Chapter Text
As a pro-hero, I was tasked with the not so fun job of infiltrating a science lab facility, a simple check-up, making sure everything is in order, away from the city and towards the outskirts of Musutafu.
The facility is rather large with polished grey floor, plain white walls, plain white ceilings, and those blinding iridescent lights that occasionally flicker, and everything smells so strong and sterile it's almost nauseating, and the lights are so headache inducing, the aircon is straight up freezing my hands and face.
Wanting a bit more warmth, I pull my black cape that's folded into a DIY hood over my head.
It's a wonder these scientists manage to get anything done with how overstimulating everything is.
Too bad the scientists won't let me get anything done.
With a clipboard in one hand, pen tucked behind my ear, I'm talking to one of the head scientists as she shows me around the facility, giving me basic, half-assed, simple answers that actually leave more questions than answers.
This place is hiding something. Sure, most science lab facilities are hiding something, but this one more than the others.
Everything is eerily quiet, the head scientist keeps trying to distract me with idle chitchat, and whenever we walk past anyone, it's hushed and whispered conversations.
No one is actually letting me look around the place.
It's not like I want to be here, this is supposed to be a quick visit, check everything, make sure it's all in order and give me a basic rundown on whatever is actually going on.
None of that is happening.
I don't care for idle chitchat, I'm on the clock, trying to work, which is not happening.
I'd rather be anywhere else, I could at home right now, but instead I've been sent to this nauseating, headache inducing science lab for no reason.
"And that about ends the tour," the head scientist tells me, "I'm sure you're interested in a refreshment?" She offers.
I glance at her, never take refreshments from strangers, especially in a strange place-my father taught me that. You never know if they'd try and drug you for whatever reason, even if it sounds like paranoia, caution is necessary.
I clear my throat, "No, thank you." I decline.
She gives me a quizzical look before shrugging, "Very well then." She says, walking over to the break room, grabbing her own refreshment.
Silently, I follow behind her, watching as she makes herself a cup of tea.
"I hope you have gotten enough information." She tells me, continuing to try and make more idle chitchat, but at this point, I'm not even sure that I care. I kind of just want to leave, and if the information isn't sufficient enough, then I'm sure they'll just send in someone else, where the same thing will most likely happen.
It's smart, really.
Playing into incompetence so the heroes will just leave you and your most likely illegal experiments alone.
I give her a small nod, essentially, I'm lying, and either she'll know that, or she won't, but I'm quite certain she does.
We're most likely just bullshitting each other.
"Good, I'm glad." She says with a little smile, taking a sip of her freshly brewed tea.
The break room isn't like the rest of the facility, it has regular lights, the floor is carpeted, a window by the kitchen sink, bringing in natural sunlight, the air isn't freezing cold and it vaguely smells of citrus, rather than chemicals.
It's strange, but not unwelcome.
Far less overstimulating as well.
"Are you sure you wouldn't like a refreshment?" The head scientist tries again. "We have tea, coffee, various caffeinated beverages, soda? We also have a range of snacks, cakes, and pastries?"
I shake my head at her, "No thank you, I'm alright." I answer. "And besides, I have a diet to stick to." I flash her a small charming smile, careful to not overdo it.
She nods in understanding, "Right, I'm sure a lot of you pro-heroes have strict and healthy diets."
"Well, I can't speak for the other pro's, but I sure do." I say, and she lets out a light chuckle.
Being charming is another thing my father taught me, coming across as suave and non threatening with sweet smiles and kind eyes.
Father made me and the rest of the proteges-or rather my siblings I guess- perfect this specific character, and in all honesty, it usually works, no matter who you're with.
People seem to like other people who are charismatic, attractive, with sweet smiles and smooth voices.
"It's interesting, the heroes rarely visit our facility, what do you think?" She asks me.
I shrug, I don't really care about the place, "It's quite something, that's for sure."
She nod in agreement with one of her own smiles, "Yes, it really is." I watch as she takes another careful sip of her tea. "Well, I've taken up enough of your time, I suppose I shoulder let you go."
Ive not even been here for an hour, it's obvious she's trying to get rid of me as quickly as possible.
"Yes, I suppose you should." I say in agreement. "Is there a restroom anywhere?" I ask.
"Out the break room, down the hall to your right, would you like me to show you?" The scientist offers.
I shake my head, "No, thank you, it's okay, I think I can manage." I say and walk out.
I feel her eyes on me, though I don't dare turn around. I exit the little break room, once again met with the unpleasant sensory overload that is this science lab facility, however, I don't follow her instructions. I never actually intended to go to the restroom, a simple basic lie.
There are security cameras throughout the hallways, which is pretty standard.
It also means that they'll soon catch on that I'm looking around the place without any supervision or permission.
I try to look as discreet and casual as possible, pulling the hood over my face a little more, walking through the halls, my footsteps silent.
I glance down at the floor, it's overly polished, so shiny it's practically reflective, and if I wasn't wearing combat boots, I'd probably slip.
That's strange, did the janitor overdo the polish? Or is it like this on purpose? That has to be some kind of safety hazard.
There are faint noises nearby, I have to strain my ears in order to hear it, but it sounds animalistic. Would they really experiment animals? Though, I suppose it's not that hard to believe, unfortunately, a lot of science labs tend to do that.
Quietly, I follow the noises.
Which lead me to a door that says, 'Authorised Personnel Access Only'. I roll my eyes, of course they wouldn't give me the full tour of this place, why would they?
I press the key card into the scanner, thankfully, the machine accepted it. The doors silently open, allowing me to step in before they close again. the little hallway is small and narrow, equally sterile and bright as the rest of the facility. There's another door in front of me, I glance over at the door behind me, just in case, before walking up to the door in front of me.
There's a little window, curious, I look inside.
It's bright, probably sterile, with white walls and polished floor, a mattress in the corner, foot bowl and water bowl against the wall.
My eyes sweep the room, where two sets of eyes stare at me. I do a double take.
It's a...child? Toddler? Little beast?
With two sets of eyes, all teal, besides one, which is yellow.
Furry white paws instead of human feet.
Large white fluffy ears.
A feline looking tail, which had black rings around it.
Little fangs at the mouth.
And light green antenna sticking out of the head.
By all accounts, this being should be considered a monster or a beast, if it weren't for the human attributes, like the small toddler looking hands, top half of the legs, torso, and human head with soft looking short dark purple hair.