Catch-22: The Waiting Game
By: M14Mouse
Summary: The only thing Theo can do is wait. He hated waiting.
Disclaimer: Don't own them. Many thanks to AKatsinTcups for betaing this chapter.
The family is the test of freedom; because the family is the only thing that the free man makes for himself and by himself." –Gilbert K. Chesterton
Theodore watched as the thieves disappeared into the other world. He slowly walked back up the stairs to the shopping area.
He wished for more than anything to follow them.
In moments like these, he longed for his powers back. With them, he could save his Master. With them, he could bound away that terrible persona. With them, he could have saved his old Master.
With his powers, he could have done a lot of things.
He didn't know how Master dealt with such a creature. He found his Master to have the same patience as his old Master did. Even with the terrible headaches, his Master refused to do anything about it. When he asked why, his Master just grinned slightly.
"He has been wanting my attention. I don't think that it would be wise to give it. Isis has been keeping him in line for the most part. Some of the others have stepped in when he gets too bad."
"But Master…you are in pain."
"I took the deal, Theo. I accept the consequences for my actions."
"These actions could get you hurt!"
"They could."
"And…and…"
His Master touched his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you for your concern, Theo. It is nice to have someone to talk about with this. The others wouldn't understand or would worry. I'd hate to have them worry even if I seem to be causing a great deal of worrying for you." His Master said.
"You don't have worry about me, Master," Theo said.
"I do because you're my friend."
He may have cried at that point of the conversation.
His Master is such a good and kind soul, but it was also the soul of a warrior. Theo wandered over to the magazines at the little news stand. His eyes landed of a picture of Masayoshi Shido on the cover of a magazine.
"….Is it not the government's duty to create a society where its citizens can live without worry? Unfortunately, the current cabinet is powerless. As such, they should be disbanded. I believe now is the time for me to risk my political career in hope of making a new reality. A new political system that goes beyond parties or factions…An ideal country of peace and order…" Shido's voice carried in from the living room...
"You have been watching that video for some time, Master," Theo said as he came out of the kitchen. His Master was sitting at the dining room table and staring at his computer.
His Master glanced up from his computer.
"The dance is different, but the song is the same,".
"Master?"
"…Humans fail to see things as they are. They choose to see only what they wish."
He frowned at Master's words.
"Master?"
"Ameno-sagiri told us those words many years ago. Izanami told us the same thing; your anxiety causes you to see only what you want to see and believe only what you wish to believe. Your desire is for a world enshrouded by fog."
He stopped in his tracks and stared at his Master.
"Right now, people want a new reality. They want peace and order. They want someone to give that to them. It doesn't matter if it's Shido, my students or Goro. It is control. Complete control over everything and everyone. It is funny. Everyone on the board thinks that they have it."
"Control."
Master nodded his head and sighed.
"For my students, it is changing hearts. For Shido, it is become the head of this country. Goro…I am not sure of his end game yet. I can imagine that he thinks that he has control over the board as well. The Fake is playing his part well. He has control of a board that I only have pieces too"
"What are you planning to do about it?"
Master shook his head and closed his laptop.
"I don't know."
He wandered over to the flowers. Perhaps, his Master would like some nice tulips on the table. He didn't understand the human world much. Of course, his sisters have tried. His dear sister, Elizabeth, makes everything so confusing. He was lucky that his Master was such an understanding teacher.
"This is a Keurig Machine. Very handy when making coffee and other drinks," Master said as he put the tiny machine on his clean counter and plugged it into the wall. He watched as his Master moved to the sink and fill up a cup that he left on the counter with water.
"Is anything wrong with Starbucks or that small café down the street?" He asked in curiosity.
"I believe that you started complaining about the desserts and the disappointment that they don't have chocolate croissants on Tuesdays. There was something about pocket money as well."
He pouted as Master came back and pulled the water into the machine.
"They are delicious! That was only once, Master!"
His Master smiled softly as he opened the cabinet door and pulled out a small box. He watched in amazement as Master did all of these things with this tiny machine then put the cup under the machine then hit a button.
He watched the machine make a strange noise then some type of liquid poured out then a familiar smell hit his noise.
"IT MAKES COFFEE! Theo said excitedly.
"Yes, it does, and it comes in different flavors."
He might have a very un-attendant response to that.
He eyes trailed over to the one of the numerous posters of Ms. Rise. He always wondered why she was so blue in the picture. She was usually always so exultant and eager. When he expressed his thoughts to Ms. Rise, she laughed and gave him a hug. She told Master that he was a keeper.
He blushed.
His eyes then wandered to a pair of gachapon machines. A smile played on his face at the memory.
"Man, these things are a scam?" Ryuji whined as he failed to get the toy he wanted from the machine..
"I think these are delightful. My sister, Elizabeth, would try to get all of them. Of course, she would make me pay for it," Theo said in awe and fondness. He watched a child put a coin and twisted the handle. He loved the noise and delight as a toy came out of it.
Master laughed.
"That sound like her. She would make a big, dramatic speech about each one," His Master added.
"Wow, your sister seems interesting," Makoto said to him.
"Yes, she is. She is like riding a comet. She has such an energy. She is always here and there."
"Do you have any more family, Theo?" Yusuke asked.
"Yes, two more sisters. Margaret is the oldest. She would….," He paused then glance over at his Master.
Master chuckled.
"Margaret would have stood to the side. She would probably have this bored expression, but secretly, she would steal from Elizabeth's pile."
He grinned at his Master.
"Yes,"
"You know his sisters, Sensei?" Yusuke asked.
"I'm closest to Margaret. I meet Elizabeth a handful of times. Although, I haven't met your other sister."
"Yes, Lavenza is our youngest sister. She tries so hard to imitate us, but she is a little girl at heart. So, I can imagine that she would try to act like Margaret but then she would be full of glee like Elizabeth. She would then pick the cutest one out of the bunch and cuddle it when she thought no one was looking," He said fondly.
"Wow, Theo, you have quite a family," Ann said.
"Yes, I miss them… a great deal."
He turned away from the group. Despite the havoc, he missed them dearly. He wondered where Margaret and Elizabeth were and what adventures they were having. He wondered if Lavenza was well and safe.
He felt a gentle squeeze on his shoulder. He turned around to see his Master there. He smiled softly at him.
"How about we get some prizes for them?" His Master said.
"I think that they would like that."
He turned away from the gachapon. He felt his chest tighten and tears start forming. He missed his sisters terribly. They would have answers. They would have never let any of this happen.
Margaret would….
His eyes widen slightly and a wave of panic hit him at the thought of his sister.
Master was Margaret's guest. Oh, my…. she is going to kill him.
He felt his phone vibrate in his phone. He pulled it out and tapped the screen.
We have him.
He slipped his phone back into his pocket and bolted toward the entrance.
MasterMasterMaster
First, He saw Mr. Ren then Ms. Ann walking up the stairs then he saw his Master. Mr. Ryuji and Mr. Yusuke were supporting him. Quickly, he looked over his Master. His clothes were rumbled and dirty, his skin paler than normal, but Theo didn't notice any bruises or cuts.
His Master was well and alive.
He wasn't going to cry.
"Excuse me, Mr. Ryuji and Mr. Yusuke. I will take him," Theo said gently.
Mr. Ryuji eyed him for a moment then transfer Master over to him.
"Theo…" His Master said tiredly.
"I have you, Master. I have a driver waiting nearby," He said as he fumbled for his phone in his pocket.
"I gotcha you, Theo," Futaba said as she grabbed his phone from his pocket. He watched as she tapped on the screen like a cheetah running on land.
"All done! And your phone is just as boring as Support Buddy's phone. No porn. What is with all of the cooking videos?" Ms. Futaba said with a sigh.
"Ms. Futaba!"
"Futaba!" Makoto shouted simultaneously.
Master chuckled tiredly.
Mr. Ren sighed then Ms. Futaba pouted.
"Fine. I will be good," Ms. Futaba said as she slipped Theo's phone back into his pocket.
"Come on, Sensei needs to rest," Morgana snapped at Ms. Futaba.
"Yes, indeed," Theo said as he started to guide his Master toward the stairs. It took him some time to help him up the stairs. His Master was clearly exhausted by his ordeal. Mr. Yusuke and Mr. Ryuji offered to help but he refused.
It was his duty. No, it was his pleasure to help his Master.
Finally, they made it outside of the station. He smiled in relief when he saw the car.
"Over there," He said as he tried to point toward the car.
Ms. Makoto was nice enough to run ahead and open the door for him and his Master. He put his Master into the car and made sure that he was settled inside. He turned and bowed toward his Master's students.
"Thank you. I will call you when Master and I arrive home. It will take a few days for Master to recover and surely, you all need to rest yourselves. I will call when he is ready for visitors," He said.
"You don't need to thank us, Theo. Sensei and you are part of the team," Ann said with a smile.
"I…Thank you," He said before he bowed one more time. He slipped into the car and closed the door. He felt the car starting to move.
"It is done," His Master said softly.
"You were able to form a contract."
"Yes."
"Good. I was afraid that I would have needed to take matters into my own hands."
"I'm sorry that I worried you so much, Theo."
"No…I…I'm glad that you are here."
"Me too."
He felt his Master's hand on his thigh.
Overwhelming emotion rose from him. He couldn't hold it anymore.
He started to cry.
End of The Waiting Game
Next Chapter: The Visitor
A/N: Theo is a good bean. Hopefully, Yu pays him enough. At one point, I plan for everyone to have a point of view chapter. In fact, Yusuke's point of view is the next chapter. There will be ice cream…and possible a visit from IT. So, be prepared for fun. Thank you guys for the wonderful support. The reviews, kudos, favorites, etc are always a treat. Read and Review if you wish.