Chapter 8
canisaries
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what's up gamers this time things happen in this fic crazy i know right
rated... teen? i'm not sure if some things would warrant a mature rating, but i don't think mature when i think this chapter, so i guess rated teen for now. there's a lot of language and mentions of violence.
anyway let's go and yes that is a prism reference in the title
I turn to the window again, surveying the darkness outside for any vehicle arriving at Pallet Town Square. Nothing yet. I hope she comes soon. I think the employees of this bookstore are starting to realize I’m not here to buy anything, even if I’ve been pretending to be interested in a couple of random books in the shelves. The bottle of wine I’m carrying is already suspicious. I had to remove the seal to mix in the vodka. I’ll tell Shirlee it was to test the taste or something. In case we couldn’t drink it together. I did pay a pretty penny for it - I’ll find some way to rephrase that - and a high schooler’s money is limited.
That’s partly true, anyway. I‘m no longer in high school, but my money is limited, even if the money my mother sends over is more than enough. It’s her way of ensuring the communication between us is minimized. Here’s some money, now shut up. Well, I’m not complaining. It’s a good system for me, and that’s the only person it needs to be good for.
New lights appear outside. Moving, yes. Dark car, long car, limo. Gotta be Shirlee. I slip the book I’ve been handling back into its place on the shelf and head for the exit. On my way out, I catch a glimpse of some red-shirted employees arriving where I used to be. Left right on time, it seems.
The air changes from warm and paper-scented to cold and damp. I shudder a little, but keep walking towards the limo that’s stopped at the edge of the cobblestone plaza. It’s clear I’m not the only one that’s noticed the luxurious black vehicle, either, as it draws bewildered stares from all those passing through the Square. What business would anyone important have in little old Pallet?
As I’ve almost reached the vehicle, one of its doors opens. A floating winter coat floats out. It spots me soon after and raises a sleeve to wave.
“Hi!” chirps the inkay within the coat.
Well, this is where I put on the mask. I wave back and smile, rushing the final steps to her and ignoring the growing tingling in my wrist. “Hey there! Enjoy your trip?”
“Yeah! Thanks,” she says, then gestures to the bottle in my hands, eyes big and curious. “What’cha got there?”
Why, the potion of career destruction, of course! I put on my warmest demeanor for this. “Well… I wanted to show my appreciation for all that you’ve done for me, so I got something for you.” I offer it to the impressed inkay. “Here you go.”
“Ooh...” She grasps the bottle. “Thank you!”
I should probably address the broken seal before she notices it, so it doesn’t seem like I’m trying to hide that from her. “Ahem, about that broken seal… I-I’m not so good with this fancy wine stuff, so I had to ask the help of an older friend and… he wanted a bit of it too as payment. Sorry about that.”
“Oh, it’s alright,” she laughs, then leans back into the limo. “Let me just put it here so we don’t have to carry it around, and we can get going.”
Wait, what? “Um, aren’t we going by car?” I’m supposed to make you drink there so you’ll be blasted when we do get out!
Shirlee giggles, draws back and shuts the door - no bottle in her hold. “No, silly, we’re gonna walk! I don’t wanna just ogle at things from the window of a limo like some kind of diva, I wanna experience this town!”
Dammit! Well, I guess that changes that plan. But I’ll have you drink that poison yet, you’ll see.
The window at the front of the limo scrolls down. It reveals -- oh, piss off.
“Are you good to go, Miss T?” asks the bearded driver from before, that undying grin shining among the fuzz.
“Yeah, we’re ready! You can head off now,” Shirlee replies.
“Alright,” the driver says. “Have a nice date with your boyfriend!”
Shirlee gasps. “Georgie! Shut up! He’s not my boyfriend!”
“Whatever you say, Miss T,” chuckles Georgie as he scrolls the window back up. “See you!”
The limo’s engine growls, and the vehicle finally drives off. I stealthily cough from the exhaust fumes it kicks up while Shirlee waves the driver goodbye.
“Haha, that was funny what he said, that you were my boyfriend...” she mumbles, then clears her throat, turning to me. “So, what’s our first sight to see?”
I guess I’ll just have to give this tour on foot. At least there’s less of a penalty for making wrong turns this way. “Well… this, actually,” I say, gesturing around us. “Pallet Town Square. The center of the town.”
“Ah!” Shirlee rotates in the air to take in the modest, stony surroundings. “Ooh… yeah, this is way different from the big cities. Even Undella. This is really the center of your town?”
“Yeah, this is… this.”
“Wow, it’s so small and it looks like, so old, too...” Words one usually doesn’t hear in an admiring tone.
I scratch the back of my head. “I’m not sure why you wanted a tour of this place. There isn’t really anything interesting in this town...”
Shirlee giggles. “Because it’s your town, silly,” she says and playfully bumps her forehead onto my chest. Ow, there was a button there… “Of course I wanna know what kinda place raised a sweetie like you!” You’d really get more of an insight to my upbringing if you were to visit my basement instead…
“Alright, then,” I sigh. “We should start moving, it's just gonna get colder if we don't.”
“Where are we going first?” asks Shirlee, swaying with excitement.
“I’ll tell you when we're there. Come on.”
Two days after the night at her hotel, Shirlee told me she could meet me again the next day and that this time she wanted to see my hometown. I started preparing almost immediately. I knew I’d have to give her a full blown tour of Pallet to make it seem like I was a ordinary local of the place. While I am a local, I’m far from ordinary and barely ever venture into town without good reason. Even then, I just use the same couple of straightforward routes I know and love to quickly get in and swiftly get out.
This is why I had to turn to my half-brother Abe, the map freak. When I asked him if he could show me some maps of his, he fell quiet and stared at me like I was a smokin’ hot girl suggesting we make out - extremely willing, but extremely suspicious. Nevertheless, he busted out his Pallet maps and told me all about the most prominent buildings when asked. Of course I only remembered about half of what he said, but I figured it’d be good enough. I wouldn't seem normal if I knew too much, either.
Abe was clearly overjoyed during the entire conversation, even if I wasn't any warmer than I usually am, which is not at all. He probably saw the thing as an actual brotherly bonding experience. Gonna suck for him when he realizes I only consulted him out of convenience. Knowing him, though, he probably never will.
I keep my hands in my pockets to minimize heat loss in the freezing weather as I lead Shirlee roughly along the planned path. For each place of interest, I share the few facts I remember about it, let the inkay ogle it for a while longer and then move on to the next one. It's rather boring, but at least when I’m talking, she isn't.
“We have a bunch more shops around here,” I narrate as the numerous neon titles and signs with percentages come into view. “The school kids like to come here on breaks to buy snacks and such as it's cheap and close.”
The mention of edible things make my organs groan. I turn to Shirlee. “Hey, you hungry? There are some restaurants here too. They're not that fancy, though, so…”
“Oh, psh, it's fine! I don't need any kind of fancy treatment. Just take me someplace tasty and filling.”
“Seafood?”
“Hrmm, we ate seafood last time…”
“Well, pizza then?”
“No, that's too greasy…”
I silence a sigh. “Subs?”
“Oh, subs sound good. Let's go there!”
“Alright, follow me.” I turn and begin to walk.
“Wait!” someone yells. A young girl?
Rapid steps descend upon the gravel of the street. Four tiny legs gallop as fast as they can, a bushy tail wiggling behind and two long ears swaying in front. That’s a sentret. It has a little saddlebags on its sides and a scarf around its neck. Well… if you can call what sentret have a neck.
It stops before Shirlee, catching its breath. “E-excuse me, lady,” it pants, “but are you Shirlee?”
Shirlee swiftly floats down to the little mon’s level, tentacles raised. “Uhh, keep it down, but...” She smiles warmly. “Yeah.”
“Oh my Gods!” the sentret whispers. “This is great! I’m such a big fan! And, and my sister is too! Oh, I’m so honored to meet you, and, like, I hope I’m no trouble --”
“Don’t worry, you’re not,” Shirlee assures, whispering herself. “As long as you don’t call the paparazzi.”
“Oh, no, I wouldn’t, ever! Those are awful!”
“Aw, thanks. Say, would you like a picture with me?”
“R-really? I-I mean, yeah!”
The sentret digs a phone out of its saddlebag and shuffles next to Shirlee. “Uhh...” The mon tries holding the phone out in front of the two, but its arms prove too stubby.
Shirlee notices the girl’s predicament and jumps to her aid. “Hey, Red, can you take a pic of us?”
Well, I have to, don’t I. “Oh, yeah, sure...”
I take the phone the sentret offers to me and snap a photo I hope is decent enough. Man, it’s a good thing I practiced this before.
“Thanks, this is awesome!” the sentret beams as I return the phone. “You’re gonna make my sister so happy, too! A-and she really needs that, she’s been so nervous lately because she’s gonna evolve soon...”
Shirlee’s smile changes. Hm? I know what that is. That’s a fake smile.
Just a second later, however, it regains its authenticity. “Honey, I wish your sister the best of luck, and you too.”
“Thank you so much, you’re amazing! I-I’ll get out of your hair... mantle now.” The sentret returns its phone to its bag and begins hopping away. “B-bye!” it still says from afar, waving its tail.
“Bye!” answers Shirlee, waving back. “Aww, such a sweet kid...” She turns to me. ”Oh, sorry about that. Let’s go get those subs now.”
“Ah, yeah. Let’s.”
I draw my attention back to Shirlee. She’s been like a deflated balloon ever since that encounter with the fan. But why? There must be some reason I don’t know. Something about her I don’t know… and that something could be a valuable weakness. I need to get her to tell me what it is.
I lower my mostly-eaten sub on the tray. Shirlee had ordered only a half-length for herself, but I was hungry enough for a full one and figured this was an acceptable reason not to mimic her actions so closely. And I’m a predator, you know. Predators eat a lot.
I clear my throat quietly. “Shirlee, can I ask you something?”
“Hm?” Her eyes meet mine, but return to the table after a second. “Sure, what is it?”
“Are you feeling alright? You’ve seemed different ever since that sentret left.”
“Ah… have I? Sorry…”
“Does it have something to do with what she said about her sister evolving?”
Shirlee falls silent. Then, she sighs.
“It’s… it’s dumb,” she mumbles.
Dumb means juicy. I lean forward. “You can tell me. I won’t judge.”
“Eh...”
“If it’s bothering you, I wanna know what it is. Please.”
She stays quiet and still for another while. I wait patiently, knowing it'll pay off any moment now.
“I’m getting everstone surgery soon,” she finally spits out. “And I’m nervous about it.”
Everstone…? Inkay evolve?
True, I never did ask or find out otherwise… she just came across like a single-stage to me. I guess evolution doesn't naturally cross humans’ mind that much, anyway.
So… why doesn't she want to evolve, then? Is it bad somehow? Is there something wrong with her next stage?
“Oh, getting nervous is perfectly natural!” I comfort her, keeping my voice down as she probably wants this to stay secret. “But… why don't you want to evolve?”
“Wh… are you kidding?” She frowns. “Do you not know what malamar are like?”
Shit, I probably should know, since I claim to be such a big fan. But I don't know. So what do I say…
Agh, I’ve hesitated too long. I need to go with the truth. “No… sorry, I don't.”
“Well, that explains it,” she sighs, looking back down. Her face wrinkles in disgust. “Malamar are these… tubby, ugly, slimy, evil-looking garbage bags of… grossness. Nothing like inkay - inkay are small and cute and have happy colors and beautiful voices.”
The sleeves of her coat wrap around her. “Only inkay have any kind of chance at being liked by the public, too. I hate that I'm kind of contributing to that prejudice like this - malamar should be able to live like anyone else, and their appearance doesn't make them any worse as people. I just personally… really don't want to become one."
She stares into my eyes. “But I’m around the age where wild inkay evolve. Or the civilized ones that aren't careful. I’ve felt the symptoms that usually come. I want to eat more, I feel kinda moody, and most importantly, I’ve had weird urges to sleep upside down. Sometimes I wake up that way despite the tricks I try to keep it from happening, and I freak out and I gotta find a mirror. Every time so far I’ve been relieved to still be the mon I fell asleep as in the aquarium, but I can't count on that always happening. That's why I need the everstone implant. So that I can stop worrying.”
Huh.
I guess she does have more to her life than just her fame and riches.
Alright, time to ruin it all.
“So you inkay evolve into this… malamar by… sleeping upside down?”
“Well, not just sleeping. It can also happen during stress or other strong emotions, as long as you're upside down. That's why I dropped all cartwheels and flips from my choreography.”
I see. I see. All very interesting information. Very interesting indeed…
“Yeah, so, when I get that implant, I can sleep in peace,” she continues, a faint smile on her beak. “It's just that I’m nervous about the surgery itself. Anders and everyone else keeps telling me it's super safe, but, like… it's still cutting me open and shoving some pebble in. While I’m only one anaesthetic failure away from feeling it all. It's so scary. But I have to do it. It's gonna make my life so much easier.”
Silence returns. Well, as silent as it can be with a host on the radio announcing which song will be next and a bright lamp buzzing above.
I'm not sure how to approach this. I need to comfort her, sure, but what would be the best way? I don’t know what to say except generic, elementary shit, and I'm supposed to be someone she can trust… damn, I guess this is a downside of avoiding any meaningful relationships for so long.
Or… I do have one meaningful relationship. Could I maybe… pretend Shirlee was my lord?
I study the dejected inkay. Her big eyes and blue body are somewhat similar to His. Okay. So, underneath that coat is my lord, and He’s going to a necessary surgery. Also, He’s momentarily a female inkay and named Shirlee. Uhh, right. Here we go.
I place my hands palm up on the table, offering them to Shirlee. She gives me a puzzled look.
“Shirlee, hold my hands,” I say calmly.
She eyes my palms, then hesitantly places the clubs of her sleeved tentacles on it. The touch is wet and cold - something that would discomfort the average human, but to me, it's an even stronger link to the one I devote my life to. Briefly, I miss Him, but I brush those thoughts away and concentrate back on the matter at hand.
“I know it's scary,” I start. My voice feels oddly… genuine. The words, too. So unprocessed. Unplanned, yet planned at the same time. It feels so strange. Even a little reckless…?
Despite that, I continue. “It's not easy to just… release control of your body and have someone you don't know do complicated things to it while you’re not there to watch them. I understand that, it's a natural fear.
"But these doctors have done surgery after another. They know what to do. They know some patients are scared, too, and they're used to that. They're being paid by you and they're there to serve you and keep you healthy. If they didn't want to do that, they wouldn't have become doctors. And if they don't do that, you can sue. Sue them dead.”
He shows a bashful smile. I mean, Shirlee does.
“Anyway…" I continue. "What I’m saying is, you're gonna be fine. It's gonna go over well, and you're not gonna have to worry about evolving ever again. And I’m gonna be there by your side as much as the doctors allow it. I’ll be there at… hold on, when was this surgery?”
“4 pm, Monday.”
Monday? Oh fuck, oh shit, I’m gonna have to be fast. Well, I’ll get back to that in a minute...
I gently squeeze her clubs. “I’m gonna be there on Monday 4 pm and I’m gonna ease your worries the best I can. That's a promise.”
Her smile evolves to a full one. “Thanks, Red.”
I nod and let go of her tentacles. The disappearance of her touch creates a vacuum, a force driving me to grab her again, but it fades as soon as my brain reminds itself: no, it's not Him.
And it makes my heart ache.
After I'd finished my sub, we picked up where we left off on our tour. For every sight to see, I shared some facts like before, but all the downtime I now used to craft and develop the plan to strike her down once and for all.
Now we leave yet another spot of interest, and… ugh, arrive at one I actually do have personal experience with. Its front-extending wings are like arms welcoming back its lost child. Its single clock-eye in the middle judges me, scolds me for not attending lessons in time, even if I haven't studied here for two years and no classes are held at this hour.
The high school.
Do I really have to come here already? Is there nothing else to talk about on the way? I glance around, but there are only apartments. They’re not even visually interesting, just chunks of white bricks and windows.
“Oh, is this your school?” asks Shirlee. Well, that eliminates any chance of a stall.
I inject some artificial cheer straight into my veins and turn to her. “Yep!” Oh, not that cheery, tone it down a notch. “This is Pallet Town High School for Humans.” Didn't always have that last bit. “The school I w- go to.”
“It's big,” remarks Shirlee. “How many students go here?”
“Something like six hundred, don't know the exact amount.”
“Huh… can you show me around?”
“Well, uhh…” I kick the snow lightly. “There's not much to see from outside, and they don’t like it too much when you lurk around after hours…”
“Oh, I see… well, it was cool to see, at least. What's your school day normally like?”
Looks like I’m just going to have to take this trip down Memory Lane. And by trip I mean actual tripping, because this is going to be about as fun as concrete smashing me in the face.
“Well, I… usually arrive at the school about fifteen minutes before class starts to make sure I’m on time.” Fifteen minutes late on a good day. “I hang out with my friends before the teacher comes in.” I pass the smokers outside, holding my breath to keep the fumes from attacking my lungs. If some new kid riffs on me for it, I grab him by his filthy collar, throw him on the ground and tell him not to do that again if he likes his fingers. Maybe spit on him, depends on how I feel that day. “Class starts, and I try my best to keep up and take notes. Eventually the lesson ends, and another begins…”
I don't know what the hell she's expecting to hear, really. School isn't exactly riveting for the average student.
“Is the food at lunch good?” Shirlee asks, her interest not crumbling by even a bit.
Guess I’ll just lie about the food too, it's not like she's going to investigate. "Oh, yeah, it's wonderful. Like a restaurant. You could take someone on date there."
"Date, huh…" she repeats. "Are you speaking from experience?"
Huh? "No, I was… just exaggerating a little there."
The sleeves of her coat coil together. "Right, I got that… have you dated someone at your school, though?"
Hah! That's a good one, implying anyone would find a suitable mate in that bog of a gene pool!
"Nah," I tell her, for once telling the truth. "I haven't met anyone I would've liked in that way. At school or otherwise, really."
"So, you're single then…?"
Oh no. Where's this going? "Yeah, I guess so?"
She hovers a little bit closer, tentacles coiled around each other. “Um… I’m sorry if this is sudden, but I feel like I should ask this now instead of keeping it in and letting it build up and make things tense...”
“...What is it?” I have a bad feeling about this.
“I was just wondering if you’d, um…” She pauses, takes a deep breath and finally forces herself to make eye contact. “D-do you want to --”
“Red!”
...Huh? Did someone just call my name?
Shirlee stopped, so she must’ve heard, too. It wasn’t just me. But who would even…
Oh no.
Shirlee raises a tentacle and points a club behind me. “I think that guy wants you,” she says. “He’s coming over here. Is he one of your schoolmates?”
With stiff limbs and a spear of dread piercing my heart, I turn around.
Indeed, someone is approaching - a lanky guy around my age. His hair is shaggy and black with a large, bleached quiff. By his side walks a bronze-coated ninetales. And the guy’s face, well...
It’s a face I’ve seen many times marred by bruises received from my own fists. A face I’ve seen cry and beg me to stop, but whimperingly accept its fate when I tell it that a deal's a deal and the terms were clear. And it's a face that's looking mighty pissed right about now.
Oh Gods. Is there any way to save this? Any way to avoid this? Wait! Maybe if I --
“Shirlee!” I whisper, pushing her by the shoulder of her coat. “We need to go! This guy’s dangerous!”
“O-oh, I’m dangerous? I’m dangerous now?” Tamaki yells, striding closer. Shit, he heard me.
“Red, who is this?” asks Shirlee, unnerved and to my horror, making no motions to leave.
“I’ll tell you who I am,” Tamaki weighs in before I have the chance to think of a good lie. “I’m the guy who was the designated punching bag of this fucking psycho over here!”
I turn to stare Tamaki directly in the eye in the most threatening way I can - maybe he still has some fear left in him. “Tamaki, come on...” I say through my teeth.
“That won’t work anymore,” growls the ninetales by Tamaki’s side, whipping its tails. “He’s had two years. We’ve both evolved.”
That must be Renny, then. The vulpix friend I saw Tamaki with sometimes. Fuck, another voice to the choir... I need to get Shirlee out of here quick and think of something to tell her.
I grab her tentacle. “Shirlee, we really should g-”
She yanks it away from my grasp. She looks scared. Oh fuck. Now I’m equally horrified.
“S-so what have you been doing since you left the school, huh?” Tamaki demands, arms raised and standing uncomfortably close. “How many felonies have you committed, you lunatic?”
Well, at least six. Probably more, I’d have to check what counts as a felony…
You should make three more right now.
My heart jumps into my throat. No, not you. Stay away! You're gonna make everything even worse!
How come? There's no one around and you already know how to make bodies disappear…
I feel denim against my fingertips. They're reaching for the knife that isn't there. I curl them in a fist.
You don't need a knife…
Yes I do! I mean I would! But I’m not going to kill anyone, no matter how… no matter how cornered I feel!
“Really? Not even gonna answer?” Tamaki spits. I was quiet for too long. “I would've thought you had a lie for everything.”
Look at his whiny fucking face. He’s so pathetic, and yet he’s acting tough. He needs to be taught a lesson. You have to kill him! Kill that little runt who's trying to talk back to a king like you! Wrap your hands around his throat and strangle him! Come on, I know you want to...
The world is trembling. No, I am. Oh Gods. This is a nightmare. Everything… everything is going wrong. This can't be real, this has to be a dream --
“You! Lady!”
What’s happening now? Tamaki’s turned to Shirlee? No, stop. Fucking stop!
“Get the fuck away from this guy and never look back! He's not safe to be around!”
Tears have formed in the inkay’s eyes. She looks at me, cowers away like a bellsprout from a fire and begins to slide away. The icy fear keeping me frozen finally cracks. I have to act.
I break into a dash after the inkay. I shout, I shout her name, shout for her to wait, but she only speeds up. No, I have to reach her.
My soles slam against the asphalt beneath, pushing me through the air as shadows from the streetlights emerge and withdraw - but the coat I chase still eludes me like a ghost, never getting closer.
“Shirlee, please, let me explain!” I scream, legs already burning. Despair was in that voice, real despair. The fear of losing Him. Again.
Shirlee flips around and slows her pace. For a split second I gain some hope, but it’s all gone as I see her face. She’s just as pissed as I should’ve expected.
“Explain what?” she shouts, tears of anger in her eyes. “It’s pretty Gods-damn clear what’s happened here. You lied to me. You lied to me about you going to school, and you certainly lied about what kind of person you really are!”
“But that...” Uh, what is my excuse? “That was all in the past! I’m different now!”
“Are you? Because you didn’t say one word of apology to that guy! And he was pretty clearly upset over what you’d done!”
I… I should’ve said sorry? Would that have made it okay? Well, more okay?
“I’m leaving,” she says. “Don’t follow me anymore. Don’t call, don’t anything. I-I can’t believe I...”
Leaving the sentence unfinished, she turns her back to me and accelerates again. I need to go faster to match that, but this running’s starting to get to me…
“Shirlee!” I shout - and that was a mistake. With that breath, no air was left for respiration, and my body stops itself from running. I want to fix that, start running again, but my legs are jelly and my lungs are rupturing...
I force my head upright to at least see her leave. Her figure shrinks in my sight, getting smaller and smaller until it a corner and disappears entirely.
My head droops. All I see is the stone of the street and the legs and arms of a failure.
Is… is this it? Is this how my entire quest ends? I put in all this effort just to be cut short like this? Just to continue being separated from my lord for… who knows how long? I’ll be alone and unhappy and I’ve already been like that for so long, I… I can’t do it anymore. I can’t do that with no end in sight.
I slip my fingers into my hair. The nails scrape the scalp. My breathing still wheezes. My heart feels like it’s going to explode. What an awful state.
And who brought me this pain? Who is responsible? Tamaki. It’s all Tamaki’s fault. He’s ruined everything. For no reason. Why couldn’t he have leave us be? What’s his problem?
He has no reason to be angry at me. No right. We made a deal. I kept my end of it. He should’ve kept his. No telling anyone, we agreed on that. He chose to accept that. And I paid him. It was a service! I gave him money for a service, and he took it! How was anything I did wrong? What gives him the right to punish me like this? Nothing?
...Or.
Maybe he...
Just took the payment in advance.
For his last deal.
Because I’m going to fucking kill him.
---
rated... teen? i'm not sure if some things would warrant a mature rating, but i don't think mature when i think this chapter, so i guess rated teen for now. there's a lot of language and mentions of violence.
anyway let's go and yes that is a prism reference in the title
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CHAPTER 8
Pallet Patrol
---
I swear, people are too responsible nowadays. It took a good two freezing hours to finally get someone to fetch me a bottle of fine wine and trashy booze from the liquor store, and the little sneasel had to haggle for a higher pay than I’d intended, too. At least he kept his end of the deal. If he hadn’t, then I would’ve been the sneasel of us two, but more in terms mauling than being sneaky.CHAPTER 8
Pallet Patrol
---
I turn to the window again, surveying the darkness outside for any vehicle arriving at Pallet Town Square. Nothing yet. I hope she comes soon. I think the employees of this bookstore are starting to realize I’m not here to buy anything, even if I’ve been pretending to be interested in a couple of random books in the shelves. The bottle of wine I’m carrying is already suspicious. I had to remove the seal to mix in the vodka. I’ll tell Shirlee it was to test the taste or something. In case we couldn’t drink it together. I did pay a pretty penny for it - I’ll find some way to rephrase that - and a high schooler’s money is limited.
That’s partly true, anyway. I‘m no longer in high school, but my money is limited, even if the money my mother sends over is more than enough. It’s her way of ensuring the communication between us is minimized. Here’s some money, now shut up. Well, I’m not complaining. It’s a good system for me, and that’s the only person it needs to be good for.
New lights appear outside. Moving, yes. Dark car, long car, limo. Gotta be Shirlee. I slip the book I’ve been handling back into its place on the shelf and head for the exit. On my way out, I catch a glimpse of some red-shirted employees arriving where I used to be. Left right on time, it seems.
The air changes from warm and paper-scented to cold and damp. I shudder a little, but keep walking towards the limo that’s stopped at the edge of the cobblestone plaza. It’s clear I’m not the only one that’s noticed the luxurious black vehicle, either, as it draws bewildered stares from all those passing through the Square. What business would anyone important have in little old Pallet?
As I’ve almost reached the vehicle, one of its doors opens. A floating winter coat floats out. It spots me soon after and raises a sleeve to wave.
“Hi!” chirps the inkay within the coat.
Well, this is where I put on the mask. I wave back and smile, rushing the final steps to her and ignoring the growing tingling in my wrist. “Hey there! Enjoy your trip?”
“Yeah! Thanks,” she says, then gestures to the bottle in my hands, eyes big and curious. “What’cha got there?”
Why, the potion of career destruction, of course! I put on my warmest demeanor for this. “Well… I wanted to show my appreciation for all that you’ve done for me, so I got something for you.” I offer it to the impressed inkay. “Here you go.”
“Ooh...” She grasps the bottle. “Thank you!”
I should probably address the broken seal before she notices it, so it doesn’t seem like I’m trying to hide that from her. “Ahem, about that broken seal… I-I’m not so good with this fancy wine stuff, so I had to ask the help of an older friend and… he wanted a bit of it too as payment. Sorry about that.”
“Oh, it’s alright,” she laughs, then leans back into the limo. “Let me just put it here so we don’t have to carry it around, and we can get going.”
Wait, what? “Um, aren’t we going by car?” I’m supposed to make you drink there so you’ll be blasted when we do get out!
Shirlee giggles, draws back and shuts the door - no bottle in her hold. “No, silly, we’re gonna walk! I don’t wanna just ogle at things from the window of a limo like some kind of diva, I wanna experience this town!”
Dammit! Well, I guess that changes that plan. But I’ll have you drink that poison yet, you’ll see.
The window at the front of the limo scrolls down. It reveals -- oh, piss off.
“Are you good to go, Miss T?” asks the bearded driver from before, that undying grin shining among the fuzz.
“Yeah, we’re ready! You can head off now,” Shirlee replies.
“Alright,” the driver says. “Have a nice date with your boyfriend!”
Shirlee gasps. “Georgie! Shut up! He’s not my boyfriend!”
“Whatever you say, Miss T,” chuckles Georgie as he scrolls the window back up. “See you!”
The limo’s engine growls, and the vehicle finally drives off. I stealthily cough from the exhaust fumes it kicks up while Shirlee waves the driver goodbye.
“Haha, that was funny what he said, that you were my boyfriend...” she mumbles, then clears her throat, turning to me. “So, what’s our first sight to see?”
I guess I’ll just have to give this tour on foot. At least there’s less of a penalty for making wrong turns this way. “Well… this, actually,” I say, gesturing around us. “Pallet Town Square. The center of the town.”
“Ah!” Shirlee rotates in the air to take in the modest, stony surroundings. “Ooh… yeah, this is way different from the big cities. Even Undella. This is really the center of your town?”
“Yeah, this is… this.”
“Wow, it’s so small and it looks like, so old, too...” Words one usually doesn’t hear in an admiring tone.
I scratch the back of my head. “I’m not sure why you wanted a tour of this place. There isn’t really anything interesting in this town...”
Shirlee giggles. “Because it’s your town, silly,” she says and playfully bumps her forehead onto my chest. Ow, there was a button there… “Of course I wanna know what kinda place raised a sweetie like you!” You’d really get more of an insight to my upbringing if you were to visit my basement instead…
“Alright, then,” I sigh. “We should start moving, it's just gonna get colder if we don't.”
“Where are we going first?” asks Shirlee, swaying with excitement.
“I’ll tell you when we're there. Come on.”
---
Two days after the night at her hotel, Shirlee told me she could meet me again the next day and that this time she wanted to see my hometown. I started preparing almost immediately. I knew I’d have to give her a full blown tour of Pallet to make it seem like I was a ordinary local of the place. While I am a local, I’m far from ordinary and barely ever venture into town without good reason. Even then, I just use the same couple of straightforward routes I know and love to quickly get in and swiftly get out.
This is why I had to turn to my half-brother Abe, the map freak. When I asked him if he could show me some maps of his, he fell quiet and stared at me like I was a smokin’ hot girl suggesting we make out - extremely willing, but extremely suspicious. Nevertheless, he busted out his Pallet maps and told me all about the most prominent buildings when asked. Of course I only remembered about half of what he said, but I figured it’d be good enough. I wouldn't seem normal if I knew too much, either.
Abe was clearly overjoyed during the entire conversation, even if I wasn't any warmer than I usually am, which is not at all. He probably saw the thing as an actual brotherly bonding experience. Gonna suck for him when he realizes I only consulted him out of convenience. Knowing him, though, he probably never will.
I keep my hands in my pockets to minimize heat loss in the freezing weather as I lead Shirlee roughly along the planned path. For each place of interest, I share the few facts I remember about it, let the inkay ogle it for a while longer and then move on to the next one. It's rather boring, but at least when I’m talking, she isn't.
“We have a bunch more shops around here,” I narrate as the numerous neon titles and signs with percentages come into view. “The school kids like to come here on breaks to buy snacks and such as it's cheap and close.”
The mention of edible things make my organs groan. I turn to Shirlee. “Hey, you hungry? There are some restaurants here too. They're not that fancy, though, so…”
“Oh, psh, it's fine! I don't need any kind of fancy treatment. Just take me someplace tasty and filling.”
“Seafood?”
“Hrmm, we ate seafood last time…”
“Well, pizza then?”
“No, that's too greasy…”
I silence a sigh. “Subs?”
“Oh, subs sound good. Let's go there!”
“Alright, follow me.” I turn and begin to walk.
“Wait!” someone yells. A young girl?
Rapid steps descend upon the gravel of the street. Four tiny legs gallop as fast as they can, a bushy tail wiggling behind and two long ears swaying in front. That’s a sentret. It has a little saddlebags on its sides and a scarf around its neck. Well… if you can call what sentret have a neck.
It stops before Shirlee, catching its breath. “E-excuse me, lady,” it pants, “but are you Shirlee?”
Shirlee swiftly floats down to the little mon’s level, tentacles raised. “Uhh, keep it down, but...” She smiles warmly. “Yeah.”
“Oh my Gods!” the sentret whispers. “This is great! I’m such a big fan! And, and my sister is too! Oh, I’m so honored to meet you, and, like, I hope I’m no trouble --”
“Don’t worry, you’re not,” Shirlee assures, whispering herself. “As long as you don’t call the paparazzi.”
“Oh, no, I wouldn’t, ever! Those are awful!”
“Aw, thanks. Say, would you like a picture with me?”
“R-really? I-I mean, yeah!”
The sentret digs a phone out of its saddlebag and shuffles next to Shirlee. “Uhh...” The mon tries holding the phone out in front of the two, but its arms prove too stubby.
Shirlee notices the girl’s predicament and jumps to her aid. “Hey, Red, can you take a pic of us?”
Well, I have to, don’t I. “Oh, yeah, sure...”
I take the phone the sentret offers to me and snap a photo I hope is decent enough. Man, it’s a good thing I practiced this before.
“Thanks, this is awesome!” the sentret beams as I return the phone. “You’re gonna make my sister so happy, too! A-and she really needs that, she’s been so nervous lately because she’s gonna evolve soon...”
Shirlee’s smile changes. Hm? I know what that is. That’s a fake smile.
Just a second later, however, it regains its authenticity. “Honey, I wish your sister the best of luck, and you too.”
“Thank you so much, you’re amazing! I-I’ll get out of your hair... mantle now.” The sentret returns its phone to its bag and begins hopping away. “B-bye!” it still says from afar, waving its tail.
“Bye!” answers Shirlee, waving back. “Aww, such a sweet kid...” She turns to me. ”Oh, sorry about that. Let’s go get those subs now.”
“Ah, yeah. Let’s.”
---
Shirlee keeps her gaze on the table as she downs the last bite of her sandwich. With the end of her telekinesis, the buzz in my wrist sizzles out. That sensation gone, the droning rock leaking from the speakers of this restaurant only becomes more prominent. Though ‘restaurant’ seems generous for this place. Looks more like a public restroom someone put tables in and scattered bread crumbs all over. I told her she wouldn’t get fancy, and I certainly kept that promise.I draw my attention back to Shirlee. She’s been like a deflated balloon ever since that encounter with the fan. But why? There must be some reason I don’t know. Something about her I don’t know… and that something could be a valuable weakness. I need to get her to tell me what it is.
I lower my mostly-eaten sub on the tray. Shirlee had ordered only a half-length for herself, but I was hungry enough for a full one and figured this was an acceptable reason not to mimic her actions so closely. And I’m a predator, you know. Predators eat a lot.
I clear my throat quietly. “Shirlee, can I ask you something?”
“Hm?” Her eyes meet mine, but return to the table after a second. “Sure, what is it?”
“Are you feeling alright? You’ve seemed different ever since that sentret left.”
“Ah… have I? Sorry…”
“Does it have something to do with what she said about her sister evolving?”
Shirlee falls silent. Then, she sighs.
“It’s… it’s dumb,” she mumbles.
Dumb means juicy. I lean forward. “You can tell me. I won’t judge.”
“Eh...”
“If it’s bothering you, I wanna know what it is. Please.”
She stays quiet and still for another while. I wait patiently, knowing it'll pay off any moment now.
“I’m getting everstone surgery soon,” she finally spits out. “And I’m nervous about it.”
Everstone…? Inkay evolve?
True, I never did ask or find out otherwise… she just came across like a single-stage to me. I guess evolution doesn't naturally cross humans’ mind that much, anyway.
So… why doesn't she want to evolve, then? Is it bad somehow? Is there something wrong with her next stage?
“Oh, getting nervous is perfectly natural!” I comfort her, keeping my voice down as she probably wants this to stay secret. “But… why don't you want to evolve?”
“Wh… are you kidding?” She frowns. “Do you not know what malamar are like?”
Shit, I probably should know, since I claim to be such a big fan. But I don't know. So what do I say…
Agh, I’ve hesitated too long. I need to go with the truth. “No… sorry, I don't.”
“Well, that explains it,” she sighs, looking back down. Her face wrinkles in disgust. “Malamar are these… tubby, ugly, slimy, evil-looking garbage bags of… grossness. Nothing like inkay - inkay are small and cute and have happy colors and beautiful voices.”
The sleeves of her coat wrap around her. “Only inkay have any kind of chance at being liked by the public, too. I hate that I'm kind of contributing to that prejudice like this - malamar should be able to live like anyone else, and their appearance doesn't make them any worse as people. I just personally… really don't want to become one."
She stares into my eyes. “But I’m around the age where wild inkay evolve. Or the civilized ones that aren't careful. I’ve felt the symptoms that usually come. I want to eat more, I feel kinda moody, and most importantly, I’ve had weird urges to sleep upside down. Sometimes I wake up that way despite the tricks I try to keep it from happening, and I freak out and I gotta find a mirror. Every time so far I’ve been relieved to still be the mon I fell asleep as in the aquarium, but I can't count on that always happening. That's why I need the everstone implant. So that I can stop worrying.”
Huh.
I guess she does have more to her life than just her fame and riches.
Alright, time to ruin it all.
“So you inkay evolve into this… malamar by… sleeping upside down?”
“Well, not just sleeping. It can also happen during stress or other strong emotions, as long as you're upside down. That's why I dropped all cartwheels and flips from my choreography.”
I see. I see. All very interesting information. Very interesting indeed…
“Yeah, so, when I get that implant, I can sleep in peace,” she continues, a faint smile on her beak. “It's just that I’m nervous about the surgery itself. Anders and everyone else keeps telling me it's super safe, but, like… it's still cutting me open and shoving some pebble in. While I’m only one anaesthetic failure away from feeling it all. It's so scary. But I have to do it. It's gonna make my life so much easier.”
Silence returns. Well, as silent as it can be with a host on the radio announcing which song will be next and a bright lamp buzzing above.
I'm not sure how to approach this. I need to comfort her, sure, but what would be the best way? I don’t know what to say except generic, elementary shit, and I'm supposed to be someone she can trust… damn, I guess this is a downside of avoiding any meaningful relationships for so long.
Or… I do have one meaningful relationship. Could I maybe… pretend Shirlee was my lord?
I study the dejected inkay. Her big eyes and blue body are somewhat similar to His. Okay. So, underneath that coat is my lord, and He’s going to a necessary surgery. Also, He’s momentarily a female inkay and named Shirlee. Uhh, right. Here we go.
I place my hands palm up on the table, offering them to Shirlee. She gives me a puzzled look.
“Shirlee, hold my hands,” I say calmly.
She eyes my palms, then hesitantly places the clubs of her sleeved tentacles on it. The touch is wet and cold - something that would discomfort the average human, but to me, it's an even stronger link to the one I devote my life to. Briefly, I miss Him, but I brush those thoughts away and concentrate back on the matter at hand.
“I know it's scary,” I start. My voice feels oddly… genuine. The words, too. So unprocessed. Unplanned, yet planned at the same time. It feels so strange. Even a little reckless…?
Despite that, I continue. “It's not easy to just… release control of your body and have someone you don't know do complicated things to it while you’re not there to watch them. I understand that, it's a natural fear.
"But these doctors have done surgery after another. They know what to do. They know some patients are scared, too, and they're used to that. They're being paid by you and they're there to serve you and keep you healthy. If they didn't want to do that, they wouldn't have become doctors. And if they don't do that, you can sue. Sue them dead.”
He shows a bashful smile. I mean, Shirlee does.
“Anyway…" I continue. "What I’m saying is, you're gonna be fine. It's gonna go over well, and you're not gonna have to worry about evolving ever again. And I’m gonna be there by your side as much as the doctors allow it. I’ll be there at… hold on, when was this surgery?”
“4 pm, Monday.”
Monday? Oh fuck, oh shit, I’m gonna have to be fast. Well, I’ll get back to that in a minute...
I gently squeeze her clubs. “I’m gonna be there on Monday 4 pm and I’m gonna ease your worries the best I can. That's a promise.”
Her smile evolves to a full one. “Thanks, Red.”
I nod and let go of her tentacles. The disappearance of her touch creates a vacuum, a force driving me to grab her again, but it fades as soon as my brain reminds itself: no, it's not Him.
And it makes my heart ache.
---
After I'd finished my sub, we picked up where we left off on our tour. For every sight to see, I shared some facts like before, but all the downtime I now used to craft and develop the plan to strike her down once and for all.
Now we leave yet another spot of interest, and… ugh, arrive at one I actually do have personal experience with. Its front-extending wings are like arms welcoming back its lost child. Its single clock-eye in the middle judges me, scolds me for not attending lessons in time, even if I haven't studied here for two years and no classes are held at this hour.
The high school.
Do I really have to come here already? Is there nothing else to talk about on the way? I glance around, but there are only apartments. They’re not even visually interesting, just chunks of white bricks and windows.
“Oh, is this your school?” asks Shirlee. Well, that eliminates any chance of a stall.
I inject some artificial cheer straight into my veins and turn to her. “Yep!” Oh, not that cheery, tone it down a notch. “This is Pallet Town High School for Humans.” Didn't always have that last bit. “The school I w- go to.”
“It's big,” remarks Shirlee. “How many students go here?”
“Something like six hundred, don't know the exact amount.”
“Huh… can you show me around?”
“Well, uhh…” I kick the snow lightly. “There's not much to see from outside, and they don’t like it too much when you lurk around after hours…”
“Oh, I see… well, it was cool to see, at least. What's your school day normally like?”
Looks like I’m just going to have to take this trip down Memory Lane. And by trip I mean actual tripping, because this is going to be about as fun as concrete smashing me in the face.
“Well, I… usually arrive at the school about fifteen minutes before class starts to make sure I’m on time.” Fifteen minutes late on a good day. “I hang out with my friends before the teacher comes in.” I pass the smokers outside, holding my breath to keep the fumes from attacking my lungs. If some new kid riffs on me for it, I grab him by his filthy collar, throw him on the ground and tell him not to do that again if he likes his fingers. Maybe spit on him, depends on how I feel that day. “Class starts, and I try my best to keep up and take notes. Eventually the lesson ends, and another begins…”
I don't know what the hell she's expecting to hear, really. School isn't exactly riveting for the average student.
“Is the food at lunch good?” Shirlee asks, her interest not crumbling by even a bit.
Guess I’ll just lie about the food too, it's not like she's going to investigate. "Oh, yeah, it's wonderful. Like a restaurant. You could take someone on date there."
"Date, huh…" she repeats. "Are you speaking from experience?"
Huh? "No, I was… just exaggerating a little there."
The sleeves of her coat coil together. "Right, I got that… have you dated someone at your school, though?"
Hah! That's a good one, implying anyone would find a suitable mate in that bog of a gene pool!
"Nah," I tell her, for once telling the truth. "I haven't met anyone I would've liked in that way. At school or otherwise, really."
"So, you're single then…?"
Oh no. Where's this going? "Yeah, I guess so?"
She hovers a little bit closer, tentacles coiled around each other. “Um… I’m sorry if this is sudden, but I feel like I should ask this now instead of keeping it in and letting it build up and make things tense...”
“...What is it?” I have a bad feeling about this.
“I was just wondering if you’d, um…” She pauses, takes a deep breath and finally forces herself to make eye contact. “D-do you want to --”
“Red!”
...Huh? Did someone just call my name?
Shirlee stopped, so she must’ve heard, too. It wasn’t just me. But who would even…
Oh no.
Shirlee raises a tentacle and points a club behind me. “I think that guy wants you,” she says. “He’s coming over here. Is he one of your schoolmates?”
With stiff limbs and a spear of dread piercing my heart, I turn around.
Indeed, someone is approaching - a lanky guy around my age. His hair is shaggy and black with a large, bleached quiff. By his side walks a bronze-coated ninetales. And the guy’s face, well...
It’s a face I’ve seen many times marred by bruises received from my own fists. A face I’ve seen cry and beg me to stop, but whimperingly accept its fate when I tell it that a deal's a deal and the terms were clear. And it's a face that's looking mighty pissed right about now.
Oh Gods. Is there any way to save this? Any way to avoid this? Wait! Maybe if I --
“Shirlee!” I whisper, pushing her by the shoulder of her coat. “We need to go! This guy’s dangerous!”
“O-oh, I’m dangerous? I’m dangerous now?” Tamaki yells, striding closer. Shit, he heard me.
“Red, who is this?” asks Shirlee, unnerved and to my horror, making no motions to leave.
“I’ll tell you who I am,” Tamaki weighs in before I have the chance to think of a good lie. “I’m the guy who was the designated punching bag of this fucking psycho over here!”
I turn to stare Tamaki directly in the eye in the most threatening way I can - maybe he still has some fear left in him. “Tamaki, come on...” I say through my teeth.
“That won’t work anymore,” growls the ninetales by Tamaki’s side, whipping its tails. “He’s had two years. We’ve both evolved.”
That must be Renny, then. The vulpix friend I saw Tamaki with sometimes. Fuck, another voice to the choir... I need to get Shirlee out of here quick and think of something to tell her.
I grab her tentacle. “Shirlee, we really should g-”
She yanks it away from my grasp. She looks scared. Oh fuck. Now I’m equally horrified.
“S-so what have you been doing since you left the school, huh?” Tamaki demands, arms raised and standing uncomfortably close. “How many felonies have you committed, you lunatic?”
Well, at least six. Probably more, I’d have to check what counts as a felony…
You should make three more right now.
My heart jumps into my throat. No, not you. Stay away! You're gonna make everything even worse!
How come? There's no one around and you already know how to make bodies disappear…
I feel denim against my fingertips. They're reaching for the knife that isn't there. I curl them in a fist.
You don't need a knife…
Yes I do! I mean I would! But I’m not going to kill anyone, no matter how… no matter how cornered I feel!
“Really? Not even gonna answer?” Tamaki spits. I was quiet for too long. “I would've thought you had a lie for everything.”
Look at his whiny fucking face. He’s so pathetic, and yet he’s acting tough. He needs to be taught a lesson. You have to kill him! Kill that little runt who's trying to talk back to a king like you! Wrap your hands around his throat and strangle him! Come on, I know you want to...
The world is trembling. No, I am. Oh Gods. This is a nightmare. Everything… everything is going wrong. This can't be real, this has to be a dream --
“You! Lady!”
What’s happening now? Tamaki’s turned to Shirlee? No, stop. Fucking stop!
“Get the fuck away from this guy and never look back! He's not safe to be around!”
Tears have formed in the inkay’s eyes. She looks at me, cowers away like a bellsprout from a fire and begins to slide away. The icy fear keeping me frozen finally cracks. I have to act.
I break into a dash after the inkay. I shout, I shout her name, shout for her to wait, but she only speeds up. No, I have to reach her.
My soles slam against the asphalt beneath, pushing me through the air as shadows from the streetlights emerge and withdraw - but the coat I chase still eludes me like a ghost, never getting closer.
“Shirlee, please, let me explain!” I scream, legs already burning. Despair was in that voice, real despair. The fear of losing Him. Again.
Shirlee flips around and slows her pace. For a split second I gain some hope, but it’s all gone as I see her face. She’s just as pissed as I should’ve expected.
“Explain what?” she shouts, tears of anger in her eyes. “It’s pretty Gods-damn clear what’s happened here. You lied to me. You lied to me about you going to school, and you certainly lied about what kind of person you really are!”
“But that...” Uh, what is my excuse? “That was all in the past! I’m different now!”
“Are you? Because you didn’t say one word of apology to that guy! And he was pretty clearly upset over what you’d done!”
I… I should’ve said sorry? Would that have made it okay? Well, more okay?
“I’m leaving,” she says. “Don’t follow me anymore. Don’t call, don’t anything. I-I can’t believe I...”
Leaving the sentence unfinished, she turns her back to me and accelerates again. I need to go faster to match that, but this running’s starting to get to me…
“Shirlee!” I shout - and that was a mistake. With that breath, no air was left for respiration, and my body stops itself from running. I want to fix that, start running again, but my legs are jelly and my lungs are rupturing...
I force my head upright to at least see her leave. Her figure shrinks in my sight, getting smaller and smaller until it a corner and disappears entirely.
My head droops. All I see is the stone of the street and the legs and arms of a failure.
Is… is this it? Is this how my entire quest ends? I put in all this effort just to be cut short like this? Just to continue being separated from my lord for… who knows how long? I’ll be alone and unhappy and I’ve already been like that for so long, I… I can’t do it anymore. I can’t do that with no end in sight.
I slip my fingers into my hair. The nails scrape the scalp. My breathing still wheezes. My heart feels like it’s going to explode. What an awful state.
And who brought me this pain? Who is responsible? Tamaki. It’s all Tamaki’s fault. He’s ruined everything. For no reason. Why couldn’t he have leave us be? What’s his problem?
He has no reason to be angry at me. No right. We made a deal. I kept my end of it. He should’ve kept his. No telling anyone, we agreed on that. He chose to accept that. And I paid him. It was a service! I gave him money for a service, and he took it! How was anything I did wrong? What gives him the right to punish me like this? Nothing?
...Or.
Maybe he...
Just took the payment in advance.
For his last deal.
Because I’m going to fucking kill him.
---
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What I'm talking about is primarily the relationship between Red and Helix. It's sort of the... emotional crux of the story? It's what drives Red to embark on this whole manipulative quest in the first place. And the fact that he loves Helix enough that he specifically doesn't go with his usual method of slice and dice says a lot. Knowing TPP lore and specifically reading your other stories sets a lot of the backdrop already, but when you look at the fic on its own, it comes across as just barely not enough. The prologue is excellent and absolutely necessary for the story. Dragging that relationship out any longer could very well have messed up the pacing, so I'm actually not sure what I'm getting at here. I guess it just comes across that Helix doesn't really give a shit about Red, like, at all. I know that's the whole point because he's distracted by Shirlee, but it still feels a little odd. Maybe a little more early dwelling on how shut out Red feels. Re-skimming, you do have some of that, so maybe I'm talking out of my ass. Just felt a little dry given that it's the prime motivating factor. Adding more could mess with the pacing, so I'll leave that up to you. The curse of writing prequels/sequels/a shared universe. You can never escape it.
