Love and Deepspace x Reader

Chapter 22: Aether Core

Zayne:
          Pie.

The fox ignores Zayne but paws at the canned pet food Zayne had brought from Linkon City.

Y/N:
          In this cold, soulless world where advanced technology reigns supreme, it's surprising to see gluttonous creatures like you.

Y/N:
          Here. Eat as much as you want.

You kneel down to pat the little fox's head. He turns to rub against you affectionately before eating more food.

Zayne:
           He loves food but not the person who bought it.

Y/N:
          Did Dr. Noah name him Pie because his favorite dessert is white pie?

Zayne:
          When Dr. Noah adopted him, he ate six pies in one go.

You can't help but chuckle. Zayne lifts up Pie's right leg to check something. There's a little thing strapped to it.

Y/N:
          What is that?

Zayne:
          A tag.

Y/N:
          For a vaccination?

You suddenly feel like Pie isn't simply Dr. Noah's pet. Zayne has always kept a tight lid on his polar- related research. He calls it "a vacation" or "visit to his teacher."

Y/N:
          (What has he and Dr. Noah been researching? And why does it have to be done in such a cold place...)

As you watch Zayne brush off the crumbs from Pie's whiskers, your curiosity grows.

Zayne:
          Pie is very special. He's as intelligent as a nine-year-old child.

You look at pie. He looks at you tilt his head and waggle his tail.

Y/N:
          Awwww...

Zayne:
          Don't be fooled by his cute, innocent appearance.

With a poker face, Zayne blocks Pie's attempt to pick up another can and taps the fox's head.

Zayne:
          You only get one can of snacks per day. Go on now.

Pie leads us swiftly through the streets. It takes a while, but in a few minutes of walking you finally arrive at the place where Dr. Noah lives.

Before we can enter the front yard, you hear the sound of some creature whining and struggling.

UNKNOWN:
          There, there. The pain is gone now.

Little animals run around, stirring up snow and dirt. An old man wearing a large coat comforts the polar mink in his arms.

UNKNOWN:
          Zayne! What are you waiting for? Help me!

Zayne put your bags on the ground and look at you before leaving.

Zayne:
          One second.

Y/N:
          (Huh? There's a hint of Metaflux in the air... Is it from the mink?)

Before you can ask, Zayne traps a bunch of black furballs scurrying about the yard with an ice cage he creates.

Zayne:
          Are there other escapees?

Dr. Noah:
          No. Sigh, they messed up my yard again...

Zayne catches another few animals in the same way and puts them back in their cages.