Hey humans! So I'm back with another chapter.
Yay! We love when a girlie comes through.
Just one note before this one:
It's very long, so feel free to read it in parts and comment along as you're reading if you'd like.
Also, there's a scene at the end that's quite graphic. I don't want to spoil it but if you're sensitive to eye gore or head trauma, then please be careful. It's an important scene, but I understand some people have issues with that kind of content.
The graphic scene mentioned comes after a social media segment. The social media segment in question is an e-mail, so you'll know when that scene is coming!
I hope you enjoy the chapter, and thanks for reading!
--
StardustBibi: MOO MOO MOO I AM DANCING AND I AM DRESSED LIKE A COW MOO MOO MOO
09:31,
Liked by Everyonesleastfavtwink and Others.
216 Comments.
Everyonesleastfavtwink: MOO MOO GIRLIE
StardustBibi: EXACTLY GIRLIE
MadsPêches: WHERE did u get that outfit???? I neeeeedd
StardustBibi: its secondhand but my dad made the tail and dory found me the headband!
MadsPêches: I need it so bad.
StardustBibi: ill have to find the fabric for u and maybe dad can make it but dory said he knew someone who made the headband so ill try and give u their @
Flepu1991: Can I have some milk?
StardustBibi: machines broken sorry
Lyra_Svensson: bunny what is that pink thing in the background
Everyonesleastfavtwink: It's a dildo
MadsPêches: Y'all saw that too?
Everyonesleastfavtwink: YES ITS FUCKING MASSIVE
StardustBibi: its not a dildo its an ovipositor actually
Everyonesleastfavtwink: I—
ShuuTsukiyama—HydrangeaMoons: A what?
Everyonesleastfavtwink: U dont wanna know
Lyra_Svensson: was that
MadsPêches: You rly don't wanna know. Lol.
Lyra_Svensson: bunny ur bedroom is so weird
StardustBibi: ok
Lyra_Svensson: why do u have britney spears in ur bedroom
StardustBibi: for the feng shui
Everyonesleastfavtwink: Wait I forgot abt Britney—
Bunny pls don't tell me u used the ovipositor around her--
--
The posters rustle in the wind, creating enough noise to create irritating distractions.
They read:
'CITIZENS. DON'T BE FOOLED BY GHOULS WHO APPEAR AS CHILDREN. THEY WILL PREY UPON YOUR GOODWILL. THEY DO NOT CARE FOR YOUR KINDNESS. DON'T ALLOW YOUR KINDNESS TO BE PREYED UPON. BE VIGILANT, CITIZENS. BE WARY.
WE CAN BEAT THE GHOUL THREAT. IF WE WORK TOGETHER, IF YOU FOLLOW THE RULES SET FOR YOU. WE CAN BEAT THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.'
Dory grabs the posters, scrunching them up, "What a joke," He says.
"Yeah…" Bunny replies, looking at another poster and scoffing, "The Others don't look like that."
"Of course they don't," Dory says, pushing his cigarette into the government logo on the poster, "God fucking forbid they be truthful about anything."
"Mhm," Bunny nods. They've just been to a therapy appointment, where the same government-assigned therapist asked the same upsetting questions in the same condescending tone, whilst Bunny stumbled with replies and Dory glared at the therapist.
They stare at the wall of posters for a while. Dory tearing them down and swearing at them as Bunny watches in silence.
Then they go to the toy shop for Bunny, and wait for everyone else in a cafe.
Lyra is the first to arrive. She doesn't see them at first, only noticing when Bunny cries out, "Lyra! We're over here!"
"Jesus, Bun," Dory chides, "Not so loud!"
Lyra looks as though she's seen a ghost. She stares at them, wide-eyed and looking more sickly than usual. She looks confused.
"You did tell her we were meeting here, right?" Dory asks
"Yeah. You saw what I sent to the group chat, right?"
--
StardustBibi: WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO GO SHOPPING WITH ME AND DORY ON SATURDAY????? AND MAYBE STARGAZING AFTER POLE CLASS??? ️️️️
Twinkitty: WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND BITCHES
Pasorokin: Excuse me?
Disneyland?
When?
You didn't tell me!
I need to plan if you're going to Disneyland.
You're not going on your own.
Not again.
StardustBibi: NO DAD WERE NOT GOING TO DISNEYLAND DORY IS LYING WERE GOING TO THE SHOPPING CENTRE WHICH IS NEXT TO DISNEYLAND
ANYWAY WHO WANTS TO COME
ShuuTsukiyama—HydrangeaMoons:I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO COME.
Lyra_Svensson: CAN I ALSO PLS CUM?
Twinkitty: YOU CAN COME JUST PLS DONT CUM
StardustBibi: SHUT UP DORY IF LYRA WANTS TO CUM WE CANT STOP HER
MadsPêches: Why are y'all shouting?
--
"It was pretty loud, Bunny," Dory says.
"Whatever. Lyra! C'mere!" Bunny smiles.
Lyra approaches, looking as though she is going to throw up, "Uh. Hi."
"Hi! Sit down!" Bunny gestures to their side, "Wow! That's such a nice sweater!"
"Uh, thanks," Lyra blushes.
"Are you okay?" Dory asks, "You look ill."
"I'm ok," Lyra sits down, "Just a little, um, dizzy."
"Do you want something to eat?" Bunny asks, "I have an apple, and a protein bar. Do you want something?"
"Uh, no thanks."
"Here," Bunny insists, handing Lyra an apple, "It's fine. You can have it."
Lyra stares at it, unmoving. She shakily accepts it, staring at it in her palm.
"So!" Bunny chirps, "Are you excited?"
"Oh, uh, yeah."
"Yay! It's gonna be so much fun, Lyra! Do you have anywhere you wanna go?"
"Um…Sorry?"
"Like, do you know what shops you wanna go to?"
"Uh, I've never been here before."
"Cool! I'll show you around. There are so many nice clothes shops around here, and so many vintage ones! Seriously, it's awesome. Oh! And you know what we're doing afterwards, right?"
"Uh, pole class."
"Yeah! And then we're going stargazing! Seriously, Lyra, today's gonna be so awesome. Right, Dory?"
"Uh-huh, just as soon as Zuki and Maddie get here."
Lyra nods, before going quiet; drowned out by the sound of Bunny and Dory talk about something else.
Lyra stares at the two of them, instinctively wrapping her hands around her waist. They are both dressed so much better than her.
Dory is wearing black overalls with a cat face on the chest, with a white, cat-printed top and cat ears, as usual.
Bunny is wearing jeans with a pink cow print, paired with a matching crop top. They're wearing matching ears too, and some glittery pink cowboy boots. Their makeup is also pink and also cow-printed. Lyra can only imagine how long it took them.
Lyra shudders, disgusted by her own outfits She can only imagine how awkward clothes shopping will be.
Her insecurity is not soothed when Maddie and Tsukiyama arrive; Maddie wearing a deer-themed outfit and Tsukiyama in a halterneck crop-top and flared trousers.
Lyra starts to wish she hadn't shown up. She wonders why she even came.
Already, she has phased into the background. Everyone else is talking, and Lyra just watches.
"Did you already start shopping?" Tsukiyama is saying, "Without me?"
"Bunny made me go to the toy-store with them."
"You promised my dad you'd take me after my appointment—"
"Why did you need to go to the toy-store?"
"Because," Bunny says, rolling their eyes as if their answer were common knowledge, "The new Sylvanian Families set came out like, last week, and like, I need it. Seriously. It has ponies in it. Ponies. And they have brush-able hair! So it was like, urgent."
"Urgent."
"Yeah, look at my ponies!" Bunny presents a selection of tiny pony dolls. Lyra thinks they're cute, but doesn't know why Bunny would need them, especially at their age.
Bunny looks over the dolls with glazed eyes, "They're all so pretty. Aren't they?"
"They're cute," Tsukiyama says, smiling softly.
Bunny smiles. He shouldn't have said that.
Bunny takes that as an opportunity to talk nonstop about their new pony sets, and consequently, to talk even more about every other Sylvanian Family set in existence.
Tsukiyama seems to take it well. They nod and feign interest. They do not stop staring at Bunny, his arm seemingly glued to their waist. Bunny leans into whatever affection he gives them, and just keeps talking.
Lyra watches. She can't help but feel sick. She's not sure why.
She feels better when the group separates, and Tsukiyama is somewhere else. But then Bunny is talking to Lyra about Sylvanian Families, and Lyra feels slightly stupid.
I'm not stupid, She thinks, I'm not the nineteen year old who's still playing with toys.
She feels a strange satisfaction at this; knowing that she is more grown than Bunny. That she thinks she has something over Bunny.
Bunny has convinced Lyra to go into vintage clothes shop.
"It's a total steal," They'd said, halfway through toy-related jargon, "You get a kilo of clothes for 3000. And they're nice clothes too. Seriously. It's awesome. You should be able to find some nice stuff, Lyra."
Lyra thinks Bunny is messing with her. She knows Bunny is making fun of her clothes, of how much money Lyra has.
They're pretending to be excited, Lyra thinks, watching as Bunny excitedly gathers pink and white clothing, getting covered in feathers, fluff and glitter.
Lyra quickly becomes bored. She doesn't want to look at clothes. She doesn't want to look at what size she is or spend money on something so superficial. She doesn't deserve new clothes, she thinks.
"Lyra!" Bunny calls out, "Come and look at this!" They're gawking at a pair of yellow dinosaur-printed overalls, "Aren't they just so super awesome?"
"Oh," Lyra says, "They're cool."
She doesn't think Bunny would wear that. It's not pink or white or sparkly, so why have they pointed them out—
"Lyra," Bunny says, "They would look so good on you! Right? What size are you again?"
"Uh," Lyra flushes red, Why would you ask that? Why would you ask me that?
"Eh. It doesn't matter. These would look awesome oversized. All you need is a black top underneath, and maybe some nice trainers; simple white ones would be fine, and like, white trainers are sooo versatile! Total wardrobe essential. You have some, right?"
"No…"
"Mkay, then we'll have to get some. Oh, what do you think of this colour though? Because like, I think yellow would look a-maze-ing on you. But like, they've got it in grey too."
Bunny doesn't seem to like the grey, so Lyra ignores it, looking at the yellow pair.
"These are, um, bright."
"Exactly! I'm telling you; you would kill it!"
Lyra pauses.
"What is it?" Bunny asks, "Don't tell me you don't like them…Do you?"
"I do, I just—"
"What? It's not your thing?"
"No, I just—I don't really have anything like that."
"Yeah, but do you want it?"
"I don't…I don't really know."
"You deserve nice things, Lyra," Bunny says, "Besides, I'm paying, remember?"
"You don't have to pay—"
"Dude, it's practically peanuts, Lyra, peanuts. I wouldn't tell you I'm paying if I didn't mean it."
"I know, but um, it's really not that important—"
"You're important. If you want this, then it's important."
Lyra blushes even further, "No…It's fine—"
"Lyra, I'm paying. It's fine," Bunny smiles, "Now, do you want it or not?"
"…I guess, but, um, isn't that, uh, your dad's money?"
"No!" Bunny laughs, "It's mine. You know, from my job?"
"Oh. Yeah. That."
"Girl, seriously, just chill, let me buy you some stuff."
"…Are you sure?"
"Yep! Get whatever you want, seriously."
"…Okay," Lyra will force herself not to get anything else. She can't risk owing Bunny anything else.
Bunny smiles again, before immediately getting distracted and crying out, "Lyra! Look at this dress!"
Bunny presents a pink and purple lolita dress with unicorns, fairies, princess castles, and rainbows printed on it, "That's gorgeous. Like, OhmyGod. Isn't it so totally gorgeous? OhmyGod, I need it."
"Uh, yeah," Lyra says. She thinks it looks too childish, but that seems to be Bunny's thing.
"It's like it's calling to me. I need it. Like, need it," Bunny says, smiling at the dress, "It's so so gorgeous!" They repeat, squealing with glee.
They don't get anything else for themselves, but they push Lyra to get things; jumpers, cardigans and a pair of jeans that are essential, apparently.
Afterwards, Bunny gets distracted by another store; this time it's an adult store. Bunny asks Lyra to go with them, but Lyra just blushes and refuses, going to meet up with everyone else instead.
Dory and Tsukiyama are bickering as usual, as Maddie tries to calm it down. When they see Lyra hovering around, Tsukiyama acts far too interested in Lyra's clothes, smirking and nodding as he forces Lyra to tell him about them.
Lyra finds herself relieved when Bunny returns, holding two purple gift bags.
They hand one to Tsukiyama and Lyra each, "Here," They say, "These are for the both of you."
"Pour moi?" Tsukiyama smiles, accepting the bag, "Oh, Bunny, you shouldn't have!"
"It's okay," Bunny says, "I get all my friends these," Bunny nods to the purple bags.
"You do? So I'm not special?"
"No, I buy things for everyone," Bunny smiles.
Tsukiyama seems slightly taken aback, "Well, anyway, I'm most flattered, Little Bunny!"
Lyra looks into the gift bag. She stares at the gift, puzzled.
She pauses, watching as Tsukiyama looks at his. They look slightly flustered, giggling slightly as he thanks Bunny, who beams and nods in response.
Bunny looks over at Lyra, "Lyra, what do you think of yours? Is it okay?"
"Um…"
Lyra doesn't know how to say it, but she has no idea what it is. She wonders if it's some kind of decoration; she sees quite a lot of similar things in the background of Bunny's social media posts.
"Um," Lyra stammers, "It's nice. Um. Thanks…"
Bunny narrows their eyes, "Don't you like it?"
"Uh—"
"Because like, that's totally not an issue. I can get a different size or a different type, if that's the issue with it."
"No, it's um, it's nice. I've just never, uh, seen one before. That's all."
"A vibrator?"
"Um. No."
"Have you ever used one?" Tsukiyama asks, smirking.
"Uh, no."
Tsukiyama scoffs, before chuckling.
"Oh, that's okay!" Bunny says, "I can teach you!"
"…Ok," Lyra isn't sure she wants to know how to use it.
"Vibrators are awesome, Lyra, especially that one, you'll love it once you get used to it, I swear," Bunny continues, "It basically doesn't stop until you cum. I've gone through like, five of them. Seriously, it's like, life-changing."
Lyra nods, smiling weakly, "Okay," She puts it back in her bag, her face flashing a deep crimson. She can still hear Tsukiyama giggling next to her.
"It's such a thoughtful gift, little Bunny!" Tsukiyama says, resting an arm around Bunny's shoulder, "I'll be sure to update you with how I get on with it."
"Oh, please do!" Bunny nods enthusiastically, before continuing their nonstop toy-rambling.
They don't stop talking until they're at pole class, when Bunny goes quiet and settlea into their own training session.
Lyra does better in this class than the first, but it doesn't feel like it. For every new trick or spin Lyra learns, Tsukiyama seems to learn ten more, and he makes sure Lyra is aware of that.
"Did you see, Lyra?" He'd said, after performing a near perfect air walk, "You should take notes," He chuckles.
"Yeah," Lyra says, hugging her knees into her chest.
"Pole walks aren't hard, Zuki," Dory calls out, "They're like, basic movements, calm it down."
"Lyra can't do it."
"So? It's not that big of a deal."
"Stop it, both of you," Maddie says, "Lyra, come on, you can try it. There's no point sitting on the floor."
Lyra gets up, blushing and yet again begins wondering why she decided to come here.
By the end of class, she doesn't know how to feel. Maddie and Bunny seem proud of her, but she can't help feeling lesser than everyone else in the class.
Maybe she should just stop going. She'll never be any good at it, and never as good as Bunny, so what's the point?
"You good?" Dory asks, looking over at her.
"She's probably embarrassed," Tsukiyama says, "Awww."
Dory glares at him, "You shouldn't be embarrassed, Lyra," He continues, "These things take time."
"Yeah," Tsukiyama nods, "Maybe next time you'll get it."
"Zuki."
"What?"
"Shut up," Dory shifts closer to Lyra, "Don't listen to him. He's an idiot."
"I am not—"
Dory ignores Tsukiyama, "Seriously. Bunny told you how bad their first class went. I broke my foot like a week in, it's fine, dude, most of us start rough."
"I thought you fell off a wall and broke your foot—"
"Zuki! Shut up!"
"But you did—"
"I jumped, I didn't fall, and I still broke my foot."
"But not because of the pole."
"No—Whatever. This isn't about you," Dory turns back to Lyra, "Anyway, what I—"
"Who's Bunny talking to?" Tsukiyama asks.
"I was talking. Zuki—"
"I don't care. Who's Bunny talking to?"
"Mr Besho."
"Who?"
"You've met him."
"I have?"
"YHe's Bunny's manager."
"Oh! He's the one that keeps giving them all that cheap jewelry."
"What? No—Whatever. Sure, Zuki. Anyway, Lyra, I—"
"Why are they talking to him?"
"For fuck's sake, Zuki—"
"I was just asking. Calm down."
"I was talking. That's so disrespectful—"
"Because you really care about respect."
"I—Dude! What the—"
"Are you fighting?" This comes from Bunny, who is now in front of them.
"Bunny!" Tsukiyama says, standing up, "I was just wondering what you were doing."
"Talking with my manager. He's gonna come with us stargazing tonight."
"He is?"
"Yeah. Why are you fighting?"
"Dory was just being silly. Shall we go?"
"Sure," Bunny says, "Lyra, you okay?"
Lyra nods. Tsukiyama smiles, "She's embarrassed," He says in a low voice.
"Why? Why are you embarrassed? What happened? Who embarrassed you?"
"Um…"
"No one," Dory says, "Zuki's just being a dick, Bunny. Come on, I wanna go home."
"Where's Madeleine?" Tsukiyama asks, "Is she not coming? That's so unfortunate."
"Yeah, she has to do her hair," Bunny says, "But it's okay! The stars aren't going anywhere, at least, not anytime soon. She can come another time."
"We're going already? But it isn't evening yet," Lyra says.
"I have to study and Dory has work to do, but what's the point in separating if we're all gonna be together in like, four hours anyway? And you live next door, Lyra."
"Yeah…I guess."
Bunny smiles, "Then let's go," They say, before turning and rushing to catch up with Dory.
--
Twinkitty: It's been so busy sheeesh I haven't drawn Gremlin in so long y'all
It's tragic tbh but he's back ig
10:43,
Liked by Pasorokin and Others,
105 Comments
Lyra_Svensson: idk wat this is but its cute
Twinkitty: Thank u
StardustBibi: GREMLIN MY LOVE HOW ARE U DOING TODAY?
LOOK AT HIS LIL EAR TUFTS
DORY I LOOK AT THIS AND I AM SO PROUD OF U
WOWSERS
THIS IS SO EPIC
Twinkitty: BESTIE CHILL ITS NOT THAT GOOD
StardustBibi: NO FR IT IS
SO PRETTY
I CANT
MONA LISA COULD NEVER
I LOVE THE COLOURS
HIS EYES ARE SO GHGFGFFFFGGG
FHGDGFFFFFFFFGGF
MadsPêches: CAT CHILD RETURNS AT LAST
StardustBibi: MADDIE IS BLUEBELL COMING BACK TOO???
MadsPêches: SOON HOPEFULLY I HAVE NOT DRAWN ANYTHING IN SO LONG OMG
StardustBibi: MKAY
Twinkitty: BLUEBELL'S COMING BACK TOO?? YOOOO WTF
ShuuTsukiyama—HydrangeaMoons: Wait I thought you had a unicorn one of these?
Twinkitty: No that's one of Bunny's.
ShuuTsukiyama—HydrangeaMoons: What??? Bunny's into this too???
StardustBibi: yee ofc i have the unicorn and also have the raspberri sheep and a lion
ShuuTsukiyama—HydrangeaMoons: A lion?
StardustBibi: ye
ShuuTsukiyama—HydrangeaMoons: Why do you have so many???
StardustBibi: bc it makes me feel nice ️️️
Twinkitty: They like to make me suffer
StardustBibi: i pay u monthly stfu worm
StardustBibi: oh also doryy when r more cryptids coming u promised them yoinks ago the girls need feeding
MadsPêches: Yes omg. Dory, we need them cryptids.
Twinkitty: Not y'all still with the cryptids—
StardustBibi: tell us when the cryptids are coming u pathetic worm or ill start shooting
Twinkitty: Woah there buster ur gonna have to put the gun down or I aint talking
StardustBibi: well then there's gonna be some issues bucko
--
Bunny's bedroom is more unsettling than the rest of their house.
To put it bluntly; it's pink. Very pink.
And if it isn't pink, it's glittery, or it has a rainbow
on it, or it has something cutsey on it; like a bunny or a pony.
Lyra feels sick. She sits on the fluffy pink carpet, watching Bunny.
Bunny is sitting at their pink desk, writing in a pink notebook with a pink pen.
Lyra just sits on the floor, watching Bunny. Lyra can hear Bunny's music faintly, though they have headphones in. Bunny sits with good posture too, which makes Lyra try to sit up straighter, though no one is paying attention to her; Dory and Tsukiyama are chatting civilly for the first time today, and Lyra is not involved.
Lyra has never seen Bunny so quiet. She's surprised by how much she dislikes it.
Say something, She thinks, Sing something. Just say something.
As if on cue, Bunny looks up, looking directly at Lyra. Lyra blushes and looks away.
"Lyra," Bunny says.
"Yeah?"
"Allan wants to go downstairs. Could you take them? I really need to focus on this equation."
"Um…Allan?"
"Mhm," Bunny gestures to the green toy that smiles at Lyra, "Just put them in the living room. It likes it by the squirrel in the living room."
"Um…ok," Lyra says.
Her hands shake when holding it. Her whole body shakes. Her heart throbs and her breath is shallow. She's sweating, and sudden twinges of pain appear throughout her body as she takes it downstairs.
It does not take its eyes off of her. It does not stop smiling.
Lyra tries to look away, but she can't. She gazes back at it, trembling and shuddering as it stares into all of her soul.
She finally sets it down in the living room, next to a taxidermied squirrel. She backs up.
It still stares at her.
Lyra turns away from it, still shaking. She swears she hears something tapping behind her as she turns away, but ignores it.
She doesn't go back upstairs. She approaches the kitchen. She doesn't know why, but she feels more comfortable in there. Pasha and Miss Imakita are in there, with another woman who looks upset.
"You're doing what tonight?" The woman asks.
"Star-gazing," Pasha replies, "I told you. Remember?"
"But I'm working tonight."
"I know. You said it—"
"Who's going with you?"
"Just Bunny and their friends."
"Oh," The woman says, "Oh."
Miss Imakita glances up, raising her eyebrows slightly.
"What?" Pasha asks.
"Oh, nothing," The woman says. She looks like she's about to cry, "You just—You'd rather spend time with anyone but me, huh?"
"What? No. God, Natsuki, of course not."
"You never do anything with me on my nights off, Pasha, but you'll gladly go and spend time with a bunch of teenagers."
"The only teenager there is Bunny," Miss Imakita says, "Oldest is twenty-three, and Mr Besho, he's older than me, about sixty, I think—"
"No one was talking to you," The woman snaps, "No one."
Miss Imakita straightens up, narrowing her eyes and glaring at the woman.
"I do want to spend time with you," Pasha says, "It's just I—"
"Whatever," The woman says. She's crying now, "Whatever. I don't want to hear it, Pasha. I'll just…I'll just go to work now. I hope you have fun."
"Natsuki, come on—"
"Don't!" She snaps, before briskly walking out of the kitchen.
Pasha doesn't stop them. He waits in silence, until the front door slams shut. He sighs, glancing at Miss Imakita.
"Don't look at me like that," Pasha says.
"Like what?" Miss Imakita replies.
"Like that."
She smiles, "You know what I'm going to say."
"I do, and I don't need to hear it, Chika."
"You're not hearing it, that's the issue," She smiles thinly, "You can't keep—"
"It'll be fine," Pasha says, "We'll get through it."
She goes to reply, but stops, noticing Lyra, "Oh. Hello there."
"…Hi."
"Lyra," Pasha smiles, "Is everything ok?"
Lyra nods, "Yeah."
"Are you bored? I'm sorry," Pasha says, "You can go home, if you want, but we're leaving in about an hour, so I don't suppose there's much point."
"It's okay. I'm just…um…"
"Bored."
"…I guess."
"Oh, then why don't you help Pavel?" Miss Imakita suggests, "He's packing food for everyone."
"If you want, sure. I don't really know what you like, so it'd be helpful," Pasha smiles.
"…Um. Okay."
"Here. I need carrots, cucumber and pepper cut into sticks. Can you do that?"
"Uh. Sure."
Lyra doesn't want to be around food, but she doesn't want to be upstairs. Besides, she feels more at ease down here. Pasha and Miss Imakita create a nice air, even if Lyra is still somewhat terrified of Miss Imakita.
Soon, Lyra doesn't even think about the food surrounding her. She just listens to the both of them, answering the occasional questions they ask.
Eventually, Miss Imakita says, "Well, I think we should get going."
"Sure. Could you go and get the others?"
"We're here," Dory says, entering the kitchen with
Tsukiyama.
"Oh, perfect. We might as well start walking there now."
"How far away is it?" Lyra asks.
"It's a ten minute walk," Miss Imakita says, "Pavel just likes being prepared."
"We need to be there at a certain time, you know that," Pasha says, "Where's Bunny?"
"They're getting changed, but they need to speak to Mr Besho about something, so they'll stay behind a few minutes anyway."
"Oh," Pasha says, "…Okay."
"I need to finish something though, can I stay too? We'll be five minutes, I swear. We can bring the dogs with us, so you don't have to."
"Sure, just…Just make sure you're there by seven. The time slot's from seven."
"Got it."
"Time slot?" Lyra asks.
"For the permit. You get a time slot."
"Permit?"
"Astronomy permit," Dory says, "So we can be out after curfew without getting fined."
"Oh…Right."
"But we have to be there in a specific slot, or we do get fined," Pasha says.
"Or worse," Miss Imakita adds.
"Mhm."
"I see…"
"I have a question," Tsukiyama says, "Why is Bunny's manager coming?"
"He's a friend," Miss Imakita replies.
"Of who?"
"Us."
"He's Kazuo's uncle," Dory says.
Ah, Lyra thinks, That's where I've seen him before. His name's on all of Kazuo's posters.
"Oh," Tsukiyama says, frowning, "But I thought you hated—"
"Mr Besho's nothing like Kazuo, thank the lord," Miss Imakita says.
"Um. So…You all knew Kazuo?" Lyra asks, blushing.
"Yeah."
"Unfortunately."
"He wasn't that bad," Pasha says, "He had…issues."
"Dory has issues, Pavel. Bunny has issues," Imakita says, "Kazuo was just…vermin."
"He was vermin," Dory agrees, "He was a fucking cockroach."
"Guys, come on," Pasha says, "You shouldn't talk about people like that, it's rude."
"Well, he was quite rude, wasn't he?" Tsukiyama asks, "I mean, I only met him once - at a football game - and it was so disrespectful. He had some lessons to be learnt in sportsmanship, to say the very least, and that's not counting what he did to Doryo—"
"Let's not talk about that," Dory says, folding into himself slightly.
"What happened to him, anyway?" Tsukiyama asks, "Doryo said he disappeared."
"He did."
"It was a school trip. He didn't come back," Pasha replies.
"Bunny came back," Lyra mumbles, but no one notices.
"He probably just left," Miss Imakita says, "For such a nasty piece of work, he had quite the sob-story. It wouldn't surprise me if he just up and left."
"He wasn't that bad, guys," Pasha said, "He just needed some help."
"He needed a slap in the face," Imakita says. Dory smirks at the suggestion. Imakita glances over, sharing his smirk, "Anyway. He's not here now, that's all that matters, and we need to go, so come along now."
Pasha sighs, before going to speak to Bunny, who is waiting at the top of the stairs. They are wearing a rosy pink mini dress and stilettos with fairy wings.
Lyra almost laughs at their heels; how do they expect to stargaze in those?
"Bunny, what have I told you about shoes in the house."
"But they're so pretty! I wanna wear them all the time."
"Well, you—Oh, whatever, you'll just do what you want anyway. But you know where to go, don't you?" Pasha asks.
"Yeah," Bunny nods, "Mr Besho's here now. I just need to talk to him. We won't be long, I promise."
"Ok," Pasha says, "I love you. I'll see you in a minute."
"I love you too."
--
To: Bunny.Deverill.AB.
Re: Research Project Locations
Mx Deverill,
Good morning/afternoon/evening, I hope this message reaches you well.
I have received your previous messages, and I know you know what I am going to say, but I will reiterate;
Whilst I appreciate your invested interest in this project, I must remind you yet again to stop asking about the particular location mentioned in your previous message.
I am aware of your interest in this location, and as I have told you in person and online - many times - we will not be going to that location for some time.
I'm afraid it is too high of a risk, even with specialised safety training. We simply cannot afford to go there. You know why.
I appreciate your interest in our project, but I should not have to explain to you how careful we must be.
When things die down, and Miss Chevrolet and Miss Svensson have been better accustomed to our work, we'll discuss it more seriously.
Sincerely,
Professor Kokoro Iwasaki.
(Also; please invest in a spell checker for your messages. Thank you.)
--
"Mr Besho!" Bunny smiles, "You're here!"
Besho nods, "I am. Wow. Those are some…shoes."
"Aren't they beautiful?"
"Very, but are they good for stargazing?"
"Why not? They're pretty. They make me happy. I'll wear them when I want!" Bunny giggles.
Besho just smiles back at them.
"Anyway!" Bunny says, "You wanted to talk to me. I was just coming down—"
"Actually, Bunny," He says, "I was wondering if we could talk in your room?"
"Oh. Ok. Why? Dory won't mind if we're in there with."
"No, it's just…I'd rather we talk in your room. Privately."
Bunny hesitates. They look around; scanning the hall for signs of Allan.
Allan must be eating, They think, That's why it's not here. Oh, well.
"Okay!" They say, "That's fine! C'mon!"
Bunny hops upstairs to their bedroom. They sit on the bed, waiting for Mr Besho.
Besho smiles at Bunny, "May I sit?"
"Duh? Yeah."
Besho sits down. He's nervous.
"So," Bunny says, picking up a stuffed giraffe and holding it to their chest, "What did you want to talk to me about?"
Besho is silent. He's sweating, struggling to get his words out.
"Oh, no," Bunny says, "Am I being fired?"
"What? Fired?"
"Mr Besho, I am so, so sorry. I know I take lots of time off, but that keeps happening to me and I'm really sorry. And like, I know I'm not always reliable because of school and swimming, but I promise, I can try so hard—"
"No, Bunny, you're not being fired."
"Oh," Bunny sighs, "Phew. Wait. Does that mean Maddie's being fired?"
"No, no one's being fired."
"That's good…So what is it then?"
He pauses for a long time. He looks away from Bunny. He looks back at her.
"I'm getting a divorce," He says.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Bunny replies, "That must be very hard for you."
"Yeah."
"Did you need to talk to someone about it? Because that's okay. I'll listen, but I've never been divorced before. I can listen though."
"No, Bunny, that's so sweet, but that's not why I'm here."
"Oh," Bunny pauses, "Ohhhh. I see."
"You do?"
"Yeah! You didn't have to act all serious about it though!"
"No?"
"Nope! You know how it works. I guess you get a discount if you're my boss though. How would you calculate that fairly?"
"Ah. No, Bunny, I didn't mean that."
"Do you want just a one time thing then? Like, you just want a—"
"No, Bunny. I don't want to pay you for anything."
"...You want to give me gifts instead?"
"Bunny, no-"
"Well, I don't work for free. I know you're my boss but I can't just—"
"No, no, no, Bunny," He says, "It's nothing like that."
"Oh…Then what?"
Besho pauses, his lips trembling, "The reason I'm getting divorced…"
He swallows.
"It's you, Bunny."
"Me?" Bunny asks, "What? Why? I didn't mean to do that. I'm so sorry. What did I do? How did I—"
"No, Bunny, it's not your fault," He pauses, "I…I love you, Bunny."
"…"
"I've fallen in love with you, Bunny," He says, "I love you."
"You—" Bunny stares at him, mouth agape, "You what—"
"I'm in love with you," Besho says, blushing further.
"…Um…OK."
"II've-I've known it for quite some time now, actually," He continues, "When I first saw you actually."
Bunny just stares at him.
"I just…I fell in love with you. Isn't that childish of me? Something a much younger man would say…But it's true," He smiles weakly, lYou're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Every time I see you, I just—I want to cry, because I love you, Bunny.
You're so beautiful."
Bunny doesn't move, "…Okay."
Besho pauses, staring at Bunny, "I just—I just want to be with you, Bunny."
Bunny nods, "Okay."
There's a silence.
Besho doesn't take his eyes off of Bunny. He touches Bunny's hand.
Bunny smiles, "Um. Well, thank you for saying that. It's very sweet of you," They pause, "And I'm really sorry - really sorry - but I'm just not interested in—"
"I understand you get this a lot," Besho interrupts, "And I'm sure from much younger and better looking men, but I truly do love you."
"No, Mr Besho, please. I don't want—"
"You can use my first name."
"I don't need to," Bunny says, "Because I'm not interested, sir," They pause, "It's really so sweet of you to tell me this, but I'm just not interested. I'm really sorry. I really appreciate it though."
"I know I'm not ideal, Bunny. Really, I do. But I love you, with all my heart. If you give me a chance—"
"No, Mr Besho, it's not just you. I'm not interested in that kind of relationship. I'm sorry. I just don't want that kind of thing…But thank you anyway."
"You're so young, Bunny, how could you know that?"
"That doesn't matter. I'm not interested in that sort of thing right now. And maybe that'll change in the future, but I've never been interested in it, and right now, I really don't want that kind of relationship. I'm sorry."
"I could change that, Bunny. Really, I could. Just give me a chance."
"I'm sorry, but it won't work. I just don't want—"
"I know you've been through a lot, Bunny. I understand that. I mean, all that stuff that happened to you as a kid—I'm sure that really affected your view of love and-"
"Please don't talk about that."
"But it was ten years ago, Bunny. You can't let it own you forever, can you?"
"I'm not. Please, can you stop talking about it—"
"Just give me a chance. I promise I can help you."
"I don't need help. I'm fine. I just don't want this kind of relationship."
"You're not fine. You're letting him own you, so many years later."
"I'm not," Bunny swallows, shuddering, "This isn't about that, or him. I just don't want that kind of relationship…I appreciate the offer, and I truly am sorry, but I'm not interested."
"Bunny, just give me a chance, please. Let me show you what it feels like."
"I don't want you to show me. I'm really sorry, but I don't want that."
"You don't know that. Just try it. You'll see, I promise."
"I won't," Bunny says, they stand up, "I'm sorry. I'm sure this took a lot from you to tell me this, and I'm very grateful that you had the, er, courage and bravery to come here and tell me this, but I'm really not interested," They pause, "Er…And I'm not feeling very well, so I think I'd like to be alone right now."
"No, Bunny—"
"I'm really sorry, but could you give me a minute ? Please. I just—I really wanna be on my own."
Bunny opens the door, apologising again.
Besho gets up, "Bunny, please, let's talk about this—"
"I really don't want to…Sorry."
"Bunny, please, I know after everything with Kazuo—"
"This isn't about him."
"Bunny…" Besho approaches, "It's okay. I know what he did to you. I'm not like that, I promise. Let me show you I'm not—"
"What? What does that mean?" Kazuo didn't do anything to me!"
"It's okay. You don't have to lie to me. I understand."
"What? No. I don't know what—"
"Bunny, don't worry," Besho says, going to touch Bunny's arm. They pull away, "I won't tell anyone. I promise. I understand."
"What? What are you—"
"I know what he was like, Bunny. I mean, I loved the kid, but I knew. I knew what he was capable of."
"What? No, Kazuo never did that to me. Never."
"Oh, Bunny," Besho looks at Bunny with a deep sympathy, "You must've wanted him gone," He whispers, "I don't blame you."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Bunny's voice cracks, "I didn't do anything! And Kazuo never did anything to me! He never touched me!"
"Bunny, it's okay—"
"Stop saying that!" Bunny is crying now. They pause, "Please. Can you just leave please? Just leave."
"Bunny, you're being ridiculous. Just let me show you what a—"
"Just go…Please."
Besho doesn't move. Bunny chews their lip, "Please, can you just get out—"
"Bunny," He says, "Let's just finish talking—"
"Fuck off!" Bunny cries, "I don't want to talk to you! Just get out! Get out!"
They're sobbing so hard they can barely breathe. Their entire body is shuddering.
"Bunny, sit down," Besho says, "You're getting way too upset," He grabs Bunny's wrists, pulling them away from the door.
"No!" Bunny screams, "Get off of me!"
"Now, Bunny—" Besho starts, but is stopped when Bunny shoves him gets free, running to the door.
Besho gets to the door first. He pushes Bunny aside, before shutting the door, locking it.
Bunny rushes at him, "Get out!" They cry, pushing him.
"Bunny, stop that—"
Bunny does it again, "Get out!"
"Let me just talk to you—"
"Get out!" They try and hit him. Besho pushes them back. He pushes them onto the bed.
"No! No! Don't! No!" Bunny screams, "No! Get off! Get away from me!"
They keep trying to hit him. They keep trying to poke his eyes.
Besho has to hold their wrists down, waiting for Bunny to freeze up. They do, staring at him with wet, wide eyes. They sniffle, waiting for him to start.
They'd do anything to get him to leave. It's probably just easier to let him do it if it means he'll leave.
But Besho doesn't do anything.
He stays atop them, still holding them down.
He lets out a sigh and relaxes, "Bunny," He says, "For God's sake, just give me a chance, please. I'm not going to hurt you."
Bunny stays frozen.
"I won't hurt you," Besho lets go, watching them with a suspicious gaze, "Just hear me out. You'll chamge your mind, I promise."
Bunny doesn't move.
"It's the least you can do, really," He says.
Bunny just stares at him. They do not understand.
Besho sighs, "Bunny, I'm not going to hurt you. Just listen to what I have to say."
Bunny says nothing. They're still waiting.
He pauses, "Bunny…Considering everything I've done for you, really, it's the least you could do."
Bunny sniffles, finally twitching and asking, "What?"
"What?"
"…Everything you've done? I don't understand."
Besho smiles, "I haven't told anyone about what you've done to Kazuo."
"I didn't do anything—"
"And when all that happened, I defended you, didn't I? I offered to pay for your lawyers. I gave you a job when you were new to the city, and I let you keep it when everything went down. You earn a lot more than the other girls, you know. I lie and tell clients you're new, do you know how much that raises your price? And I buy you gifts, I let you have whatever time off you need. I treat you quite well, don't I?"
"…Yessir."
"So then, listen to me, give me a chance. It's the least you can do, isn't it?
Bunny doesn't move. They just stare at him.
"Come on," He gets closer, taking Bunny's hand and wrapping his arm around their back. He pulls them up off the bed.
"I'd never hurt you, Bunny," He says, "I love you."
Bunny stays frozen, staring at the floor.
"I know you have your pick of men, and I know I'm not the youngest or most attractive, but Bunny, I love you more purely than any of them ever could."
Bunny doesn't move. Besho takes their chin, forcing them to look into his eyes.
"I will take such good care of you," He says.
Bunny's eyes are wide and wet, trying to look at anything but him.
"I will treat you better than any of them," He says, "I promise. Just let me show you."
Bunny knows he will not let them say no. Bunny knows what they have to do.
"Okay," Bunny says, in a small voice.
Besho smiles, "Thank you," He says, pulling them into a tight hug, "Thank you. Thank you."
Bunny still does not move. They eye the door, waiting.
Besho says something else, before pulling Bunny into a kiss. Bunny accepts, because what else would they do?
"You're just perfect," Besho whispers, when he finishes the first kiss. He repeats it, "You're perfect," and kisses them again.
He pulls away, holding them close, "Will you come home with me tonight?" He asks, "I already have a room for you a room at my house. It's nothing like this one, I promise. It's very adult. I'm sure you'd like that, right?"
"…Ok."
He smiles, stroking their cheek. Bunny stares at the floor, chewing their lip.
Besho gets up, still holding Bunny's hands. He stares down at them, excited by their beauty; their eyes sad and wet, looking every part like a perfect porcelain doll.
"Oh, everything is going to be so perfect," He smiles and looks deep into their eyes, "I promise. Perfect."
He pulls Bunny up to stand and kisses them again.
He gasps, feeling a sharp pain as he kisses them.
Bunny is biting down on his tongue.
"Ah—" Besho tries to pull away, to tell them he isn't into that kind of thing, but that's when Bunny knees him in the groin.
Besho yelps and pulls away, part of his tongue tearing as he does so. He gets free easily, wiping his mouth and surprised to see the blood there.
Bunny is at the door, whining as they try and unlock the door as fast as possible.
"Bunny!" Besho snaps, rushing over and pushing them onto the door, "Bunny!" He snaps, spitting blood onto Bunny's face, "What was that?" He demands.
Bunny stares at him with those sad eyes, shaking and gasping. Their nose has started to bleed.
"Why did you do that?" Besho asks.
Bunny doesn't reply, just wriggles and writhes, gasps and shudders.
"Stay still!" Besho snaps, "Stay still!"
Bunny yelps, before freezing up again as Besho shouts into their face.
"That's not nice!" Besho says, shouting into their face, "You don't do that, Bunny."
Bunny jerks forward.
"Bunny!" Besho pushes them back. Their head smacks on the door, "Stop it!"
"Allan!" Bunny cries, "Allan, help!"
"Don't be so silly," Besho snaps, pulling Bunny away from the door, "Calling out for a stupid toy—"
"Let go of me!" Bunny cries, scratching at his arm, "Let go!"
"Bunny! This behaviour is unacceptable!" He snaps, gripping their wrists, "You're being stupid. I'm not going to hurt you."
Bunny shrieks and head-buts Besho's chin. He gasps, releasing them enough for Bunny to get free.
Bunny stumbles to their desk, grabbing a paperweight, "Please," They say, sobbing, "Please, just leave!"
Besho glares at them, "You're being stupid—"
Bunny throws the paperweight at Besho. It misses and falls to the floor.
Besho approaches Bunny, who is already searching for a new weapon.
They throw pencils and pens at him, even a stapler. By the time Besho reaches them, Bunny has a pair of scissors.
"Now, Bunny—" He starts, watching the scissors, "There's no need for that."
"Please get out," They say, hands trembling, "Please just leave me alone."
Besho steps closer, "Bunny. That's unnecessary. Don't be so stupid."
Bunny whimpers as he steps closer, before running at him and driving the scissors into his shoulder.
Besho grabs Bunny anyway. The scissors clatter to the floor, having barely scratched his skin.
Besho holds Bunny by the shoulders, nails digging into their bare skin.
They spit at him, crying out, "No! Let me go! Let me go!"
They writhe and wriggle, jerk, push, and pull. They knee him in the groin again, but Besho takes it.
"Stop this right now!" Besho demands, shaking them.
Bunny tries to head-but him again, but it doesn't work. They start to scream.
"Stop!"
Bunny does not stop. They scream and screech and wail, "Help! Someone please! Help me!"
"Stop it!" Besho shouts, shaking Bunny again.
But Bunny will not stop.
Bunny just screams and screeches. They will not stop.
Besho needs them to stop. He has to stop them. Has to.
He'd never do this usually, he tells himself, he just needs them to stop.
With that, he pushes Bunny into the bedpost, smacking their head on it.
Bunny is quiet, but only for a moment. They scream again, the blood of their nose dripping into their mouth, smeared across their face.
"Shut up!" Besho shouts. He picks up a glass lotus flower ornament, "Stop screaming!"
"Go away!" Bunny screeches, "Get away from me!"
Besho hits Bunny with the ornament.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Until it shatters and glass embeds itself in Bunny's skin.
Bunny is quieter, but not quiet. They're swearing and wailing on the floor, trying to crawl away.
"I'm sorry," Besho says, crouching down on the floor with them, "I had to. You need to be quiet. You're being stupid. You made me do it," He says, reaching out to touch them.
Bunny throws glass at him, "Get out! Get out! Get the fuck out!"
"Bunny," Besho glares at them, "That's not very nice."
"Get out!" Bunny screams, beginning to kick at him.
"Bunny!" Besho dodges, "That's dangerous. Your heel is—" He says, eagerly aware of Bunny's stiletto heels being dangerously thrown at his face.
"Get out!" Bunny is aiming for his eyes, and Besho just won't quit.
He just won't get back.
It's no surprise then, when Bunny hits one of his eyes. Perfectly.
Besho screams, finally stepping back, clutching his head. It doesn't bleed like Bunny's, but once he stops clutching his head; he reveals the gelatinous mess his eye has become.
Bunny is scrambling to their feet, slipping on blood and glass.
Besho lets out a shriek, "You…" He snarls, grabbing Bunny's back by their hair.
Bunny gasps and writhes, letting out an animalistic cry.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Besho asks, before slamming Bunny's head onto the corner of a wall.
"You!" He repeats.
He repeats it over and over. With every word he repeats, he smashes Bunny's head down.
"You! Pathetic! Little! Slut!" He screams.
Bunny's head is bleeding even more now. The glass that was embedded into their head has almost disappeared, but has it fallen out or gone deeper in?
Besho keeps smashing them. When he does it a final time, he screams again.
He pants, letting go of Bunny's hair. He takes a breath. He clutches his eye, trying to rub away the pain, but only rubbing away more of his eye in the process.
He steps back, staring at Bunny with his remaining eye. Bunny does not move for so long.
Bunny whimpers and sobs, bleeding onto the carpet.
Eventually, they begin to sit up, slowly.
They sway slightly, letting out a weak groan and putting their hand to their head, looking at the blood pumping from it.
They stare at it, mouth agape, before letting let out a panicked noise.
They let out another panicked noise, mumbling something incoherent.
They begin to scream.
"Shut up!" Besho hisses. He crouches in front of them, grabbing their wrists, "Shut up. Bunny, be quiet. Shh."
Bunny stares at him, eyes filled with fear, screaming more.
They jerk, pushing against Besho until he falls over.
Bunny gets up, swaying as they approach the door. They stumble, allowing Besho to pull them down to the floor again.
Bunny kicks at him again, aiming for his other eye. They miss, but catch the already damaged eye.
It squelches under their heel, bits of fluid and eyeball staining the heel even further.
Besho shrieks and retracts. He covers his eye again, "Fucking bitch!" He shrieks.
Bunny gets up again. Besho watches them with his good eye, his entire being consumed by anger and hatred for them.
He can see their head properly now; with deep gashes at the forehead and one in the center, all three pumping blood all over Bunny, most of it going into their mouth.
"You fucking whore," He grunts.
Bunny ignores him. They're at the door, using it to hold themself up, "Allan!" They moan, "Allan…The door…Please. Help."
Bunny clings to the door, trying desperately to fumble with the lock.
"Dory!" They sob, "Help! Please. Allan! Dory! Please, please…Please help!"
"You fucking…"Besho begins to stumble towards them again, "You fucking whore."
Bunny begins to screech, still fumbling with the lock, "Help! Allan! Allan! Help! I don't wanna die! Hel—"
"Bitch!" Besho snaps, giving them a shove. Bunny falls back, scrambling back up as quickly as possible.
But Besho pushes them back down.
They try again. They try moving sidewards.
It's all useless. Besho just grabs them or pushes them down, telling Bunny that they are a bitch, that this wouldn't have happened if they weren't so stupid.
He grabs their wrists. He tells them to shut up. They don't. They just scream some more.
They jerk and pull as usual, but Besho is prepared for that. He didn't think Bunny would go for another head-but though, not after smacking their head on a wall.
It stuns him, for a moment, which gives enough time for Bunny to dig their teeth into his neck.
Besho grunts and pulls away.
He gets free, a flap of his skin is in Bunny's mouth. They spit it at him. Their teeth full of blood and skin; as if they were some kind of ghoul.
Besho grabs his neck, letting out a choke.
"You whore," He spits, bending over to choke up some blood, "Fucking whore!"
Bunny stands, staring at him. They sway, holding their head.
They stumble to the door, sobbing again.
They paw at the door, still pleading for help.
"Allan. Dory," They whimper, "Please. Come…I don't want to…I don't want to die—"
They rest their bloody head on the door, "Please, help," The whimper.
They don't see what Besho is doing. They wonder if he'll stop now. If they'll be okay.
They don't see him.
They don't see him pick up another ornament; an embellished statue of a unicorn.
They hear him.
He is behind them.
They snap around, seeing him raising the statue over his head.
They freeze, before letting out a final, "Plea—"
Besho brings the ornament down onto Bunny's head.
They stare at Besho for a moment, their face seeming to collapse with their skull.
Then finally, they fall to the floor, a pool of blood forming around their head.
--
So um.
Yeah.
Anyway!
Don't forget to SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON!
(There are no likes on here but u know what I mean).
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