“...sure. I guess that's not totally incorrect, given the way books work.”
Maris sighs, before entering a combination into a door, and handing Sayori a little keycard.
“Here. It's only good for your room, and basic facilities. If mother ends up 'employing' you, I'm sure you'll get higher”
》
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
The greenette seems to tilt her head a bit...the right image? It must be more difficult being able to shapeshift than she thought...
Well, when Sayori technically could, she basically had an off switch for it...Did Maris?
"Well..I like to think that I'm a pretty good judge of character!~-
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
“...it's fine. I just have trouble keeping up the right image, sometimes.”
Her grip on Sayori's hand tightens just a bit, exhaling sharply.
“Besides, you don't even really know me yet. How can you like someone you've just met? That's like... guessing you'll like a book before reading it.”
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
Sayori seems to just continue following behind Maris after that.... Whenever a Pokemon passes by, she does seem to glance for a moment!
"..Hey?... I'm sorry if I made you uncomfy...Ehe...I just think you're so cool! And well...I really want you to think that I'm cool, too!"
Sayori doesn't take-
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
“That's-”
There's a beat of silence, before Maris squeezes Sayori's hand just a bit too tight, clearing her throat loudly.
“I'd rather not talk about it.”
The rest of the walk to Sayori's room was silent. Well, except for the occasional passing Pokemon, of course.
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
Even as the tour continued, Sayori's attention was mostly on Maris! Especially as she watched her body morph right before her eyes!
"Woah....How did?...That's so cool!"
Even if it were just for a moment, it was definitely one of the most amazing things Sayori had seen!
"Can you turn into anyone?"
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
That was peculiar. Even for someone with a more... scatterbrained mindset. Maris, for once, found herself in disbelief that a hybrid didn't even know what they were.
Regardless, the tour continues.
“If I had to guess...”
Maris mutters, her body shifting right before Sayori's eyes.
》
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
Sayori tilted her head as the question was asked, looking down at herself, before finally looking back up to Maris. She...had to think about this?
"I think she said it...But it completely went over my head!~ Ehe...Do you ever have a weird sort of buzzy feeling in your head?"-
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
“Maybe.”
Maris was quick to respond, mostly to shoot down the idea and give Sayori a false sense of hope. Unless of course mother forced her to show Sayori at some point anyway, which was...
Unfortunately likely.
“Um. What exactly... are you. Mother hasn't told me your DNA specifications.”
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
Sayori is looking between the two of them as they talk, though it isn't long before she's nodding!
"Yeah!~ I'd like that!~ Ehe....Oooh! Don't forget that we're going outside later, Cordelia!~"
Sayori waves towards her before refocusing all her attention on Maris! She was ready to go!-
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
Maris sighs.
She was already exasperated with Sayori, and it'd only been seconds...
“Ah, here's a thought- Maris? Would you kindly show Sayori to the dormitories? She'll be staying in the same block as you, Room 492.”
M : “...of course, mother.”
Maris responds, words sickly sweet. Poisonous.
》
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
Sayori had the biggest smile on her face as she was squeezed. She looked up at Maris has her hair glowed some more! A sweet scent seemed to come from it...
"Ehe...Are you? You seemed like you could really use a hug!~"
Did....Did she just not hear what Maris said?
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
There was a long beat of silence between the three while Sayori just... stood there, staring.
Once she lunges at the raven haired girl, she barely has a moment to flinch as Sayori flings her arms around her, stammering and shifting around in the other's grip.
Either to escape, or reciprocate.
》
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
The world was her oyster...Sayori would very easily believe such a lie, being more interested in exploring this confined world than ever!
If only she knew what was really out there waiting for her.
No time to think about that for now, though...The greenette could feel a sudden pressure building-
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
“But of course, dear. We'll explore to your heart's desire. The world is your oyster, after all~...”
Such was a lie.
Sayori's world was now far more confined than ever. A leash keeping her here, in this alternate, futuristic reality.
With her.
》
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
"Ooooh...."
Sayori could feel that Z-Power....It felt like it was everywhere? But...How could she know that? She brushes it off as a perk of her 'new' form!
"Ooh...Can we? I want to explore a whole lot!~ I want to see it all!"
Both of her hands take hold of one of Cordelia's, a bit of a sparkle-
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
“EVERY-”
Cordelia's words hitch as she's tugged toward the window, chuckling at the excitement.
“-single one, dear~. City 3 just happens to be relatively far from the rest of the Megalopolises. But that makes it no less impressive~! Ambient Z-Power is turned into energy. Clean and efficient.”
》
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
"Ooh...Okay!~ I'll see you later, then!"
Sayori called out to Tinker Tuff as she's then pulled along by Cordelia! She practically drags Cordie towards one of the windows as soon as she sees the outside!
"Woah.... It's really pretty here! Are all the places here numbered?"
Sayori asked while-
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
[“Oh, just dandy! Another day of working for my favorite company...”]
Tinker Tuff is quick to haul hammer, stammering an excuse as she waddles by Sayori.
[“S- sorry! We can catch up later, I should really take a look at those schematics before I forget, right, Cordie?”]
》
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
Sayori seemed to perk up more after seeing the Tinkaton! How could she ever forget it?
"Tinker Tuff!~ Ehe..How are you?"
She seemed to recognize it well enough! Her hair was even glowing a little bit more.
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
“That's a good girl. Come along, now. Let's introduce you to some important faces, and get you reacquainted with some of them.”
As if on cue, a certain Tinkaton shows up, wearing that recognizable translator collar.
[“Cordie, there you are! I've been-”]
She freezes. Was that... oh, no.
》
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
Sayori didn't see any reason why she shouldn't trust Cordelia...So she'll nod!
"Ehe...Okay! As long as everyone is having a good time, I guess it's okay!~"
Gripping onto Cordelia's hand just a little tighter, she was ready to be shown around!
"Ehe..."
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
“Oh, Pancake... your Pikachu, yes?”
Now that Sayori mentions it, Cordelia hadn't a clue where her Pokemon might be... she was so swept up in the success of recapturing Sayori, she neglected to ask Beheeyem for details.
“I'm afraid you'll be apart for just awhile longer.”
》
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
"Staying?..."
Sayori questioned for a moment before looking down at Cordelia's hand...She squeezes it right back before nodding.
"Ehe...Yeah!~ I'd like that! Staying with you, I mean!"
Cordelia did save her after all...didn't she? This was for the best!
She'd even get a living space! It must-
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
...she'll take note of that...
“Good! Let's get you somewhere comfortable, then. Once we have you situated in your own living space, we'll tour around the rest of the wing you'll be staying in!”
Cordelia gives Sayori's hand a little, reaffirming squeeze, before leading her into the sterile halls.
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
Latent potential?...That sounded good to Sayori! She'd take Cordelia's hand, allowing her to help her up before....Her gaze stops on a specific part of the room....
"....."
She fell silent, only a single name escaping her lips.
"Pory....gon?......"
..and just as quickly, she shakes her head.-
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
“There's only one way to find out.”
The older woman says, holding a hand out to Sayori, just in case she was still unsteady.
“Now that your procedure is out of the way, we can begin physical rehabilitation and body attunement. We'll see right away if you've got any latent potential in there~!”
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
Sayori's hair seemed to begin to faintly glow as soon as she was complimented....That didn't happen last time she was here.
"Land forme?"
Sayori questions, looking up towards her now.
"Oooh....Are there others? Can I do more?"
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
“Absolutely gorgeous.”
She coos, stifling a giggle as she walks over to Sayori's bedside.
“I suppose that means the procedure was a success! Your body's bound to the DNA perfectly. Well, as perfectly as it could have... I'm still at a loss as to why you came out in Land Forme, though...”
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
"I think....I think I can get up?...It doesn't hurt as much as I thought I...."
....She just noticed her hair.
"Woah! Cordelia! Look! Loooook!"
She's holding up some of her green hair, morning glory flowers growing in it!
"Isn't it pretty?"
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
“Don't you worry about that. That will settle once you start moving again.”
Although she wasn't totally certain, it obviously wasn't detrimental to the greenette's health. Otherwise, she'd be much worse for wear.
“You're positively beaming today. I bet you'll even be in working condition soon~.”
—𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
Sayori's eyes had just fluttered open by the time Cordelia had arrived....Where was she? Right...the procedure...Kaori had just...
It was like old wounds had opened up for the greenette. She musters up a small smile to show Cordelia.
"Ehe....I'm feeling okay, actually! My back kind of tingles,-
🌻𝘙𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦🌻
Ah, finally. Things could pick up right where they had left off.
...perhaps a little behind schedule, but nothing a little expediting can't fix...
Cordelia had left her office for the first time in days, all to greet this special individual. A 'one who got away' from her perspective.
》
