A/N Lazy day in.
Alt title: Kitsu needs a day off.
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This chapter is a less serious one featuring a little exposition and more bonding between Kitsu and Carol. Mostly to wind down from the previous two chapters and set up the rest of the story to get back to how it was.
Also it's to set up the next chapter.
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And yeah, the intention with the last two chapters was to vent my personal feelings over the heat trope and how I feel numerous people gloss over the many issues it brings when done wrong. In the first chapter it was cute with darker undertones. In the second it was blatantly wrong.
It was stated at the beginning that Dennis had no intentions with Kitsu. He was heavily coerced into the date while trying to get out of it at every turn. When the date happened he was like. "Damn, here I am. Might as well make the best of it instead of whining about it anymore."
His intentions were to be her pretend boyfriend. That's why her acting all shy and innocent helped him get through it. It helped him see it as playing house.
One of my coworkers read the two chapters and said.
"You traumatized him! Why? Why did you have to do my man Clockblocker like that? He has a funny name."
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Also, I made a mistake.
For canids the stages of estrus are Proestrus, estrus, diestrus, anestrus.
Bovines are Proestrus, estrus, metestrus, diestrus.
Oops.
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DancingLeaf: you actually scared me for a bit, you normally comment on every chapter.
But yeah, the first bit was intended to be a bit of a red herring with a few hints towards what was happening, spread throughout.
I won't spoil anything with Tats or PHO but I will say Kitsu would not respond well.
And yeah, I tried my best. Originally it was going to get darker, with Kitsu turning yandere over Dennis before snapping to her senses, but again that would make narratively no sense.
Casanova5425: Don't know how to respond to that.
Sarah2cold: I was never going to have it go too far. It was always going to end with Kitsu coming to her senses before she did anything she couldn't come back from. And the bit with Carol was a last minute thing that I just thought would be funny.
InHumanMan: Don't worry. Her heat is a once a year ,o when it does come up again it'll be more around the lines of "Yeah Kitsu is staying in this weekend." Timeskip, smash cut to other people doing their thing for a bit. The story will continue as it was. But everything in the last two was canon so it will be mentioned and referenced. But I will NOT be aiming to make another chapter like the last two.
Cringier than Wattpad? I mean, I was going for cringe but, damn. I don't know if I should be proud, or ashamed.
T4ndoris: Rawr, Imma dinasawr. I won't spoil anything.
Gogmazios: you're welcome.
KitsuXDennis: not really sorry for you.
Draco0905: I never mentioned humans. I never implied human males were unfaithful and I'm sorry you felt I did.
RemoteCalamity: I'll not spoil anything but I intend to keep everything mostly wholesome going forward. Kitsu still likes to mess with people and is honestly kinda dumb when it comes to romance.
RadChaos897: Kitsu truly sees the Dallons as her family. So it just made the interactions that much more embarrassing for her. It's why she absolutely refused to let Mark see her like that. And kept trying to get the others to stay away.
And I already have plans to introduce a few minor characters.
I'm being careful about it because I intend to set up a sequel series that sees Kitsu thrown into either the MHA verse or the RWBY verse. Haven't decided which.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Worm or any other characters in this work, other than my OC. All other characters belong to their respective properties.
-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Shard]
(Text)
*Sounds/Actions*
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-Tuesday April 6th 9am-
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Kitsu POV
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*Smack*
"Ow."
*Smack*
"Ow."
*Smack*
"What the hell are you doing in there!?" Carol says from the other side of the bathroom door.
I'm currently in the shower, hugging my knees and banging my head into the wall.
"I'm trying to give myself amnesia!" I shout over the sound of water hitting me.
"Well knock it off! I don't need you denting the wall!"
'I should have told someone I was entering an estrus beforehand.' I think in hindsight. 'That would've prevented everything!'
I wanted it to be a big surprise. But then Dennis showed up and I sort of just drew a blank.
Then one thing led to another. I was enjoying myself. Then all that happened.
[Conduit] snapped me out of it. I locked myself away and tried to cut off contact. Except only Carol and Mark were content to leave me alone. Vicky wouldn't and Amy felt the need to see if I was okay. And Vicky's aura was helping NOTHING!
Amy, well, she was scanning my brain and I have no idea whether or not scanning my Corona Gemma would lead [Shaper] to [Conduit]. So I, improvised a way to get her to stop.
And to top it all off? Apparently I'm rather, vocal. Enough so that Carol had to say something!
Turns out enhanced ears aren't good at determining what's a good level of quiet.
'Why me?'
*Smack*
"Kitsu! One more time and I will come in there!"
I don't even have much energy left. I've mentioned it before, but I can't store energy indefinitely. My body temp will rise to a warm average of 101 Fahrenheit and slowly dissipate the energy through that. I have enough to throw out a few illusions or speed my way halfway across the city, once.
So here I am, using up all the hot water for what little energy it gives. I'll probably have Vicky hit me a few times. Or get Carol to launch a few light spears at me.
'I could make everyone forget with my biokinesis.'
I shake the thought from my head as soon as it pops up.
'No, it's best to just bite the bullet in this case. Besides, I don't even know how to erase memories.'
Turning off the now cold water I step out to brush and dry off.
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-10 am-
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Mark "Flashbang" Dallon POV
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Sitting in the living room recliner with Carol sitting on the couch seat closest to me. Ready for a day in with Kitsu.
We agreed that after all that happened this weekend that Kitsu could use a sort of mental health day.
I watch as Kitsu steps out from the hall in an oversized white jacket with a purple trim and hood. Her hair's purple and she's wearing white d-pad hairclips on her head just under her ears.
'At least she still cares enough to dress up.' I think hopefully.
With a look stuck between tired and miserable. Ears lazily flat to the sides and tail dragging behind her. She slumps over to the couch.
*Poomf*
And promptly face plants into the cushion. She doesn't even make it fully, with only her upper body landing on the couch.
And now she's sliding down and slumps to the floor.
"Hey Kiddo, feeling better?" I ask. Hoping to break some tension.
Carol gave me a squinted look that screamed 'What do you think dumbass?'
Kitsu, for her part, just groans into the floor. Her tail slapping up and back into the floor once before going limp again.
Carol stands and goes to lift Kitsu up.
"That's enough of that, get up here."
She picks her up only to hold her up in surprise.
"How are you so light? You eat all the time." Carol asks in confusion.
"I don't really turn most food I consume into nutrients, it gets turned straight into energy that I store. It's one of the more inefficient ways I gain energy to use my powers. I only retain enough nutrients to ensure my body can function, I'll require more soon, seeing as I'll start growing again." She lists off robotically. Just hanging limply as Carol holds up her by her armpits.
'Is that why she's so small?' I think, but don't dare to say.
I know her size can be a touchy subject for her at times.
"Right. Well, sit." She says as she sets her down on the couch.
Seeing her stay put and not slide off again, Carol sits back down.
Only for Kitsu to plop to the side and set her head on Carols lap.
"Seriously? You had to wait for me to sit down?" Carol deadpans.
"Didn't want you to sit on me." Kitsu says.
"That's not the, you know what? Never mind, just know that when I get up you either move, or you get tossed." Carol says. Giving in to being a pillow for the girl.
"Kay."
I take that as my queue to talk.
"So what do you want to watch? I'm not feeling in the mood for anything in particular so why don't you decide."
"Let Carol pick." She drones out.
"If I pick, we're watching a documentary." Carol replies.
"Mm."
At least she's out of her room. I was worried she would stay in there for a week longer at least. I, don't have any experience in cheering kids up. I wasn't all that present for Vicky or Amy growing up so I don't know how to deal with this.
So I asked Carol. Like usual.
"Mark?" Kitsu says.
"Hmm? You need something sweetie?" I ask.
"Did you forget your medicine again?" She asks.
'Shit. I did.' I realize.
"That I did." I say with a sigh. "How could you tell?"
'I didn't think I was acting too different.'
"You take your meds with coffee. I can't smell any coffee coming from you and I know you woke up not too long ago." She explains plainly.
That was new.
"Since when did you have super smell?" Carol asks.
"Since I decided to age finally. It's part of my natural development. Don't distract me, Mark, medicine." She says, pointing to the hallway without looking.
'Even depressed herself she still looks out for me.'
"Yeah, yeah. I'm going." I get up and head to Carol and I's room.
Thought about making a comment about not biting my head off but thought better of it. Considering what she told Carol about her instincts and what they made her want to do during her, date.
Walking into the room and getting into the nightstand. I notice I only have eight pills left.
"Need to call the psychiatrist soon." I mumble to myself.
Taking one in hand I head back to the kitchen. Hoping Amy left some on the hot plate, burner, whatever the part on a coffee pot that heats up the coffee is called.
She's the only other one who drinks coffee in this house. Carol and Vicky prefer tea. And Kitsu-
'I actually don't know what Kitsu prefers. I think it might be juice.'
Reaching the kitchen I see she left some. Only it's cold.
"Oh well, I'm in no rush." I flip the switch and wait.
Finally getting my coffee and mixing it with creamer and sugar I take my meds. I could just drink water but that doesn't get rid of the powdery after taste.
Walking back into the living room I'm greeted with a rather pleasant sight.
I lean on the archway to the hall, folding my arms and just watch with a contented smile.
Kitsu is absorbed into a documentary about medical science during the renaissance, resting her head in her arms on Carols lap. While Carol is rubbing head and back comfortingly.
It's actually rather heartwarming. Seeing Carol and Kitsu like this. Brings a genuine smile to my face.
"Mark, I know you're over there. If I look over and see that smug look of yours, I'll make good on my promise of throwing Kitsu."
I quickly turn around and face the wall of the hallway.
"Don't bring me into your marital dispute. I'm just an innocent bystander here." Kitsu says.
"I need to throw something. And it's either you or the coffee table. You're closer and don't break." Carol replies.
"You could just, not threaten your loving husband with violence. That's always an option." I say, still staring at the wall. Unable to get rid of my smile.
"One, how else would I remind you who's in charge of this house? Two, you little girl are far from being innocent, or a bystander. Don't forget I saw your rap sheet." She points out.
"Wasn't that expunged due to my age?" Kitsu asks.
'Among other factors.' I think.
"Doesn't change the fact that it happened." Carol says.
"Okay, most of that was just me trying to survive." She defends herself.
"And that one account of grand theft auto?" Carol questions.
I can picture the raised eyebrow.
"Heh, that was a fun weekend." Kitsu chuckles.
"I'm scared to ask. But I'm also genuinely curious." I say.
I turn around and head back to the recliner, now that I was sure I was safe from the possible flying debris of hurricane Carol.
She'd never actually follow through on her threats, but it was a fun little game of back and forth we played.
Kitsu shakes her head a little.
"You don't wanna know, and I'd rather not say." She says plainly.
Accepting that I wouldn't be regaled with the tale of grand theft fox. I sit down and watch the documentary with them in relative silence.
'People really thought smells were what caused disease?'
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-? Chicago 11 AM-
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Wade "Communication Guru" POV
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'Delete that, scrub that, aaaaaaand, DONE!'
"She owes me for this." I say to no one in particular.
Sitting in my dark control room, lit up only by the screens of various computers, I contemplate the last few days' worth of work I just did.
Kitsu still hasn't figured out that the phone I gave her has a biometric scanner in it keeping track of her functions. So when the scanner program lit up like a Christmas tree, I checked in and watched in astonishment as her biometrics rearranged themselves. Dropped my smoothie at the way my Thinker power was going haywire at what I was seeing.
Then the next day came, I was going to call and ask her what happened after I recovered from the massive headache I got from all the unique data.
But Kim needed help, so I had to leave an automated program to monitor it and comprise the information for me later. I hate doing that, nothing beats seeing the data in real time.
'Estrus cycle huh?' I think in slight interest as I sip my smoothie.
It's nothing creepy, I just can't have what I considered one of my only friends getting in danger without me knowing. Last time, I hacked my way into a phone call with Carol Dallon. I used an algorithm to mask my voice as Dragons and warned her of the hospital.
Today? Just removed the last of the online evidence of Kitsus', date. Some of it still got out there, and it was a MASSIVE task to hack PHO without Dragon interfering. But nothing stayed on for more than a few minutes, half an hour at most. Using the PHO handles that posted to hack into phones and delete the files seamlessly from there.
She still caught me. I just explained why I was doing it and she let it slide, just this once, and under her oversight to ensure that protecting Kitsus' privacy was all I was doing. She is surprisingly agreeable. Especially when it comes to Kitsu. Probably feels guilty over what happened at the Boston PRT.
They really need to update their servers. Armstrong is lucky he's a decent guy, otherwise I'd have blackmailed him with the whole, 'Make it look like someone hacked our security.' stunt. The conversation with Dragon was still logged.
There's more than likely still evidence, closed off servers in the malls security system, people who recorded or logged it without posting online, the works. But if they decide to post it in the future, I have a smart V.I. program running that'll delete it and crash their device, wiping the data.
*RING*
Sliding over to the other computer, I switch it on.
"Wade, I got a sitch." Kim says on the screen.
"Well, tell me what I can do for my favorite Chicago Ward."
I may be freelance. But Myrddin keeps me on a payroll for the Chicago PRT. Two percent of his own paycheck in exchange for my unlimited services. Doesn't seem like a lot till you take into account just how much he makes as the head of the Chicago PRT.
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-Dallon House 12pm-
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Carol "Brandish" Dallon POV
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With the documentary on the, questionable, medical practices of the sixteen hundreds. I notice Kitsu, isn't as warm as she normally is.
She explained before that the energy she stores gets released through her body heat, so I can only assume she's tapped out.
"Alright, what's next?" I ask, patting her back.
"Mmhhmmn, animals." She says tiredly.
Looking down I notice her ears are completely relaxed to the sides, twitching at every other sound and tail still completely limp. Only occasionally swaying to the side
'Is she sick? She mentioned before that she can get sick. It just doesn't last long. Maybe she's just worn out?'
"What kind?" I ask.
"Doesn't matter." She says and scoots herself further into my lap with a yawn. Now having her head and shoulders resting on me.
"You know I'm not a pillow right?" I say, slightly irritated.
"Are you sure? You're very good at it." She says tiredly.
"Pfft, she's not wrong honey. I can verify." Mark chimes in.
'He's so much better on his meds.' I think.
"Can verify what exactly? Because I know you're not about to objectify me by comparing me to pillow." I shoot him an exaggerated glare.
"No, course not." He says in an equally exaggerated tone.
"Pillows aren't as warm." Kitsu says and turns around to face my stomach. "And they don't comfort you. You're better than a pillow." She says as she closes her eyes.
"Aren't you the one who said I was a good pillow in the first place?"
She nods her head, or snuggles into me further. Probably both.
"The best pillow. Never leave me." She says softly. "Please, don't wanna be alone." She mumbles.
Neither me nor Mark seem to know how to respond to that. So, we stayed quiet for a while.
"Don't worry." I say eventually while scratching her head. "We won't."
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She's asleep.
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-Downtown southeast side 1pm-
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Virgil "Static Shock" Hawkins POV
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Hopping off the bus and heading in towards my aunts house I can't help but feel bad for Dennis.
Man gets his first date, turns out the girl was busted in the head whole time he was with her.
'Man, that's just gotta suck.'
Dennis really doesn't want to talk about it. Our patrol together was filled with an odd silence that, with Dennis, never happens.
Vicks gave the whole story when I asked at school yesterday. Made me promise not to spread it around. Only told me cuz I was there for it at the beginning and didn't want me draw'n up the wrong conclusion, seeing as no one's heard from Kitsu since.
Walking up the old stairs to the apartment complex I find myself thinking to why I was in Brockton to begin with.
Maureen.
The one I couldn't help. She had been getting help, and then out of nowhere ducked out on everything.
'Now she's got a Kill Order on her head.' I think glumly.
She had killed a lot of people in the attack on the hospital with the Merchants. Even managed to take out the Endstopper Child while at it. Something no one else has managed.
'That got the higher ups spooked more than anything.'
Maureen was the whole reason I was here. That and with Dakota cleaned up, I figured somewhere else could use my help.
My pops only let me stay in the bay cuz we got family here. My old man had a long talk with Aunt Janine and she agreed to put me up under one condition.
Don't let my cousins know I'mma cape.
So the story is I go to Arcadia and have vocational work with the local cops. The easiest lie is the one mixed with truth and all that.
Stepping inside the apartment with a brown carpet floor and beige walls, I see Aunt Janine, once again, on her feet doing something. In this case, vacuuming the house.
"Aunty I told you, I'll do the chores when I'm off school and vocation work." I say, tossing my bag onto the coat rack.
She looks up and smiles with tired eyes. She already works two jobs and has three kids. Terry is struggle'n to find a job while Callista is only two.
And the less said about the middle child the better.
"Oh! Vergil sweetie, I forgot you don't work on Tuesday afternoons." She says, turning of the vacuum cleaner.
"Sure, just like ya forgot the six Tuesdays." I give a good-natured jab. "C'mon, let me handle that, yer overworked nuff as it is." I say and take the vacuum from her.
I do patrol Tuesday nights with Carlos.
"You know how it is sweetie, I'm just so used to it not getting done if I don't do it." She says and sits down on the couch.
"Well where's Terry?! Ain't he around to help?!" I ask over the sound of the vacuum.
"He's got an interview today!" She says happily.
"Fer real?! What's the job?!" I ask, pausing the vacuum to move the coffee table.
She sighs and looks away before answering.
"Grocery store cashier." She says dejectedly.
"Hey, that's still better'n nuthin! If he works good enough he could move up the ladder! We all gotta start somewhere right?" I try an cheer her up.
Terry's a good guy, just a little slow. He don't do interviews well. He was good at his last job, gas station stocker. Before he quit without having another job lined up. Crappy coworkers an all that according to him.
"I know sweetie, but I'm his mother and while I want to hope for the best. This is the sixth interview this month. I have to be real." She continues tiredly.
Having finished moving the coffee table I grab the vacuum and continue.
Before someone walks through the door, book bag in hand, staring at her phone.
"Sophia! I thought you still had school!" Aunt Janine shouts over the vacuum.
I go ahead and turn it off.
"Ditched out, just English and Social Studies anyway." She looks and sees me. "Fucking course' the nerd's here. Don't you need to get some donuts for the pigs or something?"
"You've said that one before, come up with sumthin new." I deadpan.
In response she just flips me off. Before heading to her room.
'Hard to believe she's related to Aunty.' I think to myself. Wondering how such a dedicated and kind woman, could produce someone so not.
"Where did I go wrong with her?" Aunty sighs. "How did Robby go so right with you Virgil?"
"Almost didn't go right." I say under my breath. Remembering Wade's crew.
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-Dallon house 1:30pm-
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Carol "Brandish" Dallon POV
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My legs are numb.
Kitsu had fallen asleep a bit ago, and I didn't have the heart to move her after I what she said before clocking out. While asleep she just wrapped herself around my arms and continued to snuggle into me. And every attempt to move her ended with her clinging to me harder. Now she's sitting in my lap resting against me as I managed to get my arm back without waking her.
The last few days must have left her mentally and emotionally exhausted.
So I'm just sat here, watching a documentary on elephants. Slowly losing more and more feeling in my legs.
"Mark?" I whisper, not wanting to wake the depressed gremlin.
Her ears twitch but nothing else.
"Yes honey?"
"First, wipe the grin off your face before I smack it off."
"Wouldn't that wake Kitsu up?" He replies smugly.
"I'll find a way, can you go check to see if she cleaned her sheets like I asked her to? I'll stay with her till she wakes up. Then she goes to sleep in her own bed."
"Mmn." Kitsu rouses slightly before smacking her lips and curling up slightly.
I can actually see her hair slowly turning back to its normal golden blonde the longer she sleeps.
"Sure thing, I'll be right back." He says as he gets up.
Leaving me to my thoughts as I stare down at the little girl. Blissfully sleeping away with little care in the world.
'Other than recent events that is.'
She really should have let someone know what she was planning. But according to her it wasn't supposed to get that bad at all. All that was supposed to happen was her getting more affectionate for a few days, then a day where she comes down from it before returning to normal. Dennis showing up and asking her out set up a chain reaction that spiraled out of control. Poor kid just fell apart at a cute boy showing her attention and everything just slipped her mind.
Stroking her hair as she nuzzles me in her sleep, I can't help but remember when Vicky was like this. The last we were like this was, five? Six years ago? I'm finding myself missing those days more and more lately. Wishing Vicky was as affectionate as Kitsu.
Once she hit eleven it was all boys no toys. And once she started dating Dean she drifted further. Confiding in Amy or Dean rather than me and Mark. Not that I hold any resentment towards Dean, he's a good kid.
Then she got powers and that was it. She doesn't need us anymore. Doesn't ask for rides, sometimes asks for advice, hardly lets us know where she's going most days and handles her issues herself.
We still talk and have dinner as a family, and if I ask her, she'll tell me about her day. But Mark wasn't all there for her growing up, so the connection is just not. And I'm too busy at the firm and managing much of New Wave most days. Sarah may be the face, but I handle all the logistics.
'Speaking of which, we still need to talk to Kitsu about her place in New Wave. Public appearances, merchandise, charity events and all that.' I think idly. 'Her color will probably be pink.'
A topic for another time.
Now that she's decided to age, will she be the same? Will we be pushed to the side of her life as she grows up and runs off? For some reason, I just can't see that happening. She goes out of her way to spend time with us. I don't think that would change, even if she found another person to spend her life with. I think Kitsu is more afraid of us forgetting about her. She showed up and when Mark didn't kick her out right away, she kind of just, kept coming back like a lost puppy that had just been given food.
We really are the only family she has.
I'm stopped from my inner monologue as Mark turns the corner.
"She did, but they were still in the wash. I switched'em to the dryer but it'll still take about an hour." He says quietly.
'Listens better than Vicky did at her age at least.'
"What about the spares?" I ask in a hushed tone. Resisting the urge to sneeze as one of her ears flicked up.
Mark just cocks eyebrow.
"Carol, those were the spares."
Right, I forgot we essentially tossed her into the guest room with the spare blanket and sheets meant for visitors.
"Fuck it, I'll put her in our room for now."
'Every attempt at setting her down only sees her clinging on harder anyway.'
Mark looked surprised at that.
"Are, you sure? You only really let me or Vicky in there unsupervised." He says.
"I'll stay with her. I just need to move her so she's not cutting off my circulation. Anymore and we'll have to amputate my legs." I say as I get up, holding the small sleeping menace. "Besides, can't lay her down on the couch. She's rather attached."
Besides that, after what she said just before she fell asleep? I really don't think I could bring myself to leave her without waking her first. And she could use some rest.
"Do you need any help?" Mark asks.
"I'm fine." I say. "I swear, I'll be surprised if it turns out she weighs more than fifty pounds in full clothing"
She's almost alarmingly light. If she wasn't so small, I'd be concerned.
"Alright, I'll get some of the chores done while you two nap."
"Thanks dear."
Making my way to our room, stopping to give him a quick kiss on the way. Reaching the master bedroom of the house I shift the little girl to one arm as I move the blanket. Laying her down, with her holding my shirt in a death grip, I lay down with her as I wait here for her laundry to dry.
Bringing the blanket up to cover us, she stirs slightly, opening her eyes I watch as the needle like slits widen quickly, causing her to wince and duck her head into my stomach under the blanket.
'Right, her eyes are more suited to low levels of light.' I think sympathetically. That must've hurt her a bit.
I never turn off any of the lights in our house. I'm not too big of a person to admit I have a fear of the dark from all those years ago.
"You good?" I ask softly. Staring at the top of her head poking through the cover.
Still more than half asleep she replies.
"Mhm, where are we?"
"My room. You fell asleep on me and forgot to finish your laundry." I say.
"Mmnn. Sorry." She mumbles, snuggling into me further wrapping her arms around me as I feel her tail move under the blanket to drape over my legs. "Thank you for not leaving."
"Just, go back to sleep okay?" I say tiredly.
"Kay, night mom, love you." She says quietly and falls right back asleep.
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'I guess, I guess I am the closest thing she would have to a mother.' I think solemnly as I hold her.
'Why does that make me want to cry?' I think in confusion.
I'm not sad.
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-Dallon House 2:15 pm-
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Victoria "Glory Girl" Dallon POV
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"Dad! I'm home!" I shout as walk through the door. Getting back from dropping Amy off at the hospital, after having failed to get her to take a day off.
'Hopefully he got through to Kitsu.'
This morning she had absolutely refused to leave her room. I thought about dragging her out but, I didn't think that would end well.
"In the kitchen Vicks." He shouts back.
Heading through I notice Kitsus' door is open with no sign of the little fox in sight.
'Guess he got through to her.' I think, relieved that she's doing better. 'Is that a giant stuffed narwhal?'
It looks like it's as big as Kitsu herself.
Reaching the kitchen I notice Dad leaning against the counter. Talking to someone on the phone.
"Yeah, delivery fooooorrr, seven pm? Yeah that sounds good, thanks, have a good day."
He hangs up.
"Who was that?" I ask.
"Pizza, I took the liberty of ordering some." He answers.
"Wonder who that's for." I say sarcastically. "Speaking of, where is she?"
"She's taking a nap, poor kid's probably emotionally burnt out."
"Uh, napping where? She's not in her room and I didn't see her in the living room."
"She's in your mother and I's room."
What! Mom will kill her! She doesn't let anyone in there other than dad, even I need to be with her if I'm in there.
"And you let her just nap in there!? Mom's gonna flip! Dad I know you and Kitsu are close but mom will-"
"She's in there napping too." He interrupts me.
'Wut?'
He must've seen my confusion because he continued.
"Your mother and I agreed that Kitsu could use a day off from everything. So she called off to help me cheer her up. We were watching TV when she fell asleep in your mothers lap and well, her beddings were still in the wash."
"Okay? That just explains the how, not the why."
Dad looks to the side, seemingly finding the fridge more interesting than me.
"She, Kitsu that is, I think, I'm not sure." Dad tries to say before he takes a moment to collect his thoughts. "She said a few things while half asleep. And I don't think either of us wanted her to wake up alone. Seeing as she was already clung to Carol, she took her to our room while her blankets and sheets dried."
"Is, is she okay?" I ask, more than a little concerned.
"Kitsu, or your mother?"
"Yes?"
"Your mother is fine, just exhausted from work and handling New Wave. Though she'll never admit it." He says with a chuckle. "Kitsu? I'm not sure. She's been tired all day, unnaturally so. At first I thought it was her being dramatic but, now I'm not sure."
"What do you mean?"
"She's unnaturally tired, first she slumped against the couch, slid right off. Your mother had to pick her up and set her on the couch. Then she just slumped against your mother and eventually fell asleep. But, I don't know she just lacked any of her usual energy it seemed."
"Dean mentioned that the level of emotion she was putting off was enough to knock a normal person out from the strain. If she was running on that for the last three days then, maybe it's a backlash sort of thing?" I suggest. Shrugging my shoulders.
"Maybe, I think she's just depressed. Oh! Before I forget, Victoria?"
'Full first name, uh oh.'
"Uh, yeah?" I say uncertainly.
"Next time you think about trying to force someone into a relationship when they clearly don't want it? Just. Don't."
"But Kitsu liked him!" I say defensively.
"Dennis, last I checked he wanted nothing to do with any of what happened." He says.
Okay, now I see what he means.
"Um, yeah okay."
"That goes for Amy too, she's stated multiple times she's not interested in dating." He continues.
"What?! But I-"
"Vicky." He cuts me off. "Stop the matchmaking, I know you think you're helping. But, as recent events have shown, you're not."
"But-"
"No buts. Or do I need to call Amy and ask her opinion. Whose side will she take on this?"
"I!" I pause trying to think of something. "That's not fair!"
"It's very fair, stop the matchmaking, Vicky. While your intentions and heart are in the right place, your actions are having the opposite effect."
I take second before realizing my dad's right.
"Fine." I finish with a sigh.
He walks over and gives me a hug.
"Sorry for getting harsh sweetheart, just don't want anything like this happening again."
'That's fair.' I think I in resignation.
*Brzzt*
"Hmm?"
Pulling out my phone I see it's a text from Missy.
(Is Kitsu ok?)-M
(She hazn't bn on ptrl)-M
'What did Kitsu say to her?'
(I'll let u know in a bit)-V
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-2:40 pm-
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Kitsu POV
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"Wake up, come on Kitsu."
Being gently shaken awake. Opening my eyes to see a blue shirt in front of me. I look up to see Carol with her usual deadpan look.
'Did she really stay with me the entire time?' I think with a warm sense of comfort coursing through me.
Nuzzling her chest a bit as I blink to adjust to the lighting.
"Mmmnnn morning."
"It's almost three in the afternoon. Come on, at least go to your own bed, you can't keep sleeping in here."
'Where is here?'
Looking around I notice the yellow walls and white ceiling, I think this is her room.
Yawning I sit up, much to the protest of my entire body.
I'd been on the hormonal equivalent of a sugar high the last three days. Now my body is on a crash, and I'm just so burnt out.
'I really hope this isn't how it's going to be every time.' I think tiredly.
I slump back down, not really wanting to move even a little.
"Kitsu, are you okay?" Carol asks.
"Just tired." I say.
"You've been tired all day, the most energetic I've seen you is when I brought up how you needed a shower." She says.
'Don't remind me!' I scream internally.
"Mmmmnnnn!" I growl out.
"Come on." She gets off the bed and picks me up again.
Curling against her I nuzzle her further. It really is just how I show affection, it just feels more natural to me.
I close my eyes once more as Carol carries me through the house. Passing through I take in the scents and sounds.
I can tell there are two others. Mark, from the smell of coffee and lint and, I think that's Vicky's deodorant mixed with sweat. I can hear them breathing as we walk through the kitchen, if I focus I can even hear their heartbeats.
"She still asleep?" Mark asks.
"No." I answer. Still not bothering to look up. "Can you put me down? I'll walk the rest of the way."
Carol wordlessly sets me down as I make my way towards my room.
"I ordered pizza, it'll be here at about seven. Will you be up by then?" Mark asks.
Still walking to my room, I throw my hands up in mock celebration.
"Pizza!" I say tiredly.
"Hey, real quick. Do you plan on going back on patrol anytime soon?" I hear Vicky ask.
"Tonight or tomorrow night. Wanna catch Shadow Stalker and rub it in the Robocop knock-offs face." I answer as I round the corner.
Reaching my room, not bothering to close the door, I climb into my bed and cuddle Mr. Star as I fall back asleep.
I'll be better by tonight. I just need a little more time to rest.
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Carol "Brandish" Dallon POV
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Having watched the small menace disappear around the corner, I look to Mark questioningly.
"I hope you ordered more than just mushroom for her." I say.
She's the only person in this house that likes mushrooms, at all.
"I ordered a mushroom, cheese, and a pepperoni. Did you enjoy your nap?" He asks with that damnable smile of his.
He knows I love it, and that I hate how it still sends butterflies in me.
Not that I'll ever admit it aloud. But I love that he's been smiling more, and I can guarantee he knows it.
"Yeah I-" I stop as I remember I didn't do much sleeping. Too busy thinking.
'Night mom, love you.'
"Yeah, it's nice to just take a break every now and then. Though she is very clingy in her sleep. The few times I got her untangled from me she about ripped my shirt off from how hard she was gripping" I say distractedly.
"Mom? Are you okay?" Vicky says.
Looking to her, I can't help but picture her when she was little and would say the same thing. Though Vicky was about eight or nine when she was as small as Kitsu. Not twelve.
"Yeah, just woke up." I say. "I haven't had an afternoon nap in a long time so, just waking back up is all."
Vicky seems to accept it with a shrug as she just pulls out her phone and starts texting someone.
Mark just looks at me with a questioning gaze that lets me know he's not buying my excuse.
I just mouth the word later to him and he nods his head in understanding.
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Bonus
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-3 pm-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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Waiting in my room as my dad has guys night with his friends. Intent on leaving as big a mess as he can get away with for when mom has to look after me. Which I'll just be forced to clean up.
I'd try and stop them or pick up the mess as it happens but, dad's friend Trent always gives me creepy looks when he gets drunk. So I just avoid him. He never does or says anything creepy, just looks creepy.
Anyway, I've been trying to meet Kitsu in costume but.
Four days of nothing. That's what I've had to endure.
No one will tell me what happened outside of the date not going well. And no one will say anything about Kitsu other than she's not feeling well!
*Brzzt*
Checking my phone with a mix of hope and anxiety. It's Vicky!
(She sed she'd ptrl 2night, wants to catch shdw stkr and brag to RmsMster)-V
"Tonight?!" I say in worry.
'I don't have patrol tonight!' I think sadly.
'Wait, tonight is, Vergil and Carlos.' I think with some hope.
Opening up the messages to Vergil I shoot him a text.
(Hey Vergil, wanna trade ptrl duty tonight?)-M
Waiting, waiting, wait-
(Not really, sorry but patrol is something I look 4ward to. Lets me clear my head.)-V
'Carlos?'
(Hey Carlos, patrol trade for tonight?)-M
Waiting, waiting, waiting.
'Maybe I should call-'
(Sure, trade ya Saturday night.)-C
'YES!'
(Deal!)-M
(Kay, I'll let MM know. Just make sure you do as well.)-C
(I'll let Vergil knw)-C
"Yes!" I say quietly.
I can't wait!
*Crash*
"Shit!"
I really can't wait for tonight.
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A/N Sleepy Kitsu is a cuddler.
In regard to her date and Wade's actions. Some of it went online for people to notice, but Wade, after realizing she likely wasn't in her right mind, had set out to erase all trace of it he could. Digital amnesia is real thing. Without the information being readily online, people will quickly forget what they learned online, or even wonder if what they saw/heard ever happened without the ability to verify that the info exists. People see things online, and unless they make an effort to remember they quickly forget because, "I don't need to remember the info, just where I got it from because that's easier to remember." It's an interesting phenomenon that occurs and gives a neat view into how our psyche's adjust mental power. Not to say it affects everyone, but it affects most.
I could go into it further because I find it genuinely fascinating. But I would end up writing a text wall longer than the chapter itself.
Just google DIGITAL AMNESIA. If you're interested.
It's not as though it was erased entirely, but Wade made sure it'll never be put online. People like Dragon and Coil will still have the data stored in closed off hard drives. Dragon, because she does it with everything she deems significant, Kitsu acting wildly out of character would count. Coil because it's Kitsu and he is the embodiment of paranoia. She is labeled as an A ranked Parahuman, possibly S ranked.
And the only reason Kitsu isn't S ranked, is because she isn't trying.
Her illusions can be tactile and are only limited in scope by her imagination and focus. As well as energy but that goes without saying. Her fight against Glory Girl shows how easily she can overpower, and then Armsmaster is a good window into how she can quickly come up with a plan when she feels like it.
And the fight between Assault, Velocity, Vista, and Gallant shows how she's crafty enough to deal with a group by using divide and conquer tactics. Getting rid of Velocity first to take out the speedster, incapacitating Assault by appealing to his emotions. Making it seem like Gallants emotion beams left her depressed and tricked him into letting his guard down. And taking out Gallant by one v one, only resorting to trickery because she was being petty. All the while, moving quickly the whole time and keeping the fight on the move to limit how much Vista could help.
Kitsu is short term smart, long term dumb. She is great at thinking on her feet but struggles to make any real long term plans.
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Canonically Kitsu has tried eating batteries to gain energy.
She'll never do it again.
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Just so it's clear, Because Kitsu is intentionally vague with her age.
Chronologically 11
Existence/Experience/ How many years' worth of memories. 5
Physically 12 turning 13
Mentally has the ability to access the logic and reasoning capabilities of an adult with some effort, but defaults to a mix of her physical and existential ages mentality. It's pretty impossible to place what age she is mentally seeing as it's such a mix of 5, 12, and 20+.
Her unique circumstances lead her to being non neurotypical. Her mind cannot be easily categorized.
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There is a reason why people keep mentioning Kitsu looks like Vicky.