We don't hate being micros chapter 9 - In good times and in bad
We don't hate being micros chapter 9 - In good times and in bad
'I haven't made a journal entry in forever.' Veir writes on a piece of paper Varook provided him with only moments ago.
'Din has keep me rather busy for the past week. He takes me to school with him while I hide among his books and clothing, tries to get me to cooperate in the training room nearly daily, and is sure to pass me around to other giants so I become familiar with the other members of les gardiens; I painted a giant ferret's finger and toenails, cleaned a badger's feet, gave a kangaroo a stomach rub... nothing bad if a little humiliating, tiring, boring, or all three of the above. Aside from myself and Varook there are about thirty other micros that live here alongside with about fifteen of les gardiens' members regularly visiting. It makes this place feel more like a clubhouse of sorts. Once or twice Din took me to his regular house to pick a few things up for his room at the clubhouse, only strengthening this feeling.'
'Two days a week we are pushed to do some exercise via hamster wheels and miniature weights. Again, it's humiliating, but not really a bad thing; the micros here are all in good shape, well fed, and well cared for. '
'Food this week has been alright. Table duty for a micro is just passing salt and pepper around while speaking respectfully to the giants around you. Din's dad seemed to enjoy lecturing me about why this arrangement is the best for micros. I held my tongue for Din's sake, I know he really wants me to accept their beliefs. I still haven't, but I don't want Din to get into a fight with his father as I feel he will, at least based on the way he acts. Every time we sat down for dinner he seemed tense and I suspect it has to do with him not wanting his dad to find out how what I really believe. I don't know what to do... I wish there were a way I could make his father see what he's doing to his son. Sooner or later I won't be able to pretend anymore. '
'The food they make is delicious, we've had a wide array of selection every day this week. I could certainly see why a micro might want to stay here considering what those of us who are street-ridden probably have to eat. It's not all bad here, besides the giants feeling that they're superior to us in every way, they treat us well. Les gardiens seems like a misguided child more than some evil organization out to harm us. The problem is that this child is growing and its beliefs are starting to take hold among more giants and, yes, even micros.'
'I have to confront him soon, I can't get stuck here and I'm already starting to relax a little. Din's insistence... the happy look he gets when I decide to cooperate a little... I feel bad for what I put him through despite the knowledge of what he wants me to become. I want to help him.'
'...I can't help but wonder what happened to Din's mother after all I've been through with him this week. I wonder what has shaped him into the person he is today. Despite having known him for so long, I'm only now realizing how little about himself he has told me after all of those years. I wonder just what has been truth and what has been lie.'
Veir closes his journal, taking a moment to think about Din's predicament as well as his own.
"What's on your mind?" Varook smiles, walking in and rubbing his back a little. The older rabbit settles into his normal chair and peers towards Veir. They'd talked a lot this week.
Veir looks to Varook with an exasperated expression. "I'm not going to accept his views, and I have to tell him that one day. I just feel so bad because... he wants it so badly. He wants me to stay with him and to believe that this is the best thing for me. It's not, though, and I know it."
"Why did you offer to try it for a week despite knowing you wouldn't be able to accept this role?"
"...I care about Din a lot, he's... I don't know, I just can't stand to see him upset the way this will upset him. It's not that I don't want to be his friend or... or... well, I want to be with him and I want him to be happy but I want him to know how I feel too and I want him to listen. I guess I've been hoping that he'd come around without me having to be harsh." The wolf looks down and shakes his head a little bit, still wondering what he's going to say to Din.
"I don't think you have to be harsh. In my experience, anger and hatred never begets love or caring. If what you've described to me about your relationship with him is accurate, then I think that you should talk to Din about how -else- he could care for you, because it sounds like that's what he wants to do. It sounds like what you want as well...."
The wolf's eyes settle on Varook's gaze and then a smile spreads his muzzle. "Do you think something like that is okay? Micros and normals...?"
"Who sets the rules about that kind of stuff anyway? Do what'll make you and Din happy."
There's a knock on the window of the dollhouse and outside Din is motioning to Veir to come out. The wolf stands and walks over to Varook, giving the rabbit a little hug. "Thanks for talking to me so much this week, you managed to keep me sane," he speaks with a grin.
Varook returns the hug and waves as Veir walks out. "Kids these days... amazing."
Din is smiling a little, holding a paw out for Veir once the wolf walks out. "You've been here for a week! What do you think so far? It's not that bad, is it? You've been treated well, fed, everything! Have you... started to come around yet? I did mention that I'd keep you with me, didn't I?"
"Din... I'd love to stay with you. But I can't accept what les gardiens believes. Look... do you think we could talk? I've given it a try like I said I would and... I've made my decision. I want to explain myself more clearly."
Din seems hesitant for a moment, but then he nods slowly. "Sure... let's go to my room."
Once settled onto the bed, with Din towering before him cross-legged on the mattress, Veir walks over and starts to rub at Din's toes. Din seems a bit surprised but he welcomes it, wriggling the huge toe against the smaller wolf.
While rubbing, Veir looks up to Din. "I'm doing this not because it's my place... I'm doing it because I want to, because you mean something to me and I know it makes you happy, Din."
Din's look becomes a little troubled. "Veir... I know what you're going to say. I know you feel that I should treat a micro as I would anyone else."
Veir shakes his head. "I feel that way, yes... but I'm not asking you to do that right now. I want you to treat -me- like you would any other normal. That's what will make me happy, Din. You want me to rub your toes? Ask me to. You want me to live with you? To be with you? Ask me. Give me a chance to say no because I am smart enough to make my own decisions and... and because you know that I won't say no to any of those..."
Din stares at Veir for a moment, swallowing a little and moving a paw down to shakily pet down Veir's back. "What if... I asked you to accept this and become mine? To accept a micro's position in this world. What if I believe that you would be happy...?"
"It wouldn't be a friendship if I agreed to do that, though, Din."
"I'm not trying to take away your freedoms, Veir. I would listen to you and I'd do anything to make you happy."
"Then why do I have to accept? Why can't you do that without me agreeing to the notion that micros are lesser beings?"
"...You're too small, you can't survive in this wo-"
"I can. I have so far, haven't I? And others have to. Micros aren't extinct for a reason and it's not because les gardiens has done so much for us... you didn't even know about our rings until last week."
"What about a job? What will you do?"
"Let me worry about that, Din... I am smart enough to be responsible for my own life. I don't need your help nor do I need any of the other giants' help to live... I can do that on my own."
Din feels his heart sink. 'He doesn't need me...?'
"I want your help, though, Din... if you'd give it to me, " the wolf smiles a little bit, standing and pulling into the rabbit's lap to hug against his stomach. A grey paw comes down and rubs over Veir's back gently. The smile on Din's face helps hide the blush.
"You... do...? What do you mean?" He seems taken aback, unsure of the way Veir is smiling up towards him.
"To live with you, to be with you... to accept your help and to help you in return. I would love to be able to do that, Din."
Din swallows and a smile suddenly spreads over his muzzle. He laughs a little bit and then just looks down at Veir, unable to form words from his muzzle for at least half of a minute. He looks down and shakes his head a bit, feeling oddly happy. It feels right, as if this is what he'd wanted all along. Not to have Veir as a pet, but... he digs into his pocket and pulls Veir's armlet out. He holds it out towards the wolf and shudders a bit, holding back the fact that he's a bit choked up.
"My armlet?" Veir looks at it for a moment and lowers his ears a bit, smiling as he reaches it out to take it. "Thank you..." He hesistates and then starts to slip it on. As soon as it's on, he returns to his larger height, causing Din to fall backwards. The wolf stays on top of the taller rabbit and wraps his arms around Din tightly.
"I'm sorry, Veir. I've really been a terrible person, lately. Could you forgive me?"
"I don't know if there's anything to forgive. To be honest, I'm kind of happy you wanted me to be with you so badly, even if it was a bit misguided. Din... I would love to be with you. " He looks nervously up to Din's face only to receive a gentle smile.
Wiping the moisture from his eye, Din can only smile. He's hardly able to believe where this conversation has gone. It takes him a moment to settle his fluttering spirit but after he has calmed a little he kisses Veir on the nose gently. "I'd like that too, Veir."
Din's arms wrap right back around the lupine's torso while his face is licked by the wolf.
"I love you, Din."
Din's hug tightens a little and he blushes furiously.
"I love you too..."
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Cameron looks backwards towards the two foxes, sniffing the air. He stares towards them for a moment then starts to walk in the same direction, eyes widening as George's scent continues to blow right into his face. 'They must have George, he must be with them!' He feels excited for a moment and then it dawns on him: 'How am I going to get George from them? And where is he? I hope he's okay..'
The cougar follows slowly, letting the two vulpines keep a good lead as to not make himself immediately suspicious. As the two enter their home, Cameron hobbles closer and presses himself to a tree. Good thing the vulpines lived outside of the city... their neighbor's view of the cougar are blocked by rows of trees lining the sides of the property.
'I have to get in there, George must be in there... but how...' He looks down at Veir's ring, frowning a little to himself. He looks around for a moment, not noticing Veronica turn the corner to walk towards her home as she was at the other end of the street. He pulls the ring off and pockets it, starting to move towards the house while keeping beneath the cover that the grass provides. He gets close to the house and peers up towards the huge front door, wondering how in the world he'll get in.
*WHUMP*
Cameron squeaks and falls backwards, looking up at the towering form of a vixen. His eyes widen and he stands up to try and hobble away but only ends up lifted into the air in her paw.
"Who are you? Why are you so interested in my house? And how did you shrink like that...?"
Words are not formed by Cameron, only jibberish. He can't believe he was caught and furthermore, he can't believe she saw him use the cloaker. Seeing the cougar is far too scared to speak, Veronica just sighs.
"Look, I'm not going to hurt you okay? Calm down. First things first... why are you here?"
Cameron keeps his eyes on her face, nervous and untrusting. Somehow, though, he doesn't feel as if she's fibbing. "I'm... looking for my brother."
"Your brother? Why would he be around here? And..." She blinks a few times, recalling that George had been 'looking for something' the night Terry had eaten the other micros Robert caught.
"His name is George... he's a wolf. I followed his scent here..."
"George? So you're what he was looking for," she smiles a bit. "Well, you came to the right place, but I don't think it's going to be so easy to get your brother back. My husband and I gave him to Terry as a pet."
"What!? I... I mean... I see. C-could I convince you to let him go...? I haven't seen him for the last 5 days. Please... I've been so worried."
Veronica smiles a little. "Well, I would like to do that for you but it's not that easy. Robert, my husband, spared your brother's life on the notion that your brother would become Terry's pet. Terry is my little boy. I'd be betraying them both if I just let your brother go."
Cameron cringes, looking down and holding back a growl. There's nothing he can do, the giantess holds all of the cards.
"I'm not heartless, though. I'll get you in there to see your brother, somehow... think you can put on an act? I'm gonna pretend that I caught you myself while walking home from work. Don't act like you're happy about it, but don't be disobedient, either, alright? Once you're past my husband you can see George all you'd like... but you'll be Terry's pet, too. Is that a deal?"
"...Yes, it's a deal" Cameron speaks, happy that he will see George soon despite what he just promised to. 'I'll have to come up with an escape plan once I'm in, it shouldn't be -that- hard... we'll just sneak out at night...'
Veronica doesn't forget about the fact that Cameron was a giant only moments ago but she stays silent about it for now. While carrying the cougar to the door she idly wonders if the ring he has is the same device her employer is researching. 'I wasn't aware of the fact that the technology had come this far yet...' she thinks on it some more while she opens the door but once she sees Robert she quickly switches to her role.
"Hey, hun..." she walks over to the large fox, blinking as she spots George in his paw.
Robert grins a little, "What's this? You found another one?"
George perks a little, staring upwards slowly. When his eyes reach Cameron, he nearly jumps and starts shouting for joy but the look on Cameron's face makes him think twice. He sees Cameron shake his head very slightly and understands the signal. He nuzzles against Robert's fingers and waits.
"I did, he was sneaking around just outside the house," she smiles and grabs Cameron's scruff, dangling him in front of her husband's muzzle.
The male fox smirks a little bit. "Hmm, I could use a snack," he leans in to lick over Cameron who shivers and tenses up beneath the warm tongue. "Wait a moment..." Robert looks closely at Cameron and an even wider grin spreads his muzzle. "You're the cougar I lost track of, aren't you?" Robert looks down at George and holds him up to the cougar for a moment. "What do you think, wolf? Would you like him to be your little companion or should we make him a snack?"
George stays silent, hoping that question is rhetorical but Robert doesn't stop staring to him. After a few moments, he nods. "Y-yes, of course I would... I would love to have him stay here with me.." He looks up to Robert, hoping the fox isn't playing with him.
"I think this is a bit too good for you, to be honest. You'll have to do something for me... or perhaps the cougar could do it. It doesn't matter, as long as it gets done. You're both micros, so you must have an idea of where other micros hide. I plan to hunt next week and I'll be taking one of you with me. If we find micros, then you will both be welcomed to stay here as Terry's pets. If we don't, then the cougar will become a snack."
Silence falls over the entire room. Even Veronica looks a little bothered by the proposal. She says nothing, however. Cameron frowns and looks down while George looks up to his brother, feeling terrible, praying that they'll be able to get out of this somehow.
"S-sir, please, anything else..." George looks up to Robert, bothered by the two-facedness of the fox; a caring father for one moment and a cruel sadist the next. "If he dies..."
"He shouldn't, should he? If he knows where I could find more of you then he'll be just fine," Robert retorts. "We could skip it if he wants, but he'll be eaten today if he doesn't agree."
"Okay, I'll do it."
George looks up to Cameron, hardly able to believe what he's hearing. He says nothing, though, knowing his brother isn't making an easy decision, he can only imagine how Cameron feels now. He wants so badly to comfort the cougar, especially after having been apart for so long, but he can't, not here.
Cameron, on the other hand, is running through scenarios. It's obvious that he has to go with Robert or else he'll die here. He still has the ring, though... 'I wonder if I could beat him in a fight? Or maybe I can run... no, he'll hurt George if I do... maybe George and I can escape before next week?' he sighs inwardly, unsure of how he's going to deal with this. 'I can't doom anyone else but I can't let myself die, either. There has to be a way out of this, or else...'
"Good! It's settled, then," Robert smiles. "We'll keep you two separate until next week after the hunt."
Veronica pets over Cameron gently. "I'll put him in our room," she leaves and settles Cameron into an extra cage Robert has lying around. "I didn't suspect he'd recognize you. I'll try to talk him down but I wouldn't hold my breath."
"Thanks for getting me in here, I'm glad George is safe," is all Cameron says.
When Veronica enters the living room again, she settles down next to Robert. Terry runs in but only to pounce at George on the floor next to his father's feet. "George! Lets go do homework, okay?"
George cringes and clings to Terry's fingers as soon as the fox grabs him. A moment later, Robert and Veronica are the only two left in the room.
"I know why you're so cruel to them, hun, but don't you think this is a bit far? They're friends, and Terry has warmed up to George rather well," She states, leaning against the larger male fox. Robert peers down at Veronica for a second and shrugs a little, avoiding the topic.
"Your siblings... your mother... you have to put that behind you someday, Robert. I love you, you know that, and I think you're a wonderful man... a wonderful husband. The micros who killed them are probably dead by now and you can't keep taking it out on the rest of them." She kisses Robert's cheek and sighs a little.
"Why're you suddenly saying these things now? You've never had a problem with it before," Robert grumbles a little.
"Terry loves George, Robert. We don't know how far back George and that cougar go. What if this breaks little George's heart? How're you going to explain it to Terry?
"We'll get a new micro, then. Either way, we're hunting next week," He states before standing up and walking to the room, leaving Veronica on the couch.
'I'm not as worried about them as I am about you...' Veronica watches Robert leave, remembering what her husband was like before she married him. _'You didn't care for them back then, either, but with every micro you find... I swear...' _