They step into the room with a timid look on their face. After seeing the scientist, they looked away suddenly. A wheeze escaped their mouth into the quiet space and Shadow looked up suddenly to see if the stranger had noticed. They walked closer but stood about 6 feet away from the scientist. A mask muffled their voice as they began to talk. "I... I was told.... to come say hello to you..." Their eyes darted to the ground as soon as the last of their words came out. They fidgeted with something in their hoodie pocket while waiting for a response.
The dainty glances up only briefly, but it's hard to escape the feeling of being closely examined. For a moment, there is only the sound of wires and electronics humming in the background. Io's fingers never stop moving over a flickering tablet screen.
"...No one comes to me for a conversation," they finally respond in a light, even voice. "What are you here to ask me for?"
Shadow flinched at the curt response. Knowing they had something to ask in mind, if Bow just would stop interfering in their life then maybe they wouldn't be put in such uncomfortable situations in the future. Clearing their throat they approached the dainty slowly.
"Well, you see..." They began as they looked down their oxygen tube that went into a small bag that hung at their side. "I don't seem to be a candidate for FIMA, and um..... I was wondering if you could make me some..... well..."
They drifted off getting nervous again. "What I mean is, I saw that you made organs....." As soon as the word came out of their mouth they stepped back a few feet. Shadow didn't like talking to most people let alone ask for help.
Those calculating eyes flick sideways again, and the scientist gives a slow nod.
"Such things have a cost, you know." Their tone is gentle, but solemn. Raising one hand to forestall any response, Io continues. "No, not money. Payment... can be arranged. What I mean to say is, that type of venture is rarely without complication."
Setting their tablet aside, the dainty rises to their feet. "Tell me," they murmur, crossing the room with a clack of hooves on the hard floor. "What are you willing to risk? Your humanity? Your life?" Though Io stops several feet away, their presence feels unnervingly close.
Shadow jumped back instinctively. A cough that they'd been suppressing doubled them over, their oxygen bag falling off their shoulder. After a few moments lost within themselves, Shadow stood up. They looked the scientist in the eye with a narrowing gaze.
"I don't have long anyways," they confidentially confirmed. "I have multiple systems failing."
They coughed once more into their elbow, turning away from the dainty. Their legs began to shake under them. "I bet Bow didn't know the whole story though," they mumbled under their breath. Pulling out their cell phone, the light illuminated the black mask over their mouth. After a few taps on the screen they quickly shoved the device back into their hoodie pocket.
"What do you want from me?" They finally asked folding their arms across their chest.
Io’s head tilts to the side, dropping one floppy ear forward over their shoulder. A slight and unexpected smile ghosts across their face.
“Resolve.”
The scientist abruptly turns, and strides across the room to seize a seated stool from behind the desk.
“Here-- sit?” They slide the stool toward their unsteady visitor. “It seems to me--” Io brushes the tail of their white coat aside, and perches precariously on an edge of the desk. “--that a few organs will not truly solve your problems, hmm? Perhaps a simple exchange can benefit us both.” One slim hand reaches for the abandoned tablet, and Io’s fingers fly over the screen once more.
“I have found myself in need of a... beneficiary, shall we say. A patient for an experimental treatment.” There’s a pause, a shift of stockinged feet, another trace of a wry smile. “To put it bluntly: a lab rat. One with little to lose, and everything to gain. So,” Io continues, face intent. “Are you resolved to do whatever it takes for your body to recover?”
io's Comments