The Delta Cider Encyclopedia

Hunter and his mother, Myskia, came to Iinowae to check on Haden after several years and sued her ex-husband immediately upon seeing what he had been putting her youngest son through. Spectre Saikyle was sent to jail, and Haden’s stepmother at the time, ran off because she didn’t want to be held accountable. Due to money, convenience, and the fact that she wanted to take care of her son, Hunter and Myskia moved to Iinowae for good.

As life became smoother, Haden introduced Hunter to his new friend, Agnes. The older Xibagantan became obsessed with him instantly but didn’t say anything to his brother and prioritized catching up on the time he had missed with his sibling.

Though, in the middle of the school year, government officials suddenly took Agnes away for testing. Despite how insane it seemed, the practice was normal: If people around you suspect that you’re an Irregular, the feds will confiscate you and run tests to prove or disprove the rumors. If a kid comes back positive, their parents can make the choice to terminate their child on cue, or they can wait and hopefully convert their kid, so they won’t be executed at age thirteen.

Agnes freaked out as he was taken away from his family for several weeks, but it took several months because of the Iinowaen’s fear of doctors. He would repeatedly attack the scientists and attempt to escape the facilities. Ethan and Hunter tried many times to rescue him, with only four successions out of fifteen. The first few times, the feds found and seized him until Agnes and Ethan got in contact with Victor, got to Earth, and freeloaded off his family for a while after notifying them of the current crisis.

Agnes stayed at their house for ages, and Ethan helped him make a bracelet that could identify sexualities so Agnes hopefully wouldn’t have to be attacked by needles and anesthetics any longer. However, when the two were on Earth, the results were announced and proved Agnes was bisexual.

While they were gone, riots and protests started to break out on Iinowae since the Commander wanted Agnes executed, and his parents and many other citizens wanted their son to live. Still, the debate continued for weeks until Agnes and Ethan returned to Iinowae, where the Iinowaen was allowed to live. 

Iris and Solomon Maliki didn’t want to lose another child, for they had already lost their daughter and many other kids while attempting to provide Agnes with a sibling. Their son also claimed he could aid in improving the planet by becoming an assassin and working for the Commander once he graduated high school and could provide superior handmade weapons for the military. And Agnes couldn’t date any men anyway because it was against the law and would still lead to his execution.

As if the reasons the Malikis provided weren’t already enough, the Commander, though he didn’t announce it to anyone, was bisexual, and Agnes was the first citizen with the same sexuality as him. It had been centuries since he had found someone like him.

Finally, Agnes returned to his daily life with Ethan and his parents, who threw him a welcoming party involving many relatives and classmates, even people Agnes didn’t know well. During Agnes’ struggles, Haden had been hospitalized, and though he seemed to be getting better, he suddenly fell into a coma. Hunter and his mother had been visiting him, but there was an undercurrent of hopelessness, and so they tried to distract themselves with Agnes’ good news.

Since Agnes had been out of school for around three months, his teachers said he needed to catch up on all the things he’d missed before the end of the year otherwise he’d have to repeat fifth grade. After comforting him in the back of the house while Agnes hid from his party, Hunter volunteered to help since he was slightly older and already knew all the information.

Every day after school, Hunter would take them to the library or his house. Their alone time brought them closer since the Xibagantan would often attack Agnes with hugs and kisses, though that was his basic way of showing affection. The Iinowaen eventually grew aware that Hunter liked him, but because of their short kiss in the laundry room during the party, their relationship was unclear.

However, when faced with affection, Agnes would always freak out, attack, or yell at him in return. Though, after weeks of tutoring had occurred, Hunter confronted Agnes while they were taking a break at his house. Agnes’ reactions had been worrying him, and since Hunter was known to overstep boundaries or take things too far, he wanted to make sure he hadn’t genuinely upset his crush.

As they sat on the Iinowaen’s bed, Hunter reached out to him to get his attention and took a deep breath. 

“Hey. Do…you do not want me around?” He asked softly, worried about the other boy’s potential response. Though Agnes responded with a tone, as he usually did when faced with topics that made no sense to him.

“What the hell do you mean?” He asked while sifting through one of his journals.

Hunter flinched at his voice. “I feel like I annoy you… I know you’re independent, and there are only a few spaces you have when it comes to friends. I just don’t wanna try and shove my way into a spot that’s not even set aside for me, y’know?” He chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood while finagling his words. “I don’t wanna come where I’m not welcome.”

“Well,” Agnes began, glancing at him. “Truthfully, I didn’t think I had any more ‘friend spaces’ open, but I also never thought I had any to begin with.” He clicked his tongue. “Meanwhile, now I have enough to sit with on my couch and play video games with.”

“So?”

He paused. “I like being around you.” He muttered, his face burning as he continued to avert his eyes.

“R-Really?” Hunter lit up.

“Piss off, yes. You’re…nice. I appreciate what you’re doing.”

“Okay, but after I finish tutoring you, then what?”

Agnes tossed his book at him. “Hell if I know, man—it’s not like I just want you for your brain.”

“You don’t?”

“Don’t ask stupid questions.” He rolled his eyes.

“Well, what else do you want me for?” Hunter beamed.

Agnes looked him over and fiddled with his eyepatch, his brain a smoothie of words. “I don’t know.” He mumbled. “I just…don’t want you to leave me.”

“Wow.”

“Shut the hell up, nerd.”

Hunter picked up the journal. “Says the boy with notebooks full of blueprints and analyses of computers and crap.”

The Iinowaen snatched his book and got off his bed, jamming it into a bookcase by his PC. “Shut up.”

“God, you’re cute.” The Xibagantan whispered.

Agnes whipped around. “I heard that!”

“You were supposed to!” Hunter laughed.

After their conversation, it seemed like they started dating, but Agnes was too embarrassed to act on it or admit it. Hunter was there to help him, but he was often anxious to ask for it, and the Iinowaen grew worried that Hunter would doubt his love for him. 

Therefore, Agnes contacted Victor, who helped him make a card he could give to Hunter with a confession inside. The Glitch decorated it while Agnes worked on the words, including many compliments and apologies for his actions.

When Agnes finally gave it to Hunter, the Xibagantan couldn’t stop crying. He loved it and showered the Iinowaen with kisses, saying how much he loved him and how sweet and beautiful he was, and promised to never get rid of the card. After a few weeks, the two agreed to tell Agnes’ parents they were together, and they were overjoyed. Hunter’s mom found out shortly after when she walked in on them kissing after school. 

Even if their relationship wasn’t illegal, they’re still only affectionate in private, otherwise, Agnes gets weird and anxious and won’t act on his feelings.