Chapter Text
It's crying?
The power from the gnosis once inside the prototype was overwhelming enough that its first action upon creation, was to cry, like a frail newborn would, except that its sobs were small, almost weak.
It was in that moment that Ei believed it to be too gentle to bear a task such as carrying a gnosis with it.
And by that logic, there was no more use for it.
That was her original plan after all, to create this body as a test, then dispose of it, so, her eyes were now glowing purple, as she prepared to destroy this "flawed" attempt.
Ei lifted her hand, firm with deadly electro energy coursing through it, and looked at the weeping figure laying down on the flat surface.
It's appearance was not meant to be exactly like hers, it was just a test after all, but even so, the resemblance is there, even if it was just on things like the jawline, the nose, the chin, and its straight long hair, with something that felt just too familiar to Ei.
Crying like a small child, the prototype didn't even open its eyes, and barely moved its limbs, not seeming to have proper control over its own body yet.
Ei had her hand extended, ready to inflict destruction upon her newly born creation.
She stared at its helpless expression, at the endless tears, and at the slowly growing confusion in those innocent eyes as they groggily tried to open.
A body that barely came to life, only to be destroyed and discarded, for being judged unfit to complete a task imposed by its own creator, without second chances, without second thoughts.
What a cruel fate it would be.
Ei saw something in that creation that is strange for her to explain, something familiar and yet foreign. For a brief moment, she thinks of Makoto, of her smile, her tenderness, her views… and realizes that…
She doesn't want to bring herself to do it.
Why deny it the chance to exist?
There is no point.
She slowly lowers her hand, allowing her eyes to go back to its non shining state.
The prototype finally gained control over its eyelids, and slowly started to open its indigo teary eyes.
It seems so confused, and scared, helpless under the Archon's gaze, and even so, it tried to sit up, failing to do so and falling back halfway.
Ei gently put her hand on the puppet's shoulder, and helped it to sit up, even as it flinched against her touch, unsure and overwhelmed with the first sensation it ever received from someone else.
She was gentle, and patient, even as the puppet wobbled and leaned against her arm for support. The puppet's shoulders kept shaking, as it choked in small whimpers and kept tearing up.
It… he looks just like a small child, regardless of having the appearance of a young man, and it's difficult to not see someone rather than something.
Ei was more than sure she did not wish to lay a single harming finger on him.
His arms remained still, only his feet eventually moving and twitching, but even so, he tried to look at Ei, making an effort to raise his head to lock eyes with his creator, who currently kept him from falling on his back again.
He hiccuped a few times, his eyes struggling to fully open, but Ei calmly stared at him, keeping the eye contact as he tried to do the same.
A brief moment turned into one minute, and one minute turned into two.
He sniffed and hiccuped again, but his shakes slowly started to subside, and his eyes looked up at Ei with something different, something instinctive, and innocent. He blinked as he stared back, and before they knew, he gave one last hiccup before his breathing started to calm down, as well as his expression, that relaxed into something lighter, but not empty.
His gaze then turned curious while still confused, looking at Ei as if trying to figure what he's supposed to feel. Ei looks rather neutral, emotionless to the eyes of a common mortal, but to this pure form of life, her gaze, her body warmth, transmitted nothing but serenity, and comfort.
Tears still fell from his eyes despite the absence of his whimpers, but he didn't even try to take a look at his surroundings, he simply sniffed one more time, and leaned against his creator's chest with his head now lowered, eyes puffy and heavy from crying.
Ei hummed in thought, she didn't expect the puppet to be fully capable of walking and talking right away, but this behavior resembled more the one of an infant than she thought, this prototype was definitely nothing more than a test, capable of moving, of breathing, of crying, but not programmed with the rules she'd add to the definitive puppet that would act as her body and reinforce her morals and the pursuit for eternity, preventing erosion.
But if she won't bring destruction upon this one, what shall she do?
Ei is by no means clueless of course, she has a few options to consider.
- - -
"Why not just get rid of him?" Miko deadpanned.
Ei frowned at her friend's unamused and annoyed tone.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Why do i always have to explain my reasoning in detail to you?" Ei sighed.
The kitsune however, merely humphed "Because i can tell you don't even know what your reasoning actually is."
"Miko, just look at it!" she gestured at the puppet.
He now wore simple clothes, and currently sat on the floor rather ungracefully, then he suddenly fell on his back from the lack of balance, wich caused his eyes to water.
"Oh my." said Miko with an amused smirk "And you didn't name it yet? It's funny how much you can lack creativity."
Ei didn't raise the bait, and focused on what she went to see her friend for. "I don't want to destroy it, however, i also don't have the time to prioritize its existence, nor do i wish to release it into the wild when the worst could happen in the state it's in." her eyes became conflicted as she spoke "Wich is why- "
"Of all the things you ever asked me, taking care of your child was not exactly what i expected, at least not until the next century… " she said playfully, but instead of having an annoyed reaction, Ei's eyes hardened as she glanced at the puppet, now sitting once again, leaning forward, and slowly falling asleep.
"I have no child, Miko." she said in detachment. "This is a mere byproduct i do not intend to harm, or have control over."
Miko's smirk didn't falter, but her eyes were cunning, knowing, studying the situation in front of her, and every single note that came from her friend's sentence.
Oh my… She thought, briefly looking at the child who was sleeping while he sat.
She brought the teacup closer to her lips, but stared at her friend for a moment. "And what shall become of him?"
"Whatever it decides once it's capable. I just need you to keep the gnosis, and provide it a place to stay, until it can shape its fate."
Miko hummed, several possibilities already popping in her head. If her deductions based on what Ei told her were correct, this child came to this world with a lot of information stored inside of it's young mind, information about Ei, and maybe even herself and Makoto, but when paying attention to his state, it is clear that none of this seems to come to him at the moment.
Will he ever take hold of any of that knowledge? Is he capable of growing and learning? Or is he the ultimate failure of a prototype that is doomed to remain in the state that is just like the one of a baby's?
Despite the responsibility that would come with it, finding out the answer is certainly… an amusing idea, and Miko's ears slightly twitched as she chuckled.
Shape his fate… Even if said fate has the smallest possibility of being built over resentment?
It's what she would have said, if not for the fact there's no way to know, and many ways to prevent it.
"Well… " she continued, lowering the teacup. "At least, leaving him here is less of a disaster waiting to happen. I'll take care of him."
Ei knew by the little smile on her friend's face that there was more to that sentence. "And?"
"And nothing." Miko briefly closed her eyes as she said it.
But once she opened them again, she had that one grim look Ei would narrow her eyes to, one look that meant she'll play along for now, but might show a very dangerous side of herself to this child depending on the outcome.
"Miko… " Ei warned.
"I'll take care of him, that is all." Miko chuckled out, quickly shifting her expression into a more playful one "Maybe i'll raise him into a great author."
"Hm… " the goddess relaxed her glare, finally coming to drink her own tea "Thank you, Miko."
"Mhm." Miko's playful expression also relaxed into something more neutral.
That warning tone full of impatient authority, is something Ei has used more often since Makoto passed away, even with Miko, and no matter how hot her friend is, this is not something Miko is particularly fond of, not when she knows this is her way to snap at others because of everything she's going through.
The puppet was made in a time where its creator was filled with grief, anguish, and ambition, so Miko hopes none of this has rubbed off on him to a way too problematic level, or else… Miko will just dispose of him without her knowing, to preserve their futures from unnecessary dangers.
Of course Ei didn't think this wobbly child might become an issue, maybe she pities him, and thinks doing the simple thing of getting rid of him would be too cruel.
Ei can be such a softie…
However, she doesn't judge her friend, not when the child tries to stand up, wobbling in the struggle to find balance, wich causes Miko to cover her mouth in a quiet laugh. He then makes his way to them with a few steps, eventually falling on all fours, but he did not give up, oh no he didn't, he half crawled the few remaining meters until he for sure managed to approach Ei.
Ei stared down at him with cold indifference, waiting to see what he would do next, only for him to fall again, except that… he did it on purpose. He fully leaned his head against Ei's thigh, and closed his eyes in pure tranquility, hand slightly close to his own mouth as he also rested it on the edge of Ei's leg.
The archon seemed to look at him with no emotions whatsoever, but Miko has known those eyes for many years, and she can see that despite the apparent apathy, there's the smallest glint of something akin to pity, and maybe the possibility of affection.
And just like that, Miko can also see that Ei is not allowing herself to feel anything other than pity, at all, as if pushing down anything else.
Poor thing…
"Are you sure this little creature will not wail his throat out once you leave?" Yae asked with certain seriousness "He's quite lively for a puppet, and he seems to have become quite attached to you already, like a little puppy i would say… how cute."
"I was the first person it ever saw, and also the one to hold him and wait until he stopped crying. It is only natural that he sees me as some sort of… source of protection, nothing that can't be forgotten or worked on."
Ouch. Miko thought as she grimaced.
"What?" Ei asked.
Miko didn't respond, and instead, simply lifted her teacup once again, however, she halted the motion halfway, and eventually put it down on the table again.
Ei watched as Miko left her spot across the table, and kneeled in front of her and the puppet. She then reached and booped the boy's cheek, humming a small laugh as he opened his eyes in confusion.
"It's not time to sleep yet, little one." she chanted.
The puppet blinked, and looked up at the figure in front of him. Her fox eyes stared into his very soul and he immediately hid his face in Ei's arm.
Big mistake, this only made Miko more amused, and if something amusing is happening, Yae Miko will definitely stick her nose in it.
"Oh? Quite the skittish one, aren't you?" she rejoiced, booping him again, only to have him release a muffled eep and flinch, hiding even more and making Ei roll her eyes, just Yae Miko being Yae Miko. "Aw don't be so shy. I'm a kitsune of good manners, you know?"
She then changed her approach, despite wanting to see him squirm again at another boop, and instead gently touched his hair, and tucked it behind his right ear.
He lightly flinched anyway, but the change from a sudden touch to a kind one was enough to calm him down. He slowly turned his face a little so he could see the fox lady again, noticing that her gaze had also turned into something more gentle and welcoming, instead of the knowing and intimidating energy from before.
The boy brought his own fingers to his ear, and imitated the gesture, never taking his cautious but yet curious eyes from Miko.
Miko's ears twitched in amusement, because of course… puppies just need a soft touch.
"I'm sure you're too young to ever have tried one of life's most recurrent pleasures" she picked up the small box of fried tofu. Miko didn't know if he understood what she said, but his attention was focused on her, that's for sure.
She took a small piece with the chopsticks, and brought it to her mouth, savouring the texture and releasing a content but slightly exaggerated "hmmm!" with it. He seemed rather interested in what she was doing, not really hiding anymore.
"Here, why don't you give it a try?" she offered, picking a piece of the fried tofu, and holding it in front of the puppet's face, not too close in order to not scare him.
Ei also watched, intrigued, and curious to see if her creation would give trust to her friend, wich would make things easier.
He only stared for a moment, shifting his gaze between Miko and the piece of fried tofu.
He gave in.
Yae didn't hide her smile when the boy clumsily left his creator's arm, and supported the weight of his torso with his arms so he could reach the tofu. It was rather funny for Miko to see him basically chomp the food and drag his teeth against the tip of the chopsticks in the process, thank goodness she won't have to teach him how to eat.
But now was the moment of the truth.
Sitting down, he chewed, and chewed, and chewed…
Then Miko was provided with the most adorable sight of the day.
His wide eyes sparkled with pure delight, while he brought both hands to his cheeks and squished them before swallowing.
"This is definitely a sight i will not forget!" Miko laughed "Fried tofu was the first food he ever tasted, and he loved it! Perhaps you leaving him won't be an issue at all, you can go now." she made a shoo gesture to her friend without even looking at her.
Ei shot an unamused look at her friend, but felt the way the corner of her lips tried to curl at the puppet's reaction to food, it makes her wonder if he'd like desserts too, and if he'll turn out to have a sweet tooth like her.
But… that is all irrelevant, he probably won't be here for her to find out anyway.
Miko was now entertaining herself with feeding her new puppy, giving him another piece of fried tofu just for him to close his eyes and smile in delight, almost like it's so much he needs a moment every time he gets a bite, Miko can almost see floating flowers around him.
But upon hearing Ei's steps when she began to leave, he stilled before turning his torso around as much as he could, even extending his arm to try and reach his creator.
He got to see her back turned to him, walking away without turning to see him one more time, and Miko saw how the boy seemed to feel the urge to call her somehow, fully turning his body while opening his mouth.
"Ah, aah!"
Unfortunately, only small sounds came out, confirming that he still couldn't speak properly. If Ei heard it, she ignored him, and soon, she disappeared from sight.
He finally lowered his hand, letting his palm fall flat against the floor, but his head kept pointing in different directions, clearly looking for Ei.
When he tried to turn back to search more, Miko got to see his desperate gaze, scared, helpless, and confused, once again like a puppy whose owner suddenly vanished.
And just like Miko feared, his eyes started to glimmer with tears that eventually slided down his cheeks.
"Oh you poor puppy, there's no need for such panic." she told him like she was speaking to a small child, wich... kind of might be the case "She didn't cease to exist, she just went somewhere else, you will still see her again."
The puppet almost made the confused look again, frowning a little and forcing his sight, but when his eyes slightly calmed down in realization at the same time he tried to keep himself from hiccuping, Miko figured he can indeed understand their language, even if just enough to catch the essence of the sentences.
"Hush now, it's alright, don't worry" she soothed "Fried tofu is way more appealing than crying, is it not?"
He sniffed, and did the gesture of tucking hair behind his right ear, displaying a rather grumpy look as he averted gaze.
But he did keep eating, pathetically trying to hide his joy even though his expression immediately lifted up at the flavor.
"Enjoy it while you can. You and Ei are probably the only people i'll ever do this for" she joked with a bit of truth, referring to the action of her feeding someone else. "Once you're capable of using these chopsticks, you'll be the one to feed yourself for the rest of your years, unless you lose your arms of course." she chuckles at the morbid joke.
He quickly locked eyes with her, before looking somewhere else, and savoring the food that was so new, and yet so good to his taste buds.
Miko still has a lot to find out about this puppy, and she can tell it will be a rather amusing journey.