ANOTHER NEW HOOKERY POST

[was_no_monster]

[old one got too big again :')]

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[was_no_monster]

[Kaito is currently sprawled out on the couch with the laptop, frowning intensely at whatever is onscreen and chewing on his lower lip. the next time Len passes through, though, he looks up]

Papa? Would you mind helping me with something, if you can?

[miraculost]

Hmm? Not at all, Kaito, what do you need?

[was_no_monster]

Mmm... well, it would be more "mechanics" than specifically having to do with "robotics," but... ah, if I got an electronic keyboard, do you think it would be possible to modify it so that the keys resisted more?

[miraculost]

I think so, yes... Is it difficult to type with a regular one?

[was_no_monster]

—ah. N-no, I can do that, I meant... like a piano. That type of keyboard. ...The keys gave too easily on the ones I've tried, so I kept losing my place.

[miraculost]

--Oh! Sorry I misunderstood. Yes, I'm sure we can do that!

Have you taken up playing, then?

[was_no_monster]

...It's a bit more like it's taken up me.

[miraculost]

Ah? How do you mean?

[sittin down next to]

[was_no_monster]

[shifting aside for him. at this angle, Len can probably see that Kaito was looking at sheet music]

...Mmm. It's a little difficult to describe...

...I think I might have always known how to play— or rather, parts of me did. I just... needed to be reminded.

[he's looking at his hands again— but instead of the usual distaste, or sadness, there's something like affection there— almost awe]

[was_no_monster]

[it is now officially PAY ATTENTION TO EVE TIME 8< love meee, love meeeeeeeeeee

rolling onto 83]

[miracaretaker]

[Oh hello cat, you are quite cute and fuzzy.

Why not, have some gentle petting.]

[was_no_monster]

[prrprrprrprrprrprrprrrrr...

—oh and here comes daddy to look for her! DADDY I FOUND ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE FOR YOU :D]

—ah. I was wondering where she had gotten off to... Hello, sensei.

[miracaretaker]

Good afternoon, Kaito.

She's yours? [Hope you don't mind scritchies, kitty, 'cause you're getting some.]

[was_no_monster]

[...is she actually getting louder. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE.]

I believe it would be most accurate to say that it's the other way around. She is a cat, after all.

[miracaretaker]

[I work cat magic, don't you know.]

I suppose you're right. Friendly little princess, isn't she?

[was_no_monster]

[I might be giving off proud daddy vibes right now. chuckling]

Of course. She's never met anyone who was less than friendly back, so why wouldn't she be?

[...that came out a little sadder than he had meant it to, but... it was important to him, that he could protect her that way.]

[miracaretaker]

[Yeah, I'm getting a little of that in your tone, there. But you are not the only proud daddy.]

Mm. You've done a good job caring for her.

[was_no_monster]

[some time later, after the Hiyamas' efforts have gotten them all out of immediate danger...

...well, Kaito is still unresponsive. he doesn't seem to be breathing, and the dark, thick blood seeping out of his chest and neck has all but stopped— not because it's clotted, but because there's nothing to keep it flowing.]


((continued from here))]

[inshepherdscloth]

[meanwhile, the Hiyamas have had to stop dragging him for a while, due to simply running out of strength.

it's still the demon in control, as they check futilely for a pulse or any other sign of life]

No, no, damn you... you can't be dead, you can't be, don't tell me some madwoman with a gun is enough to kill you so easily...!

[was_no_monster]

[nothing. nothing. nothing—

—except a sudden, ratcheting mechanical noise as the gears in his arm engage, pressing his hand into the ground with a jerky, inhuman movement]

[inshepherdscloth]

[forget how creepy that is, it's movement]

Ah! I-It's about time, damn it...

[was_no_monster]

[getting his eyes open is the hardest thing he's ever done— and even when he does, he still can't see, it's all just dim and far away light and dark. it feels like he's been yanked out of himself and smothered in cotton— can't breath through it, can't think through it, can't move to push it away— and he's felt that before.

if that weren't smothered, too, he'd be panicking. not this, not again— did they leave him for dead they had to have there was going to be fire and it would hurt more if they'd done that. maybe. would it?

doesn't matter. he's not safe. he needs to get somewhere where he is. he's done this before. if he can just— sleep— he can't think. he can't breathe. maybe if he can just get some air—

trying to take a breath and only managing to cough weakly, one of the bullet holes and the gash in his throat hissing as he tries to inhale. he doesn't take another; instead, he rolls over onto his side with more of those stiff movements, trying and failing to get his arms and legs under him]

[inshepherdscloth]

[here is an arm to grab onto]

Here, you great lout. Bear up on me. You're clearly in no state to walk, so it's a good thing I got you away from those lunatics, isn't it?

You're not allowed to die, do you hear me? I won't stand for it.

i'm sorry he is still the cutest omg

[was_no_monster]

[it takes him a momemt before he even notices the arm, and when he does his first attempt is to shove it away, trying to protect himself. there are words, but they're just as blurred and unintelligible as his sight—

with another wrench of effort he forces his eyes to focus, damnit]




. . . you?

[his voice is barely more than a wheezy, garbled whisper]

he has so much tsun

[inshepherdscloth]

Yes, me. And the priest, you can thank him and his good aim for the fact that you're not on fire right now.

But you are damnably heavy and we can't drag you any farther, so you have to work with us.