"You don't need that Puppeteer" [OFF]

"An emotion"

Zacharie hummed as he strolled back to his tent. He had left to replenish his stock, he figured he may need it considering his strange friend's condition. Hopefully, The Batter had heeded his warnings. He wasn't usually that stern with people.
Really he was concerned. Zacharie didn't like admitting that concern.

He was especially concerned when he saw the tent door awkwardly strung open.

"Batter?" He sounded as if he'd just been hit in the gut. Several times. Several times he had told him not to do that. For someone who's spent most of their existence being controlled by another being he sure wasn't obedient at least towards him.
Of course The Batter wasn't there and Zacharie let out a frustrated and nervous sigh, the masked man muttered something under his breath.

He must have wandered off somewhere, likely to continue his sacred mission. There was a drop or two of blood just outside the tent and some bandages. Zacharie had tried to patch him up after his loss against the Spectres, he was badly wounded. Very badly wounded. Lucky for him that Zacharie was well trained for these kinds of situations.

Zacharie strutted away from the tent in urgency, looking for his... likely rather dense friend.

*
**
*

Pablo was nestled just outside the library, sleeping soundly, letting out a quiet purr every once in a while.
Zacharie stood looking down at him, wondering if he should bother the cat with his troubles. He decided against it, just giving him a soft pat on the head before swiftly leaving and hoping he didn't just disturb the cat's slumber.

*
**
*

The Batter looked out on a white Sea, thinking to himself.
How did he lose to such basic spectres? They should be easy. They should've been purified. He felt weak especially after being saved by Zacharie. Zacharie shouldn't be doing his job for him, nor should he be tucking him into bed and kissing his boo-boos like he was a 3 year old child who had just fallen off his bike. That's how he felt, a little like a vulnerable child. A thought he hated.

He's the purifier! He should be strong! He should know what he's doing! He should be smart!

Now he realised this whole time he wasn't. It was the being controlling him that was and he had been forsaken by them.
Abandoned.
Thinking sucked. Oddly enough he liked not thinking for himself. Or feeling. It was better than how he felt now.
Discarded.
It wasn't a nice sensation.

"Mmm..."
A thoughtful sound left his mouth, somewhat calm but somewhat solemn.
This couldn't stop him.
He shook a little.
He couldn't.
A liquid dropped down his face.
What was this feeling?
Not good.

"B... Batter? Damn-"
Zacharie.
The Batter hastily tried to cover up what he had just felt. He didn't know what that was but it hurt.
Zacharie nudged The Batter's shoulder, he turned to face him.
"Damn it- damn it I got worried."
"..."
"... Amigo."
"..."
Zacharie could tell something was off.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Why did you leave? Batter..."
"You left."
"I said I'd be back."
"You left for a few hours."
"Batter. Mon ami. Amigo. Buddy. I was gone for twenty minutes."
"Oh..."

He couldn't even last twenty minutes?
Zacharie sat down beside him, dangling his legs over the deep plastic.
"Does something bother you, dear Batter?"
Could Zacharie tell? He didn't know.
"Ah... Ah, no. I'm ok."
An obvious lie. Zacharie seemed to fall for it.
"I see."

"Batter, why did you leave?"
"I wanted to find you."
"Aw"
"... yeah."
"Why? Did ya miss me."
"..."
"Awwww."
"Hush."

"You know, you can tell me if something's wrong. I know."
Damn.
"Things are ok."
"You're shaking."
Shit.
"No I'm not."
Zacharie lightly chuckled, patting him on the back gently. He was irritated at The Batter but he didn't really want to see him like that. He didn't like seeing anyone in general alone and upset, even the same-y Elsen.

The Batter couldn't hide it.
"Something came out of my eyes."
"Liquid?"
"Yes."
"You're upset."
"That's what it is?"
"Awh, look at you. Emoting."
"S... stop."
The Batter was whimpering.
"..."
"Sorry."

"Perhaps I can help, mon ami."
The Batter's eyes widened a little.
"Help with what?" The Batter questioned, intrigued. Still shaking, still attempting to flicker out the tears. That's what they are. Tears.
"Help you control yourself. Help with the purification process. I'm more experienced than I look."
"..."
The Batter nodded. Zacharie wiped off a stray tear.

He knew the other man was confused, perhaps scared. Obviously sad. Worried. A lot of things he'd never known before. He didn't need to know them before.

"Now, lets go back to that tent, Hm? Get you cleaned up again. We can start."

'Tomorrow,' Zacharie thought. 'Tomorrow he learns a new emotion.'