Aarón arrives back at their room, finding that Mico is awake. There is a brief moment where the two silently look at each other before Mico starts crying. “There’s something I really need to tell you, Uncle Aarón…” Aarón rushes over, looking down at Mico in concern. “You can tell me anything, Mico.” He reassures his nephew. Mico takes a deep shuddering breath. “I tried killing myself a few years ago, but Instinct saved me.” A wave of horror washes over Aarón as Mico buries his face in his uncle’s shirt. “He just sat with me in my room for half the night until I fell asleep…” Mico whimpers. Aarón pulls himself together, fighting back tears. “What made you attempt it?” He asks. “I felt like a burden, I felt like I was holding you back from the things you wanted to do.” Mico sniffs. Aarón holds his nephew close, stunned. “You’re not a burden, you are the most important thing in the world to me. You’re so much like your father, my brother, that losing you would be like losing him a second time.” Mico looks up at Aarón, tears still streaming down his face. “I don’t feel that way anymore, though.” Aarón looks down into Mico’s bright brown eyes with his golden ones. “We’re going to both be okay, we are gonna get through this. I promise.” Aarón reassures him.
“I’m tired…” Mico says after a few minutes of being held. “I don’t blame you. Would you be okay here by yourself?” “Yeah.” With one more squeeze, Aarón gets up and leaves the room. He takes a deep breath before returning to the loud main room of the casino. He isn’t normally one to go to bars, nor does he really drink, but he is curious at what one from the multiverse could offer. He sits down at the bar, looking at the menu before settling for a strange glowing beer-like drink that tastes faintly of blue raspberry. Aarón finishes it, and then he falls into the void and to where Instinct resides. “Instinct, why do you act so aggressively around my nephew?” Instinct looks up at Aarón, their gold eyes unreadable.
Aarón sits down, and Instinct lays down beside him. “I need you to understand that Mico would never hurt me, or you. He’s someone I love a lot, and he’s the one who really needs to be protected, just like on that one night, okay?” Instinct looks into Aarón’s eyes, then butts their head against him with a happy sound. Aarón smiles. “It’s rare to see a Katian these days.” Aarón pulls himself out of his mind and looks up to see a beautiful woman. Her skin is a powdery blue color, and her hair a striking neon red. “So I’ve heard.” Aarón says, immediately feeling on edge. “I heard the safety force was expecting someone, a Katian, to join their team. Are you them?” Aarón hesitates, unsure how much information he should give. She could be a spy. “No, I’m just passing through.” Aarón lies. “I see. Is this your first time in Newon?”
Aarón nods. “Way different from Kaleido, and miles colder.” The woman nods in agreement. “My name is Jezca, and you?” “Aarón .” Aarón looks away, slightly blushing. “This place sure is something.” He says, turning back. He picks up his drink, but then pauses. Wait, didn’t I finish this already? The liquid looks slightly darker than it had before. Aarón shrugs to himself before drinking it. Must just be the lighting. He and the woman continue to talk, she orders him more drinks, slipping a strange purple capsule into each one. Aarón ‘s speech starts to slur, his eyes drooping. His head starts spinning. Aarón tips backwards, falling off the stool. Everything becomes a blur as Aarón is led down a hall. Jezca then pushes him down onto the floor, drawing out a giant knife. “You’re a terrible liar…” through the haze clogging up his head, Aarón hears Instinct roaring and snarling, the tiger spirit throwing himself against the mental barrier that prevents him from emerging. “You ARE the Katian the safety force said would be helping them.” Jezca pins him down with her foot, she is surprisingly strong. “And not only that, but you’re Human-Katian, and the only Human-Katian in the history of the multiverse was the king of Kaleido’s only surviving son…” She traces a finger along his jaw.
“…And if I bring you to Circuit-Breaker, dead or alive, maybe I’ll finally be accepted into his ranks.” A familiar warmth creeps down Aarón ‘s arms and to his hands as Instinct gives one final shove against the mental barrier. With a roar, Instinct throws Jezca off of them, glowing blue wings appearing on his back. Instinct flaps over to their assaulter, and just as the door bursts open the tiger spirit grabs Jezca’s face. Jezca screams in agony as her blue face burns, becoming almost unrecognizable in an instant as the horrible smell of burning flesh fills the air. Strong arms pull Instinct off of her, and Aarón begins to sob as he regains control, his head pounding. “She was going to kill me! I was defending myself!” Jack Anubis restrains Aarón , his golden eyes looking over to a bottle of dissolving capsules on the nightstand which reads “Nightshade.” He understands immediately. He lets go of Aarón and shoves past the two guards who entered the room with him. “What the hell?!” He snarls, trembling in fury. “He attacked me! H-’’ Jack Anubis grabs Jezca by the hair and drags her out of the room, his shoulders tense as he growls like a wild animal.
Aarón quickly throws on the rest of his clothing, still shaking in shock and rage. He and the guards follow the snarling casino owner who shouts and curses at the woman as they go. Soon they all stand at the top of the main staircase, the crowd of people notice and stop what they are doing. Jack Anubis clears his throat. “This woman has just done something unforgivable in MY casino, if you have been attacked or harmed by a woman named Jezca, please speak up.” His voice trembles. Everyone trades glances at each other. an elephant-like creature steps forward. “Sir, she tried drugging my drink a few nights back.” Their voice booms. A person who looks to be a regular human also steps up. “She threatened to kill me the other night when I saw her trying to extract money from a slot machine!” Jack Anubis lifts Jezca by the hair while snarling in her face. “Is this true?” Jezca slowly hangs her head.
Jack Anubis turns back to the crowd at the bottom of the stairs. “As you all know, things like drugging, attempted murder, and sexually charged assault are punishable by life in prison and even death some places here in the multiverse…” he motions for Aarón to come forward. “The people who unfortunately encounter these monsters are the ones to choose their fate.” Aarón steps forward. He wipes his tears away. I have to do this. He gathers himself. Aarón hears the crowd start whispering to each other “A Katian! How dare she do such a thing to one of them!” “Look! No tail! Could he really be…?” Aarón takes a deep breath. “My name is Aarón Melisandré. I’m a human, and a Katian. I am the only surviving son of the deceased king and queen of Kaleido. Tonight I was drugged by Jezca-“ Jack Anubis grabs Aarón’s shoulder as he abruptly lurches forward, his head spinning. Aarón grits his teeth, regaining his balance. “She… she planned to kill me. I’m angry, I want her gone. But death is the easy way out, am I wrong?” The elephantine creature and human nod. “I think that the best option, for me and her two other victims here tonight, would be for her to be sentenced to life in prison, A place where she can do nothing but think about all of her wrongs and crimes at every waking moment.”
The crowd murmurs in agreement. “It shall be done.” Jack Anubis announces as the guards unceremoniously drag a screaming and crying Jezca away. “What are you going to say to your nephew? I doubt that you want to stay here after what just happened.” Jack Anubis frowns sadly as the crowd below disperses. “I think I’m going to tell him the truth, I think he’s old enough to handle it without me sugarcoating it. He went through something like this before we got here too, at the hands of my own half brother. And yeah, you’re right. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with this place, just…” “No no, I understand completely. I will call Stacy and see if she can arrange somewhere else for you two to stay.”
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A short walk later, Aarón knocks on the door of their hotel room. Mico opens it, relief on his face. “You’ve been gone for three whole hours, Uncle Aarón.” Aarón walks in, shaky. “Mico, we need to talk.” Mico’s face falls, seeing the serious looks on his uncle’s thin face. Aarón all but collapses onto the bed, weak from being drugged. He closes his eyes for a moment and gathers his thoughts. “Something really bad almost happened to me tonight, Mico…” he opens his eyes, looking into Mico’s. “I… someone almost killed me.” He says, pained. “What?!” Aarón goes on to explain everything that has happened in the last three hours, from being drugged to Instinct protecting him to him deciding the fate of his assaulter in front of everyone. “It can happen to anyone, Mico. You unfortunately know that now, and I just foolishly never thought it would happen to either of us…” The two have tears in their eyes, unsure what to do next. “It wasn’t your fault, Uncle Aarón.” Mico says. There is a knock at the door a few moments later. “Aarón,” Jack Anubis says. “It’s time for you to go. Mico will be staying at the Newon Safety Force HQ.”
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“I can tell you’re a little nervous, but trust me. Once Henry Circuit is here, you won’t be anymore. He’s also the one that stopped Circuit-Breaker from taking you.” Stacy says as the two sit at a bus stop. “And why is that?” As if to answer his question, a massive seven foot humanoid figure with a chubby mouth less face lumbers up to Aarón from his left. “Hello, sorry I’m late.” The fat green humanoid announces. “I’ll be on my way now. Take care of Aarón, Circuit.” Stacy disappears into thin air. With a huff, the man sits down beside Aarón and readjusts their little purple top hat and yellow bow tie with a clawed hand. His rotund body is dressed in purple and blue clothing that is a little tight in places, but the most notable part of Henry Circuit is their belly. The soft mass comfortably sits on their lap and wobbles with the slightest movement. Aarón’s heartbeat quickens, his pupils dilating. That’s a really big belly…
Henry Circuit turns to Aarón. “I’m Henry Circuit, But you can just call me Circuit.” His voice is warm and deep, comforting. But despite that Aarón can’t help but sense something sad behind it. “Sorry if I intimidated you, my size tends to throw people off!” Circuit pats his belly, making it jiggle like jello. Aarón feels his heart flutter, but notices an almost sad look in Circuit’s glowing white eyes. A giant pink taxi pulls up in front of the two of them, the window rolling down to reveal a man with a mustache. “The name’s Jake, Circuit and I go way back, don’t we big guy?” Circuit nods.
“Jake was my friend throughout my school years, and he is part of the special reserve unit for the Newon safety force.” Circuit explains. “Where are you two off to?” Jake asks. “Just my house. And this is Aarón! He got here a couple of hours ago and has had a rough day. He experienced quite a traumatic situation at the Cosmic Casino.” Jake nods. “I feel ya’, that Jack Anubis can be a bit irresponsible with safety and rules at times.” Aarón looks down uncomfortably. “Oh, It wasn’t Jake Anubis being irresponsible, it was…” Aarón knows Circuit must be privately communicating with Jake whose face grows dark. “I see, hop on in.”
Aarón slides in first, He watches as Circuit slightly sucks his belly in, squeezing in and shutting the door. They take off, buildings and street lights whizzing by. They pass through the heart of the city, and Circuit perks up. “That giant circus tent is where my entertainment center is. I could take you sometime! I mean, if you want to go.” Aarón smiles. “Of course I’d love to go, especially my nephew!” Aarón smiles. “Really?” Circuit asks. Aarón nods enthusiastically. “He loves places like that!” The rest of the ride is silent, the only noise is of the car engine and passing wind outside. Jake makes a left turn onto a smaller street with giant houses that could pass for modest mansions. After another minute, the taxi stops in front of one. “Thanks for the lift, Jake!” Circuit leads Aarón into his spacious house, heading off towards the kitchen to prepare some food while Aarón sets down his things in the living room.
“I thought we could eat in here, my back and legs ache from being on my feet all day.” Circuit sets Aarón ‘s food down on a small table in front of them before sitting down on the far side of a wide couch, neatly placing his own plate on top of his stomach. The two eat in silence, Aarón watching in fascination as the food appears to phase through the green synthetic skin where a mouth would be, disappearing without a trace. Circuit notices Aarón watching and blushes.
“I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable…” he looks away. “Why would I be uncomfortable?” Aarón asks. Circuit blushes harder. “Just, you know how people like me are viewed when they eat, or do anything for that matter…” Aarón realizes what he means and shakes his head. “I’m not one to judge, everyone who can eat needs to eat. Bigger people don’t deserve the hate they get for simply existing. I was looking at you because I think robots are cool and wondered how it worked.” They continue eating, Circuit finishing first. He looks at Aarón .
“Can i tell you a few things that’ll explain the way I am? I like being upfront and honest with people i have to work with about myself.” Circuit asks quietly. “Only if you’re comfortable.” Circuit sighs deeply. “I wasn’t a robot in the very beginning. When I was born I was nearly dead. The hospital kept me on life support for almost a year until some of Newon’s most highly regarded scientists and magicians heard about my case and created a robotic body with both technology and magic. The placed my organic brain in it and made it so i could still go through almost all the changes and experiences that humans do.” A large book appears in the air before them, flipping to a page with a picture of a very small Circuit, his skin is neon pink instead of green with a big red bow on the side of his head.
Realization hits Aarón . “You’re transgender?” He asks. Circuit nods. “I consider myself a Trans-masculine man who sometimes fluctuates to a more non-binary gender.” He says. “When I started school, I was relentlessly teased by my peers for being a robot, and the bullying escalated when glitches started occurring that made me gain tons of weight at random times, sometimes in a matter of minutes. I call them ‘Surges’, they still happen and have only gotten worse. Luckily the weight from those sometimes goes away on its own…” The page turns to show a still very small but now very chubby Circuit. “The bullying turned physical, I was beaten almost every day. The teachers started shaming me for something I had no control over and can’t be fixed.” Circuit’s gaze grows distant.
Aarón‘s breath catches in his throat, but he can’t say anything. “I was moved to a new middle school and high school, the physical bullying died down, but the verbal and mental bullying only worsened. My lunch would be stolen, I would go home hungry every night. I started overeating and secretly buying second lunches and breakfast at school. My weight soared, and my surges really started kicking in again.” The pages flip to show an even bigger Circuit, his skin now green. “I came out to my parents when I was sixteen” He adds.``In tenth grade, my parents finally pulled me out of school and sued every school I went to. They won, but nothing will ever fix what I went through. Around this time, I really started noticing that I had giant gaps in my memory from early childhood, and that I’m forgetful to the point where I can’t remember if I had gone somewhere just a few minutes before. I almost forgot you were here when I was preparing the food. I also felt like there were different people living in my head that took control, mostly at stressful times. I learned about Dissociative identity disorder and was finally officially diagnosed at age eighteen. I’ve recovered from a lot of trauma since then.”
Circuit finally falls silent, a sad look in his glowing eyes. “Thank you for trusting me enough to share all of that. You didn’t deserve any of that. I thought such a diverse place like the multiverse would be more accepting than Earth, but I guess I’m wrong. I’m so sorry.” He gently puts a hand on Circuit’s broad shoulder. Circuit tenses up at the touch, but then relaxes. “One of my alters is close to fronting, they really seem to trust you. Would it be okay for them to come out? They use a different form i usually use to entertain kids when they front, a cat.” Aarón smiles, nodding. “I love cats, what’s their name?” “Henry Purrcuit, Purrcuit for short.” Circuit abruptly freezes, staring intensely into the distance. Slowly, he transforms before Aarón ‘s eyes. Whiskers appear on his face, then ears and a small triangular nose. His head grows bigger and more dome-like, his skin gaining a soft velvety texture. His body fills out into an even rounder shape as he shrinks, and finally a pink and green tail snakes out from behind him, waving back and forth slowly. “Meow?”
“Hey there, cute kitty.” Aarón gently says. “Do you like pets?” Purrcuit closes his eyes, beginning to purr. “I take that as a yes.” Aarón reaches down and pets the side of Purrcuit’s face, scratching him behind the whiskers and ears. “You seem really sweet…” Purrcuit makes a chirping noise, taking Aarón ‘s hand in his small green one and moving it to his belly. Aarón’s pupils dilate again. “I see.” He starts rubbing the cat’s doughy belly in big circles, causing them to stretch. After a few more minutes of petting and belly rubs, Aarón and his new cat friend drift off to sleep, Aarón unconsciously using him as a pillow. He falls into an uncomfortable dream.