Blinky
"KILL IT!" Tenko screeched, throwing a first aid kit across the room.
"We're gonna die, we're gonna die." Tsmugi whimpered, grabbing Kaede's arm and sprinting away from the front of the cockpit.
Kaito stared in awe. Had he not already applied the medicine patch, he would have taken the scene before him to be a hallucination.
"The hell's going on!?" Kaito yelled. Kiibo stood beside him, looking dumbstruck.
"I-I don't know! I-I can't-" Kiibo's voice broke, taking on a more metallic tone. "I'm not equipped to ha-ha-handle stress!"
"I swear to god if you break down now!" Miu yelled, whacking him on the back.
A bug creature the size of a pony was crawling around the cockpit, screeching and hissing. It was much smaller than the other ones Kaito had seen, but it was no less terrifying. "How the fuck did one get here!"
Shuichi was tugging on Kokichi's arm, the latter of which seemed to have frozen, eyes wide. "Kokichi, come on!" he begged as the bug turned its attention towards them. Kokichi let out a small whimper, sliding to the ground.
"Hey! Over here you overgrown cockroach!" Rantaro yelled, tossing another first aid kit. It hit the bug on the back. It whirled with a hiss, running at Rantaro.
Kaito took his chance, dashing over and throwing Kokichi over his shoulder before jogging back to the exit with Shuichi behind him.
Himiko eyed the spectacle. "My magic seems to have gotten stronger."
"Himiko make it disappear!" Tenko wailed. Kirumi herded as many crewmates as she could out of the cockpit. Kaito whirled back to Rantaro just in time to see the bug charge-
A datapad struck the bug on the head. It screeched in fury, whirling to charge at Korekiyo, who's hand was still outstretched. The bug bore down on him, pincers poised to strike.
"AAAAAAAAAGH!" Kaito heard himself yelling. He threw himself onto the back of the insect, clinging to the slippery exoskeleton the best he could. "EVERYONE RUN!" He yelled, yanking on any part of the creature he could reach.
Kiyo took no time ducking under the creature's pincers and grabbing Angie, who was seated in the middle of the floor praying, seemingly oblivious to the chaos.
"Kaito!" he heard Shuichi yell. Kaito was now realizing that this had not been the best plan. He was losing his grip, and if he fell now, he'd fall right into the insect's waiting pointy bits.
"Kaito! Duck down!" Kaito ducked down just in time for a tennis ball to fly over his head, striking the bug. A tennis ball?
The creature reared, dumping Kaito onto the ground. It chased after the tennis ball, tearing it to shreds upon catching it.
"C'mon!" Rantaro grasped Kaito's shoulder, hoisting him to his feet. Kaito could hear the skittering of the creature's many legs as it gave chase.
"Duck again!" the pair ducked as a second tennis ball smacked the bug directly in the face. It buckled and screeched, giving Kaito and Rantaro the needed time to exit the cockpit.
Ryoma stood in front of the rest of the group, tennis racket in hand, a canister of tennis balls at his feet. "You guys are the last ones out. We can seal it in, but we still have a long ways to go before it drops."
"You...tennis....bug..." Kaito said weakly, miming his words.
Ryoma nodded. "Yeah. I uh, happened upon them when I was running up here."
"It's ok if you were playing tennis. It's your talent after all." Kaito said. "And holy shit! You're good!"
Ryoma opened his mouth to respond, but raised his racket instead. "Get down!" Kaito ducked as Ryoma served a ball right into the insect's shell, however, when it bounced back, he hit it again and again, entering into a one sided tennis match with the insect.
He increased the force with every hit, driving the insect back, towards the farthest corner of the cockpit. He nailed a shot directly into one of its jointed legs and the bug crumpled. Ryoma quickly drew another tennis ball, and aimed for the exposed underbelly-
"Oh good! Friends! Gonta been looking for you." Gonta said brightly. "So, Gonta have something he need to tell you-NO!" Gonta's eyes went wide, seeing Ryoma raise his racket. Gonta charged for Ryoma, who sidestepped at the last minute, the shot going astray, bouncing harmlessly against the wall.
Gonta kept going, running until he reached the overturned bug. "Gonta no!" Tsmugi shouted.
"Are you ok!?" Gonta asked the bug worriedly. He carefully turned it over, back onto it's legs. The pony sized creature nuzzled into Gonta, making pitiful whining noises. "Oh no, your leg is hurt and your exoskeleton is cracked. And you too young to shed yet! It ok, Gonta will help you." he reached for a first aid kit and began to carefully bandage the bug's leg.
"Tell Gonta if it too tight." Gonta said, petting the bug's head with his free hand. He dug in the kit and withdrew anti bacterial paste. He began to rub it over the cracked shell. "Tell Gonta if it hurts."
The bug made a few small squeaks, before folding its legs and laying down next to Gonta, allowing him to apply the paste. Finally, Gonta withdrew several smiley face bandages, covering the cracks with the neon yellow band-aids.
"There! All better! Gonta will take those off when shell heal."
"Um, can someone tell me what the fuck is going on?!" Miu demanded.
Gonta looked up at the group. "Exoskeleton can be shed when bugs grow. However, he too young to shed yet." he pointed to the creature, who was nuzzling him happily. "Might have scaring on next exoskeleton, and maybe few more. It ok though! It make him special." he smiled happily, patting the bug again.
"Is it gone." Kokichi said weakly. Kaito had sat him on the floor, where the supreme leader had promptly keeled over in a dead faint. Shuichi had sat next to him worriedly. Kaito had come to the conclusion that Shuichi was too good for this world, and certainly too good for Kokichi.
"Uh, no." Miu said. "There's been, uh, a development."
The bug stood and playfully nudged Gonta. "You feeling better already! Good!" Gonta said happily, getting to his feet. "Do you want to play? Oh! A ball! Here, Gonta throw for you. Ready? Fetch!" he tossed the ball and the bug chased after it, shredding it to bits and dropping the pieces at Gonta's feet, clicking happily.
Gonta laughed, child-like joy in his eyes. "Good job! Oh, but we need new ball. That ok, Gonta see a few others." he turned to the crew. "Would you like to play fetch with Gonta?"
"Gonta." Kaito said. "What's going on?"
"Fetch." Gonta said, like it was obvious.
"I believe he means...that." Korekiyo said, gesturing to the creature at Gonta's feet.
"Hm? You mean Blinky?" Gonta asked. "Do you want to pet him?"
"No thank you." Kiyo said quickly, taking a step back.
"You named it?" Kaito spluttered.
"Of course! Gonta give all friends names." he pointed to a part of the shell and tapped it. The portions lit up like a firefly. "See? Blinky!"
"Gonta. Where did it come from?" Maki asked. Kaito jumped. He hadn't noticed her yet.
"From ship." Gonta said guiltily.
"YOU TOOK A FUCKING BUG FROM THE SHIP!?" Miu screamed.
"No, Gonta took egg." Gonta said. "Gonta bring it back to lab and care for it, then it hatch! Blinky used to be this big." He made a shape with his hands, the size of a softball. "Gonta make photo album! Gonta can show you. He very cute." He said, patting the bug again.
"Um, it's plain to see that he got bigger." Tsmugi said.
Gonta nodded. "Yes! Blinky grow fast! Gonta very surprised. His favorite food is meat, and Gonta had to get some from Kirumi. He very hungry. He need food, he healthy growing bug."
"I find several issues with this." Kirumi said, standing in front of Himiko, Shuichi and Kokichi protectively.
"It ok! He very polite. Gonta teach him to be gentleman." Gonta said. "Watch. Blinky, say hello to friends!" Everyone watched in awe as the bug raised an uninjured leg and waved. Gonta smiled at the crewmates proudly.
"So you took it from the ship when it was an egg, brought it back, hatched it, and raised it on a diet of meat?" Angie asked. "Atua sees no problems with the current situation!"
"It's not a dog Angie." Kiyo said quietly.
"Yes, Gonta make Blinky nice home in box. But Blinky got lonely and escaped to find Gonta. He hide in comms room and get scared."
Kaito remembered the thing that had lunged at him. Gonta had caught it with incredible speed. Just how strong and fast was Gonta?
"Gonta bring Blinky home, and Blinky grew a little. Gonta kept baby skins in room as souvenir. They very thin and clear, like membrane. This is Blinky's first adult shell." Gonta said proudly. "He still baby though. Juvenile."
"That's great to hear bud, but how did he get here?" Rantaro asked, still looking unsettled.
"Gonta had to look for new box and it took long time. Blinky molted more times until he this big." He pointed to Blinky. "He get lonely again and look for Gonta. He probably hear noise and come here. He got scared of strangers." Gonta said. "Gonta apologize. Blinky's manners usually better."
"Ok." Kaito said slowly, looking at the rest of the group. "Um, so what do we do with him now?"
"What? He stay with Gonta." Gonta said, sounding confused. "He can't survive on own yet."
"Why did you take it in the first place!" Miu shrieked.
"It was last egg, all alone." Gonta said sadly. "Just like Gonta before forest family find him. Gonta know how it feels to be alone. Gonta didn't want that for anyone, so Gonta bring egg back so Gonta can be its familiy, and it can have lots of friends just like Gonta!"
"That's...adorable." Tsmugi said. "But, um, it wants to kill us."
"No he don't! He just scared." Gonta said. "Here, Gonta tell him it's ok. Kiyo! Gonta can show you real pretty bug now to help you relax. Come here!"
"I'm perfectly calm thank you." Kiyo said, but when he saw Gonta's pleading look, he sighed. "I hope you all attend my memorial service." he stepped back into the cockpit, only a few feet away from Blinky and Gonta.
"Ok, listen to Gonta." Gonta said to Blinky. "Blinky, that friend." He pointed at Kiyo. "Now go say hi!"
"Wait-" was all Korekiyo managed to say before Blinky had reached him, however, unlike the previous encounter, this time Blinky butted him with his head, not unlike a cat. He made several happy chirping and clicking noises, eagerly awaiting pats.
Kiyo had flinched back, but now slowly reached a hand out to pat the bug. Blinky's lights lit up happily, flickering slowly. Slowly, the lights began to change colors into a vibrant everchanging cycle.
"It's...beautiful." Kiyo said slowly. "Your devotion to these creatures despite being human yourself. You are truly the depths of compassion. I find your actions beautiful. And your beautiful actions have lead to this beautiful display. I'm in awe."
Gonta didn't seem to quite understand Kiyo's words, but he smiled. "Gonta happy you and Blinky friends! Who next?"
"Me!" Angie cheered, bounding forward. Gonta called Blinky back and once again told him that Angie was a friend. Soon Blinky was cuddling against Angie, who was marveling at his colors, promising that Atua would create a beautiful portrait of Blinky through her.
"It...seems like a pet now." Rantaro said slowly. "Gonta really did train it."
Kaito nodded, equally in awe. "I know, it's insane, but he really did."
"So, are we keeping it?" Rantaro asked. They were the last two left who had yet to meet Blinky. Kaito looked over at the rest of the crewmates. They were all gushing over Blinky, patting him and praising him. Even Kokichi, who had fainted again at the aspect of petting Blinky, had slowly come around. He had refused to touch Blinky, but he was willing to roll tennis balls across the floor to him. Kaito noticed he'd refused to let Shuichi leave his side. Poor Shuichi.
"I mean, I think we need this. Something positive. It's like a therapy dog!" Kaito said.
"Some dog." Rantaro laughed. "But you're right. Everyone needed a little happiness. Guess Blinky's our mascot now."
Kaito laughed too. "Guess so."
A three hour game of "maul the tennis ball" proved to be an excellent way to pass the time. Despite being terrifying at times, Blinky reacted and played like a puppy. If he had a tail, Kaito was sure that it would be wagging. He vaguely remembered the scorpion like tails of the fully grown creatures. Maybe a wagging tail would be a little deadly...
Angie had been creating swirled designs out of discarded green fuzz. She'd managed to make an incredible portrait of Tenko with the fuzz alone, spreading it out with her fingers to lighten the colors, and packing it together to darken them. Now she was making several of the swirled designs found inside the alien ship.
"Whatcha making?" Kaito asked, leaning over.
"Hmm? Well it is Atua's naptime, so I'm just playing around." Angie said. "Sometimes I get things stuck in my head, like the symbols. Sometimes I can use my gifts to get them out!" she poked Kiyo in the side, who flinched, before muttering something about her warning him before doing that. "Does that look right?"
Kiyo examined the design for a moment before checking it on his datapad, which had a slight crack in the screen from being throw. "Yes, it's perfect. I don't know how you do it. I could never remember the exact details that fast."
"Photographic memory!" Angie cheered. "Atua gave it to me so that he could see everything I see after he wakes up!" She began to arrange another symbol. "Can someone please hand me another tennis ball corpse?"
Himiko rolled over a half chewed ball, which attracted the attention of Blinky, who chased after it. However, when he reached the symbols, he stopped, cocking his head. Suddenly he sunk into an attack pose, raising his exoskeleton. A pair of wings shot out. They were see through, but edged with razor like spines.
Angie let out a surprised squeak and grabbed Kiyo's arm. "Take him instead!" Kiyo shot her a deadpan look in return.
"Wow, that new." Gonta said. "He never do that before."
Blinky remained in the pose, not moving. Angie cocked her head in a similar fashion.
"So, is he going to kill us, or can I keep making symbols?" she covered the previous two with her hand, and Blinky settled, wings retreating.
"I wonder." Kiyo mused, removing Angie's hand, revealing the symbols again. Blinky sunk into the same pose, wings out. Kiyo covered them again with his own hand, and Blinky settled once more. Kiyo repeated the process several times, getting the same response each time.
"What's he doing?" Kaede asked.
"Great, the bug can read." Kokichi said. "Hooray for Blinky." at the sound of his name, the bug looked over expectantly. Kokichi yelped and scooted behind Shuichi. "Yikes! Shumai, protect me!"
Shumai? Kaito would have to get a handle on that situation. In the mean time, a bug reading wouldn't be the strangest thing to happen on this mission.
"Can he really?" Tsmugi asked, leaning forward to get a better look.
"No, bugs can't read." Gonta shook his head sadly. "But bugs can recognize! Maybe he recognizing them!"
"But he hatched here! How could he have seen them before?" Tenko asked.
"Maybe he was bred to." Miu shrugged. When everyone stared at her she blushed, looking nervous. "What? We've seen that these fuckers have way better tech than us. We can download instructions into Kiibo, maybe they've figured out how to download shit into real brains. Program a living thing."
"I do have a "real brain." It works just as well as yours!" Kiibo protested.
"I do believe that is a possible theory." Kirumi said, seeming to be deep in thought. "They are bred, already trained to respond to symbols such as that. Like soldiers."
"So then how did bug boy train it?" Kokichi asked, still eyeing Blinky wearily.
"It's still alive isn't it? It probably can still learn." Maki said.
"Could it still be programmed to kill us?" Ryoma asked. He still had his tennis racket at his side.
"Well, if we're still using tech terms, I'd say Gonta's overridden a lot of the programming. He was the first thing Blinky saw and got to know when he was born. That's gotta count for something."
"I can't believe we're sitting here discussing a space bug." Kokichi huffed. "I've had nightmares like this. Also, why has nobody asked, "hey, Kokichi, you ok?" or, "Hey, Kokichi, how you feeling?" I'm really feeling the love guys."
"Are you ok?" Kaito asked, rolling his eyes.
"I feel dizzy and kinda nauseous, but other than that, I'm ok, thanks for asking." Kokichi said sweetly.
"I wonder if he'd react to other symbols." Himiko said, surprising everyone. "It can be like a game. Maybe my magic will let him understand those too." Ah, there it was. Typical Himiko.
"That's not a bad idea." Rantaro said. "Gonta, you think you can manage something like that?"
Gonta nodded happily. "Yes, Gonta and Blinky happy to help! Gonta can interpret Blinky's behavior."
Gonta's talent was proving to be more and more useful. "Yeah, that sounds good." Kaito said. "Kiyo, Angie, can you handle that? Show Blinky all the symbols we have?"
"That could take a few hours." Angie mused. "Maaaaaybe longer."
"But could you do it eventually?" Kaito pressed.
"Yes, it would take time though." Kiyo said. "And I'm not sure how many more he will understand. Probably nothing complex."
"That's ok, just get me something." Kaito said.
"I'll go too. Maybe my magic can help." Himiko said, standing up.
"Where Himiko goes, I go!" Tenko said, standing up as well. "Let's go already!" At the prospect of spending time with Himiko, she seemed incredibly excited.
"Alright. Get to it then." Kaito said. The five crewmates and one bug headed off into the ship.
"What about the rest of us?" Shuichi asked.
Kaito thought for a moment. "Well, now that we have an alphabet, hmmm. Kiibo, could you start translating the comms transmissions you picked up?"
"Yes!" Kiibo said. He seemed to have recovered from his previous glitch. "If that'll be helpful than I'll gladly fulfill it!"
"Great." Kaito said, smiling at his earnestness. "Kokichi, help him with that. Miu too."
"Aw mannnnn." Kokichi whined. "That's gonna be boring."
"Yeah." Miu said, crossing her arms.
"Please?" Kaede asked. Miu sighed and nodded. Kokichi still held firm however.
"Come on Kokichi!" Kaito grumbled.
"Nope, nuh uh. Why should I do anything for you?" Kokichi said, crossing his arms like a child.
"Who would you do it for?" Kaito sighed. He was getting a headache.
"Hmm, well if my dear Shumai wanted me to...What do you think Shuichi? Do you want me to?" Kokichi asked brightly.
Shuichi's face burned. "I, ah, um, yes. It would be really helpful Kokichi."
"Well, that's that." Kokichi said, tone still bright. "If you need me, I'll be translating stuff. C'mon Roboboy, and bring the whore if you have to."
"H-hey! Who are you c-calling a whore!" Miu whimpered, chasing after him and Kiibo.
"Anything else captain?" Rantaro asked playfully. Kaito grinned, knocking him on the shoulder gently.
"Kirumi, Kaede, Shuichi. Can you stay here and watch the shuttles? You'll be in charge of navigation."
"Can do!" Kaede said brightly. She grabbed Shuichi by the hand, happily pulling him to the pilot and copilot's chairs. Either Kaito was going nuts, or everyone was getting a thing for Shuichi. Well, in actuality it was only two, but it was a coincidence.
"I will happily fulfill your request." Kirumi said, walking to join them.
"Tsmugi." Kaito said, turning to the bespectacled girl. "Can you finish adjusting the uniforms, and the combat gear? It's a little bulky and I think you might make it easier to move around in. Ryoma and Maki will help you."
"Alright." Ryoma said, shrugging. "I got a long ways to go in the fashion department, but I'm down."
"Why me?" Maki asked, looking surprised. "I don't know anything about clothes."
"You sure, you got pretty great style to me." Kaito lied. Maki eyed him darkly.
"You just don't know what else to do with me." Before he had a chance to respond, Maki had stormed out of the room, followed by Tsmugi and Ryoma.
"Rantaro, as my loyal co-captain, can you check around with the different groups?" Kaito asked.
"But of course." Rantaro said, with a mock bow. "What about you chief?"
"Oh, uh, I think I'm gonna lay down some more." Kaito said sheepishly. He was still exhausted and he definitly hadn't waited long enough before doing physical exercise. (He counted jumping on the back of a space bug as physical exercise.)
Rantaro only smiled kindly. "You do that. I'll keep everything running smoothly."
"Thanks." Kaito said. If only he could express how much he really appreciated Rantaro's constant care and lack of questions.
"Don't mention it. Anything else I can do for ya?"
"Wake me up in two hours." Kaito said. "I don't wanna sleep too long. Oh, and wake me up if anything happens."
"Thanks for the clarification. I was originally going to leave you sleeping in the event of an emergency." Rantaro said.
"Yeah, thanks for that." Kaito said, rolling his eyes. "Well, I'm gonna go hit the hay."
"Sleep well boss." Rantaro said.
The last thing Kaito thought of before falling asleep was a green lush field, but instead of counting sheep, he found himself counting little Blinkys.
Kaito awoke to a soft knock on the door. "Rise and shine!" Rantaro called.
Kaito rolled over with a groan, checking his datapad. It had been two hours to the minute. He'd appreciate more sleep, but he had to pull his weight too. How else could he claim to be a leader?
Kaito dragged himself out of bed, yanking a comb through his hair, trying to appear less bedraggled. After shooting himself finger guns in the mirror, he left his room to stand with Rantaro in the hall.
"Did you sleep well? Any good dreams?" Rantaro asked as they walked down the hall.
"Yeah, I dreamed I was eating my way through a giant pancake." Kaito said, laughing at the memory. "Dreams are supposed to mean something. What do you think that means?"
"That I should suggest making pancakes to Kirumi." Rantaro laughed.
"Good plan." Kaito grinned. "So, how's everything looking?"
"Well, Kaede downloaded a piano app on her data pad and is giving Shuichi a personal concert. Don't worry, Kirumi's watching everything." he added. "Kiibo, Miu and Kokichi are actually making so decent headway. Nothing major yet, but pretty good for our ameture status. Tsmugi's made some great improvements, and Maki and Ryoma are her mannequins. Last I saw, she was dressing Ryoma up as the lorax, but she's done a lot of good work too."
Kaito snorted at the image of Ryoma the Lorax. "What are you talking about? That seems productive to me."
"You don't say." Rantaro snickered. "Anyways, I'm heading down to check on Blinky and the others. I haven't heard any screaming, so I think it's going well."
"Good to know." Kaito said. "Let's see how much they got done in two hours."
It was a decent amount, Kaito discovered upon entering the comms room. More notes scrawled in Kiyo's slanted handwriting covered the walls, and more sketches complete with labels accompanied them. Himiko was asleep, slumped on the table next to Kiyo. She seemed to have been in the middle of braiding his hair, as several lose dark braids were now visible. Tenko was watching Himiko adoringly, handing things to Kiyo and Angie when needed. Gonta was seated in the middle of the floor with Blinky, who was gnawing on what seemed to be a frozen chicken.
"How's it going?" Kaito asked. Himiko awoke with a "Nyeh?" before looking around and going back to sleep.
"It's going well." Angie said. "Blinky does not know complex words, or at least what we assume to be complex words, but he knows many small ones. Like attack, or, prepare, or wings, or stance, or bite, or-"
"I get the picture." Kaito laughed. Kiyo was shifting through a pile of papers muttering to himself.
"You good?" Kaito asked.
"I put it right here. I know it's here somewhere, the only one I used blue pen on, I didn't move it, how did I lose it? I'm so idiotic, where did it go? How am I this dim witted?" Kiyo continued speaking, seeming to not hear Kaito. Angie patted his arm, shushing him.
"This it?" Rantaro asked, picking up a piece of paper dotted with sentences scrawled in blue ink.
"Yes!" Kiyo said. He stood to get it, walked a few steps, then suddenly stumbled forward. Rantaro grabbed him before he hit the floor.
"Woah, you ok?" Kaito asked.
"Fine, fine." Kiyo said, trying to regain his balance. "Just a little tired."
Upon inspection, Kaito could see that Kiyo's eyes were ringed with dark circles. "Jesus! You look like shit!"
"Why so surprised? I told you I haven't slept in three days." Kiyo said.
"I thought you were joking!" Kaito protested.
"I am not one for jokes, Kaito." Kiyo said, gripping the table, pushing away from Rantaro.
"Well jesus! Go get some sleep!" Kaito said. Kiyo looked ready to collapse at any minute.
"No, there is too much to do." Kiyo said.
"He is correct!" Angie said. She looked just as exhausted as he did. "Our work is too important. We are vessels for a greater cause! Our flesh bodies are so insignificant! There is no time for sleep! Every moment until our eventual demise must be spent working!"
"Angie. Sleep." Kaito said, ignoring her grandeuos claims. "Yeah, you're doing all kinds of important stuff, but please, get some rest. You both need it."
"But we are fine!" Angie said, standing up, only to flop backwards onto Tenko's lap. "Hmm, your lap is very comfortable!" she proclaimed. Tenko's face burned.
Kiyo shook his head as if trying to clear it. "I am fine to continue." he rubbed a hand over his eyes. "Perfectly fine. Angie is correct. We cannot stop."
"Why not!" Kaito yelled. Kiyo jerked back slightly, swaying precariously. Kaito saw Rantaro prepared to catch him again.
"She said so." Angie said, pointing to Himiko.
"Himiko?" Kaito asked. "I don't think she'd want you to work yourselves to exhaustion."
"Nooo silly. Her!" Angie moved Himiko's hair, revealing a speaker. "The woman at base!"
"She told us that our work is of the greatest importance. That we cannot delay, not even for basic needs." Kiyo said, his eyes were closed, he looked as if he'd been previously fighting to keep them open.
"Yes, yes, it is true." Angie said, struggling to her feet. "We have to, we must. Lives are at stake."
"You can take at least a few hours!" Kaito said. His distaste towards the woman was growing.
"No, no we cannot." Angie said. "She hears the voice of Atua too. He told her that we are not to stop working, lest we face great consequences. I cannot go against his word. I have never met another who hears his voice like I do. I do not know why he did not tell me directly, but I cannot go against his word."
"Kiyo?" Kaito asked. He doubted Kiyo bought into the Atua stuff.
"She also said that our performance depends on the safety of your loved ones. She showed us a few pictures. Your grandparent's house...is lovely." Kiyo managed.
"She's threatening you?!" Rantaro exclaimed.
"Yes, after she first announced the punishments." Angie said. "She said that we carry the burden, and failure to consistently produce results will result in bloodshed." She was swaying slightly, holding onto Tenko to keep her balance.
Kiyo fumbled with a large book on the table next to him. He got a firm grip on it, before swinging it into his own face.
"Woah! Hey!" Kaito yelled, snatching the book.
Kiyo pinched the bridge of his nose, wincing. "Mm, no, I need it back. Harder. It keeps me awake."
"Coffee stopped working." Angie said.
"Are you both insane?" Kaito asked. He was sure the exhaustion had a part to play in it, but this was crazy.
"I promised you, didn't I?" Kiyo said softly. "That despite my inability to comprehend your plight, I would not allow my actions to impact others."
Kaito felt himself soften. "Kiyo..."
"We will continue!" Angie said, spreading her arms, only to stumble back again.
"We will continue." Kiyo echoed, shaking his head.
"That's sick." Rantaro said. "That's so sick. Using Angie's faith against her. Using promises against Kiyo."
"But why?" Kaito asked. "Are they trying to kill them?"
Rantaro shook his head. "Look at them, they can barely think. Of course they're going to follow whatever they're told. They've broken them down into obeying.
"Kiyo, come on, you have to know what they're doing." Kaito said.
"I do. I am aware. But I do not want to take the chance. You think low enough of me as is, without the blood of your relatives on my hands."
"Hey now, that's not true." Rantaro said gently. "You're just talking crazy now. You're tired, you're both a little out of sorts. C'mon, just take a little break. You need it."
"It'll be ok." Kaito said, trying to mimic Rantaro's soothing tone. "Come on guys, they're playing you."
"But Atua does not lie." Angie said weakly. For the first time Kaito saw the girl behind the faith. Scared and exposed when her lifeline was taken away.
"Atua doesn't, but she does." Kaito said, gesturing to the speaker. "Atua's probably still napping. He doesn't know she lied about him."
"You...you could be right." Angie said. "I cannot feel him as well. Too tired..."
"He'd want you to rest." Tenko said, jumping in. "Right Himiko?" she elbowed the redhead.
"Nyeh? Oh, hi Kaito. Hi Rantaro." she looked around, growing alarmed. "What's wrong with them? Are they ok? I can help." She said standing up.
"Himiko?" Kaito asked.
The magician made her way over to Angie. "Watch my hands." she cupped her hands together, revealing a shiny stone with a gem attached. "Now watch this." she slowly moved the gem back and forth chanting "Maaaaaagic, maaaaaagic."
"What is she-" Kaito started.
Tenko shushed him. "She needs to focus!"
Himiko began to count backwards from ten, swinging the gem at each number. At three she stopped the swinging. At two she cupped her hands together. At one, she opened them, the stone having vanished. She snapped her fingers, and Angie fell back, asleep.
"Holy-"
"Shh!" Himiko said. "Don't break my spell!"
Kaito stared at Rantaro, who stared back, equally surprised.
"You're amazing Himiko!" Tenko hissed.
Himiko made her way to Kiyo. "Your turn." When he protested, she shushed him. "No talking, just magic. Watch my hands."
Gonta stood up. "Allow Gonta."
Upon completing the trick, Kiyo fell back into Gonta's arms. Gonta carefully picked up both him and Angie. "Gonta will take them to rooms."
"Ok, good." Kaito said, still in awe. He looked at Himiko, who was scratching her ear.
"Hey, um" Tenko started. "I didn't notice, I swear. I didn't see how tired they were. I can't believe I didn't. Kiyo's a degenerate male, but I should have been watching Angie. I'm sorry." She said quickly.
"Hey, it's ok." Rantaro said. "We're all a little messed up right now."
"Yeah, you're good." Kaito said. He was deep in thought. This was the first time he'd seen such blatant and targeted manipulation. The punishments had been a general threat, but this had been tailored special for Angie at the very least.
Kaito felt anger building in his chest. Without a word, he strode out of the comms room, down to the room where he'd spoken to the woman alone.
He was going to get some answers.