Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

After a long day, a long week- a long life of exhaustion even, Chilchuck exhales in relief finally glad to feel the warmth nudging him just right as the booze sinks through his body. A nice buzzy effect to ebb the day away.

He wasn’t going to get drunk hopefully. He didn’t plan to-  but a sip after the next sliding down his throat suggested otherwise.

Before he knew it, each sip became  a lazy desperate attempt to taste more- to give more to his tastebuds while he dulled his coherent thoughts and senses.

So he asked the fair fellow serving for more.

Laios came in- with unwanted information of his sickening fulfilled minotaur milking dreams- then Senshi- sharing his interest in the monsters. Both voices of excitement blending into each other.

His breath became hiccups and slurry mumbles of sweet nothings. Watching the oozing time gently pin the fabric against him thickly and sweaty. pins and needles throughout his body. He leaned back and whined as he bit down on his lips and shut his eyes.

Fuuuck, his head kills. Usually drinking helped surpass all feelings; an excuse to his odd behaviour, as he lets his mind float in the absence of regular constant thought. right now he hoped that’d be the case; he was wrong. Why’d he feel so hungover? He barely had much of a drink!

“Speaking of which- where are Marcille and Izutsumi?” Laios suddenly asked Chilchuck. He

fought his mind through the haze, it was surprisingly easy to repress the feeling.

“How did that bring them to mind?” He replied with his own question after having processed Laios’ previous rant which generally had nothing to do with the two! Or did it? Whatever..

Marcille came dragging in Izutsumi, surprisingly elegant dresses covering them which only made Chilchuck spit out his drink in amusement. He didn’t know why it was funny really; his old self probably knows- but as of this moment he’s reacting irrationally to all emotions to see if it’d spark his old self back into shape.

Chilchuck somewhat comfortably slipped into the background of Marcilles reflection on the spell over the country, slipping some of his own ideas into it about Izutsumi’s strange behaviour being due to her beast man curse. Then they were invited to a nice meal! And the main dish definitely sobered him up… what the hell Laios.

They’d learnt a lot that night. About the golden country, the prophecy, Kensuke.. and his head once again invited a drum of a headache to interrupt his already chaotic web of constant thoughts.

It was nice to atleast have a bed even if Marcille begged to sleep in it with him. He really couldn’t; no matter how calm and casual he managed to make himself while saying no- he felt like whining about it. He already made a scene when yelling at Laios just then, no matter how normal he seemed to them it felt like he was loosing ability to control his own emotions.

Despite all protests- Marcille managed to unrighteously earn her spot suffocating Chilchuck throughout the night.

That’s when it happened.

Everyone was fast asleep-

minus Chil.

The nice drink he earned earlier should’ve helped knock him out by a mile! Maybe it’s because Marcille was on him?

It was oddly comforting honestly, suffocating yes, but a childlike enjoyment lurked beneath the annoyance- Marcille was pretty alright with kids based on their interaction with the orks- and he says that as a father of three!

He felt some level of adult consciousness leave him.

His head pounded more, why did nobody listen?! When he asked, begged, cried at Laios to go to the surface! The worst part was there was even a good reason to it! And yet he felt betrayed, emotional and scared over it- everyone is mean to him; he’s not a baby!! He’s a big boy, a-   

-a what?

He really is loosing it now; why’s he thinking so irrationally, simply, childishly.. he’s 29 this year goddamnit, if you want to be treated like an adult think like a fucking one.

His head really killed now, he whined without intention.

Don’t cry don’t cry don’t cry don’t cry.

What’s going on? Why is he so-

“Chilchuck are you alright?”

The chest hummed above him as a sweet comforting voice of his obnoxious elf party member asked gently.

He had only noticed the tears welling up in his eyes which was ironic considering he’d begged himself to keep it together seconds before… he whined and thumped his foot against the bed, rolling to his side.

The face Marcille made was almost predictable, stunned and holding a laugh back, a sense of concern hanging in there too.

“Ok…? Yknow you really don’t gotta be a child about me sleeping here”

her voice sounded less sweet now, less concerned. That was until he couldn’t hold back his sniffly breathing. He shuts his eyes tightly, she’s going to infantilise him- isn’t she?

He honestly deserves it.

But his race doesn’t- he wouldn’t dare feed into any harsh stereotypes he’s fought most of his life for. He made an entire guild for half foots even! Why should this be an issue? Why isn’t he acting his age!

“Do you wanna talk about it Chil?”

His jaw jittered as he tried responding in his usual snarky tone, only to be met by an unwanted act of vulnerability.

It hurts… it hurts!! It hurts so much

Tears spilled out deeper staining the sheets disgustingly as it mixed with his sweat.

“You really should try and be more open with us Chil- I don’t- I don’t know how to help!!”

She yelled, annoyed more at herself for some reason; classic Marcille: confusing but kind hearted.

Chil couldn’t really think about that right now though; he couldn’t- think- properly- why is it hard to think normally?! Why is he crying?! Why is he… shaking…? He’s shaking…

One thing spirals into another and he can’t help it! Slobbery tears soak the sheets mixing in his sweat and snot. Cheeks sticky all over by the stain of his wailing; a glossy mess of disgust- a shell of a man who once wore his pride and dignity like a badge. now regressed to nothing more then a whining tantrum throwing half foots who can’t even regulate his emotions.

“Whoa!! Hey! Hey Chil! Chilchuck- shh- hey uhh. Ah- shhh!! people are sleeping, cmon let’s go to the bathroom k? Besides I gotta pee real bad”

His jaw hurt as his gum and canines revealed, saliva stringing and connecting both set of fangs. His fists bawled up in defence for whatever reason before he resorted to hitting against his own head while rocking back and forth. God he is so insufferable, what a hypocrite he is to think he has the privilege to behave like this when so many half foots suffer enough from infantilising assumptions every day!

“Stop that! Chil talk please! Please? I don’t know how to help”

Marcille was stuck, she could use a simple stun spell- but that might wake everyone up, curse its flashiness! She could try and use a silence spell but she hasn’t really ever tried using it on anyone but herself- who knows what’ll happen?

She quickly went to the bathroom, hoping Chilchuck will be ok when she’s gone. It couldn’t be because of the enchantments over this country could it?

No- he acted normal since they’ve come here, unless he’s been hiding it which doesn’t surprise her.

Secretive bastard, there’s a reason they need to tell party members about things like this. That does bring the question: what kind of spell could possibly affect both beasts and half foots?

There’s no information they know of so far that suggests half foots are more beast like then other creatures- sure they had fangs and heightened senses but regardless they’re not less human.

The symbols in the barrier were all too new with too little time to decode them! She walked back to the toddler in her bed- that’s a good way to describe him right now, even if he hated being compared to a child he’s not really giving himself justice right now. He hadn’t stopped hurting himself to her disappointment.

And she saw scratches as he sobbed into the cover..

She tried her best to whisper- practically yelling under her breath

“CHIL-“

“Oh my- Chil?! What in the world were you thinking? Huh?!-“

The child that replaced his coherent adult self whimpered and hiccuped in his tears, Marcille gently hovered her hands over his skin, carefully going to comfort him without disturbing him..

“Hey bud, let’s get you cleaned up yeah? There’s a pretty nice bathroom in here unlike the smelly holes and buckets of water before- let’s get you a small wash, yeah?”

Her voice coaxed and guided him welcoming to the bathroom, he was shaky and clearly in a different mindset.

She’s had a bit of experience with kids; not like his experience, but regardless she has some idea what she’s doing (she hopes).

Her finger rubbed against her nose while she dapped a wet towel against his sticky tear stained cheeks. Which is when she noticed the stench- CRIKEY HOW HADN’T SHE SMELT IT BEFORE! He’s covered in urine!? When did he-?

She peeped gently to the bedroom again. No stains. No stains? Did she manage to not hear him wetting himself? Sighing in defeat, she pats him on the back

“You have a lot of explaining in the morning…”

A good amount of time passed when he’d finally calmed down, uncharacteristically stuffing his face into her side, tugging at the fabric of her shirt.

“Marcy… stay?”

His voice was still croaky, still irregular, still not Chilchuck.

But she couldn’t deny he was adorable!!

“Yeah, I’ll stay, coming back in bed?”

He nodded and nuzzled deeper into her side, hugging her?

Carrying him back to bed with a wave of protection coming over her:

“HOLYMOLYTHEREISNOWAYANYTHINGBADCANHAPPENTOTHISPOORSOUL”

she thought calmly. She’s not letting this night slide when he wakes up. He won’t even hear the end of it-

Quietly, she sneaks to Laios’s luggage and sighs in relief to see she was right, a stuffed animal of a wolf there! Just like Falin told her!! Although she can’t really remember why he had it; that’s gonna bug her.
Whatever- she walks to her and Chilchuck’s side of the room and shows the exhausted half foot the Teddy. His face glistening either with childlike joy or earliers tears… or both!

Chapter Text

Morning sweat clung to his forehead as he layed beneath an unknown ton of weight. The sun peeked through brightly nearly blinding him for a short second, before he looked around to realise where he was.

Marcille, who was next to him, had fallen asleep with her hands reaching out carefully as if she were unconsciously making sure he was alright. Between her hands layed a soft wolf like stuffed animal he vaguely remembered from the night before. The night… before… Marcille had seen it all- the accident, the tantrum, the…whatever else he did. He felt a sting on his arms. Small scratches. what’s worse was the feeling really hasn’t left; he still feels the lingering sensation of being a child.

He shifts up before plumbing down from a mentally regressed Izutsumi who once more had used his body as a mattress. Surprisingly it didn’t wake her up, on the contrary; Marcille did stir, rubbing her eyes and stretching with a hearty comfortable yaw n.

Her voice half in yawn she slurred:

“Chil- whut time-zit?”

“Seems to be early morning…

Hey- bout last night”

“Hm? Oh! Right yeah. What was happening to you by the way? I mean if it’s ok to ask and all!”

Chilchuck gently tried to push Izutsumi off, to which he atleast succeeded in having her move from his chest to his legs with a hiss.

“M’not sure. Hey could you not, yknow, tell the others? Especially Senshi, he already babies me enough in really don’t want any of this escalating or anything.”

“Chilchuck you know you have to be honest with them. You said you don’t know what’s happening right? What if it’s a nutrient intake problem? Or maybe it’s a certain monsters affect? Or the curse upon the golden country! Or-“

“Yeah yeah ‘got it Sheesh. But I doubt it would be a monster… I don’t get into as much physical contact with them as you all nor do I cook them and have fumes in my face. Nor am I eating differently from all of you besides the clearly larger portions in my food that Senshi keeps giving.”

“Do you think it’s the same as Izutsumi?”

“I hope so really, even tho I know it’s not. Her childishness is full of docility. Whatever’s happening to me is full of: many emotions. It’d  be nice if this feeling would end once we left this place…”

“You mean you still feel that way?”

…

They walked downstairs where Laios, Senshi and Yaad had all sat down to a beautiful plate of pancakes compared to the dull food yesterday, dragging Izutsumi along.

The meal was generally a blur, he still didn’t feel good. At. all. Eyes were staring at him; specifically one blonde elves.

He decided to stare back at her features as a distraction, the sweetness of the pancakes both helped and increased the feeling of childishness. Had Marcille always had such softly shaped ears? Surely elves had pointier ones… odd.

Marcille clearly was satisfied with the food: “Mmmm so tasty! Reminds me of my mums cooking-what about you Chil?”

He tilted his head slightly down and looked to her in un-amusement. She clearly picked him intentionally.

“they’re really good, thanks Senshi…”

He noticed Senshi talking to Yaad about textures and taste being a muscle. He found that interesting to focus on while he averted his gaze from Marcille cleaning Izutsumi; an odd twinge of jealousy tugging his throat.

“A very long time ago, I used to dine with my parents and grandfather like this.

Always next to my grandfather was Thistle…”

Yaad continued his speech. Generally Chilchuck found the subject interesting, obviously it gave them a lot more intel on the mad mage in general which will be useful for their journey deeper on.

Joining in on the conversation was Laios,

“Actually we’ve been wanting to talk to him, do you know where he is right now?”

Hearing that out loud now did sound kinda stupid of them; Yaad quickly confirmed that thought.

Chil looked outside gently to notice a gathering of dragon-like creatures staring at them from the outside. He gulped slightly and averted his gaze. The fear to be fair was natural; not childish, but right now any sign of vulnerability felt risky.

“Go seek help from the Winged Lion that is imprisoned deep within the dungeon; he might be able to subdue the mages power.” Yaad closed the conversation.

Yaad walked away from the Golden Country, Chilchuck being close behind him, similar to Laios. He looked closely at Laios, now with the concept of Laios being ‘the chosen one’ who knows what’ll happen!

He really felt so small right now in this version of himself while staring at Laios who, as a tall-man, naturally had a tall and intimidating stature even for such an unthreatening guy (well- he says unthreatening but that’s only if you don’t consider the freakish impulsive decisions he puts the party at risk for and his unhinged excitement in monsters).

What would happen if Laios knew? Does he know? Chilchuck made sure the wolf teddy went back in Laios’ equipment before he went downstairs but when he woke up there’s definitely a possibility he saw it! Laios was oblivious to some details, but it’s clear he could spot a certain amount atleast.

He especially was good at noticing behaviour, he noticed Chilchuck B on the box which easily could’ve been a mimick- he also notice the difference in footsteps on one of the higher dungeon floors. Is it possible he could sense Chilchuck is acting odd? Is it possible he knew what was happening?

To his unfortunate expectance- the ghost that carried them there now had to carry them back… he let out a disgusted groan at the memory- it really wouldn’t help with how he feels at the moment, sure- the cold could possibly help his head?

Ebb the fuzziness away and all of that, it would be nice. But the general transportation of dizziness and overwhelmth is almost certain not to help him…

They were transported up high, falling down to the harsh cold floor of snow.

“ugh can we STOP FALLING?”

He almost felt like vomiting but managed to hold it in, trying to use his compass as it failed to work. Typical dwarves… he hopes; he’s not just loosing ability to read the thing is he?

He looked over to Izutsumi who hadn’t woken up yet, Marcille and Laios talking about the sensitivity of dwarves se-semi? He knows the word, it just feels so long, too mature for his mind, so he didn’t bother caring.

Izutsumi finally woke up in utter shock, while Marcy… while Marcille- and Laios went to look around.

The cold felt a lot better, helped him concentrate and leave that fuzzier state. He stood there letting his eyes droop down a little, just a little, as he imagined the warmth of holding his three children.

This entire situation has reminded him of them honestly. Those fuzzy feelings he felt to protect them, since he was a child he’d always found himself to be protective of others. His elder sister found it adorable in the short time he knew her.

Senshi had asked him to draw the ruins around the place- but why? Why would he know something like that? He really is a suspicious individual… many things about him clearly show something is wrong, and that’s not just his disliking for being considered a child.

He gave the ruins he scribbled from chalk to Senshi while Laios and Marcille went- he didn’t actually know where. Probably trying to find an exit or somewhere?

He steadily walked to Izutsumi; noticing how he had to be extra careful because his walking felt more unsteady and less natural. He started walking a little slower than usual(while he does want to blame that on the heavier clothes he’s wearing it’s clear the unsteadiness is caused by this fuzzy feeling).

She was still in disbelief about yesterday’s actions; he can relate.

“You good now?” He asked with hesitation.

“Shut up! What you gonna come embarrass me more?!”

He sat down against the cold snow,  the once comforting cold now biting at him, his answer almost defensive while in a semi-immature state:

“I wasn’t gonna-! Never mind, I wanted to ask something about how you feel right now? Are you still-“

“No I’m fine.” She pushed forward trying to avoid a conversation.

Senshi could hear the conversation; but decided to focus on the ruins and… the familiarity to this place.

Chilchuck acted on impulse, he really couldn’t wait any longer!

“Listen- Izutsumi! Please! Did it leave? Is the feeling still there? What did it feel like I- I know it’s odd I’m asking it’s just importa-“

“JUST LEAVE ME ALONE ALREADY!”

She flicked her tail and shuffled a little away for a bit, Chilchuck sighed in defeat; before finally:

“I feel fine now… mainly a bit fuzzy- like I’ve woken up from a long dream honestly” she yawned and stretched arching her back to wake herself up more. “It was a really odd dream”

Chilchuck wasn’t sure how to really react.

“So you don’t really feel… like that anymore just, tired?”

“Why do you even want to know anyway?!”

“I-“

Senshi chimed in,

“Hate to stop this conversation but it looks like we’re somewhere in the Southeastern part-“

“GUYS!! GUYS WE FOUND SOMETHING!!”

Marcille yelled from afar, geez they were quick. Claiming about knowing where Falin is. When he saw the tracks he doubted it was hers. Laios agreed saying it was more of a griffin looking creature; Senshi freaked at the name… odd.

Rubbing his temples he kneeled down, once again trying to retain the peaceful moment of drifting off,  before Izutsumi annoyingly kicked him to get him standing up. Marcille turned around to them,

“Is this scent familiar”

“We’re not dogs yknow.”

His voice wavered a bit; Marcille was there last night, she saw what happened… she moved on easily. Why isn’t he happy about that? She’s not being openly worried, understands he’s independant; he’s not really that independent right now though is he? He just feels almost fuzzier, a thick membrane lapping over his mind and decreasing his more difficult thoughts.

“Reeks of beast” Izutsumi said, snapping Chilchucks mind out of the rabbit hole.

His voice was a little quieter, softer to speak,

“Either way, we need to catch up to it.”

And again, he fell to the background as Senshi rambled in fear. Seriously everything with Senshi is confusing him…

“Let’s cook it” he heard Senshi blurt to some mushrooms.

“They look vaguely familiar to me, that being I think they’re poisonous so don’t eat them.”

“I really don’t like griffins”

“Why are you so scared of a monster you’ve never even seen?”

In less than a minute, a large eagle like creature reared out from the background; the heftily large wings , lethal hind legs and roaring screech frightened everyone, making everything so noisy! The griffin is huge-

With a fearful whimper he rushed to hide as he’d usually find himself doing with monsters. Stupidly Senshi- who is a much more visible figure, ran directly from the griffin too. Catching him in its grasp.

Nonononono -

A wheezing gasp escaped through his tightened chest, he shook violently while his heart tried to rip out the cage of ribs. Senshi got caught, he got CAUGHT!

Why did he get so overwhelmed? This- he’s crying again. Shit. He’s crying all over again!

Stopstopstopstop please stop!!!

Nonono if anyone finds out-

“Why’re you crying?”

Izutsumi asked, voice as usual a little snarky but laced in concern.

“You uhh, good kid?”

A slobbery choke escaped but was luckily muffled by his arm as he breathed in the chunk load of snot.

“Go ‘way!”

Izzy didn’t go, why didn’t she go?

“Hypocrite”

the voice lowered down as she seated against the snow. Watching Lai in the distance thinking of a plan to save Senshi and Marcy searching for Izzy and him.

“What? No M’not!”

“Yeah sure, prodding into my day yesterday when I said and screamed no is nothing like you sobbing for me to go away when I simply asked once!”

…

“So what is happening to you?”

Her voice was quieter, she never really grew a connection to Senshi to miss him that much, not knowing him for long. But this? this felt a lot more interesting.

“D-dunno. In, in castle was uhm- I was cryin and Marcy, and Marcille looked after me and… I don’t feel-“

“You don’t feel normal? You feel fuzzy… like you’re still in a dream?

He whines in response, and nods.

Silence comfortably took over the moment.

“M-miss mei and patty a-and Fler”

“Who?”

“M’kidz”

“Huh, you got kids? Now that’s somethin. Guessing you let Senshi take care of them as some babysitter or somethin cuz he loves taking care of kids.”

She said with slight annoyance at how Senshi babies and coddles her, and clearly Chilchuck too.

She was surprised when Chil said nothing, even more so when he did talk.

“M’not told ‘nyone… n’Sensi… only known ‘like 2 weekz”

“WHAT? You all act like you’re old buddies?! Do you even know anything about him besides the fact he loves cooking??”

He shakes his head, and Izzy’s ear droop down noticing his sniffling, she didn’t know how to look after kids, was he a kid? He clearly felt like one. But physically is he a kid for the race of “half foots”? Well- he has kids so surely not. Regardless he clearly isn’t an adult right now! So what the heck should she do?

Wiping his face of mucus and sticky, sweaty, rosy cheeks:

“Sen’si’s odd… h-has odd metel and-and he said he- he came before dungeon was discovered and- and he- uhm, he treats me like m’little but M’not!”

“Isn’t that last one a misunderstanding? You look like a kid.” She asked, her voice somewhat monotone; a low buzzing sound that made him oddly calmer.

He huffed a bit with Izzy’s comment and bit back a whine,

“That- That’s. Exa- ctly-“ he breathed in regaining a more formal way of speaking, it wasn’t really ‘formal’ per se however to the standard of his current mental condition it really was just big and fancy words, “-The. Point… Senshi, like you. Doesn’t. Know ‘bout- about, half foots much. People- from East dunno much ‘bout- about us. B-but Sens’i isn’t East- Eastern… is he. From. The. Surface? What if-“

“Well,” she took a long sigh in, “Maybe when we get him down we can ask him?”

Silence once more took over them, Chilchuck holding back the urge to nuzzle and lean into Izzy, he really doesn’t deserve this treatment. He’s disrespecting his own kind! He’s a coward! Why is he allowing himself to even be this vulnerable in WORK? To a KID? God he’s insufferable.

Face now dried with icky fluids, he felt icky.

Icky! Icky!! Icky!!!

Thoughts were more difficult, the small meltdown or whatever just happened significantly affected how fatigued and unresponsive he felt now.

“There you are! Hey you can’t go running off like tha-“

Marcy paused, allowing herself to catch a breath and take a glimpse of Chil.

“Hey quiet will ya?” Izzy seemed protective, Chil softy allowed himself to zone into the background again. It’s comfy there. Not needing to listen. Even if he shouldn’t give into this craziness, what choice does he have?

He saw Marcy lean down eye to eye with him.

“Feelin like last night?” Gentle, careful words came out. A side of Marcy he barely knew, a side this side of him craved. He nodded; eyes drifting to her pretty blonde hair.

Marcy stood again, speaking to both now, but mainly Izzy.

“We found a way to get Senshi- we gotta hurry! Cmon! You think you could bring him? If he allows you to carry him that is…”

A small exhausted giggle bubbled out impulsively; he remembered when Marcy tried pickin’ him up, back then it was really mean but when he feels like this it’s kinda silly.

Marcy seemed to smile at his giggle, is it really that childish?

Izzy did in fact try pickin’ him up and despite him droopy slow movements and foggy mind he managed to whine and shake his head. He’s still big enough to do it himself! Hopefully… right?

“Chil we’re gonna have to tell La-“

“NO!” Tugging at Izzy’s fur, it wasn’t truly a loud yell, but it had enough force to get the message across.

“AGH! Watch it!” She hissed, and he froze instantly.

Walking over to Lai was just him being super duper shaky. Did he hurt Izzy? Is she gonna hurt him? Seeing Lai come closer to his sight he tried rubbing his snotty face and cleaned himself up, shaky legs straightening a little as he focused on his posture.

It was hard to focus when his mind felt like two eyes failing to work together to create one image and instead forming obnoxious double vision. No matter how hard he tried to straighten his mind, focus more clearly, it blurred drastically into a fuzzy blur.

He heard  Izzy, or- he heard Izutsumi, apologising to him in a whisper to which he nodded acceptingly, a sluggish nod.

“Oh! Chilchuck! Izutsumi! Were you able to find Senshi?”

“LAIOS I HAVE A PLAN-!” Marcille blurted in a rush, she was very good at hiding her thinning patience; she was very quiet when she saw Chil like that.

Continuing Marcilles plan, she opened her spell book spontaneously, it looked kinda cool, leaving Chil to forget to hide his childlike mannerisms as he giggled and tugged into Izzy’s side.

Plan ‘familiar’ went on, they had to collect ingredients! He mainly followed Izzy doing this, her fur is very soft and she’s super warm; Chilchucks ears were sensitive enough to hear the gentle purr beneath each breath. It made him sleepier then he already felt, his eyes droopier. He doesn’t know if he likes the feeling though; its not nice feelin’ so far from his own body

…

Seems Laios hasn’t noticed the elephant in the room, probably fixated on Senshi. Izutsumi flicked her tail and watched from afar as Marcille cast her scary sounding spells.

A light gleamed, illuminating the endless darkness surrounding them, flowing across each crevice of Marcilles palm as it lifted with elegance and grace, strength and power, warmth and comfort. A beast formed by the careful hands of the one and only Marcille, its wings stubbed out, its beak reflecting through the shine, Marcilles outfit FLAPPED HEAVILY THROUGH THE STRONG BREEZE BLOWING THROUGH THE CREATURES CREATION- it was nothing like Izutsumi has seen before… it. WAS-

Stupid.

“BAHAHAHATHATSWHATYOUREUSING?”

Izutsumi definitely asked politely maintaining  a calm and respectful manner.

“Shut up I said it just has to move not that it’s gotta look good!”

Laios’ face was smothered in absolute disappointment.

Pushing the dodo looking creature up to the skies, Laios made sure to wrap a bandaid over Marcilles face from the overlapping vision.

Izutsumi looked down to see Chilchuck. GAH! HE’S PHYSICALLY ATTACHED TO HER! Why’s he imprinted on her?! She’s not his mother goose!

Is this how Chilchuck felt whenever she slept on him? She just wants a nap goddamnit. She’s pretty useless to save Senshi anyway.

A high pitched purr left her throat as she felt an unexpected tug at her side. He looks so tired and a little nervous around Laios. Is he… hiding from Laios? Well, he clearly didn’t want Laios knowing. But she and Marcille already knew and that’s like- an entire HALF of them! There’s no point denying it, he can’t even hide it!

Laios was a pretty average sized guy, perhaps slightly taller. She’s seen one or two half foots in her life, either Chilchucks really tall or old, or both. Or that Mickbell girl- (wait no guy!) was super short?

But putting the perspective of Chilchuck to Laios, he still looked so much younger than him. He looked younger than her! The others already cower her pretty well, Senshi’s strong dwarven physique made her feel smaller on its own. They’re faces feel so much more mature then hers, their decisions and all more thought out it’s so annoying honestly. If she was in Chilchucks race there’s no doubt that wouldn’t amplify by 100.

She could remember the feeling still, tugging at her fur. It was so embarrassing to lose control of her actions and feel her mind decrease into simplicity and docility. Definitely not somewhat comforting at all! Nope no chance was it nice! Just humiliating!!

Right now Chilchuck is in kinda a similar situation, right? Same thing happening in a way.  Laios probably looks like a beast to him, someone large cowering him in fear. Maybe that’s why he’s hiding?

He was really quiet, she noticed his spaced out glazed eyes glossing over, zoning out into nothingness.

“Earth to Chilchuck? Hellooo?”

All that caused was a slightly tighter grip against her fur and his facial features ever so slightly twitching with pressure.

She smiled a little, it was kinda nice; he was like a small sibling honestly.

She looked up from her little fixation just to notice Marcille flapping in an odd way.

“Pfff- what is she doing?”

“I guess it gives her a sort of… unity?”

Laios answered.

“Hey, Chil- look at Marcille, she’s doing a funny chicken dance, see!”

He didn’t respond, he didn’t really process anything at all. He had a meltdown earlier, did that affect it?

This is stupid, why is she even caring honestly. What she did next was even more stupid as she lowered to her knees and placed an awkwardly gentle hand on Chilchuck, holding her breath with her face muscles noticeably tense.

… no response…

Laios and Marcille has made a new creature; a cool looking dragon thing, pretty fast too. She’d sat down flicking her tail before wrapping it up over Chilchuck, his face is still dirty; has Laios seriously not noticed? Whatever…

she heard a small hiccupy voice, croaking with dried tears that was interrupted by sniffling from the previous shed of tears.

”izzy…” 

Izzy? Izzy?? What happened to Izutsumi? She kinda likes the name but would never admit that, obviously. 

“What’s the matter dude? Feeling better?”

“Stay… please… stay. P’ease don’leave, please” he was getting emotional again, fuuck what’s she meant to do!?

she inched closer to him, not sure what to do. She saw Laios making an absurd dragon creature in the distance before its head was brutally popped by the hand of Marcille. 

“Do you like Senshi a lot?”

a shrug.

“I think he’s an alright guy, kind of annoying. But you all kinda are anyway.”

She earned a small smile, which was a start. It felt like they just had a huge setback for a moment but honestly now it was showing more like progression. 

She spoke with a somewhat soft voice, she couldn’t really mimic the voice Marcille used earlier, but it did the job:

”just rest here, yeah?”