Pluto ate her breakfast slowly, with Guardian standing just behind her chair. Since the day Guardian had told her she would not be allowed to go and play with the other children, she had felt very sad. She wasn't as interested in her lessons as she used to be. She felt…lonely. Guardian had told her there was no reason to be lonely, but she couldn't help it. She was glad that Guardian stood just behind her. At least she still had Guardian.
"You have not been eating well lately, Pluto."said Guardian.
"I'm not very hungry, Guardian."
"Can you tell me why?"
"I don't know."
"Your last gene analysis says you are perfectly healthy. There seems to be no apparent cause for your lack of appetite. Can you explain to me why that is?"
Pluto pushed the plate away.
"I don't want to eat! I don't want to do my lessons today, either, Guardian!"
Guardian didn't move, but simply stared.
"How can you not want to eat? Or do your lessons? You have not eaten well. Your body must be lacking certain nutrients. The proper response should be that it should increase your appetite, not decrease it. Why is it that it is decreasing, Pluto?"Guardian asked again.
Pluto hung her head. She knew what Guardian was saying was right. Everything Guardian said always was. She shouldn't be behaving this way! But there seemed to be nothing to do about it. She couldn't help herself, she didn't understand why. Pluto felt a knot in her throat, and closing her eyes felt tears stream down her cheeks. She turned away from Guardian and wept.
Guardian patiently stood behind her, waiting. Finally, Pluto turned back to Guardian, and Guardian handed her a tissue. Guardian always carried tissues for such an emergency. From the way things were going, it was going to happen sooner or later.
"Why were you crying, Pluto?"Guardian asked.
"I don't know! I just don't want to do my lessons today!!!"
Guardian nodded.
"You have been given permission to be excused from your lessons, at least for some time until you feel better."
Pluto stared.
Guardian took out a test tube.
"Another gene analysis must be done."
Pluto just stared at the floor, as Guardian took a strand of her hair.
"You are behaving very shamefully, Pluto."said Guardian.
Pluto felt fresh tears welling up in her eyes. Now Guardian was scolding her! And Guardian was right! She was behaving shamefully. What was wrong with her? Her cheeks were wet with tears, and despite every effort to control herself, she felt the sobs shaking her body. The little girl wasn't quite sure what was happening.
"Control yourself, Pluto. You must control yourself. That has been enough."Guardian scolded.
After a few minutes, Pluto felt as though she could finally look up and talk without breaking into tears again.
"I-I am behaving shamefully, Guardian."she said, in a voice not quite her own.
Guardian nodded.
"You are. Remember, Pluto, you must never allow such a thing to take possession of you again. You must not allow it again. Ever."
Pluto nodded.
"Y-Yes, Guardian. I will not allow it."
"You are excused from your lessons today."
"Is it because of what I did? What is happening to me, Guardian? My face is wet, and I-I hurt."
She panicked, and gasped as she began to feel the sobs trying to break through, and covered her face, her hands curling into fists, in an effort to stop them.
"It will pass, Pluto. It will pass. But you must dominate it. For now, you are in no condition to do your lessons."
"I'm sorry, Guardian!"
"You should be. You know how important your lessons are, Pluto. They are vital. I will make an exception this one time, as you are not feeling well. However, we will continue tomorrow. No excuses then."
"Please stay with me, Guardian!"
"I will only stay for a short while, as I must take this sample to be analyzed. We will need a sample of blood, as well. Perhaps others, depending on the results, and what tests are required."
Pluto stuck out her arm, as Guardian inserted the needle into her vein, and drew out a vial of blood.
