Anne: I intended that the spring would only work on humans. Regarding Pike's behaviour, I'll try your suggestion about Pike starting to become more pragmatic. Since he has no meetings to keep, he'll start worrying less about things like going to bed at a certain time. Instead, if he's tired, he'll get a few hours sleep. If he's not tired and it's late, he won't go to bed. If he's hungry, he'll get food; if not, he won't.
The way I've been aiming at first was to have Pike fight acting like an animal. However, as time progresses, perceiving the world through the eyes and ears etc of a pikachu will alter how he thinks. That will lead to him engaging in at least some animal behaviour. Although, I do intend on him exercising his human mind in order to keep it intact.
I didn't have Pike choose to mate with Pichka because I wanted to keep the story from being too adult. At that point, Pike didn't want to let himself go. Perhaps as he grows more used to being a pikachu and re-evaluates his identity he might re-consider how he'll respond to a female.
Foxyjosh: Thanks for the suggestion. One thing I could try is using italic text to emphasise when Pike uses a human word. It would be sort of like hearing someone speak in a language you don't. If they use a word from your language, it does tend to stand out. Therefore, perhaps this might be a good way for me to show when he's using 'pika-talk' and when he's using English.
I'm going to be trying a slightly different format for this chapter and possibly additional ones if it works out. I'll use shorter chapters instead. That way I should be able to update more frequently.
Starting with this chapter, I'm also going to start advancing the plot ahead more.
Remmie placed Pike back on the computer desk after a few minutes. Pike noticed Remmie look at the computer clock. Pike didn't need one to know what his body was already telling him; it was lunchtime.
"Remmie, I'm getting hungry, let's get something to eat," Pike said. The boy cocked his head. "What did you say Pike?"
I need to act it out again. Pike stood on his hid legs and rubbed his belly.
"You're hungry?" Remmie asked. Pike nodded his head. "K; let's get something to eat!"
Remmie stood up and Pike followed him upstairs. Pike saw Henry lying back on the couch watching TV with Amper curled up on his lap.
Pike ran over to the couch and jumped up onto Henry's legs. "Hey, she's my female, not yours!"
Henry looked at Pike. "What's wrong?"
Amper stood up and looked at Pike. "Your female?" She hoped over to Pike, looking him right in the eye. "You want me to be your mate?"
All eyes on the room seemed to be on Pike. Of course, Henry and Remmie wouldn't be able to understand Pike as long as he spoke in the pikachu language.
Ack, what am I doing? I think Amper is cute, but I don't want to mate with her! Pike looked around the room. Yes, they were all looking at him. Did that exercise with Remmie affect me more then I thought? "I'm not ready for that yet. Maybe some day."
Amper hoped closer to Pike. "Why not? Why do something later if we can do it now?"
Pike was growing nervous. "I'm not a real pikachu; it would be wrong!"
The former human was certain his logic would be lost on Amper. While she was a domestic pikachu, concepts such as getting to know someone were likely lost on her. Should a person want their pets to have babies, they'd get a male and a female of the same species.
Amper's next words only served to confirm Pike's suspicions. "I can give you many healthy babies."
Pike wouldn't mate with an animal, he couldn't. "Humans mate differently then pikachu do!"
Amper looked back at Pike, appearing confused. "You're not human now. Why waste time with human things? We don't need those things!"
She's going to see anything not needed for survival or comfort as pointless. Maybe I can teach her to think beyond this way of thinking.
"I can show you human ways. First, I'm hungry. Want to get something to eat?"
Amper smiled, "sure!"
Both pikachu jumped off Henry and ran into the kitchen.
After Remmie and Henry ate hotdogs and Pike and Amper shared a hotdog and piece of leftover pizza, the four walked into the basement. Remmie and Henry sat down in front of their game console to play. Pike and Amper stood on the floor in front of the couch.
"You want to try playing Pike?" Remmie asked.
Pike shook his head. "It didn't go too well when I played on the computer before."
"Okay," Remmie said.
Pike noticed Amper watching Remmie and Henry loading up a game with apparent fascination, "so, why do people play these games?"
Pike smiled "they're fun. Humans like to play games where they pretend to be someone or something else."
Amper seemed confused. "But why pretend to be someone or something you're not?"
With a smile Pike nodded, "Change is a part of being human. They're always looking for ways to change their lives for what they see as the better. They also like to imagine life as someone or something else just for fun."
"But why try to change things if they're comfortable with the way things are?" Amper asked.
"It's hard to explain," Pike said.
Amper climbed onto the couch and lay down on her back. "This is comfortable, I could lay like this all day. Why get up unless I have to?"
Pike jumped in front of Amper. He tried not to stare at her. As a human, such a view would just be a person looking at their pet. Now however, he felt as though he was getting one he wasn't supposed to.
"What's wrong?" Amper asked.
"I shouldn't look at you like this," Pike said.
"But why? I'm comfortable and if you like seeing me like this, what's wrong with it?"
Pike felt the blood rushing to his cheeks.
"What are you two talking about? You're awfully chatty," Henry asked.
Pike turned his head to see Remmie beaming. "I think his girlfriend wants to make out."
"Pike?" Henry asked.
Turning back to Amper, everything inside of Pike was saying Amper was ready. The pikachu instincts wanted him to go ahead with it and to hell with the potential consequences. However, the humanity within him, the side of him still Pike, said that no, he wasn't ready to raise a pichu and couldn't risk it.
Pike fidgeted, torn between the animal and human ways of thinking. This time however, humanity won out. Amper didn't know any better; Pike felt as though he'd be taking advantage of her. Not only that, but Remmie and Henry were right there! While Pike's friends might tell him to go for it, Pike knew his cousin would advise against it.
Shaking his head, Pike looked at Amper. "Even if we like certain things; sometimes we need to hold off."
"Why?" Amper asked.
"Because sometimes doing one thing cause other things to happen that we're not ready to deal with. You might get pregnant and I'm not ready to raise a pichu yet."
Amper sat up. "Okay Pike, I guess if you're not ready then there's no sense in me trying. Once you're ready we can try."
Pike realised that as an animal, Amper's way of thinking was much more about filling needs and urges as they came. She wouldn't understand the concept of putting something off until one was ready. Such urges came from her wild brethren where, if one had the need to do something, they would do it. One could not afford to wait because with predators about, there might not be another chance.
Here however, Pike knew Amper could afford to wait. If he wasn't willing, he doubted she was about to waste energy trying to convince him.
Am I eventually going to start thinking like that? Do I want to? Do I have a choice?
Pike sat down beside Amper. "Let's watch them play."
"Okay, this is comfortable too," Amper said.
With that, they lay back and watched Remmie and Henry play their game.
-
Henry and Remmie gamed for about two hours while Pike and Amper watched. Pike knew Amper wouldn't understand the games but that didn't bother him. He was comfortable just being beside her. In fact, even when Remmie or Henry would offer Pike a controller so he could play, he didn't have much interest in it; he was too comfortable to want to get up.
Even when Remmie and Henry got up, Pike showed little interest in it; he was just too comfortable to want to move.
Man, what I am doing? I'm thinking like an animal again! Even if I'm comfortable, I have to do something! I don't want to get too used to that way of thinking!
"Hey Pike, Amper, would you two like to go for a walk?" Henry asked.
Pike ears perked up. He was comfortable laying down with Amper but it would be nice to get outside. Looking at Amper, Pike smiled. "It's a nice day out. As long as we're close to them, we shouldn't have to worry about predators or trainers wanting to battle us."
"Okay, sounds like fun," Amper said.
"Well, I'd rather just play videogames but okay," Remmie said.
Amper and Pike stood up and Pike nodded his head. They followed Henry and Remmie upstairs where both put on their shoes and light jackets. Pike giggled to himself; he was able to be outside without a shred of clothing on and no one would care or be the wiser.
When the group was ready to go, Pike climbed on to Remmie's right shoulder and Amper onto Henry's left. Henry locked the house up and they started on their walk. They walked down the street to a pathway that went behind the houses and wound through a small-forested region.
Henry and Remmie spoke a lot with Remmie telling Henry about his schooling, how it was going and why he wanted to be a trainer.
Pike took in the sights, smells and sounds around him, perceiving this path for the first time as a pikachu. Sounds were louder; allowing to Pike to hear what before was only a mere whisper. Scents that used to be non existent to him, now permeated everything. He couldn't see as well as a pikachu, but as long as he was on Remmie's shoulder, he felt secure; as though Henry and Remmie would protect him should anything happen.
After walking for almost an hour, they came upon the small forest and sat down on a bench under the trees. Pike and Amper jumped of off the human's shoulders and ran under the bench. It was cool under there with a scent of leaves and soil.
While it seemed serene, Pike knew that there were dangers in the woods. It was a fun place to visit, but he doubted he'd want to live there.
The group rested for a short while before continuing on their journey. This time, Pike and Amper felt bolder and decided to walk ahead of the group rather then sit on the human's shoulders. They followed the path for another hour before coming to an area where there were various shops and other attractions.
Pike knew this area as one with restaurants and movies. He and Henry had eaten there several times before. He was getting hungry and wished he'd be able to go into one of them. However, was it too early for supper?
If you're hungry then eat. Why wait until its dinnertime? There's no dinnertime for a pikachu; you eat when you need to.
A few girls Remmie's age was sitting on a bench in front of a shop, Remmie ran over to them with a smile on his face. Pike assumed that Remmie knew them from school. Pike followed Remmie and leapt onto the bench and then onto Remmie's shoulder. He didn't stop to ponder how easily he'd made the leap or how he hadn't even have feared falling while doing it.
"What a cute pikachu," one of the girls, a lass with black hair wearing a skirt and blouse said.
Amper joined Pike, jumping onto Remmie's other shoulder.
"Two of them?" another girl asked. She had short red hair was wearing jeans and a blue tee shirt.
Don't tell them Remmie. They won't believe you and will think you're crazy!
"Did you get your licence?" the third one, a blonde with a ponytail wearing a long sleeved grey shirt and jeans asked.
"No, these are … my cousin Henry's. He adopted them a couple of days ago," Remmie said.
Good Remmie, don't let them know. If they found out the truth, it could get … problematic.
The girl with the black hair stood up and started petting Pike between his ears. "He's a cutie," she said.
The blonde one scratched Amper under the chin and smiled at Pike. "Is she your girlfriend?"
"Sort of," Pike said, trying not to feel embarrassed.
Of course, the girl petting him felt nice. Pike knew that she had no idea of the truth and felt a bit guilty. That was until the pikachu way of thinking hit him again. It felt nice and the girl enjoyed petting him. Said thought patterns made him wonder why he would try to get out of it based on human concerns that probably didn't apply to him anymore.
After a few minutes of it, the redhead said they had to go. They all waved goodbye to Remmie and walked off. Henry, who'd apparently been watching the group, approached the trio.
"Friends of yours?" he asked.
"Sort of, they go to my school," Remmie said.
Pike didn't need to be a physic type to know that the question embarrassed Remmie.
"I'm getting hungry, can we get something to eat?" Pike asked.
"Yea, me too!" Amper said.
"What did you two say?" Henry asked.
Pike jumped off Remmie and onto the bench. He stood on his hind legs and rubbed his belly.
"Oh you're hungry," Henry said.
Pike pointed the digit on his right forepaw that was most like an index finger and winked at Henry as he nodded.
"Can you bring a pikachu into any of these places?" Remmie asked.
"Most people would probably put them in their pokeballs while they ate supper," Henry said. Pike glared at Henry; he was not about to let them treat them like an animal, even if he was technically was one. "Don't worry Pike, I'm not going to do that to you."
"We can go in those human places?" Amper asked as she jumped onto the bench beside Pike and pawed at his shoulders.
"I've seen people with Pokemon there before. As long as they behave, the owners usually allow it," Pike said.
"The owners or the Pokemon?" Amper asked.
Pike giggled. Amper stopped pawing at Pike and looked at the humans.
"What's so funny?" Remmie asked.
Pike stood on his hind legs with his forepaws behind his back in an attempt to look innocent.
"Well, I'm hungry too. If they won't let us take Pike and Amper in, we'll just have to go to a place that will," Henry said.
Pike nodded and climbed onto Remmie's right shoulder, Amper climbing onto Henry's left. The two humans walked into the plaza towards a restaurant where a group of people was loitering. Henry and Remmie walked into the restaurant.
While Pike worried there'd be a problem with he or Amper going in, he knew trainers passed though their town. He doubted all of them were willing to leave their Pokemon in their balls the entire time. Pike had eaten here a few times, although now, he'd be doing it under Henry's treat.
He felt annoyed on two accounts. One being that he might not be welcome simply because he was currently a pikachu. Two that he could no longer pay for the meal himself. It upset him because it made him feel dependent.
Inside the restaurant, the scent of food assaulted Pike's nostrils and sounds of people talking invaded his ears.
"It's loud in here!" Amper said.
"Some humans like that. Don't worry, the food is good so it's worth it," Pike answered.
Looking around, Pike noticed a couple of kids in there had a ratticate with them, so he doubted there would be a problem. Besides, he doubted someone would turn a pikachu down; people sought them after all.
"Hi, table for two or rather … four," Henry said.
The women standing at the front counter looked and smiled at Pike and Amper.
"Will your friends be dinning as well? As long as they behave, they're welcome," she asked.
"Yes, they will," Henry said with a smile.
A waitress escorted Henry and Remmie towards their table and sat them down. Pike did his best to explain everything to Amper using terms she would understand, a rather difficult task he discovered. A menu thus became something that showed them all the food they could have and the waiter's people that got the food for them. Since Amper couldn't read, Pike had to translate as best as he could for her.
Several patrons walked by as they were reading the menus, each looking at Pike as though he didn't belong. That upset him; no matter how he looked on the outside, on the inside he was a human being with feelings. Who the hell are they to tell me what I can and cannot do? I have just as much right to be here as anyone does! Pike tried to rationalise it to himself; these people didn't know any better; they saw him as a pikachu not as a human. Store owners normally didn't allow pets inside. The fact that the proprietor had allowed Pike and Amper in was somewhat of a treat.
The pikachu had words for some foods. In many cases however, there just wasn't a translation. With a little help from Pike, Amper decided on a garden salad with water to drink. Being around so many humans and using the human's things seemed to help Pike even more. He was able to use English words to describe what he wanted to Henry; chicken wings. He kept his voice down so the other patrons wouldn't hear him; Henry would do the ordering for him.
As the waiter approached to take their orders, he looked confused. Pike figured the man found it odd to see a pikachu in there.
Pike was starting to realise he was going to have to give a lot up by being a pikachu. Human speech was something it seemed he could regain. His form however was still that of a pikachu and thus people were going to treat him as such. Pike worried that he was in for a potentially degrading experience.
"Hi, is everyone ready to order?" the waiter asked.
Pike nodded, although it was clear that the waiter was only interested in Remmie and Henry's responses. Henry and Remmie placed their orders. Pike was about to place his when Henry did so in his place. The waiter seemed taken aback that a pikachu would order something.
After taking their orders, the man walked off.
Man, this is embarrassing. This cute stuff is already getting annoying! If I could talk, I'd tell some of these people off!
Possibly sensing Pike's discomfort, Henry looked around, Pike assuming to make sure no one was watching. He then leaned in close and offered his right hand. "I know this is annoying for you Pike but until we find a cure for this, these outings are going to have to be a treat."
Pike nodded his head. He didn't like the concept of having to stay inside all day for possibly the rest of his life. Even battling would be more fun then that. At least doing that, he'd be able to see the world! Of course, that would also mean enduring the effects on his mind! Oy vey, I know life is unfair but this is crazy! All this because I missed the bus and got my clothes dirty! Why did I have to be so cheap and say no to calling a cab? If I ever get out of this, no more short cuts!
Spending the better part of the next twenty minutes collecting his thoughts, Pike wondered what would become of him. He heard the other humans talking with each other. They discussed everything from their job or schoolwork to the latest movies that had come out.
That made Pike feel left out. Only days ago, he was a young man who had his entire future ahead of him. Now, it seemed that his pikachu form would deny many of those things to him. They were a part of human life and since he was no longer human, they were no longer a part of his life.
This isn't right; I have a human mind inside of me. I'm supposed to be able to do these things!
Amper, possibly sensing his discomfort looked at him. "What's wrong? All of this stuff is kinda scary but it's also amazing. Do humans really go to places like this all of the time?"
Pike nodded, "they do. I'm just … upset that I'm not going to be able to do this that much anymore."
"That's okay, we can still be friends and have fun. All those human things seem special to me," Amper said.
Amper was right, Pike knew that. For her, the wild version of her … of their species was used to living in the woods. Compared to that, living with television, computers, indoor plumbing and other modern conveniences was paradise. Perhaps, Pike thought, he would need to lower his standards, or at least learn to appreciate what he had. Maybe that coupled with the apparent freedom he'd have (at least from what Pike saw as human vices such a work and responsibility) could make this bearable.
When the meal came, the waiter served Henry and Remmie. He smiled at Pike as though Pike were a baby. That annoyed Pike to no end, making him really wish he could speak, so he could give the guy a little surprise. Instead, he chose to take the high ground and not react. He didn't want to make a scene that would prove him nothing more then an animal and/or get Henry in trouble.
When the waiter placed the drink in front of Amper, Pike showed her the straw.
"You put your lips around it and suck the water up," he said.
"But why? Isn't it easier just to lap it up?" Amper asked.
"Maybe but this way is cleaner," Pike said.
He watched as Amper did as instructed. The water slowly went up the straw. Pike was worried Amper was going to choke but relaxed when she let go of the straw, swallowed and was breathing normally.
"Well?" He asked.
"Weird but … it works," Amper said.
Pike proceeded to eat his chicken wings. He knew such food probably wasn't normal for a pikachu but they did need protein so he had to get it from somewhere. He made a bit of a mess, getting sauce on his face. With his fur, cleaning would be a bit more complicated.
When they were done, Henry took Pike to the bathroom to wash up. Henry placed Pike on the counter and turned on the tap on one of the four sinks. Pike looked at his reflection in the mirror, realising how silly he looked. If this weren't a potentially permanent situation, his appearance would have amused him. Now, however, the fact that Henry had to take him into the bathroom only reminded Pike of how much more vulnerable he was. He'd perhaps gained freedom with this form but he'd also lost a measure of his independence.
He washed up as best as he could before Henry took him back to their seats. The others were almost done and Amper told Pike she was done and wanted to go.
"We can't go yet," Pike said.
"Why not?" Amper asked.
Pike tried his best to explain using pikachu terminology. "They gave us shelter and food and even got it all for us. We need to give them something back in return for it. When humans work, they get stuff in return that they can use to get other stuff. They have to give the people that gave us the food and shelter to eat it in some of that stuff."
Amper looked a bit confused. "I'm used to people just giving me food; I don't know where they get it from."
"Humans have to hunt for food just like wild pikachu do; they just do it differently," Pike said.
"I think I understand," Amper said.
After Henry paid (with Remmie thanking him), the group left the establishment with Pike on Remmie's shoulder and Amper on Henry's.
It was a long walk home, so they decided to take the streets rather then the paths back. Henry first called Pike's parents so they'd know where Remmie was and that they'd be home in about an hour.
They started walking back home. Amper was starting to fall asleep, so Henry decided to carry her. Pike was feeling drowsy himself, but awake enough to stay on Remmie's shoulder. Besides, the last thing he wanted was his brother carrying him home!
After forty-five minutes, they were almost home. The sun was setting and they were on a street close to Henry's when they passed by a house with three people standing in the driveway.
Pike noticed the trio was whispering amongst themselves. Shortly thereafter, they approached Pike and company. All three were dressed in Jean jackets and jeans. They appeared to be around sixteen and did not look friendly.
"Nice Pikachu, want to trade him?" the tallest one, a boy with long red hair sleeked back into a ponytail said.
"No, thank you," Henry said.
"Maybe you'd like to battle him then. Or perhaps that other one," another boy said. This one was shorter and had short black spiky hair.
"Leave us alone!" Remmie said.
"Shut up kid!" the third one, one with short brown hair said.
"Hey, that's my brother you're talking to!" Pike said.
The oldest teen reached into a coat pocket and pulled out a pokeball and grinned. "What's the matter, you afraid?"
"Henry, can we really let them talk to us like that?" Remmie asked.
"Yes, we can. Now, let's keep walking. Anyway I don't think Pike should be fighting," Henry said.
Amper was starting to wake up. "What's happening?"
Pike jumped onto Henry's shoulder. He suddenly felt a desire to protect Amper against these people. He wasn't about to let them hurt his friends of family members!
"Don't worry, I have it under control," Pike said.
"Looks like your friend wants to fight," the oldest boy said.
Pike leaped onto Remmie's shoulder and then onto the ground and stood ready with his cheeks sparking.
"All right then, get em Hothead!" the oldest boy said.
He threw down the ball he was carrying; it opened and energy flew out of it, forming into a shape before it solidified into a vulpix.
Okay, that's a firetype, I can take him!
"Look, he may want to fight but he's just a … companion. Neither of us are trainers!" Henry protested.
"Come on Pike, kick his ass!" Remmie said.
"Remmie, please. Don't use language like that!" Henry said.
"Okay then, wipe the floor with them Pike!" Remmie said.
"Toast em with flame-thrower Hothead!" the boy said.
The small fox opened its mouth and fire spewed out. Henry and Remmie had to dodge out of the way to avoid it hitting them. Pike leapt out of the way just in time. He felt the warmth of the fire under his feet. Adrenaline began flowing through his veins.
This is fun! But I have to stay in control. I can't let the pikachu instincts win!
"Nice move pikachu," the boy said.
"Come on Remmie thundershock it!" Remmie said.
Pike turned to see his brother and cousin getting up. Henry was shaking his head but Remmie was nodding his with a huge smile. He's egging me on, I shouldn't.
Out of nowhere, Pike felt something hit him, he went flying nearly two meters backwards and rolled as he hit the ground. The vulpix had used a quick attack on him.
"Come on Pike, counterattack!"
"I can do that to!" Pike said as he stood up.
The vulpix released another flame-thrower and Pike dodged back and forth before ramming the fox, sending it flying back into its trainers legs.
"Ouch!" it said.
Pike leapt over to it, feeling bad for having stuck and possibly harmed it.
"Come on Hothead, you can take him!" the teen said.
Okay, this didn't work before, but it might work now. "Look, I know this sounds hard to believe but I used to be human. I shouldn't even be doing this."
"You're crazy!" Hothead said as it stood up.
Pike readied himself for another attack. "No, really! I don't want to hurt you!"
Hothead shook its head and released another flame-thrower. Pike tried to dodge, but it caught him in the left side. He fell to the ground.
"That hurt!" Pike protested.
Anger started taking over and he let loose a thunder shock attack. Unfortunately, he had little control over it. He ended up shocking himself for the most part. Only a small amount of charge struck vulpix. While it only tickled him, it was still embarrassing.
Hothead laughed. "Don't you even know how to shock people?"
"No, because I'm not a real pikachu!" Pike protested.
"Whatever you say pikachu," Hothead said.
"All right, that's enough! Stop this before someone gets hurt!" Henry said.
"Yeah, this isn't getting us anywhere," Pike said.
"Maybe not but it's fun!" Hothead said.
The vulpix charged Pike, striking him, which knocked him back into Henry's legs. Henry leaned down and picked Pike up.
"That's enough!" he said.
"Whatever!" the teen said, recalling Hothead.
I can't believe I lost again!
Henry carried Pike away from the scene. Pike looked at the teen, who smugly smiled at him. When they were a block away, Henry finally spoke.
"I'm sorry Pike, we shouldn't have gone out. Then this wouldn't have happened," he said.
"Don't worry about losing bro, you can improve!" Remmie said.
"No Remmie, Pike can't act like a pikachu. We need to keep his human mind intact," Henry said.
Truth be told, Pike's human thinking seemed mostly intact. He did however, feel weak from losing the battle. He wished he could hone his skills more and hoped he could find a way to do that without compromising his mind.
"I should have helped you," Amper said.
"Don't worry about it. Anyway two against one is against the rules," Pike said.
The group walked the rest of the way home, finding that Pike's parents were already there to take Remmie home.
"Let's not tell them about that battle. Pike, I think you're going to have to mostly stay around the house until we find a cure for this. I know that's not fair but we can't avoid a repeat of what happened," Henry said.
Fortunately, Pike didn't have visible injuries from the battle and accept for his pride was all right. He nodded his head as he didn't want to upset his parents. He didn't want to spend the rest of his life staying around the house like a pet but he also knew he wasn't ready to battle should he go outside. Besides, at least around the house there were things he could do, many which would help keep his mind intact.
When they entered the house, they greeted his parents and discussed how Pike now seemed able to use the words computer and monitor. He demonstrated by saying them, much to the elation of his parents. Pike was pleased but also a little silly with how such a little thing meant so much to them.
After the group had some coffee and cookies, they left for home. It was a school night, so Remmie needed to get up the next morning. They said their goodbyes and left the house.
Later that evening, after Henry had showered, he took Pike aside.
"All right Pike, I have to go to work tomorrow. I need you to make sure you're going to do those exercises we've discussed. Read a book, try puzzles, do anything to exercise your mind. I'll leave pokechow out so you have something to eat while I'm gone. Try not too eat it all at once. Okay?"
Pike nodded. This was going to be difficult. While, he was going to have the house to himself; it wouldn't be the same when he couldn't really cook for himself or go out. Somehow, however, he knew he'd find a way to deal with this and adapt to this form.
Shortly after Henry had gone to bed, Pike decided to do the same. He cuddled up with Amper in his bed. As with before, he felt wonderful with her. Despite their earlier confusion, he planned on teaching Amper about human life and relationships. It looked like they were going to have time to get to know each other and Pike wanted to do just that.
Laying in a position of Pike laying over Amper, Pike sighed before going to sleep.
The next day, Pike awoke to the sun shinning through his bedroom window. He opened his eyes and looked at the clock; it said 9:30 am!
Oh crap, I'm late for work! Pike bolted up, only to look down at his body and realise how silly he was being. Then again, maybe not. Feeling a sense of liberation at not having to go to work, Pike lay back over Amper. He would get up soon and would start reading something. For now, he was comfortable.
Pike guessed that the coming weeks would prove very interesting.