Chapter Text
It's a lovely day in Penacony, the dreamscape tranquil and full of people eager for the festival to begin in a few days. Everyone is holding a SoulGlad or has chips in their purses to play at the slot machines, and jazz music can be heard throughout the place. Ratio steps out of the “moment” after dropping his advice into Aventurine's hands, allowing the blonde man to do whatever he wants with the bag in his hand and its contents. Though he is leaving the golden hour, this does not imply he is going far away. It's foolish, fruitless, and will simply hunt him further in the future, but Ratio needs to see how the plan plays out till the end. He already feels like a masked fool with how long he had to play a role, might as well as make one last ridiculous decision.
He teleports over to Clock Studios Theme Park as Aventurine's voice echoes from the scattered TVs all across the dreamscape, calling out to trailblazers. Ratio climbs to one of the tallest buildings around Hamster Park and sighs for umpteenth time. There is nowhere to actually be seated but the floor, since he is gazing over from the loft which is surrounded by air conditioning units. He gingerly sits down with his legs swinging over the edge, doing his best not to look down, not because he is scared of the height - that would be ridiculous - but because it reminds him of Aventurine again. That damned gambler, who has no care for himself. That annoying peacock, who admitted easily over a drink that he tried different ways to get rid of himself. Apparently shooting himself once wasn't enough, so he had thrown himself out from a building to check if he could die from another cause.
Getting frustrated at how every chain of thoughts ended up with the Stoneheart, violet haired man opens his codex, looking through some mathematical equations to calm himself down. Somebody once laughed at his face for admitting math is calming and- no. He is not doing this again. Thankfully(?) the plan goes on with the next step, and he gets to watch Aventurine gain his new form to fight against the astral express. (Ratio should ask about his boss form later if he can, because the way he looks.. is interesting. Yes, even from far afar the doctor can tell he has gotten way taller than he normally is, and he tries to come up with ways to how this can happen without actually shattering his body. It has piqued his interest. From a scientific point of view of course. Nothing else.)
Coins begin to fall from the sky, and shortly thereafter, all he sees is a colorless world, and Aventurine getting cut by the self-annihilator, leaving nothing behind but a broken screen.
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When the doctor awakens from the dreamscape his initial reaction is to remove his clothing and dip into the bath. He has an inkling regarding how he acquired such a room, considering actual bathtubs are unusual at this hotel. For all the luxurious Penacony is advertised, the hotel's interior architecture is designed in such a way that tourists desire to leave reality and dive right into their restless dreams. Don't get him wrong; all the decorations have high quality, but there isn't much to do outside when you're bored of dreaming. There are multiple pings coming from his phone, which he initially ignores. The notifications stop for a moment, and he rests his eyes in utter silence. Soon enough, duck noises start to reverberate through the walls, and he awkwardly leans over to grab his phone. He would rather dig his own grave than admitting that he has special tones for special peoples messages. It's simply easier that way, knowing which message can be ignored. He swiftly opens the app, seeing 5 different chats. He reads through the most recent one several times, heart beating irregularly as he realizes that it's simply an automatic message. He is still somewhere out there. Or at least his body is. No, he shouldn't think like it. From a rational standpoint, a slash from an Emenator is enough to kill anybody, yet his dear gamblers' luck cannot be answered scientifically. He had the opportunity to collect proof of it from close proximity several times. Ratio writes back, ignoring the slight tremble that shakes his phone, hoping it will be delivered quickly so they can move on from this hellish Penacony arc. It's safe to say he has twice as many gray hairs.
The other messages are from Topaz, Jade, Screwllum and a guild member. He rolls his eyes at the sight of his weeping teacher assistant, asking him when he is coming back. Mr. Screwllum simply requires a confirmation of their agreed time to work on the new project and Jade thanks him for his work. Topaz on the other hand informs him that Aventurine’s stone has gone colourless. A smart move, to let IPC have a part of the stone so they can follow the plan from the other side. He sits on the edge of the couch, hair damp and closes his eyes. Thinking about a world without Aventurine is… overwhelmingly lonely. He snaps back, when did he even start to enjoy the companionship fully? There was certainly an intriguing side to the conversations they had -ignoring all the times he threw a chalk to the other party- but missing it? That's unexpected, out of his calculations.
Changing to his work clothes once again, he is glad to have a meeting soon. He'd rather have his mind preoccupied with mathematical formulas than whatever this is. He goes to find Mr. Screwllum in his VIP suite. Despite his distaste for the geniuses and their ivory tower mentality, Screwllum stood out as an exception, and he finds himself pleased to work with the Mechanical Aristocrat. Perhaps it was his interest in organics, but a month after their discussion on the spaceship he received an invitation from the monarch, along with an attachment requesting collaboration. He rejected, of course, because he has no interest in working on a subject that would not benefit others. It came as no surprise that the simulated universe was all about THEM, given that the genius society's gimmick has always been to push toward the unattainable without looking back. It is safe to say he was taken aback by the Mechanical Aristocrats' eagerness to collaborate with him, even offering a completely new version of the simulated universe in another location. Screwllum has shown to be remarkably compassionate and persistent, as one would expect from a gentleman rather than a genius, by bringing assets to Penacony—a move Ratio finds equally perplexing given Herta's infamous selfishness.
After working on the finer details, Ratio leaves the man to check the minor matters, simply nodding as he gets informed Trailblazer will start to try it out soon. Of course things don't go any better from there. He had deceived himself to believe the tension was over, and now the bombs aboard the ship suggested otherwise. He sighed, adorning his alabaster head before anyone notices his eye twitching once he glances at the group chat. All idiots, talking about nonsense as if there is no pressure of a looming countdown. Not to mention someone who has no qualms about commenting in the group chat but not in DMs. The devil suggests he delete the texts he sent. He has already given his advice; perhaps that is enough. But deleting them might imply he is offended, and there is nothing to be offended about. He is not Aventurine’s top priority. The man undoubtedly has a number of political issues to look after. Still, his mood sours later when he ends up working with a certain galaxy ranger, having to listen to him talk about how interesting that blond haired individual is and how he conversed with him over a drink. Not to mention how the knight saved him from the darkness too. Apparently even the Trailblazer had the opportunity to encounter Aventurine again. Interesting. That wicked gambler who played with his life under the golden hour appears to be toying with his patience now. His phone feels heavier than ever in his pocket. There is a certain amount of adrenalin left from the mission, as Ratio for once in his life gambled and left his note to Aventurine.
He accepts his defeat once he sits on the spaceship leaving Penacony without interacting with the man he has been patiently waiting for since he woke up.
—------------
Intelligentsia Guild is just as messy with students running around, papers flying all across the corridors, and words echoing from all corners. There is an anticipation that can be felt even before setting foot inside. The reason behind it is simple. Every five years, the Intelligentsia Guild hosts a grand panel celebrating their quintet of prestigious schools and their consistent achievements throughout the years. To further encourage their students, this event requires each sub faction to present innovative projects. For that to happen a year before the festivities aspiring student groups showcase their proposals within their respective schools. From these presentations, three projects get selected by a panel of professors and over the next twelve months, the chosen students diligently develop their projects, ultimately unveiling their achievements during the week-long event. In the end, once again three projects are picked and the winning students earn the opportunity to work directly within the guild upon graduation. Such a grand award has the atmosphere charged with both excitement and anxiety as the deadline looms just three weeks away, meaning the students have started to bring their assets to the main campus. Fortunately for Ratio, he is spared from anything directly related with project proposals because the Council of Mundanities chose to remain uninvolved for the sake of fairness. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop the students from surrounding him. They all wish to get his opinion and perspective on their projects as a bonus since they couldn't contact him while he was working in Penacony.
Before students could swarm him, he locks himself in his office. Literally, the door firmly shut. A deep and troubled sigh leaves his mouth, firm steps echoing as he gets to the desk in the middle as he puts his bag to the big drawer. Before he headed to Penacony, he reluctantly entrusted some of the exams and quizzes to the newly arrived TA (who only started to work under him because his higher ups forced Ratio to get help after they found the doctor passed out from overworking twice). Next to the accumulated work he actually has, he wants to check on what the assistant has done as well. So while his work was technically less burdening, it sure didn't seem like it from the mountain of paperwork in front of him. Not to mention that he had begun to disregard them even before his departure to work on Divergent Universe.
Reluctantly, he sits down at his office desk and begins reviewing his pupils' scores, ensuring that the TA had followed his answer sheet and grading procedure. He couldn't help but smile as he noticed a rise in passing grades, happy to know the number of students who will be getting chalked on their heads was now lower. As much as he didn't like to admit it, returning to work usually helps him cope with all the overwhelming experiences. Having a routine always made him feel comfortable, the ability to guess how the day would go making it easier to get through it. Unexpected changes are bound to happen in his work career, but the fewer, the better. He takes a deep breath and starts sorting the exams into neat piles, appreciating the familiar rhythm of his tasks. Every so often, he glances at the clock, mentally mapping out his schedule for the rest of the working hours. He even finds himself jotting down a few notes for future lectures, feeling a spark of inspiration. As expected, he finishes the paperwork he planned for today with ease. He closes the computer, taking his glasses off. He didn't actually have that much problem with his vision, but it is an important job of one to protect themselves from the harmful blue light emitted by screens. Prolonged exposure to that light can cause digital eye strain, disrupt sleep patterns by suppressing melatonin production, and even contribute to long-term eye health issues such as macular degeneration. He gets up with the intention to leave before checking his desk. So many papers that he can't even see where the worked one's end and unsigned ones begin. Perhaps he should make a visit to his seniors office before leaving. Hm, not a bad idea. His room is simply a floor above. It would be a good exercise to stretch his legs before getting lost into the madness that is called public transportation.
Sadly, luck wasn't on his side today. Exactly 14 seconds after he walks to the third floor, he is welcomed with some students running like beheaded chickens in the corridor. Their situation must have been dire as a red headed girl comes over to him, uncaring that she couldn't see his face hidden behind his piece of pottery. She wears the designated badge of Astral Ecology School.
“-- Professor Ratio! It's so good to see you. There is an, er, unexpected error in one of the machines, could you perhaps take a look at it?” Before he could refuse, the girl puts her hands together as if she is praying, and bends down.
“Please! If we don't find the problem or a way to shut the machinery down, the results might be catastrophic!” With how desperate she sounded, it was obviously no exaggeration. If there's an actual incident happening, that would likely lead up to injuries and disqualify the project, which would have a damage on Guilds reputation. Not to mention the higher ups would be pissed when they catch the whiff of how he didn't lift a finger to solve the problem. He could feel another headache coming.
“What is it?” The girl's face lightened up, looking up to him as if he was her savior. How foolish, he is not going to create her a solution out of thin air.
“We wanted to get some more data for our project to get a better median in a few independent variables. And then suddenly dials went all up and the experiment went rampage!” He hums as he gets closer to the heated machinery. There is some smoke coming from its side where several cables are pooled. “It's a Bio-Morphic Transmuter.” the girl continues to babble. “It alters specific DNA sequences. Till now we were able to accelerate healing and induce minor beneficial transformations, like enhanced senses or temporary physical adaptations. This time we wanted to see if one of us could get night vision, till the main computer completely crashed out, which affected the actual machinery as well.” She points at her other friends who are all standing behind a big screen, confused faces matching each other. Ratio knows all this, he has read the report about chosen projects months ago. The Bio-Morphic Transmuter is a sleek chamber resembling a large transparent pod. Inside the chamber, multiple articulated robotic arms are equipped with an array of high-precision laser emitters and sensors. The machine operates by using targeted bio-energy waves and nanotechnology to manipulate DNA. Instead of injections, it emits precise energy pulses and releases microscopic nanobots that alter genetic sequences. The lasers precisely target specific genes to either activate or suppress them, while electromagnetic fields stabilise the DNA during the transformation process. Ratio creates a small imaginary shield -better be safe than sorry- as he bends closer to the cables. The mechanism thankfully only looks overwhelmed.
“For such.. worse case scenarios, a manual emergency button to reboot the system is required. Has such a thing never happened before? It's worked inside the computer, which is why guild makes sure the coding is done on their original platform in the first place.”
The girl puffs. “Well yes, but that means it will delete the latest research too… and we've been working for 3 hours. So maybe.. You could help us..”
“In this case, a reboot is the only safe option.” Ratio gets up, shaking his head. The girl is obviously disappointed, but does not refuse.
“I see, thank you still, professor.” Without thinking much about it he nods and makes a move to take his leave. Before he gets to step out of the room, the machine gets rebooted, and instead of getting closed, it starts to work faster, the whirring of the fans getting louder, robotic arms flapping around as little sparks of electricity surround it. Getting to his professor mode once again, Ratio snaps his head back, thinking about what to do. He doesn't actually get to do anything though, because seconds later the chambers doors open, and he feels some hotness hitting him full force, nearly blinding him. The last thing Ratio sees before he faints is a bright red light consuming his sight and mind.
.
He awakens under the blue sky, laying on grass. There is muttering coming from both sides, and he sees his parents whispering over his body. He had fallen asleep with a storybook on his chest. Before Veritas became involved in philosophy, mathematics, and other studies, he was fascinated in mythology. The first books his parents read to him were not fairytales, but rather stories from a distant past, written long before his people met the actual Aeons. They have created their own gods to make sense of the unknown. It was fascinating to see how far human imagination may go when given complete freedom. The first books he read by himself were also about these gods of course, encouraged by his parents. They were excited to teach their planet's culture as well as push his imagination forward.
When he shifts a bit and his parents notice him awake, his father grabs his sides, starting to tickle him. It is one of the warmest memories he had, and also the last physical closure he got before he left for college, skipping high school completely.
.
When Ratio finally manages to open his eyes -actually opening eyes because what he saw before was just a fleeting memory-, it's to darkness and muffled noises. Feeling disoriented and quite awful, the best Ratio can do is try to move around the darkness to figure out where he is. The first notion that came to him was that he had been abducted, which is just so ridiculous because it is not plausible. It's also not possible for him to be in the afterlife because he wouldn't be in such anguish if he is dead (he hopes) and heavens have always been shown as white light rather than wholly dark. There is no use in stressing; instead, focus on yourself, Ratio. What has to be done is "improve, adapt, and overcome". Okay, he'll first try to feel any edges or walls that may have trapped him beneath this blackness—
Before he can come up with a plan, he feels the blackness slip over him. Oh, that was his vest. Wait, what? Looking down he makes a humiliating sound that is akin to a yelp, confused at how close his point of view is to the floor. Now obviously shrunk out of nowhere, Ratio tries to question, cry out, anything; but the only sound that comes out is a weak meow, as if it is from a newborn kitten. From the corner of his eye, he could see the smoke emerging from the experiment and all the students rushing around to minimize the damage. He blinks at the scenery, still dizzy, and attempts again. "Meoow, meow meow." No way.
Shaking and unbalanced, the now changed body finally separates itself from the confines of the clothing, and steps away. Finally managing to catch a glimpse of all his wrinkled clothes on the floor -bundled together- his hair clip on top of everything. The clothes melt away in front of his eyes, leaving his laurel to clank to the floor. What once appeared whole atop the fabric now reveals itself as broken in two. At the sight of his favorite accessory being broken he can't help but hiss on reflex. While he himself has made his alabaster heads and statues, the hair clip was actually hand made from his father, who gave it to him as he left home for University of Veritas. Back at his young age, he only had a laurel of 3 leaves, but his father has insisted on giving him a bigger and greater one before he moves out. ‘Let it be a symbol of our faith and love for you my son, as we already know you will achieve so much greatness in the future’ he had whispered to him as he put the heavier laurel to his hands, and laughed when Veritas pointed out how hefty it felt. “You’ll grow into it” is all the comfort his father gave as he pinched his cheek. What a lovely yet forgotten memory. Veritas is not sure if he can ask for another one, and it's not because his dad has gotten older or passed away. Rather, time and physical distance have created an emotional rift between them, making it difficult for him to reach out.
With how overwhelmed he feels, the only solution he can find is to get away from the room, the noise, the chaos. He dashes away, leaving everything behind getting to the corridor, finding the stairs and going to the lower floor, where his office is. Before he reaches his own room, he slows down to stand in front of a full body mirror on the wall. He never understood the need of it, but everyone seemed to use it to make sure they look presentable before knocking on any door on this level. It was between his office and another professor who could be considered strict, so the students probably fussed about how they looked before coming inside their offices.
For once, it's useful to him too, now being able to see how he looks like. He is not so familiar with cat breeds, but he seems to become something close to a ragdoll with how fluffy he has become. His eyes haven't changed, only the iris has become a slit as it does with cats, and his fur color matches his hair. His dark purple coat is littered with slightly lighter shades on his face and chest. He has a small, pink nose and his ears are large and pointy. His inner ears colors matches his nose too. The cat’s whiskers and eyebrows are quite lengthy, the tail is long and curved upwards with a blue end. He looks exactly like those majestic house cats born to be fed with a golden spoon.
As he turns around, he catches two other details. One, his back left paw is white and two, his fur is all fluffed up from his angstiness. He has no idea how to stop doing that. He seems to be more like a pufferfish than a cat. Either way, anyone with eyes and a working brain can look at him and see the similarity with his human form.
He sits in front of his office, deep in thought about what he should do. The door is closed, and there is no one walking on this floor. Even if there's someone, it's not like he can get them to do what he wants them to do. What a mess. Having no other option, he stand up on two feet and stretches his body, balancing himself on the door handle, and starts to scratch between the door and wall, where the lock is. Maybe his claws can open the lock somehow. Around 7 minutes later, Ratio hears a set of footsteps, and stops trying to pick the lock, falling back to four feet on the floor, wondering which student it may be. Maybe one of his? In that case the likelihood of them stopping to check on the cat is high as they can catch on the familiarity. If its a professor like him, the likelihood of them kicking the cat out is very high, which would mean he has to find a way to sneak back till he can figure out how to transform to his human form and–
The person standing in front of him is not a student. It's not another guild member either. No, it's worse. It's Aventurine. The same man who has ignored him for 3 weeks, even though they were on the same planet for half a week of it. The same guy who chose to go no contact after everything, after the note he has written out of his heart, leaving him with nothing but questions and shame. Oh. Oh no, this might in fact be worse than whatever worse case scenario he had in mind. How is he supposed to act around now that he is a damn cat out of everything, and at the mercy of Aventurine?
Aventurine's sharp gaze sweeps the area, searching for someone responsible for the cat. The hall is eerily empty, adding to the unusual situation. He lifts an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the oddity. "Oh, an unattended cat?" he muses, his tone a blend of curiosity and mild amusement. The blond man unceremoniously picks up the cat, who meows in discomfort at the rough handling—one hand awkwardly supporting its lower half while the other grips its nape. Aventurine's clumsy approach to handling animals is precisely why the critters run away from him when he wants cuddles.
“What is a pet doing here in the guild's headquarters? This is not a safe place,” Aventurine hums to himself, his voice carrying a note of concern. Balancing the cat on his left arm, he knocks on the nearby door, pausing expectantly. After a few seconds with no response, he knocks again, a bit harder this time. When the silence persists, he knocks a third time before opening the door, calling out, “Doc~ I’m coming in, I already knocked twice, don't throw a chalk at me.” His expression shifts to one of confusion as he steps inside. The room is immaculate, everything in its place, as if no one had been there recently. Aventurine's eyes slowly drift downward, meeting the cat's bewildered gaze. It feels strangely wrong to have to look up to meet Aventurine’s eyes—an unsettling reversal of their usual dynamic.
“Doctor seems to have made a habit of picking up any cat he sees these days,” Aventurine murmurs, his voice tinged with both fondness and perplexity. “Curious, why are you here but he is not? The room looks tidied up, but Doc has too much of a soft heart to leave an animal all alone like this.” A paw to his face, knocking his sunglasses askew. How dare he. Softhearted? As if.
"Ooh, feisty, aren’t you?" Aventurine laughs, his chest shaking with amusement—a laugh Ratio never hears when they're together. Dragged to the small couch, Ratio finds himself lying across Aventurine's legs, enduring pats from head to toe. He despises this, feeling his emotions tangled and frayed. And then, he realizes with a start—he’s purring. The purrs, an uncontrollable physical reaction to being in a cat’s body, only deepen his irritation, his tail flicking in annoyance. As Aventurine continues petting him, he finally seems to understand that the esteemed scholar king is indeed absent. “Huh? That's odd... If you weren’t brought here, then did you somehow get here by accident? No band on your neck, and your fur isn’t groomed. I’ve watched enough grooming videos to know the difference. Well, I guess we're stuck together. Lucky for you, my place isn't far—just don't meow like the others.” Aventurine scoops him up holding him close to his chest, Ratio’s nose pressing against the chest window in the shape of a spade. Ratio’s mind blanks out. Aventurine looks back at the office, his bright eyes scanning the room with a puzzled expression. He hums softly, pulling the cat closer to his chest as he closes the door. It’s clear he senses something is off but can’t quite put his finger on it. Taking out his phone, he opens his chat with Ratio, both of them peering at the messages. His thumb hovers over the keyboard, but he ultimately decides against typing anything and slips the phone back into his pocket.
The walk to his car is short, and the ride to his apartment even shorter, just as Aventurine promised. The car hums softly as it glides through the city streets, the occasional bump in the road causing Ratio to shift in Aventurine's lap. Aventurine's hand rests lightly on the steering wheel, the other absentmindedly stroking Ratio's fur, trying to soothe the uneasy cat. The radio plays some jazz music, the kind of background noise that fills the silence without demanding attention. Ratio can feel the subtle vibrations of the engine beneath him, a steady rhythm that, against his will, begins to calm his racing thoughts. Once there, he opens the door and lets Ratio explore while he removes his jacket and accessories. The familiar plop plop of Aventurine's cats echoes through the room as they tumble down the stairs, excited to greet their owner one by one.
First one to reach the duo goes straight up the new addition, jumping around him. Veritas stays still, uncertain of how to respond, but allows the inspection. It's no surprise when he recognizes it’s Tzolakis; this kitty has always been too curious for its own good. They were the first cat to approach him on the Herta Space Station, meowing insistently for attention every time Veritas entered the lab. Soon, one cat turned into two, then three. These "cat cakes" seemed to have a similar build to actual cats, and after some observation, it became clear that they bonded in triplets. In their favorite hangout spots, there were always three, never leaving the area alone—always accompanied by the echo of two more sets of thumps. After asking the Trailblazer, Veritas learned that their inner structure was surprisingly akin to a real cat’s. They even had bones in their tails, a fact that seemed almost unbelievable given how chubby and jelly-like they appeared. Well, they acted quite jelly too. Tzolakis was also the first cat to figure out how to stretch out of its skin? Shell? To look over at Ratio’s handwriting as he wanted to leave a few notes around. With them following him like baby ducks and Tzolakis as the leader, it was only natural that when Ratio took all three cats to Aventurine, Tzolakis became closer to him.
After sniffling once more, it meows, confused. “Mama?” Ah. The only thing he hated about this situation is how all the cats have chosen to call him mama, while aventurine papa. They couldn't exactly speak the language, but they have picked up a few words, making the communication easier. He has no idea where they learned these two words, but the first time one of them said it, aventurine laughed so hard he fell from the couch. They also liked to snuggle to his chest as they purr, simply happy to let Ratio do whatever he wants to with their added weight to his torso. (Which really isn't a lot.) Aventurine comes over to the living room, having changed into more casual clothes that have absolutely no color match. Who wears orange, gray blue and pink? Aventurine when he is all alone apparently. . “Hm? Ah no, that's not Mama. He is.. not around at the moment.” He stares at the cat for a second, and Veritas wonders if he has figured it all out. “The cat must have gotten Ratios scent all over itself as he brought him to the office.” Nevermind. It seems like it was gonna be a very awkward and forced vacation with him. His only hope is that the effect wears off soon. He doesn't know how much longer he can keep this up.
Little does he realize that there is so much more to come and so many details to learn about the man before him.