♚ eleventh step ♚

[polarization]

[ In the library, there is a sleeping boy. This boy has an egg! It is an odd, yellow egg with one pink dot on each side of it and black lightning bolt patterns along the crown. How curious.

Unbeknownst to Sefton, the egg begins to stir, rocking back and forth from its cradle of his curled up legs and arms. It's making sounds! It's about to hatch!

Crack...

Crack... crackcrack—

Congratulations! Your egg has hatched into a Pichu! And boy, is the little tyke just SO HAPPY to be alive. In fact, it's so excited, it discharges some electricity on accident. Zzzap. ]

O—ow! What—... uh. Hi.

Pi pichu!

[ WELL YOU GUYS SAID IT COULD BE A POKéMON I mean, standard Sefton disclaimer, yadda yadda. ]

Comments

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Kyouya has been a little down lately for unsurprising reasons, but that catches him off guard. Because what the hell is that thing.]

[He pauses.]

It looks like some kind of anime character.

[Renge has taught him well.]

[polarization]

[ The Pichu turns inside the remnants of its egg to face Kyouya... but notices something in the corner of its eye! It whirls around, trying to catch it.

Sefton doesn't quite look up at Kyouya, instead watching the whatever-it-is chase its own tail. ]

Some kinda... wh-what?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

A character from an anime. Animated programs are very popular in the Japan and abroad.

[polarization]

Like... a cartoon?

[ Pichu, meanwhile, slips and tumbles down off of Sefton's lap and onto the floor. Its eyes are practically spinning with dizziness. Sefton twitches, reaching out to catch it, but stops himself at the last second with a wince. ]

Chaaaaaa...

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

Basically. [If Sefton isn't going to, Kyouya at least goes to pick the thing up to see if it's all right. Sadly, even this doesn't exactly have a softening effect on him.]

[polarization]

You want it?

[ Careful, Kyouya. The little baby Pokémon is accidentally discharging a few doses of electricity.

Zap. Zzzap. ]

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Kyouya puts it down quickly.]

I already have an egg.

[polarization]

[ Pichu attempts to stand, wobbling around this way and that before it clings to Sefton's pant leg. He tenses and watches warily. ] Piiii...

... You do?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

Yes. [Kyouya observes the ... thing... for a moment.] Rubber should protect you against the electricity.

[polarization]

Rubber? [ Slowly, and ever-so-carefully, he reaches down to place his hand along its back. It ears twitch and it turns around to throw its little arms over his hand and cling to it. Again, Sefton freezes. ] B-but what kinda... animal shocks you all the time anyway?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

One that hasn't been trained properly.

[polarization]

... that's not what I meant.

[ Pichu scrabbles at Sefton's hand, eventually climbing up and skittering its way up his arm, then down the front of his shirt and back into his lap. It looks between the two, then begins waving its arms around. ]

Pi! Pipi pichu pi!

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

I think it wants your attention.

[oliverplus]

[came in just in time to watch the hatching] ...whoa, what is that?

[polarization]

I don't know. [ He's giving the thing a little glare, because that shock was totally not appreciated. Pichu doesn't seem to mind, as it's now pulling at its face for some reason and giggling. ]

[oliverplus]

[grins] Hah! I think it likes you.

[polarization]

[ He grimaces, not yet actually looking up from the weird thing in its lap. ] Hope not...

[oliverplus]

Why not? He's yours, isn't he?

[polarization]

'm not gonna keep 'im.

[ Pichu stops its little show, ears and tail twitching while it looks up at Sefton in confusion. ] Piiichu?

[oliverplus]

[shocked] What? Then what are you gonna do with him?

[polarization]

Give 'im away?

Ch-chuuu...? [ Pichu turns to look at Oliver with large, sad eyes, then back to Sefton. It seems it can get the gist of what's being said and doesn't really like it. ]

[oliverplus]

Aww, c'mon, Sefton! You're upsetting him. [reaches out to pet the little thing]

[polarization]

[ Sefton gives him an annoyed look, though the emotions underneath are all sorts of tangled up. Protectiveness for the Pichu, buried fright (so much fright), helplessness, a want to be selfish and keep the thing, and anger at himself.

Pichu, though, enjoys the petting and begins cooing in delight. ]

S'-s' not like I meant to.

[oliverplus]

[Oliver feels that whole mess of emotions--especially the fear. his jaw drops a little, and he quickly looks down at the Pichu, both to hide his reaction and to escape from those feelings. his voice hitches slightly when he starts to speak, a residue of Sefton's fear] Hey...it's not that hard to take care of a pet. You know? [continues petting, glancing up uncertainly at Sefton but hoping he doesn't get blasted again. he's not very good at moderating his reactions yet]

[polarization]

[ Sefton frowns at Oliver, but thankfully redirects his attention to the Pichu. He flicks his gaze up to the other - uncertainty, he feels trapped (and not necessarily because of the strange thing) - then back down. ]

Maybe for you.