covered his mouth the moment after. Ludwig found this very peculiar yet fascinating too because Gilbert appeared to be picking up the human language on his own just by observing. Ludwig figured it would be best to spend more time with Gilbert now since the alien seemed to be a visual learner- or he was a fast learner.
Gilbert took the ball to throw it again in another game of fetch with Skye. The dog continued without complaint, never showing signs of boredom. Ludwig, however, had to get Skye back to the kennel so the playtime had to be cut short.
"Skye, come." The dog brought the ball over and stood by his side.
Gilbert looked at them, confused.
"Skye eat." Ludwig said and the alien nodded, appearing to understand. But Gilbert crawled over to them to latch onto Ludwig's leg, looking up at him with the same pink, red-rimmed eyes. "I'll be coming back." Ludwig told him. "Be back soon." He took the ball from Skye's mouth to show to Gilbert. "Ball. Gilbert and Ludwig." He pointed to himself, to Gilbert, and then to the ball. "Play."
"Play?" Gilbert repeated.
"Yes. Play."
He let go of Ludwig's leg after he understood what the human meant. Skye had to eat and Ludwig would be back to play with the ball. It was getting easier to understand Ludwig and the human's speech. He wondered if it was due to something the men in white did to him during all the pain. The men were changing his body in so many ways…
It was sad to see Ludwig go but he knew the man would be back. Sleeping now was all he wanted; his belly was full and his mind had been taken off of the pain for a bit. It was easier to climb up to the nest rather than climb down, he noticed. His arms hurt less than his feet so he pulled himself up. Once inside, he crawled to the nesting area to rest his back against the wall and cover himself with the blanket. He kept his maimed feet in view though. He wanted to look at them now that he was wide awake, full, and a little more relaxed.
Both feet were narrow now, almost like the shape of the humans. Then it occurred to him that the humans may be trying to turn him into one of them. He may look a little bit like a human, but he wasn't a human. He and his race just are, they didn't have a name, nor was it necessary. If they really were trying to make him human, then Ludwig was in on it as well. Ludwig is teaching him how to talk like a human, with human speech and words. However, Ludwig, he knew, is nothing like the men in white. Ludwig is a kind human, a bit hard to understand, but kind. He is very kind to his dog, and very kind to him.
He smiled at the thought of being with Ludwig as mates. If he weren't barren he could give Ludwig many children, strong males, and he couldn't help thinking how pretty they would be. Both he and Ludwig were not only strong but attractive as well. As much as his tribe despised him, none ever denied that he was desirable and beautiful. He may be different, but he was good to look at. Pride and fear is what kept everyone away from him. Although he did wish for acceptance, he knew in his heart and soul that he did not NEED his tribe to feel complete. He was smarter than all of them. He understood things that they didn't and couldn't. Yes, he couldn't mate or have offspring, but he could sense the changing of the seasons, count to higher numbers, and see things differently. To him, that was more important than being just another tribe member. But everyone wants to be accepted, even for their differences.
Ludwig accepted him. Ludwig and Skye, the dog. No one else here in this horrid place accepted him. The men in white wanted to MAKE him acceptable by turning him into one of them. Well, that wouldn't happen, he told himself. He would never give in to them, no matter what. They may change his body and speech, but they could never change his heart or mind. He found his lips curling into a large smirk. Yes, he could withstand anything.
'Maybe if I learn more about the ways of these humans…I can beat them and escape.'
Escape to where, he did not know. However, he knew that Ludwig would help him escape. The human man would know what to do. They could be back on his planet and he would ask Ludwig to stay with him, to mate with him, and to start a special, separate life of their own as a pair. He knew Ludwig wasn't happy here- he could read it on the man's face- unless that's how Ludwig always looked when the alphas in white were around?
It became much too hard to think with the pain coming back to his wounds so he took to settling down in his nest. This nest would mean more to him if Ludwig were here to share it, or to help make it larger. As he closed his eyes he thought about what his life would be like with Ludwig as his mate living on his planet. Ludwig was a human so he would have to learn how to make a strong hanging nest to house them both. He could make the nesting inside himself but by his tribe, Ludwig would have to go out and gather all the materials for the nest. Then they could have offspring, little ones, to raise on their knowledge as well as their heritage. The image of a happy family is what helped him to fall asleep.
/
'Hybrid 6900 continues to improve with his speech. He appears to be picking up on my language at a much faster rate than before. Pronunciation has improved tremendously with words forming rapidly. He mastered the words, 'eat', 'food', ' yes', 'no', 'ball', 'dog', and 'Skye'. My name has evolved from 'Ludgug' to 'Ludvig'. In a short time, I believe he will be able to fully pronounce my name.'
'The alterations to his body have not seemed to bother him since playtime with Skye. At first, he was depressed with signs of crying and refused to eat. After some coaxing I got him to eat his meals and learn the game of 'fetch' with Skye. He enjoys the company of animals so when I start regulating his playtime I will bring one of my dogs to join us. Tomorrow I plan to introduce Gilbert to very basic human objects, such as a pen and paper, a fork and knife, even how to dress. We continue to make advances each and every day'
It left a bad taste in his mouth to write the entry without expression but it had to stay professional. Despite his feelings towards the cruelties to Gilbert he had to keep his writing and data professional at all times. It was better to only state facts in writing and not feelings for anything in writing can be used against you. And he did not trust Sai and his fellow scientists.
"What cruelties await you tomorrow, Gilbert?" Ludwig asked himself out loud as he turned off the light and placed the tablet on the table. 'How can I stop them from hurting Gilbert?'
A small part of his psyche told him that he shouldn't get too close to another being, human or alien, after what happened to Friend. He suddenly pictured Friend's battered body beside Gilbert's, both bleeding and dead. All he could do was stand by, wide eyed with fear and guilt for he could not save them. There was nothing he could do.
Ludwig let out an angry grunt and shoved his head under the pillow, gripping the fabric in a white knuckle hold while he tried to shake the images from his mind. 'I was just a little boy then, scared and powerless. But I'm a man now. I have wits, strength and power. I just…have to figure out a way to use them where no one gets hurt or loses their status…I might as well try to find a needle in a haystack.'
Sleep did not come well for him.
End Chapter 3 TBC
