When morning came, Nos was awake but recalled yesterday so he changed his form and put on his clothes before going to wake up the little girl. He went to check on her when he saw she was gone and hurried down to find her in the kitchen eating eggs and bacon.
"You need to eat, păianjen mic. I can make more for you if you're still hungry." Nosfer smiles.
Nos was relieved to see her. "How are you feeling, Vanet?" He sat down in the chair, he saw her look up to him with her mouth full, but covering her mouth with her hand.
"I'm ok," She answers. "Mr. Nos?" She asked.
"You do not have to call me that, you are now under the protection-"
"Păianjen mic, you can call him any family name being family now!"
"That is correct." Nos felt she was not going to call him a parental unit title, he felt to lighten the fear. "You can call me uncle?" Nos asked.
Vanet gloom a bit but smiled with a nod. She felt she may overstep or that calling him papa may be a bad thing.
Nos tilted his head confused until he got a stern glare from his Tata. 'Did I say something wrong?' Nevertheless, he will figure it out after.
Heading to Valder town, Nos was surprised to see Gravitina who, along with her, was Warp waiting by his shop. He groans. He notices they were wearing casual clothes, Tina adorning a summer but seductive dress and Warp, some dress shirt.
"Darling you look so handsome!" Gravitina gushes. "Had I not known you, I would have taken you as my lover."
"Tina, cool your jets first but I told you Nos pulled the skin on." Warp chuckles and can see Nos was annoyed.
"Uncle Nos, who's the pretty lady?" Vanet asked.
"Oh she is just adorable!" Gravitina smiles and walks over to hug her. "I am Gravitina but you can call me auntie!"
"I have an aunt now? She is so pretty!" Vanet smiles and Nos feels a smile on his features but it is depleted when Warp wraps an arm around his neck.
"Just as you got an uncle but don't you think Nos here is more of a dad. He's got the dad vibe going."
"Warp you-" Nos stops and sees Gravitina and Vanet looks hopeful and he caves in. "You make a valid point."
"Finally taking on the title," Nos pushed Warp away to see Ryder walk up to them. "I told him about that after getting the legal rights to guardianship but he was saying she already had a dad."
Nos felt this was worse than exploding as Warp was talking to Ryder and all Nos could do was go after Gravitina who was taking his da- Vanet to the closest store for clothes.
It was an hour until they were out but Gravitina took it upon herself to buy the store, literally, as she was now talking about furniture. She was listening to Vanet and her interest in Gothic themes for an 8 year old. "Oh Nos, I almost forgot, I want to congratulate you on your new job!" She smiles.
"You are not upset?" Nos was worried she would but he was surprised she found out about it.
"Darling you are my friend, how can I be upset? But you must let me spoil your daughter." She grins, having Vanet seemed to make Nos happy and this child was adorable! It made her almost want a child but for now she was happy to be an aunt. "Don't lose her."
"I aim not to." Nos walks by her side, carrying bags but can hear Warp and Ryder snickering. He ignores them as they make it to the café. "I still have to buy food for the coming-"
"Oh darling don't fret, I got it covered~" Gravitina smiles. "I know she is a growing girl so I got whatever she may need."
Nos felt grateful but even he felt guilty. "I can't express how much you have done for me. But I can't think of how to thank you."
"You can do one thing." She smiles and Nos knows there was a catch to it and she continues. "I want to be the sole Godmother and you must be my date for any parties." She smiles mischievously.
Nos was not alarmed nor surprised but there was a reason she was doing this:
She has a plan involving him to make every girl jealous.
Or
She intends to have Buzz notice her and look jealous.
Both seemed to be similar plans but he could not back down not because she could blackmail him, but because he would do almost anything for her. 'Not to be her lover but I would kill for her.' "Okay."
Gravitina squeals and smiles. "Then let's get you a suit!"
"He already has one." Nos perks to see his father serve Gravitina, Ryder and Warp. "You can come over to see it but I hope it suits him."
"Hey Mr. Atu, can we please have Nos over to hang out? Don't want him to go over his curfew." Warp snickers.
"Yeah, we promise he won't get into trouble." Ryder tried to hold in his laugh.
"Not at all, it is so nice to see my Fiu have so many friends." Nosfer smiles and Nos can see the two laughing and Nos is annoyed…. But he didn't hate it. He was surprised how he was by himself for so long, surrounded by people who he enjoyed and making a new ally, was not so bad.
'I might not regret this.'
Returning home, Nos saw a lot was Brought to their home, including the new furniture. Nos kept Vanet in his arms as he signed off the delivery and made sure to put the food away first. Of course the little girl helped him and soon he brought the furniture in before setting it up.
Nos figured they should paint her room first since his tata left multiple paints. He figured pink was an assumption until she was trying to open the midnight purple paint. He opened it for her and asked her how she wanted the room painted and she directed him. The ceiling was painted purple, the walls a burgundy and the bottom some swamp green color. He timed how long it would take so he led her down to the kitchen to get her something.
He did download how to cook….
… But he seemed to have no luck in getting it right.
"What am I doing wrong?" Nos growls and looks over where it went wrong but he did see Vanet was giggling. He groans but gave up for now as he went to make her a simple bowl of cereal.
"Thank you." Vanet thanked him and ate the cereal.
Nos watches her eat but had no appetite before wondering why she was so happy with cereal. "I am sorry it is not a warm meal."
"It's ok, I really miss eating cereal. Mo-" She stops, thinking back and looks down. "S-she and I traveled a lot."
"I traveled a lot as well. I never had a home to call my own except one but it is hardly a place even." Nos spoke.
"Where was that?" Vanet asked.
"…. Planet Z." He answers waiting to hear her reaction.
"I heard its a bad place. That means you're all the good that's left."
Nos looked at her, who was smiling at him. He wished he could believe that. "I was not a good person-"
"You protected me when no one did. Mommy couldn't ask help from space rangers and when I did, they didn't believe me or they tried to take me to an orphanage. Thank you."
He was surprised to hear this but it pained him to think no one came to help her. He imagined the thought before shaking it off. "Even so, since you are to live here, you should know about my past as a criminal. I drained energy from machines-"
"bats drink blood."
Nos was startled and listened to Vanet talk.
"Bats drink blood to survive, but they also pollinate plants at night to help plants grow. There are other animals that attack and live off of others, but that is their nature." She spoke out. "You may be from a bad place, and was bad; but you are like the bats. People just misunderstand things and they don't give them a chance. J-j-just misunderstood." She mumbles, she was not much open to talk about her favorite animals or voice her thoughts.
"Can you tell me more?" Nos asks and sees her look up to him.
Vanet perked and her ears poke out from her hair, showing she was happy.
Nos listens to her talk about animals but it gave him some ideas.
"Are you sure papa it's ok to sleep in your coffin?" Vanet was holding onto the simple plush rabbit to her as Nos sets his coffin as a bed for her.
"It is alright and your bedroom is still wet and the other rooms are a bit dusty. The only good part is we cannot go back into town until GAF finishes the paperwork." Nos helps her in and tucks her to bed. She holds onto the rabbit and sleeps as soon as he changes to his normal self and floats to turn off the light but turns on the lantern that has a spider's silhouette around it. He closed the door and decided to touch up the room. He hoped she would love it. His father was not going to come home yet so he was alright with it.
Passing near midnight, Nosfer walks in and sees there were boxes around and goes to see where Nos was and hears he was in Vanet's room. He goes to peak in and sees him setting up what he saw was an illusion of the sky on the ceiling. The walls were painted murals of animals and it looked like a cave of sorts but it was cute to see he was making it special.
"Tata?" Nos asked, sensing him as he entered.
"Need help?" Nosfer smiles, grabbing a paintbrush.
Vanet woke up and smells something burning and hurried down to the kitchen and sees her papa was learing from who she called grandpa cooking eggs. She perked he was able to make pancakes and even slightly burnt bacon.
She walks in and smiles. "M-morning."
"Vanet, good morning." Nos turned to see her in her pajamas and cleared his throat, being in his robotic self, He held the plate for her carefully. "I made you breakfast, though some of it might taste bad-" he stops seeing her take the plate and eats the pancake first. He watches her began gobbling up the pancakes and tried the bacon and began munching it. "I like it!" Vanet smiles, eating the pancakes and the food he made and she began crying.
Nos felt he failed but sees her smile in tears. "It reminds me of when my daddy tried to cook." She hadn't thought of her father since his death. However when she ate the pancakes and the bitter bacon, it brought back memories she hadn't had for so long since she and her mother moved from place to place for two years. Never had been able to call a home permanent. But here she was, with an energy vampire who protected her where no one did, became the closest thing to family. She felt this is her home now.
They are her family.
Nos watches her eat the food and he could not help but feel warm in his chest to see her calmer than before. He knows there will come a day she will leave but he hopes in his core, she stays.
Just as he was going to grab a battery to eat, he gets a call from Ryder. "Hello?"
"Morning rookie, I know it's early but, they have the body in."
Nos froze and floats away to another room. When he was alone, he spoke. "Does Vanet need to be in there?"
"Not really but I'd asked her first if I were you. She deserves to see her mom one last time before she gets cremated."
Nos was questioning but he knew Vanet deserved the chance yet she had been through enough pain. He had no right to deceive her and he had deceived many. She will not be among them. "Thank you, I will talk to her." He hangs up and takes a moment before he takes a moment and returns to the kitchen and sees his father talking to her.
"You can call me Bunicul or Bunic." Nosfer was beaming whilst Vanet was beaming. When they turned to Nos, her smile turned to worry.
Nos hesitate. "Vanet I have some news but-" he felt her hug him.
"I don't want to leave!" She stated. "Please, I don't want to go away."
Nos felt relief but cautiously held her. "V- … Batling, you are not leaving this home," He spoke but sees her still not believing him . "The call was about your mother. They brought her in after the Forensic and they are to cremate her but before it happens, they would like to let you have some time before the cremation happens." He sees she was calm now but the sadness was there.
"Can you go with me?" She asked.
"Of course." Nos answers and float up. "Go get ready, I will too." He spoke and saw her off. Nos looked tense as he felt a pat and knew it was his father. "Can you come with us?" He asked.
"Of course fiu." Nosfer gave him a a sympathetic smile.
Nos goes to get ready and sees Vanet was in awe by her room as he goes to call Ryder to give his answer
Nos brought Vanet who was wearing the cloak as he wore a black dress up shirt and pants. He learned a few months back about funerals what to wear and luckily there were choices he had. He walks with her inside the mortuary, feeling as if they were walking in a home for the dead. He can honestly say he has seen dead bodies in his travels and the methods Zurg used to program to be an efficient destroyer. But he was feeling uncomfortable about this because to be here mourning for a recent death, is different. He keeps Vanet close but notices his Tata standing by. It took him a moment to recall it was a custom for vampires to be welcome in.
"I can welcome you in?" Nos asked.
"Sorry but only the living relative and guardian can come in."
"It is alright," Nosfer said, seeing Nos was distraught. "I will wait here." He reassured him.
Nos did not feel good but he can see Vanet felt the same and he could not let her feel scared. He has to be the adult she needs. 'But I need support.' He thought but shook it off and walked with Vanet inside and to where they have her mother placed. They were led to a room that was no different than a lab if only it did not have a furnace. He sees the body covered up but sees Vanet was scared until he holds her hand. "May we ask for privacy?" Nos asked the two standing by and they stepped out. Nos waited until he saw Vanet cry.
"Mommy I'm so sorry."
Nos watched but bit back his words, letting her speak. If it were anyone else, he would have dismissed it, even at the sight of robots. They were just parts he can take from and devour energy. But being around his father, around friends and allies, being by Vanet who needed someone, it changed his view.
"I tried to find help but no one could and I tried to keep running but I couldn't because it hurt. I almost got hurt by two mean men, but he saved me." Vanet holds onto Nos's had. "He protected me and even broke through a train from the bad guys. You might be mad about that. I want to tell you I will be ok and I hope you watch over me from there. He even adopted me and made pancakes like daddy. I know he can't replace him but I'm happy because I have not only two dads, and you mommy, but I have a grandpa and uncles and a pretty aunty. I promise to do good and make you proud."
She hesitated and shook in fear to grab her mother's hand, knowing it would be cold. She felt scared until she felt being held and sees Nos instead hold her mother's hand.
Nos had no idea what he was doing, he was not sure if there was any belief of the afterlife. However, being given a second chance gave him an outlook on things and sees this as not only closure for Vanet, it was also to give her a chance to grieve and say her goodbye. "Ms. Helsing, I do not know if you can hear me but I hope you do. I am sure you have heard of me and I am sure you may believe I am incapable of protecting your daughter, even I believe that too at first. I will not do my best, I will keep Vanet safe, and help her grow so that she can live a life she deserves. That is my programming now." He let go of her hand and felt Vanet hug his leg. "This part may be too much for you, do you wish to stay out until it is done?"
Vanet nodded and held her hands up to him to be picked up and he did so. "Goodbye mommy, I love you."
Nos carried her out as the two mortuary workers entered to finish the process. He closes the door quickly so that she cannot see it but he can hear her cry and lets her. They waited until they brought out a simple container and Nos was bothered but did not let it show for Vanet. He takes the containment and walks out with Vanet as they see Nosfer waiting for them and sees Ryder with him. "Sorry to disturb the funeral, but you are to start work and training in three days. Also little missy, you got school soon in a week so be ready too kid."
"I will." Vanet said softly as Nos watched with concern.
"Good. Nice chatting with you, Mr. Atu." Ryder spoke before leaving.
Nos watched him go as he carried Vanet and his tata carried the urn as they left to return home.
Upon returning home, Nos was deep in thought before thinking about the school. He knows what a school was, but never had he thought it was necessary hearing Savy's talk(complain) about it. "Vanet, will you be ok going to school? If you are uncomfortable, we can always wait until you are." Nos was concerned these changes were too fast after seeing her mother.
"I think I should try at least." Vanet looks up to him. "I want to learn and it would be great to go to school…." She remembered part of coming here was just passing, and yet her adopted father was doing so much for her, she needed to work hard too.
"Are you certain?" Nosfer asks as he walks with her and watches his granddaughter nod. He did not care about bloodline or the fact she is his hunter, he was amazed that after centuries he was blessed with a granddaughter and he would let no one take her away. "Then perhaps we can do some studying before your father's training begins."
Vanet walks up to her room as Nosfer places the Urn in a secure spot. Nos goes to gather books but Nosfer stops him.
"Fiu, Those books might be a bit too much for an 8 year old."
Nos tilted his head and looked at the books of science and Shakespeare. "I do not understand?" Nos asked.
"Well, for an 8 year old child, science is not too early but that is the laws of physics books. She needs to study basic science but it seems different from my time."
"... I need to find out what they are teaching for her age." Nos was not going to admit it was cheating, 'I am merely helping Vanet prepare.'
"It is better to prepare păianjen mic for the school year." Nosfer walked over to his shelves of books and found a few that were about plants but saw Nos go outside. He didn't know but shrugged it off as Nos prepped to train. He goes to collect the rest of the books he had but 20 minutes later Nos returns with what he saw were books that seem for kids. "Fiu?"
"I simply hacked into the school system to find out what Vanet needed and I found out she will be taking a test to see where she is so I hurried over to the book store and got all the books and even requested delivery."
Nosfer watches Nos show him what he brought and all he can think of was just how his Fiu is invested with her schooling.
"I even got some books she might need and other things-"
"Fiu, you are a good parent, but take it easy." Nosfer pats his back and sees Nos got books for Vanet that were for her age and even snatch a book from the school Vanet will be attending. He perked to see there were books on animals that were not for school but rather things Vanet likes but saw there were story books that are for bedtime and simple poems for kids. He chuckles. "She will do her best."
Nos nodded and looked to see Vanet coming down ready to study, he was hopeful he was doing what was good for her and hopefully she will be happy.
Little did anyone know thanks to a certain energy vampire, people thought the school was haunted after the janitor who was working, saw the school's power going wild.
Nos was slammed on his back as he is pinned down by a monstrous humanoid Bat.
"Fiu you cannot rely on the program, DRAC fights like an animal, not like a machine." He pulls away and sees Nos getting up. "You have the senses of the vampire but do not think of it like a program but natural like walking."
Nos would have been raving mad like zurg but over a whole time here, he was more understanding, patient even but he needed to listen when it meant survival. He did not have to worry about people like Zurg, but now his target is someone powerful and he needed to train better to protect Vanet. 'But how has Lightyear survived with that fighting style?!'
"Let's call it a day, you have been training for 4 hours and you need to wake up early for training."
Nos wished to deny it but he was correct and he will be going to the Gaf soon. He will be training like an agent. 'And see who's my partner at work.' He was annoyed but he will deal with it. He gets up and sees Vanet was cheering for him but reading the books he got her. "Vanet it will be time to set dinner, do you wish to go into town as ta- bunicul makes dinner?" His father would not let him cook tonight and was told to call him bunicul around Vanet.
"Can we actually walk in the forest?" She asked.
Nos hesitated but nodded Seeing the sun was out. "We can stay out until sunset." He holds his hand out and she takes it. He walks with her though the forest but keeps her not too far from home. Nos lets her look around and gives her some facts that Nosfer taught him and he let her collect the stones and pinecones around. He showed her some of the animals He was friendly with until he had to fly with Vanet away from a bear but it was fun until it was time to go back.
During dinner, Vanet eats but watches Nos bite into a battery as Nosfer eats with her. She watches him curiously before asking. "Does energy have flavor papa?"
Nos pauses, being in his robotic form, he had to think that. "Not exactly, but it would be interesting." Nos only enjoyed the energy brought in him but taste was not something he thought. "What does beef taste like?"
Vanet hums. "It tastes sweet sometimes or salty but I like it." She smiles. "If energy had a flavor, what would it be?"
Nos hums. "Maybe sweet? If it had to be specific…. Honey." he thought mostly because it reminded him of someone.
"Honey?" She asked and giggled a bit. "I like honey."
"Really?" Nos grins, "Then that is good, honey is from what I read a natural sweetener but delicious to eat."
"It's made out of pollen!" Vanet added and continued talking.
Nosfer watches them talk away as he chuckles. his home has become livelier than before.
1st Day of GAF,
"Do you have everything you need?" Vanet asked, trying to carry his cloak.
Nos nodded and thanked her and put it on. "I believe I do, though will you be alright Vanet with her?" Nos looks to Savy. His father was at work early and he could not call Gravitina while she was away so his only source of help was one person he was forced to trust and she was 15.
"Nos, she'll be fine and I promise I won't touch anything." Savy Spoke.
"My biggest rule is do not go into the forest," Nos glared at her. "I am still making a path so it will be safe but until then, stay up to the edge of the forest."
"Of course papa." Vanet answers.
"I was telling Savy." Nos crosses his arms.
Savy rolls her eyes as Nos pats Vanet on the head and leaves. As soon as he leaves, Savy looks at the young kid. "Wanna watch movies?"
Nos arrived in time but his mind was on Savy, hoping she was not getting Vanet into harm or talking about the past.
"Wow, dad mode is still on."
Nos glares at Ryder but dismisses his worries. "Where do I go first?"
"To take a test, we gotta see how good you are first."
Nos merely listens, following him until he is taken to a testing area he is instructed to take a test. At first, Nos understood the test with other rookies but noticed it was to be written in code. At first he was going to write in coded numbers but then he stopped realizing it was given before thinking of an idea and drew it out and in hidden shadows coded numbers.
The 2nd test was to hide the test in 5 minutes. Nos watches as they scatter like birds, finding a spot but some intervene to ruin some poor fool's chance. Nos kept away until someone tried to take his answers. Nos punched them away and decided to do the unthinkable. He enlarges his claw to cut through his palm, ignoring the pain and slips the test in and sees the wound seal as if nothing happened. He waited until the time blink and saw the agents come in and search the room for all the tests and for those who had their test destroyed were eliminated. Nos waited until they came to him and before they could eliminate him, Nos cut his palm open with a knife and revealed the note. Of course due to the self-inflicted harm, he made one of the passing rookies faint.
They opened the test and glared at him. "Is this a joke?!" They showed and revealed small drawings of bats and trees.
"It is in the drawing." Nos retorted and saw Ryder walk in. He watches the 7 foot tall robot scan it and chuckles. "He's good."
The other agents look distraught but Nos only kept a stoic look but internally was smirking.
"Last test, all rookies report to the room you are chosen in."
Nos perked and was given a roman numeral "Z". He glared at the person but ignored it and went to find it. He enters to see it was a dark room and the second he enters, the door closes. He keeps his cool and waits until he sees Zurg appear. Nos tenses as he pulls away.
"What are you waiting for?"
He looks to see it was himself but when he was destroyed floating over to Zurg.
"Eliminate this atrocious waste, that is the objective."
"That I cannot be." Nos steps back but in the past Nos smirks at him and taps Zurg's head.
"Can you not see! This is our chance for revenge! To get rid of this excuse! Kill him!"
"I am not a killer." Nos stood firm
"What the heck is that?" Ryder watches as they all see in the room with Nos some black substance but they see it was coming from Nos. "And who put him in the fear room!? He was supposed to be in room V." rooms selected were to determine their capabilities to tolerate the change of weather but room Z was for a fear factor.
But Ryder saw the lights flickering now and ran out
"We are monsters Nos-4-a2! We are destruction and doom! You think this will end?"
The fake Zurg pulls out his cannon weapon and Nos goes to dodge the blasts. The copy soon keeps firing as Nos keeps dodging until he blasts back to paralyze the false Zurg. He watches as the false Zurg lies on the ground looking at him but Nos felt his body shifting back as his hand increases the energy blast to fire.
"KILL HIM! KILL HIM! KILL HIM! KILL HIM!KILL HIM!KILL HIM!KILL HIM!KILL HIM!KILL HIM!KILL HIM!KILL HIM!KILL HIM!KILL HIM!KILL HIM!"The past self repeated excitedly, the black ooze spilling out of his mouth with anticipation to watch.
Nos felt his anger, his rage coming back, his eyes glowing. Just as he was ready to blast he froze and stopped himself. His mind imagines Vanet and Nosfer and how happy he is. He disables his energy blast steps away.
"How can you deny yourself this chance? This Is your chance to be who you are!"
"Because I am not that killer anymore and if I want to do right, I will not harm a fake." Nos changes his form to organic form but sees the old self growls and changes to a giant. Its body is deranged but its eyes are an eerie white. He felt his body could not move and he felt fear unlike before.
"Such a burden. And such a disappointment. No matter," This thing smirks."I will keep watching, Nos-4-a2."
Nos recognize the voice but it attacks him and he blacks out.
Nos woke up to feel drain but was confused. He sat up but coughs but did not see what came out when Ryder entered the room.
"You're up, I was worried for a moment." Ryder enters and tosses him a battery Nos catches. "You were out for an hour but it seems you got told the wrong direction. Do you remember what happened?"
Nos pauses and looks down. His system was replaying back but was baffled. "I cannot remember the third test." He was confused and worried until Ryder pat his shoulder.
"It's best you don't remember, some idiot hit on a magnetic scan and you were close to it. But I got news: you passed."
Nos was surprised. "It was not because of the scan malfunction."
"Nope." Ryder answers. "So let's get your badge first and then you'll meet your partner since you're starting as a rookie." Ryder answers and starts walking with Nos following behind.
"Pretty sure you understand space rangers are the space cops. Protect and serve the galaxy. GAF is like that but we do not go out and fight crime. We are the ones they call when things go wrong. Be from a threat of a peace treaty or-"
"Eliminate the threat to the peace between alliances." Nos spoke.
"Exactly. You probably saw some calling space rangers to play the role of security during a peace treaty or traveling, but we were always around. And we always keep watch but when it comes to here, space rangers have no authority. But ever since lightyear became a big shot, it's been hard to override their authority. That has become a big problem."
Nos thinks about it until he thought of two reasons. "And you believe if one space ranger can defect or become bad villain-"
"Star command can become a threat itself. It is why Madam President wants to keep the hierarchy back on. Star command is the wall that keeps the power balance but there will come a day star command will be a threat. People like Buzz can be a threat as well because for someone who cares about good, it can make it an obsession and that can be dangerous. You have had experience on that but here you are."
"Was that a compliment or an insult?" Nos raised a brow. "Let me ask you this, did GAF know I was alive?" He was suspicious how he knew where his home was.
"We did but let's just say we were curious how you grew up. Gotta say I don't regret shooting you when you made it your way to town. Ryder answers and Nos was having some mixed feelings about this.
"Hey don't worry about that, you are really a changed man, plus it would be nice to work with someone who isn't gonna die on me." Ryder pulls him up.
"Right. So would it be rude to leave and go meet my partner?" Nos wanted to get this over with.
"You already did, partner." Ryder watched the shock of the energy vampire. 'This is hilarious.' "MP figured who better to train an ex weapon than another ex weapon who's already in the field?"
Nos felt shocked. He was distraught. "Was there anyone else who could?" Nos asked.
"Well there were but you broke their pride and their bones. You also threw one of them through a window." Ryder spoke.
Nos could feel a headache coming and he was annoyed. "Do not be the next one."
"See we're bonding!" Ryder jokes. "Plus I'm the top 1 agent, you're gonna be working harder than ever. But it'll look good on your record."
"You are going to drive my patience." Nos growls.
"Buddy I'm going to push all the buttons. Now smile!" Ryder wraps an arm around his shoulder as they take the picture.
It was just before Nos punched Ryder in the face.
7pm
Vanet was drawing as Savy was heating up the prep food she figured Nos or the older man cooked. She was at first shocked Nos adopted a kid, but wondered a bit how. 'Did he murder someone?'
Vanet entered the kitchen and sat on a chair.
"So kid, How did Nos adopt you?" Savy asked.
Vanet looks up to her. "I was being chased by two crooks (Nos answer to her) and he kept me safe and adopted me after finding out my mama died."
Savy was shocked to hear this, she had been an orphan most of her life and hear different kids stories and hearing Vanet's was no different. Hearing the energy vampire cares was a different story. "You know about Nos's past right?" She wondered if Nos even told Vanet-
"Yes." Vanet spoke calmly.
Savy was perplexed, however she felt awkward. How could a little kid be this calm? Knowing about his past, knowing he was bad-"Then you know you need to be careful." Savy spoke without thinking but she knew for the kid's sake, "he is good now but he can change-"
"He is good. My papa is not bad." Vanet looks to Savy. "Out of everyone I passed and called for help, he came. My mama- she tried to call for help, no one came." Vanet went quiet. "Papa told me about you and your parents."
"He may not have drained them, but he harmed other robots and kept them from me." Savy was quiet, she knows she still has some anger to the energy vampire. There was that small hurt and looking at a kid who sees Nos good, it bothered Savy. "But Nos is not someone you can rely on."
"I know when papa stops the monster, He won't need to protect me." Savy sees Vanet beginning to cry. "But I want to stay with him. I see him as family."
Savy couldn't help but feel mixed feelings. She reaches to her "There's way better family-"
"But not like papa." Vanet pulls away. "I don't want to leave papa." She ran up to her room.
Savy watched her go and frowned. She didn't feel bad telling the kid the truth, but making the kid cry was not part of it. She hears the door open and sees it's Nos who looked drained. "I have questions."
"Savy if this is about the job-"
"Do you plan to still keep Vanet?" Savy asked. "Or are you going to let her have a proper life? She deserves a better life." Savy tensed hearing what she said. It wasn't meant to sound venomous or anger.
Nos looks at her and changes to himself. "Savy, this is not a conversation-"
"She deserves to know where she'll be going after all."
"I will talk to her about this." Nos cuts her off. "If anyone needs to hear my answer, it is only for her."
Savy kept quiet until she thought of many ideas. "Why not take her to star command?!"
"Star Command was my first thought to take her. I was even willing to expose myself. However this cretin can manipulate her situation. I need her safe and not be exposed Savy. Not even Lightyear can help her."
"You just don't want to be captured! You selfish energy vampire!" Savy glares. "You're not thinking about her-!"
"Savy." Nos growls and sees her standing her ground. He was not going to ignite a fight. "I understand your intention to give her a better life than a monster could. But she is not you, her situation is different. I want to keep her safe and even when the danger is gone," he frowns, already knowing the end of what is to come. "Even when she can have a better home, I still wish to be part of her life. I want to give her a good life here and. Vanet choices are her own to make, and I will support her choices."
Savy look to Nos before leaving, grabbing her stuff.
Nos hears the door slam and floats up to see Vanet. He stops just before her door. He knocks and waits until he opens the door, finding her in the little cave Cove over her bed. He saw she added little Figures over the rocky design and the added stars hanging over her.
"Vanet?" Nos floats over and watches her sit up but with a blanket covering her.
"... When you stop the bad guy, will I be sent away?" She asked from under the blanket.
"It is unknown." Nos answers. "But I want to hear what you want."
Vanet pulls the blanket off. "I want to stay with papa and grandpa. I'll do better in school and I'll even try to get a job later too! I'll prove it!" She looked up to Nos, tears flowing.
Nos tense, recalling those words when he began as a villain. The difference was Zurg threatened his existence. He pats her head and sat at the edge. "You do not need a job to prove your worth. I trust you, Vanet, to do well in school but do it for you."
Vanet leans for a hug and Nos hugs her. "Thank you papa."
"Of course. Have you eaten?" Nos carried her and she nodded so he brought her to the kitchen to eat.
Meanwhile.
Ryder was rewatching the scene between Nos and whatever the black thing was but from the scans, it was a manifestation made out of Antimatter. He replayed it but saw when it formed to a more different form, he was concerned because whatever this thing was, had something to do with Nos. There was one thing a fact:
This was not Nos.
Of course the punch was definitely from Nos. "Gonna have to keep a watch on Nos. Just what did that crazy Tyrant put in him…?" He wondered as he looks at the vial of little amount of it. It stir in the vial but hits against the vial.