Chapter 41: Repairing the past
When Callie arrived at the pond she could see Monty's and the other kids' footprints. The doll was ripped up and floating in the water with fish pecking at it.
"Oh, come on…" Callie bent down and picked up the plush, letting out an upset sigh. "It's fixable, right? Please?"
"Geez, kids are ruthless these days, huh?" Marie said as she caught up and examined it.
"You think it's able to be fixed, Marie?"
"Cici could bring this 'Callie' back to life… but if us then... yikes..."
"But...she's still in Eleede Valley, isn't she?" She sat down on the ground and sighed, a few tears falling from her face.
"Yeah. Maybe...she can teach us...?" Marie shrugged, "I mean, unless there is someone else who can sew this up."
"Maybe we can try…"
"Let's give her a call when we get back inside."
"Okay...Okay…" Callie stood back up and started walking back toward the house.
Marie called Cici on the video chat. Jack answered it since Cici was napping on top of him.
"Oh, hey Marie. What's up?" He smiled.
"Oh, um… Are you guys… Is this a bad time?" Marie seemed embarrassed.
"Hm? What do you mean? Cici's just tired." He patted the smaller squid's back.
Cici woke up and looked at him sleepily.
"Hi, Cici." He smiled at her and kissed her forehead.
"Oh, thank goodness you are both wearing clothes…"
"Um...why wouldn't we be?" Jack raised an eyebrow.
"...No" Cici hid her face into his shirt and cuddled him more.
"Heh. You called to say 'hi' or you need something?"
"No. Um, we were wondering if Cici could tell us how to fix this" Marie moved her camera to show Callie, who held up the ripped up and soggy plush.
"It's my brother's. I want to have it fixed...I...I don't know what to do…" Callie choked out in between sobs.
Cici lifted her head up, took a breath in, and looked at the doll.
"Wow, it's, um… got its arm and head ripped off… nevermind, it was ripped in half?" Cici seemed unsure.
"Stupid...bullies…" Callie sniffled.
"I can buy you a new one? With Jack's wallet."
"Hey, no. No. Not an option." Jack chuckled.
"No...I want this one fixed…"
"Hmm… okay. I think I can tell you how to fix it… It will take a few hours, though" Cici crawled away and came back with Jack's shirt.
"Oh, thank you, Cici! Thank you!" Callie smiled widely.
She ripped his shirt and sat back down beside a shocked Jack.
"Um...why did you do that?"
"You need rips before you can mend…"
"Oh...Well, why my shirt?"
"Because…"
"That's not a reason." Jack folded his arms before Cici pushed his face away.
Cici turned pink as she held his ripped shirt, "...I wanted to make you a better shirt…"
He smiled and kissed her hand. "That's okay. Just...ask me next time before you just rip it. And make it if you want." He gave her a hug.
Cici hugged him back.
"So...how do we fix this?" Callie asked from the screen.
"Um… so first in places where its torn you put the needle in like this… and pull it snug like that" Cici moved closer so they could see what she was doing.
"Um…" Callie looked at Marie. "Maybe my mom has a needle and string?" She looked back at Cici. "And what about the sogginess? It's wet."
"Oh… um, you can blow dry it or... um... the dryer, if you have one."
"Okay...Okay. I'll go get a blow dryer. Um...Marie, can you stay here and talk to Cici?" Callie asked.
"Okay" Marie looked at the screen, "While we get the plushie dry... um... wanna chat?"
"Thank you." She placed the plushie pieces down and ran offscreen. "Oh, Addie. Perfect timing. Go find my mom and ask her for some needles and thread."
"Um...why?" Adstrum's voice asked from off screen.
"Just do it! Please!" The panic could be heard in Callie's voice.
"Okay. Okay. I'll do it." Their footsteps could be heard.
Cici put down Jack's ripped up shirt and took a cloth from the basket. Cici used her fans to slice them. She started trying to sew.
"So any idea when you guys will be released?" Marie asked to pass the time.
"Um...a couple more days. I think." Jack replied. "They want to monitor me for at least one more day, then release me after. But I will stay with Cici until she's released."
"They say I can be released when I can actually walk outside without passing out" Cici looked at the roughly made shirt.
"She's getting closer." He kissed her forehead. "Which I'm happy to see."
"It's really hard to finish meals. I ate a quarter of a sandwich, though."
"Where's Ari when you need her?" Jack sighed.
"The doctor's food isn't very tasty…"
"No, but it's better than nothing. Maybe Chives can bring something tomorrow."
"Truth to be told I haven't ate his cooking in years… It does smell good, though" Cici put a new red shirt on Jack, "Fits… but it needs designs."
"Yeah it does." Jack nodded.
The sound of a tentacle dryer was going off as Callie held up a piece of the plushie with one hand and the dryer in the other, drying it off.
Cici took the shirt back and started putting white designs on it.
"So, um… I am curious. Why is this ripped plushie so important?" Cici took off Jack's tentacle band.
"It's my brother's. He treasures it dearly and some stupid bullies ripped it apart." Callie replied, holding back tears.
Jack's tentacles fell to the sides of his head. "Hey."
Cici replaced it with a bright red and white one and carefully tied his tentacles back up, "Oh… kids are really harsh these days, huh?"
Callie nodded, picking up another piece and beginning to dry it.
Cici handed Jack a newly made one of a kind t-shirt.
He smiled. "Thank you, Cici."
"Hehe, you can't use it in turf war or rank. You are ink proof. Totally OP."
"Wow. That's amazing." His eyes widened.
"Sounds like awesome armor disguised as normal clothing." Adstrum's voice said as he handed Callie some thread and a needle.
"I only had spider crab silk cloth… so I thought I would repay him. This normally costs like a... um... a bahgellion moneys…"
"Not a real dollar amount, cutey." Jack kissed her cheek.
"Yes… She mean trillions of dollars per gear." Chives replied walking in.
"Well it won't really stop, like, getting hit… So Addie's hammer would still flatten you, but you wouldn't be splatted… Which maybe isn't a good thing…" Cici thought about it, "In case he decides to play whack a squid with you."
"I won't." Adstrum replied. "Hope you guys have been doing well."
"Yeah. I think maybe I need actual clothes…"
"Yeah." Jack nodded.
Callie finished drying the plush and tried to thread the needle, but her hands were shaking.
"Here" Marie threaded it for her.
"Thank you, Marie." Callie smiled at her, still breathing a bit fast and holding back tears. She placed an arm onto the body and stuck the needle into it.
The group spent the whole night fixing the plush. Despite Callie poking her fingers a few times with the needle, the plushie looked nicely mended. Cici ended up sleeping in Jack's shirt.
"It...thank you so much, Cici." Callie smiled at the sleeping squid on the screen.
"Yay… give your parents my regards… Zzz."
Jack petted Cici's head and tucked her in.
"We will." Callie replied.
Cici cuddled into Jack's side.
Jack smiled and hugged her as Chives tucked them both in.
The phone clicked off.
"Geez… is that the sun coming up?" Marie muttered.
"Well, it looks fixed." Adstrum said as he pointed to the plush in Callie's hands. "Hope Monty likes it." He let out a yawn.
"I need...to give it...to him…" Callie stood up before stumbling a bit.
Adstrum stood up and held her arm. "No way. You need some sleep."
"6am…" Marie seemed to be knocking out.
"You can give him it when you wake up." He lifted Callie up and carried her upstairs. "Have a good rest, Marie."
"Uh huh…" Marie rested her head in her arms and fell asleep.
Adstrum opened the door to Callie's room and placed her down on the bed. He put a blanket over her before walking over to the other side and face planting onto it.
At the crack of dawn, Monty woke up and made his way quietly out of the house. He saw Marie sleeping at the table and put a blanket over her. He walked out to the back and toward the pond.
Callie opened her eyes and sat up, stretching her arms and rubbing her eyes. She looked at her bedside clock and her eyes widened. "1:15 PM!?"
"Gah!" Adstrum jumped a bit from his sleep and fell off the side of the bed. "Ack!"
Callie quickly got up and picked up the plush from her dresser before running downstairs.
Terrace and Bryan messed around with Marie's tentacles as she slept.
"Mom!?" Callie yelled when she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Yes, sweet pea?" Melody asked.
"Where's Monty?" She asked with concern.
"At the usual spot. He's been there since dawn, but it's odd how he didn't come back for lunch."
"Okay. I'm going to go see him." She splashed some water on her face. "Should I bring him something to eat?"
"Maybe."
Callie grabbed a few of the snacks she remembered Monty liking. "Um...does he still like these?"
"Oh, yeah. I had to hide them since he devoured those."
She placed some in a bag and walked toward the back door. "Good to know. Thank you."
"Heh, you be careful now."
"I will, mom." Callie looked at Terrace and Bryan. "Guys, leave Marie alone. She's tired." She ran out the door.
The boys kept playing with her tentacles. Marie did not seem to care.
Metal clanging could be heard from a distance.
Callie kept running as she got closer to the pond. As she neared it she slowed down, before speeding up again as she saw something that made her panic.
Monty was fighting someone with his metal sword. The person didn't seem to hurt him. In fact, they were just playing.
"Hey, see? Told you it would work" The person patted his head.
"What...What is going on here?!" Callie asked as she ran up.
She saw Arisara with Monty.
"OH! Oh… Thank goodness it's just you, Callie." Arisara seemed relieved
"Ari?" Callie raised an eyebrow. "Um...what's up?"
"Well, I saw some kids bullying this little guy and stepped in. He had this neat ink sword."
"Oh my gosh, thank you!" Callie gave her a hug before kneeling down and hugging Monty. "I'm so glad he's safe."
Monty relaxed a bit and hugged her back.
"Oh, um… Am I missing something?"
"Thank you for getting the bullies away from my brother." Callie smiled at Ari before letting go of Monty and reaching into her pocket.
"Are you gonna tell mom?" Monty asked quietly, "The octarian lady fixed it so it wouldn't cut flesh and splat people instead…"
"Yikes, sharp kid…" Arisara got a bit nervous.
"I won't tell Mom. Arisara is my friend. But maybe don't tell Adstrum, either. He might get jealous." She giggled before pulling out the plush. "Here you go, Monty." She held it out to him.
"Is that?" Monty started tearing up.
"Yes." Callie nodded. "I spent all night fixing it."
Monty became an emotional mess again as he hugged Callie. Nobody could understand what he was blubbering about.
"It's okay, Monty. Let it all out." She hugged him and patted his back.
He finally calmed down, but stayed clinging onto her.
Arisara suddenly got hit with a sandal.
"HEY, YOU GET AWAY FROM MY CHILDREN! YOU EIGHT LEGGED FREAK!"
"Fr-freak?" Arisara was stunned for a moment.
"What the-? Mom!?" Callie looked toward where the scream came from.
Arisara quickly ran away as an angry Melody chased her.
"MOM!" Callie stood up and ran after her." LEAVE HER ALONE!"
"Mercy!" Arisara climbed up a tree, "I'm too young to die!"
"MOM! STOP!" She caught up.
Melody threw the sandal and knocked Arisara out cold.
Callie's eyes widened and she quickly scrambled underneath Arisara, catching her when she fell out of the tree.
"Mom! She is a good octarian!" Monty ran over to Arisara.
"He's right, mother. This is my friend!"
"She scared the bullies away and played with me until I felt better."
"... An octarian? Really?" Melody raised a brow.
"Yes!" Callie yelled. "She's not bad. She's very kind and a good friend. She helped Marie with her...depression...and is helping Cici Bubble with her own problems." She placed Arisara down gently against a tree.
"Hmm… Sorry, I guess. Old habits die hard" Melody rubbed the back of her head.
Callie sighed. "Yeah...I know…" She shook her head.
"I swears… on my mom… I can't eat kiwis" Ari was seeing stars.
"And she's delusional." Callie picked her up again. "You can help if you want, mom. Just don't hurt her anymore."
"Hmm…" She bonked Arisara's head.
"Ow…" Arisara snapped out of it.
"MOM!"
"Oh! Hi!" Arisara seemed scared.
"See? It worked" Melody giggled.
"Mercy…."
Callie sighed. "Just...nevermind." She shook her head. "You okay, Ari?"
"Yeah. just a bump or two, but I'm okay" Arisara turned back into an octopus so she would be easier to carry.
"Let's just go home and get you some water. And maybe a bandage."
"My bad. I thought you were evil" Melody chuckled.
"Not all Octarians are evil, Mom. Heck, from what I learned from Ari most might be brainwashed or something." Callie replied as she started walking back.
"I guess that makes sense."
"Can I hold her?" Monty looked at the octopus.
"Sure, buddy." She gently placed Ari in Monty's arms.
"So this is what an octopus looks like? They are cute."
Arisara blushed a bit, " Me? Cute? Nah. But I am flattered."
Callie smiled and sighed as she started walking back. "You and I should talk when we get home, mom."
"Hmm, I'm pretty sure Sonata would react the same…"
"Invite her over, too. She should learn as well."
As they walked they saw Adstrum standing in the path with his Ink Sledge ready to swing. "I...heard the screams. You guys okay?"
"Oh cod… that isn't for me, is it?" Arisara turned white.
"Hell no, Ari. Why would I use it on you?" He put it over his shoulder.
"So far I got knocked out by sandals, so yeah."
He shook his head. "Oh boy…"
Monty's eyes sparkled as he looked at his hammer.
Adstrum noticed and smiled at him. "You like it?"
Monty realized he was staring and hid his face into Arisara's mantle.
"Hey, don't be embarrassed, dude. If you have questions then ask away. But first let's get back to the house. Okay?" He started following Callie and Melody.
Monty released Arisara as she returned into her humanoid form. He held Callie's finger as they walked back to the house.
A gust of wind passed and Arisara went flying from getting hit by something.
"Hey, you guys okay?" Sonata asked running up to them, "I saw an octarian sneaking up behind you."
"And you threw your sandal at her, right?" Melody asked.
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"Me too."
Callie just put her head into her hands and groaned in frustration.
Adstrum ran over to Arisara." You okay, Ari?" He helped her up.
Arisara twitched as she saw stars, "I never wanna see another sandal…. ever again…"
"That's understandable." Adstrum chuckled and rubbed her head.
"Ouch…. That looks pretty bad" Monty seemed concerned.
"We'll give her an ice pack when we get home…" Callie pinched the bridge of her nose. "If any more harm comes to her, I'm going to lose it."
"Sorry… We used to be soldiers."
"If you have questions, Aunt Sonata, Marie and I can answer them at the house." Callie kept walking, taking Ari's hand and picking up Monty with her other hand. "I need a snack…"
Monty hugged her, "I can go buy some."
"No, but thank you, Monty." Callie smiled at him. "Let's just get home." She walked ahead with Arisara and Monty while Adstrum, Melody, and Sonata followed behind.
Author's Note: Heyoo, Everybody! I am finally back with another chapter. Dead by Daylight has been distracting me too much... Sorry I made you all wait so long. Hope you all enjoy it!
Thank you The Bowser Monster, Devil Dude 42, Apikachua, Guest, and SpikedFruitPunch for leaving reviews. I really really appreciate them, guys.
You're welcome for the new chapter, Devil Dude. And yeah, there are people who think that way. But people can like what they like.
Well, Apikachua and I took our time and here is the next chapter, Guest. Hope you enjoy it!
I will see you all next time. I will try for this weekend, but no promises. But I do promise that this fic will get finished. I won't leave it unfinished. See you all next time!
