The Exception, The Guardian, and The Monster

Astroray

"As I said, keep your head low, walk with confidence." They stand up from their spot and keep close to Alise.

Plat

Esredes keeps close on the other side of Alise, following them.

Momo

Alise takes a deep breath as she picks up the pot and walks. "The cell isn't that far, right?"

Astroray

"Not at all." Cypress motions to the low rock formation with the dark, wide cavern ahead.

Momo

She approaches the hole and peeks through the bars. "... this is a dungeon, guys. You know he's just a kid, right?"

Plat

“You can tell her we’re quite aware of that. There isn’t another option.”

Astroray

"He says we don't have many other options at the moment, if any. If he chooses to stay, I'm certain we will let him out, but for now he's......not being agreeable."

Plat

“He’d be worse off at the prison,” Esredes mutters.

Momo

Alise sighs a bit. "I just feel like neither of you are good with kids." She knocks on the cell bars. "Jack?"

Astroray

The dungeon is a deep hallway that leads further down into the earth. Each cell is blocked off with chunks of stone wall, bars keeping the entrance closed off. The cells at the beginning of the dungeon have small windows for light, but the further down, the darker it gets.

Jack is on his side, but his body shakes, curling into himself, in response to the loud metallic knock. He doesn't move at first, expecting disappointment or further shame, but he catches a whiff of the stew and perks up a bit.

Momo

Alise starts to walk into the darkness. "Jack! It's Annalise... eh- actually, just call me Alise. I made food since these guys don't know how to."

Astroray

He uses his elbows to push himself up and crawls over to the bars, low to the ground, cautious. He wants to say something, but...doesn't quite know.

Instead he puts his head to the bars, defeated.

Momo

"... you look terrible." Alise replies solemnly. She sets the pot down and from her left over supplies she stored in a blanket, she pulls out two bowls. She scoops one of the bowls into the stew, not fazed by the heat. When she lifts the bowl up, Jack can see the steam still coming off the food. So warm and inviting, far different than the rats he has been living off of. "Eat slow, okay? Or you'll just throw it back up."

Astroray

His breathing is slow and shallow. He's obviously exhausted, but manages to take the bowl. His grill opens slightly and the two tongues work at the chunks of rabbit and vegetable, lifting them into his maw slowly. If he had tears to cry, he would, but they have all but dried up.

Momo

Alise watches him eat, sighing softly. "You don't have to put yourself through this, you know. These guys, they're not good at it, but they're trying to help you."

Astroray

".....I just wanna go home...." He sighs heavily.

Momo

"And go back to kidnapping people and taking orders for the rest of your life?"

Astroray

"...What do you want me to do. Just turn around and smile and be like-" Jack huffs weakly. " -like everything is ok? Like what's happening is good?"

Momo

"It's not good." Alise replies. "I know this is hard. You were just taken away from everything you knew, and now you're locked in a cell by people who say they're going to help you."

Astroray

"That's right....I don't know where I am...I don't...I-I-" He chokes up, sniffling and breathing hard into the stew.

Momo

"Hey hey, take a deep breath." She replies. "Focus on me, okay? Right now, you're on an island. In a cell. I've never been here before either, so we're both new here. You're not alone." She takes a few deep breaths, as if persuading him to breathe with her.

Astroray

He breathes in and out come shakes breaths. But then he begins to chuckle. "Isn't it funny. We switched."

Momo

"It is pretty funny." She smiles back. "Also, sorry for whacking you with my tail. But consider it even since you knocked me out with my gauntlet."

Astroray

"That seems pretty fair." He keeps his face to the stew, dipping a tongue in to taste.

Momo

The stew is still fairly warm. There's a lot of flavor in as well, probably because he's been eating nothing but rats for the past few days, but there was effort put into this stew. Alise watches him eat. "So... tell me what you want to do. I'm here to try to make come compromises happen."

Astroray

"I just want to leave...." His tone still reads as defeated.

Momo

"... alright." She nods. "If I get that to happen, you have to promise a few things."

Astroray

"....huh?" His head perks up to look her in the eye.

Momo

"No biting, no screeching, and you can't keep doing the voice mimic thing to mess with people psychologically. That's not cool." She replies. "No more hunger strikes either."

Astroray

He looks back down, considering his options. He helped her escape...kind of...this is her trying to help him.

"Okay..."

Momo

She smiles a bit. "Okay... want a refill on your stew?"

Astroray

"Please..."

Momo

She takes his bowl and refills it from the pot, placing it back in front of him. "I'm gonna leave for a bit. I need to have a... conversation with the guys keeping you here. But I'm going to come back."

Astroray

He gingerly sips up meat and broth.

Momo

Alise slowly stands up and turns to Cypress and Esredes. Her soft expression and considerate smile drop immediately and she stares at the two with a stern glare. "A word. Please."

Astroray

Cypress looks at Esredes with wide eyes in a somewhat joking manner.

Plat

Without a word, Esredes begins to shift down to human form. He can't play translator any longer. When the blackness fades and he takes the form completely, he looks to Alise with his arms crossed, though in a more relaxed manner than a stern one. "What is it."

Momo

"What. The. Fuck!!" She replies, walking away from the cell so Jack won't hear her yell. "Guys!!"

Plat

"If you're upset we put him in a dungeon, it's the best option we can afford at this point. Running around the island screaming and making people deaf is going to risk somebody hurting him." He's stating all this in a rather straightforward and calm manner.

Momo

"You know, there are a lot of different ways you could have handled that. A lot!" She replies, looking rather upset. "Did either of you sit down and talk to him? Try to understand the situation he's in?"

Plat

"It's a little difficult to attempt that ourselves when one of us nearly killed him and the other tied him up and dragged him here. We've been trying to find other people to talk to him for that reason."

Momo

"You didn't think maybe grabbing a knochen and asking them to use their human form could work? Or- maybe keeping him somewhere that's not a dungeon?" A few scales start to flare up on her face. "I thought he'd be safe with you! Technically he is safe, but he doesn't look it!"

Plat

"We tried an experiment who seemed to be the only one who cared about him. That at least got us something. And like I said, there's nowhere else to keep him. Or, there is, but it'd be much worse."

Momo

She takes a few deep breaths. "Ugh... okay... okay. Hear me out. What if he stayed with me?"

Astroray

They shrug and look to Esredes. "It's not as if we don't know where she lives. It would easy to monitor them."

Plat

"...Are you both serious?" He looks to Cypress a second, then back to Alise. "Do you want him to kidnap you again or escape and go back to her? How do you expect to prevent either of those things from happening?"

Momo

"Last time, he got to me because he caught me off guard. He manipulated me. Now, I know what he's capable of, and he's a scrawny little guy! Even I can take him in a physical fight. Besides, he doesn't know where Thiessen is either."

Astroray

Again, Cypress's eyes widen, confirming that neither Alise or Jack know where Thiessen is. But they consider Jack's current conditions and the fact that Jack is already more agreeable with Alise. "...He's already so attached to humans as it is and shows more general liking for human food. I don't believe many of us know how to cook or have the connection these two already seem to have."

Plat

"He can still easily escape from your house. Wander aimlessly trying to find her, possibly endanger someone else or himself. Probably get himself killed somehow."

Astroray

"Well, we can't keep her here and the child would get easily overwhelmed if he walked a few feet out into the main plaza. From what I have noticed and...at least can guess based on recounts, he was more than likely raised indoors and kept indoors for most of his life. While I agree, he could escape and cause trouble, weening him out of an artificial environment would be a better alternative to simply tossing him outside and watching him flail like a fish out of water."

Momo

"See, they get it." Alise replies. "If you have a better idea, I'd love to hear it. But we can't keep him like this, we'd be no better than Thiessen."

Plat

"Don't even try to compare what's going on here to her," he said. "Let me ask you this, Cypress, how in the world do you think we'll get the leader to approve of that?"

Momo

Alise's scales start to flare up more, but she bites her tongue and holds back her words.

Astroray

"We could always lie. I know I'm good at it and it seems you are as well." They give Esredes a sharp look.

Plat

Esredes's eyes suddenly take on a more intense look as they focus on Cypress, almost as if a fire had ignited inside them. "No."

Astroray

"No? Then what do you think we should do, hm?"

Plat

"Find a way to navigate this much more securely. The child has been outside before. A quieter part of the island can't possibly be that overwhelming. We could let him go out to one with her."

Astroray

"The child literally just cried out about how it feels lost. This place is totally alien to him. The knochen way is alien to him and that is damage I am not sure we can undo by letting him play outside."

Plat

"If you both really expect me to lie to the leader to cover this up, you're going to have to convince me that not only can you keep him from escaping a low security human house, but that you can get absolutely everything out of him about Thiessen and keep him from becoming a problem of hers again. I'm not risking the security of this faction or its biggest informant for his wellbeing. He may be a child, but you know what he is capable of."

Momo

"And you will never get anything out of him in this place." Alise replies. "No matter what you do, he fears her wrath more than your help. If you keep him like this, he'll starve and die."

Plat

"He fears her wrath more than our help? What is that supposed to mean?"

Momo

"It means that whatever you try to do to help him, he's scared that by accepting it, he'll be betraying Thiessen. And he knows what she does to deserters and failures."

Plat

"And it would be any different if he was with you? He wouldn't be betraying her that way? Or you know, given the opportunity to prove his loyalty?"

Astroray

"...You had more opportunities to speak with him, didn't you. I saw you flee the room he was in."

Momo

"The last thing she ordered him to do was to watch over me... and we talked for a bit. He does feel bad about some of the stuff he has to do. We need to ease him into a new life, not tear him away like this."

Plat

"What if Thiessen comes back for either of you? She knows where you live now."

Astroray

"After an assault of that scale, she'll more than likely be in hiding for some time if she's smart."

Plat

"I would hope so too, but it doesn't change the fact that she could send someone else there. Retrieve the child. And he'll know too much, all there for him to tell her."

Momo

"She thinks I'm a failure. I doubt she'll come back for me." Alise looks up at Esredes. "I'm not saying this idea is perfect, and it has plenty of flaws, but we need to take a leap of faith. It's better than what this is right now."

Plat

I sure hope not. "How are you going to keep him there. How are you going to make him understand he's a brainwashed slave."

Momo

"Remember, Thiessen told him to look after me. If he leaves, I'll tell him I'm going to move so he can't find me. Better to just stick with me and we can search for Thiessen together."

Plat

"But you're not going to really do that, are you."

Momo

"Esredes.... I can't... be in my house alone without freaking out." She looks down. "And I feel like I'm going insane and it's not going to get better if I keep hiding from her. I'm done running away, and I want to put an end to this. So yeah, I'm going to be looking for her too."

Plat

"...I see. But you know Jack isn't searching to kill her."

Momo

"He's not, but he's a damn good tracker and knows her better than I do. Until the time comes where he makes his choice, I'm willing to work with him." She smirks a bit. "It's not like I haven't made this gamble before."

Plat

"And how are you going to stop him from siding with her again?"

Astroray

"We've only spent a short amount of time with him. I'm sure with the proper care and precautions, the damage can be...at least mitigated."

Momo

"That part I can't guarantee... I can only hope I can appeal to his better nature."

Plat

"If you're going to propose that risky of a gamble, then you better not let him learn anything more that he can tell her to use against us."

Momo

"You know I wouldn't do that to you." She replies. "But I'll make sure of it."

Plat

Esredes is silent for a moment, staring her down. "What does this mean for myself?"

Momo

"What do you mean?"

Plat

"With him around."

Momo

"We can try and get him to warm up to you. Y'know, since he'll be encountering you outside of a dungeon."

Plat

"I almost crushed his throat."

Astroray

Further down, you can hear Jack make a soft whistle, like someone poorly mocking a bird. As if he is beckoning.

Momo

"Well, maybe if he spends time with you and knows the you that doesn't crush throats, things will get better. Think of it as a part of easing back into knochen society."

Plat

"I somehow doubt that to a certain extent, but that's still far from the biggest concern. What if, say, Thiessen was discovered tomorrow? Or in a week?"

Momo

"I doubt she will be... but theoretically, if she were found so soon... I don't know."

Plat

"Then why bother making it out to be both of you finding her. Why not lie and look for her without him. You seem like you're defeating your own idea."

Momo

"Like I said- this plan isn't perfect- but it is better than this." She replies, crossing her arms.

Plat

"You're right it isn't perfect. The way you make it out, we either let him die or we take a wild stab at trying to make him lose this loyalty and deliver him right back into her arms."

Momo

"I... ghh!" She turns her head away, but her hair has started to sprout like feathers as she holds back her irritation.

Plat

Esredes sighs. "I'm just saying this isn't a good plan. Maybe the three of us need to slow down and think this through better."

Momo

".... you're right." She replies quietly, taking a few deep breaths with little no change in her uncanny breakout. "I need to breathe..."

Plat

"Take a moment if you need it. Seriously. Don't overwhelm yourself."

Momo

She nods and starts to walk back to the cells.

Astroray

Jack spots her approaching and sees her newly sprouted feathers. The stew is almost gone, except for the small puddle of broth at the bottom.

Momo

She walks over and quietly refills his bowl before setting it back down again.

Astroray

He bumps his head against the bars again, sad and frustrated.

Momo

"I have to think clearly." She replies. "But I haven't given up."

Astroray

He doesn't respond, but his ears swivel up in response.

Momo

She continues to take deep breaths, but it seems more difficult this time for the uncanny bits to go away.

Astroray

Cypress comes forward, startling Jack slightly. "Will you be alright?"

Momo

"... I don't know." She replies. "It's been bugging me. It's just an... itch. To transform. Does that make any sense?"

Astroray

Jack shirks back a bit, but stays close as Cypress speaks.

"Mmmm, to me, not much, but have you found a correlation?"

Momo

"It's been about a week so.. not really. It used to be when I get overwhelmed, small break outs would happen." She sighs a bit. "At first, it was easy, but... now it's like my body wants to transform."

Astroray

"Perhaps it's a build up of unspent magical energy? I'm not a scientist, but every time it rears up, you suppress it, correct?"

Momo

"Yeah, I use my breathing techniques to calm down."

Astroray

"Is it working?"

Momo

"It's been proving more difficult each time, rather, it takes a little longer each time."

Astroray

"Then perhaps you should find alternatives. I myself have struggled with anger and have turned to human methods of calming."

Momo

"Hmm... so that's why you were so much nicer at the house." She smiles. "I was pretty sure you hated me, so it was kinda surprising."

Astroray

"I did. But the situation has changed."

Plat

Esredes remains where he was, arms crossed as he observes them. His eyebrow raises slightly at this exchange. Just how much exactly has happened between them.

Momo

She smiles a bit more and sighs. Her uncanny features have settled down once more. "... alright. I'm calm. I got a little too heated, I took things personally." She stands back up and looks to Jack. "Wish me luck on my second attempt."

Astroray

"Good luck." They walk with her, a pleased expression upon their face. Once they leave, Jack goes back to eating the stew slowly, chunk by chunk.

Momo

Alise walks back up to Esredes, taking a deep breath. "... I'm sorry. I was thinking less with my head and more with my emotions. I still think Jack staying with me could have some potential, but the idea needs refinement."

Plat

"I appreciate that you want to help him," Esredes responds calmly. "Especially after he kidnapped you and... hit you over the head with a gauntlet? It's quite sympathetic of you. But, we can't allow for an opportunity for him to go back to her. That's a fate as good as death for him. Still, I agree. Let's try to think out something more logical."

Momo

"I was thinking I'd keep him distracted with other things." Alise replies. "Like helping Levi in the shop, or helping me garden. A bunch of smaller things that seem mundane, but he's never done them before. It could slow down any search for Thiessen and give us time to get to know him, and him get to know us."

Plat

"If you're going to sell him on the pretense of looking for her, you definitely can't make a serious effort to find her if he's with you. He can't go back to her."

Momo

"... what if I pick a different pretense? She was looking for me, but she was looking for a few other escaped experiments too. We could try to find them."

Plat

"Well, that wouldn't give him the opportunity to find her, would it? That could work better."

Momo

"And he'll technically be doing what she had ordered him to do, looking over me and help looking for the others. If we present it like that, he'd be more likely to comply."

Astroray

"Sounds much more structured...more task oriented. I'm sure he'd take to that much easier."

Plat

"Chances are you two are right. All right, then look. I do agree keeping him here would be difficult to make work. I am willing to lie to the leader if he's kept with you and not returned to her. I have faith in your abilities to make him realize he'd be better off without her, not to mention to keep him from running away. But know if anything bad happens because of this, it's both of your responsibilities."

Momo

"I understand." She replies, but she's slightly smiling.

Astroray

"I'm glad we've reached an arrangement. "

Plat

"And perhaps, as as another little thing... I think it goes without saying everything going on here stays between us three." He glances at Cypress with that comment. "A mutual lie."

Momo

"I'm kind of used to this." She replies. "... I feel like we're all used to this."

Astroray

"You won't hear a peep from me." They smile with a somewhat smug expression.

Plat

"Good." He pauses a moment. "All things considered, it's nice to see you two have made... friends."

Momo

"Hooray for unsuspecting friendship. Story of my life."

Astroray

"We hated each other, you know." They look to Alise and grin

Plat

"What even happened, exactly?"

Momo

"They didn't like that you and I were so buddy buddy." Alise replies. "Then during the fight, I protected their ass... I think. Memory is still a bit fuzzy."

Astroray

"That's the short version, yes. She kept the uncanny from swarming me."

Plat

"...Is that so?" He looks between the two. "How did they find out before the battle?"

Momo

"Well, last I checked, if I told you, they would kill me. So, Cypress-" She smiles up at them. "The floor is all yours."

Astroray

They stay still for a moment before rolling their eyes and smiling. "Alright, you asked for it. " Cypress crouches and snarls, pouncing on Alise, pinning her to the ground. They snort in her face and pull back. "You are dead now. Accept your fate." They give her a cheeky smile.

Momo

"AH! AHAHHA!" She chuckles and tries to wiggle out. "Never!! Cmon- you're too heavy!"

Plat

"Oh no," Esredes says in an amusing tone. "Poor Alise is dead now. Cypress, how could you. You've doomed me to an eternity of babysitting Levi."

Momo

"Wha- Esredes! C'mon- help me out!"

Astroray

Cypress lifts a paw and presses it to her stomach. "I will gore you now, stay still."

Momo

"H-HEYYYY!" She grips onto their paw. "Noooo-nono- you have actual claws there."

Plat

"Guess I won't need to carry your corpse back home." His smile widens. "But seriously, play nice, you two."

Astroray

"Okay, dad."

Momo

"Esredes- pretty please- they're heavy-" Alise reaches out towards him.

Astroray

"I could just lay on you. Give you an authentic recreation of the battle when I dramatically collapsed on Thiessen."

Plat

"...Did that actually happen?"

Astroray

"She gassed me and I collapsed on her. I hoped that my weight would do her in, but no such luck."

Momo

"Speaking of weight- I'm still under here." Alise replies. "Despite how delightfully soft it is, I'm losing feeling in one of my arms."

Astroray

"Oh, my apologies." They hop off to the side.

Plat

"Are you satisfied with your kill for the day?"

Momo

"I'm pretty satisfied. It's not a bad way to die." Alise replies.

Astroray 

"Oh? Was it to your liking?"

Momo 

"There are worse ways if you can believe it." She stands up and brushes herself off.

Astroray 

"Alright then. What's the plan with the child. What's our approach."

Momo 

"Present the idea to him as if it were a deal. We tell him his limitations, but we tell him what he is free to do as well, so it doesn't feel like another prison."

Astroray 

Cypress nods softly. "Alright...Will you join us Esredes?"

Plat 

"Yes, I will. But I feel Alise has it covered as far as talking goes."

Astroray 

"Shall we make our proposal then?" They turn and start to walk to the cell again.

Plat 

"Yes, go ahead." He starts walking down towards them.

Astroray 

Jack is in the corner against the bars, listening in.

Momo 

Alise walks over and crouches down so she can face Jack. "They agreed. You're going to be getting out of this cell and coming with me."

Astroray 

His back straightens slightly hearing the news. "Where...?"

Momo 

"My place." She replies. "You'll be staying with Levi and myself."

Astroray 

"I see...." He ponders for a moment, drawing into himself before facing Alise again. "I heard a little. What else is there."

Momo 

"You're going to help me find a few friends." Alise replies. "If you'd like. I was going to search for them anyway but I figured you'd like to help."

Astroray 

Jack looks down at the bowl and then back up to her a few times. ".....maybe if you keep making this for me..."

Momo 

"I know how to make more than that." She replies, smiling a bit. "And maybe sometime, if you want to learn how to, you can help me make some."

Astroray 

His tired eyes light up for the first time all week. "I'd like that..."

Momo 

Alise looks over to Esredes and Cypress. "Any chance we could let him out now?"

Plat 

"I should mention first," Esredes begins, looking to her and then to Jack, "how I'm going to be visiting occasionally. But I won't hurt you again if you act civilized."

Momo 

Alise nods. "Just think of it as friendly checkups. Don't let his tough appearance fool you though. He secretly cares."

Astroray 

"....Just....don't leave...."

Momo 

"... I won't." She replies. "I promise."

Astroray 

"Alright." He looks about nervously.

Cypress uses his abilities to whisper into Alise's ear quietly. "Are you ready to let him out?"

Momo 

Alise nods a bit. "Yeah, lets."

Astroray 

Cypress approaches gingerly, unlocking the cell with a delicate hand not usually seen by such claws. The latch unlocks and the metal rings throughout the cavern.

When they open the cage, Jack is nervous to exit. Approaching the opening, he slinks over to Alise, his ears swiveling wildly.

Momo 

Alise kneels down next to him. "It's kind of overwhelming, isn't it. When you're ready, you should see the outside of this place. It's really pretty."

Astroray 

"..I..how bright is it?"

Momo 

"Still pretty bright. Maybe we should wait for the evening."

Astroray 

"The sunlight hurts...if I'm out for too long."

Momo 

"I see... then lets wait a bit until the sun starts to set." She looks him over carefully. "... when is the last time you had a bath?"

Astroray 

"I....uh...I don't know.."

Momo 

"... oh..." She looks over to Cypress and Esredes. "Is there any water around here I can use?"

Astroray 

Cypress pipes up. "There's a small stream that runs into a pond nearby."

Momo 

"That can work." Alise looks towards Jack. "Let's clean you up a bit. Maybe you'll feel more comfortable afterwards."

Astroray 

Jack leaves Alise's side and goes over to the side of the cavern, trailing it up to the mouth. He peeks out at the plaza outside, shirking away slightly.

Momo 

"We won't get too close there." She walks a bit closer to him. "If that's what you're worried about."

Astroray 

His breaths are a bit more erratic, watching the passing knochen. One takes notice to him and stares him down. Jack jumps back, scurring back to where the others are. "I...I've only ever seen one or two knochen at a time. None were ever this big either." His breathing still off beat and shallow.

Momo 

"... me too." Alise replies. "Well, I've seen some big ones, but only one at a time." She walks over and kneels beside him. "But it's okay. As long as we don't bug them, they won't bug us."

Plat 

"I'd rather none of them see you two either, if you can help it." Esredes adds.

Momo 

"Then we'll be stealthy and quiet. You know how to do that, remember?"

Astroray 

"Mhmm. I can do that."

Momo 

"We'll do that." She smiles and stands beside him. "Just walk with me."

Astroray 

"A-alright..." He stands up slightly, keeping his hands close to his body and his tail wrapped around a leg.

Momo 

She gently guides him and looks up to Cypress and Esredes. "Which way is the spring?"

Astroray 

Cypress steps forward. "Its around the back of this compound. Very easy to reach."

Momo 

"Thanks." She slowly makes her way there, making sure to wait for Jack and pace herself with him.

Astroray 

Jack watches Alise and walks skiddishly, keeping to the rock wall.

Momo 

One they arrive close to the spring, Alise takes a quick look around to make sure they're alone.

Astroray 

As the sun lowers in the sky, the fading light sparkles on the crystaline water, its irridescence radiates against the knochen calling in their younglings. The small, off-white hacky sacks romp up to their parents, which grab them up by the scruff of their neck and plop them on their backs. They nestle into the small space between the shoulder blades and rest as the parents make their way off into the brush, presumably to their dens.

Momo 

Alise waits for most of them to leave before walking out from the rock wall and over to the water. "... coast is clear." She calls back.

Astroray 

Cypress slips up to the edge of the water in their shadow and manifests, a paw hanging into the water. "You should hurry, the water will get much colder once the sun sets."

Momo 

Alise smiles a bit and lifts up a foot. "If you gave me a few minutes in the water, it'll feel like a hot spring. But that'll mess with the ecosystem." She tears off a sheet of fabric from her long dress and dips it into the water. "C'mon Jack!"

Astroray 

"Ah! That's right. How silly of me." Cypress rolls over in an exagerated way.

Jack approaches Alise, but doesn't make any further movement towards the water.

Momo 

Alise notices this and dips the cloth into the water. She pulls off one of her gauntlets and places it on top of the cloth, only long enough to make the water inside warmer. Holding it with her still covered hand, she walks over to Jack. "Mind lifting your head up?"

Astroray 

He does so, watching her movements.

Momo 

She cautiously moves the cloth over his head, then gently sets it on top. The water inside above lukewarm, and the fabric is rather soft. "Is it too hot?" She asks, starting to rub the cloth in little circles to wipe his head.

Astroray 

As the cloth touches his head, he stiffens slightly, but eases up when he feels her moving it in slow circles. Jack blinks slower, letting the warmth relax him. He doesn't respond, but hums instead.

Momo 

She smiles at the humming and continues to clean the top of his head. "... I'm gonna move it down your back, okay?"

Astroray 

He makes a content hum again as a cue for her to continue.

Momo 

She nods and starts to gently wash down his back. As soon as the rag starts to dry up, she makes a quick trip back to the water, resoak, reheat, clean, and repeat the cycle.

Astroray 

As Alise washes down his back, she can probably see hard, plate-like structures starting to form. When she pulls away, Jack's eyes open wide and he watches her hands closely.

Momo 

Alise continues to move carefully with her hands, making sure not to make any sudden movements. "How do you feel?"

Astroray 

"....tired, but better..."

Momo 

"That's good... you're gonna feel a little tired for a while. You'll need to sleep, and you'll need to get on a proper eating schedule. That means eating everyday."

Astroray 

Jack looks down with a concerned expression on his face. He nods in agreement, but its reads as hesitant.

Momo 

"... that's not a bad thing." Alise replies. "And you can tell me what food you like so I can make it. It's normal to eat everyday. Not as a reward, but as a basic necessity."

Astroray 

He nods again, that hesitant bob still present. Jack is clearly uncomfortable with this concept, but if its a way for him to get out, he'll try.

Momo 

"... we'll take things slow, I promise." She replies.

Astroray 

He again nods silently, finding talking difficult.

Momo 

"... do you have any thoughts? On all of this? I won't get mad."

Astroray 

"....it sounds hard. I don't deserve to eat unless I do good..."

Momo 

"... You'll be looking after me. Like Thiessen told you to. We may not be at the lab, but she never told you when to stop looking over me."

Astroray 

His head hangs a bit and he nods silently, passively. He is having trouble accepting his new terms, but he will try as they come.

Momo 

"... if you ever find anything upsetting or troubling, you can ask about it."

Astroray 

"Alright..."

He keeps his eyes down as he speaks. "....why do you want to help."

Momo 

"... Because I know what it's like." She replies softly, so soft that it's almost hard to hear her.

Astroray 

His ears swivel up and his hesitance seems to wane a bit.

Momo 

"The only difference is... I had Levi. And he was kind and understanding and gave me time... " She sighs softly. "And these two knuckleheads over  there are less patient. You need someone patient."

Astroray 

"You......you all act like there's something wrong with me..."

Momo 

"... it's a lot more complicated than that.... and hard to explain. Think of this experience like... trying something new, and seeing if you like it or not."

Astroray 

Jack frowns, feeling the answer wasn't very explicit, but he isn't sure if he wants that kind of clarity at the moment.

Momo 

"...sorry. I'll try and think of a good response later." She replies. "This is a lot for me too. I'm still supposed to be recovering, but I had to get out of the house."

Astroray 

He nods again, not wanting to talk much. All of this is a bit overwhelming for him.

Cypress rolls back onto their belly, watching the two before walking over to Esredes. "How do you propose we get them out of here. If that is your intention."

Plat 

"Well, did you use shadow travel to bring her here?" Esredes doesn't take his eyes off those two. His arms are still crossed in their relaxed position.

Astroray 

"That I did."

Plat 

"Using that and the cover of the night, the three of you could attach to my shadow and I'll fly there. We have to make sure nobody sees those two before we leave."

Astroray 

"Ah, that sounds excellent." Hopefully the child will adjust to it well.

Plat 

"I just hope Alise can do enough," he adds. "She's good with people, and she knows Thiessen. I want her to be able to make the child realize he doesn't need that monster."

Astroray 

"I'm sure with her and Levi, something is bound to get through to him."

Plat 

"Right... they'll both make a better mother than Thiessen would ever be capable of."

Astroray 

Jack reaches out to Alise and taps her gently, his body still tense.

Momo 

"Hm? Yes?" Alise looks down to Jack. "What's up?"

Astroray 

"M-may I?" He motions for the washcloth.

Momo 

She nods and hands it to him. "Yeah, here."

Astroray 

Jack reaches out gingerly, taking the damp, warm cloth in his hands. At first he is hesitant, but then put the cloth on his brow before moving down and rubbing the rest of his face clean. A few drops of water cascading down his grill.

Momo 

She smiles a bit. "Let me know if you want warmer water."

Astroray 

He lowers the cloth from his face and nods his head with a more content expression over his face.

Momo 

She places her free hand over the cloth for a moment to heat up the water inside. "Tada. Magic."

Astroray 

He drags the rag across his snout and his small nostrils let out a satisfied huff.

The sun finally sets and the island begins to grow cold. Cypress approaches Jack and Alise.

" So, the plan is at the moment for me to carry both of you back to the house. But in order to cross the ocean, we will ride Esredes shadow."

Momo 

"Oh, okay." Alise smiles a bit. "You're gonna carry both of us with the... shadow thing?"

Astroray 

"Yes, but it'll be quicker this time."

Jack looks over at Cypress curiously. He's clearly uncomfortable with the idea of being dragged into the ground, but he'd prefer that than having to ride the red dragon.

Momo 

Alise looks to Jack. "It's not too bad. It's like sinking in mud. Breathable mud."

Astroray 

"Ngh....alright." He gets up, walking towards Cypress and the rest of the crew.

"Any last minute business?" Cypress stands squarely as Jack takes hesitant steps towards him. "Yes?"

"Could you- could- could I see Fortuna again? Maybe not now, but soon?" He looks to Alise as well for support.

Plat 

"Fortuna? Who's that? Is that the experiment you talked to before?"

Astroray 

Jack freezes up and turns to Esredes, his eyes wide. "Yes...."

Momo 

"Fortuna... right, that was 342!" Alise looks to Esredes. "We should be able to see her again, right?"

Plat 

"She defected in the battle, so she's on the island with the others. One of us could bring her over here as long as she keeps quiet about Jack to everyone."

Astroray 

"Ah, yes, the one that volunteered to speak with you. She seemed...pleasant." Jack looks back and gives Cypress a bit of a frown.

Momo 

"Oh she's great." Alise replies. "She was always pretty strict but it's because she was looking out for you."

Plat 

"How well do you two know each other?"

Momo 

"My first time with Thiessen was a lot longer, so we got to know one another well."

Astroray 

"She seems to work quick. How did you survive the first time?"

Momo 

"I wasn't immediately experimented on. There were plenty of others being kept in a large cell underground. This was at a well built facility she was at for a long time, before you knew of her existence... I had tried to escape, but I failed, and that jusy bumped me up on the list to be experimented on."

Plat 

"It's not the one in a small village, is it? The one we found abandoned?"

Momo 

"That one was newer from the one I started out in. She, uh.... downsizes when there's too many of us. I was unconscious when it happened, I just woke up in a new room."

Astroray 

"Yes, this last one was rather small comparatively."

Jack seems to shirk away at all the talk of his mother. Slinking further into himself.

Momo 

Alise notices this and sighs. "Can I talk about this another time?"

Plat 

"...Of course. Let's just get this Fortuna. Cypress, would you like to retrieve her again or shall I go?"

Astroray 

"I shall go." Cypress nods and sinks into an inky puddle.

Momo 

Cypress arrives to the experiments seeming to have a small get together and trying to relax. A few of them sing songs from the different areas they're from while some show off their new uncanny features.

Astroray 

Cypress scans the group, looking for Fortuna.

Momo 

Fortuna is sitting along the outside of the group, not really partaking in any activities.

Astroray 

They make their way over with a slow gate as to not startle the others. "Fortuna."

Momo 

"Hm?" She sits up and walks closer to Cypress. "Yes? Hello?"

Astroray 

"Jack has requested to see you. I'm here to escort you."

Momo 

Her eyes widen, it seems to perk her up. "Yes- of course. Lead the way."

Astroray 

They go at a slower pace, allowing her to keep up. "He's been in better spirits since Alise arrived. The stew certainly helped."

Momo 

"Alise made him stew?" Her eyes widen. ".. .and he ate it??"

Astroray 

"You were right about human food. He took to it better than we expected."

Momo 

"... good." She sighs softly. "He's skinny enough as it is. He doesn't need to get skinnier."

Astroray 

"Another thing, which you'll probably figure once we arrive, Jack will be leaving the island."

Momo 

"... what?" Her eyes widen. "Where are you taking him?'

Astroray 

"Keep quiet. This must not get out. Again, the only reason I am telling you is because you're bound to figure it out either way." They pause for a moment and exhale. " He will be going with Alise. She wishes to try and rehabilitate him. We all agreed that living around so many knochen is overwhelming for him and that he must be eased out if we are to make any progress with him."

Momo 

"... she was that affective on him?" She seems a bit hurt by this fact.

Astroray 

Cypress looks at her and sighs. "Fret not, he requested your prescence. Perhaps he has something to say."

Momo 

"... I see." She seems to pick up her pace, seemingly eager to see him as well.

Astroray 

They both reach the outskirts of the central plaza. Few knochen are out to socialize, so its likely they are either asleep or hunting further out in the surrounding forests.

Jack can be seen crouching low near Alise, but when he sees the two approach, his ears swivel forward and his body raises slightly.

Momo 

Fortuna tries not to show it, but she is happy to see him in a better condition. A small smile forms on her face.
"Been a while, huh Lady Luck?" Alise smiles a bit.
" Well, if it isn't Miss Success herself. Weren't you dawning a more uncanny apparel the other night?" Fortuna smirks.
"Eh, I decided it was too much. It clashed with my aesthetic."

Astroray 

Jack stands up a bit and makes his way over cautiously. His eyes cast down, shame sitting heavy on his shoulders.

Momo 

Fortuna looks down at him. "... They tell me you're moving on to bigger and better things."

Astroray 

"I...." He stumbles a bit, trying to contain himself. "I'm gonna try...I don't know what's gonna happen, or what will happen to me, but I'll try."

Momo 

"... I'm glad." She replies softly. "... I want you to try, Jack..." She kneels down so she can face him. "If you ever want to come and visit me, you throw a damn riot until they let you, okay?"

Plat 

"...Or just ask nicely, no riot is necessary," Esredes calls from his spot.

Astroray 

He smiles a bit, holding back embarrassed tears. "But I'm good at that...I can do that."

Momo 

"Good...." She carefully holds out her clawed arm and only pats him with the palm of her hand. "Take care, ya little twig."

Astroray 

He nods, a few tears escaping his eyes. "I'll try...."

Momo 

She stares at him a bit longer before holding her arms out. "... hug?"

Astroray 

Jack puts his long arms around Fortuna carefully, his hug is feather soft, obviously hesitant in his movements.

Momo 

She carefully pulls him in and wraps her arms around him with great care. "You have to eat. You make sure you're clean. Don't completely trash their house." She sniffles a bit and lets out a shakey sigh. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more."

Astroray 

His grip grows tighter with each word she speaks as shakey sobs escape his grill.

Momo 

Alise watches the two and quietly wipes her eyes. "... If we're allowed to, we'll come and visit."
"You better visit." Fortuna chuckles through her tears. She finally pulls back from the hug to pat Jack's head. "You're gonna be fine."

Astroray 

He lets out a squeaky "I'll try....." before pulling his arms away fully and tucking them close to his body.

Momo 

She nods and stands back up, wiping her eyes. "Good... Now I... better get back to the others."
Alise smiles. "If they let you go, you should come to my place too."
"What, is your place now a shelter?" Fortuna chuckles.
"Kinda, yeah. I'm gonna have to expand for any future guests."

Plat 

"You two always wanted to have people over," Esredes says. "Now you're getting your wish."

Astroray 

Maybe some that will actually drink tea with you Cypress thinks mockingly.

Momo 

"It's a good wish." She replies. Alise walks up to Fortuna and the two exchange a quick hug. "Why not come along?"
"And leave these idiots here by themselves? Please. If I go, they'll get kicked off the island in a day." Fortuna lightly pats Alise's back. "If you don't take care of him, I'll tear your eyes out."
"Ouch. Mean."

Astroray 

Cypress walks up next to the pair addressing Alise. "Are you ready?"

Momo 

Alise nods. "I am... are you?" She looks down at Jack.

Astroray 

Jack looks up at Fortuna then to Cypress and Alise. "Yeah...I think so."

Momo 

Fortuna nods. "Thanks for asking to see me... And take care." She pats his head once more before starting to make her way back to the others.

Astroray 

He nods slowly and watches her leave, a few more tears trickling down his face.