Work Text:
Meebkin cautiously waddled over to where their creator had been resting for days now, noticing that they were looming over a large hole in the ground. The original label of ‘hole’ for the thing quickly changed to ‘nest’ when they saw what it contained.
The monster within - Which was very weird! - was not so scary anymore; It curiously sniffed and scraped at the floor of its nest, growling quietly to itself in contentment. From above it didn’t look nearly as big as it did the other day, Meebkin could see that this really was just another baby, like how everyone else had been once. Even Zarroë seemed much more calm now, hardly moving at all besides the occasional blink or twitching tendril. There was a rare tranquility hanging over the scene, very different to the bustling that everyone was accustomed to, and even more different to the manic panic of six days ago when this new monster had joined the workshop.
“Is-“
Meebkin said before pausing, startled by the way a few of Zarroë’s eyes instantly turned to focus on them too.
“Is everything gonna be okay?”
They asked in a whisper, avoiding the intimidating prospect of eye contact with their creator.
“Elaborate please, Meebkin.”
“A-are you okay? And is the workshop okay?”
They asked more directly, holding their stick close for comfort.
They could see the corners of Zarroë’s mouth raising subtly.
“Yes to both, don’t you worry.”
“That’s good, thank you… And but what about the- Eem.. This new one?”
Meebkin looked down at the monsterling.
The smile left Zarroë, all seven of their eyes returning to watch the creation in question.
“…It should be fine, I will give it constant supervision for now. Why do you ask?”
“It is family to me. Even if I am scared a bit, I care anyway.”
“Family, yes…”
The Colossal sighed.
“I must warn you then, don’t get too attached. The days following birth are always the most vulnerable, there is a high chance that it won’t survive.”
They said in a solemn manner, still staring at it vacantly.
The words crept up the back of Meebkin’s long neck and rested heavily on their head, like the cold hand of a stranger. They gulped nervously, clutching their stick even tighter as they leaned over to get a closer look at the creature in the nest.
“Oh… No, no, are you sure? It is just a baby, it will grow bigger, won’t it??”
“That is what we’re hoping for. Its spirit is strong already, but the body it inhabits is delicate at the moment, highly unstable. Each part fights to separate from its brethren, and unfortunately separation would spell the end for it.”
Meebkin’s small shoulders hung low on their grape-like body, what Zarroë said sounded horrible. Such a thing couldn’t be true, but they had no reason to lie or be mistaken. The short ethereal glanced between the monsterling and the mastermind, trying to think of something to say.
“…But that is not fair.”
Was all they could muster in a defeated tone. Poor thing…
“It is the grave price of work like mine. If it brings you any solace, know that it will have a happy life under my care, even if that life may be short. The gift of existence will not go to waste, Meebkin, not while I’m around.”
A noise from below startled Meebkin again, derailing their train of thought. The monsterling had finally taken notice of their arrival and seemed to be greeting them with a squeaky, mechanical yapping sound, looking up at them both with what Meebkin interpreted as adoration.
“Oh, hi.”
They waved down to their youngest sibling, not sure of how else to respond.
“Eem, I-I think I will go now. Thank you for letting me see, I send you both luck.”
Zarroë raised one of many hands and pet Meebkin on the back with a single finger.
“Thank you too.”