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“The large ones found us, we must emigrate.”
“No”
“We can’t suffer more casualties in an attack like this again, we must emigrate.”
“No.”
You sat in peacful moonlight, perched on one of many flower pots in the building you now solely occupied. The rest of your people fled, you should have gone with them. Yet you didn’t.
Why?
You didn’t have an answer. But you had decided to go against your customs, adopting a new name in your isolation. [Name] Libra.Libra, that word seemed to tether the giants together. Was it what they called themselves? You didn’t know. But the memory of that one incident pulled you, kept you here.Flying in the clutches of a large bug hadn’t been fun, less so watching it get obliterated by the Plant-tending giant. You had slid down his arm, certain he had seen you. There was no way for you to know what he thought of you, how he would act upon seeing you again.Though that hadn’t stopped you from following his…their lead. From what you understood, they routinely fought things large than themselves to help others of their kind. While you didn’t have any of your own people to fight for, you still wanted to help these giants with their endeavors.Returning borrowed items when you were finished with them, knocking over books to show them specific pages, leaving trinkets they could see and use. You had learned that these things earned their favor, as they left rather tasty food for you before leaving.Yet, you still hesitated to make direct contact with them. Despite your percieved kinship with them, you were no more than a few inches tall. Contact with them was still dangerous, and you worried they would think you a menace.The clock chiming midnight broke your pensive musings. Too much longer and the giants would return, and you needed sleep. Another night of helping….perhaps you would attempt to write a letter and break the silent barrier. Perhaps you’d already proven you were helpful…..Klaus and Steven entered the office, taking immediate note of the fallen books.“Oh great.” Steven sighed, “Our little ‘friend’ left gifts again.”“Its likely they believe to be helping.” Klaus approached the opposite end of the trail of books…..“Hm? This…..this is specifically marked.”Klaus studdied the slightly raised pages, indeed these pages were marked. Marked with old pens, missing lighters, scraps of discarded wrappers and paper. Did they think themselves a part of Libra?“It seems to be related to our investigation at that.” Klaus lifted one of the books carefully, “We should attempt a….better way to express thanks.”“A better way? What do you mean?” Steven looked down then back at Klaus, “Wait, you haven’t been….”“Yes.” Klaus avoided Steven’s eye, “I’ve long since began leaving small bits of food for them. As a form of payment for the returned objects. And the gifted ones as well.”Steven shook his head. Klaus seemed to be far too soft hearted to be a fang hunter. But, this kinda of behavior was the kind of thing even Steven would try to encourage.The sun had only just set as Klaus pushed his chair back. Their helpers had greatly expedited the investigation process, and the marked pages made it rather easy to put this particular threat down.He couldn’t help but think this had something to do with that one he had seen during the bug investarion nearly a year ago. That somehow that particular one had somehow gathered the others to action and allowed this to duck tail into having ubiquitous, albiet tiny, members of Libra.Klaus sat up, pulling a spare paper towards himself and writing out a note for them. If they could read the books and accurately mark them for information, then they should also be capable of reading this. Perhaps this would encourage them to come out into the open.You stood on the paper, none of this made a bit of sense to you. The giants had their own way of thinking and it was confusing to say the least. None had the same last name, and to them Libra was the name of the building? So then what kept them together?You scribbled all over the page, explaining what you knew. How you understood the world they lived in. Explaining what happened, they had asked to break the silence first. It would be rude not to answer.Days passed without incident, Klaus was the only one who contacted the single helper in the office. While Leo could find them if he wanted to, everyone decided it was best to leave them alone.Zapp was pissed that they called him 'Smoke’. It might be true, but when Leo was called 'The Watcher’, such a cool sounding name for someone so unremarkable. Zapp couldn’t help but feel jealous.Steven was surprised to be known as 'Coffee’. This little 'borrower’ was extremely direct with their naming system. Though, he was more surprised that they thought Libra was suitable for their own last name. Knowing they thought it was their home….made everyone feel just a little off.But, when Leo mentioned thier trails were weirdly swerved, everyone instantly accused Zapp of giving them alcohol.“Haaanh? Why would I give that little twerp anything!?”Zapp stamped his foot, but Klaus noticed movement close to Steven. Was that their little friend? They should be more careful.“STEVEN! FREEZE!”Klaus’s sudden loudness caused everyone in the office to freeze. Though with his eyes focused under Steven’s shoe, it was easy enough to figure what he saw.Steven backed up, giving Klaus enough room to scoop up a tiny figure from the ground. They seemed sick, but no one could be sure.You woke up in a cardboard box. The lid was immovable, but there was a soft bed, table, chair, and some food and water in here. The last thing you remembered was falling on the floor. You had been certain the the Coffee giant was going to step on you, yet here you were. Alive and well in a box.You weren’t entirely sure what would happen next, yet you didn’t feel frightened. Your illness might be treatable with the giant’s help…..if you had gained enough of their favor to ask something like that. You ate, drank, then fell back to sleep. Perhaps hope tied them together…..could allow you to join them?Klaus moved the book. He had been so worried about the book crushing the box and you inside it. But didn’t want you to run off and risk being under foot again.Sure, no one had any information about your kind, but you had passed out. Noticably warm, even to Klaus. And despite the differing opinions, everyone agreed that taking care of you was the right thing.Libra would always take care of its own, no matter how small.You were looking up at the Plant-tending giant. He was still very intimidating from this angle. Your instincts told you to run, but your reason told you to stay put.“Excuse me.” His voice was low, gentle sounding, “You are [Name], correct?”“Yes-correct! Am ill-sick. Need help-plea.”Klaus blinked, what an odd way of speaking, “O-of course. Do you know what symptoms you have?”“Bad-high fever-sweat. Ill-sick, hurl up.”“I’ll be right back. Please, wait in this box. I’ll leave the lid off, if you give your word.”“Yes-agree! Stay here-put. Plea-thank!”Klaus felt so strange actually talking to you. This was a breakthrough at least. But why wouldn’t you have come to them sooner for help? And why was your speech pattern so radically different from your writing?Klaus lowered tiny chips of medicine into the box with a spoon, one type at a time.“This one should help settle your stomach. Just chew it, it won’t taste too bad.”You lifted the medicine from the spoon, looking at it curiously, “Belly-stomach chew medicine-help? Smell like fruit-candy.”Klaus just waited until you finished, “This one should help with the fever. You’ll want to drink something to wash it down with. It doesn’t taste good at all.”You followed his instruction, “Like-appreciate all assist-help. Was blind-expected by ill-sick. No-not able to go-return home-safe. Sorry-bad.”“It…it isn’t your fault.” Klaus attempted to lower himself to your level, “You needn’t apologize for requiring help. Though, please. From now on, ask for help before wandering in the office. You were nearly stepped upon.”You looked at your feet, this giant was so kind, “Try remember-think that. Thank-plea.”The rest of Libra found Klaus talking to you and gathered around the box. Each on a different level of excited to meet the borrower that had been such a big help.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It had been several months since you started actively assisting the members of Libra. You were so thrilled they considered you one of their own that chatting with them had become a frequent occurrence. You started adopting their speech pattern and even getting use to calling them by name.You had your own little work area tucked away on the bookshelf, a cute little….what they called a doll house set up in a low foot traffic corner, and they would allow you to ride upon their shoulders to talk. It was so much different from the stories you’d heard from other borrowers. And you knew, from talking with Leo and Klaus, that not all humans or same sized people were really this nice. They urged you to tell others about this.But, you couldn’t travel the way they did. Others of your species didn’t do that. It was simply too much to travel and return beyond a single building.Though, today was rather unusual. You weren’t sure when they would return, but they were normally back by now from their missions. If they were injured, that would be terrible.You really hoped they’d be okay.Gilbert carefully nudged open the door while carrying a box. A stray spell flew through the air and shrank the majority of Libra, stripping them of their powers in the process. At the very least they seemed to be roughly the size of their own [Name] so Gilbert would simply entrust them to look after the team.“[Name], could you come to the table by the bookshelf?” Gilbert called calmly, “I’m afraid I need to ask a favor of you.”It took you a minute to climb up onto the table, but you were quick to want to inspect the box Gilbert set on the table.“There was an accident on the battlefield earlier and a stray spell hit everyone.” Gilbert was slowly removing the lid and gently pulling the box apart, “While they don’t seem capable of using their abilities, I thought it safest to leave them in your care. As you do know best how to traverse at this size around the office.”You were staring at the main team of operatives of Libra, passed out and roughly your height. Klaus was the only one noticeably taller than yourself and Leo was shorter.“Are you sure you don’t just wanna have a…a doll house or something instead?” You looked up at the silver haired man, “Wouldn’t that be safer?”“Oho, yes. Much safer.” Gilbert chuckled, “But the safest option isn’t the best in this case. They would simply be bored stuck in one place. And I’ve heard Master Klaus is quite curious how you get around behind the walls.”“Hm. I can do it. But I don’t get what’s so interesting about being my size. I’d rather spend a day at yours.”Gilbert smiled politely, “Please don’t hesitate to call should you need something.”He bowed and walked away from the table. You wondered how much a spell would have to ark to hit everyone at once. And why they were all asleep.Klaus was the first to wake. And looking up at you was definitely a new experience for him. Though in standing he found he was still taller in the relative size. And that you were much more human like than he originally thought. All your features had always seemed too small and scrunched together to be very human like.“Um..How did a spell arc enough to hit all of you?” You asked, “And why were you all asleep?”Klaus rubbed the back of his neck, “It wasn’t a single spell [Name]. It was the same spell multiple times over, but fired in a way that our attacks just barely missed. And we fell asleep because it was a rather comfortable car ride. Much different at this height than normal.”“Car ride? What’s a car?”Klaus realizing you didn’t know anything outside the office was humbling, “Uh well. A car is a vehicle, many humans our normal size can fit inside one at a time. And we use them to travel great distances.”You scratched the end of your nose. You understood the words he was saying, but not fully understanding them at the same time.“Perhaps once we’ve returned to normal, you could ride in my pocket to see some of the city.”You considered his offer, but couldn’t reply as the others stirred. Slowly standing and stretching. The only one truly shorter than you was Leo, but everyone else was your height or a little taller.“So this is what this looks like.” Zed blinked as he looked around, “How do we get off the table?”“Climbing.”Everyone turned to you when you said that. Its what you did though.“Climbing?” Zapp strode right up to you, almost sizing you up, “You climb to get around?”“Yes, there really isn’t any other way.” You headed for the furthest leg of the table, “Unless you want to risk breaking something.”After spending half a day following you around the office, everyone except Klaus and Steven were winded. Leo wondered how shredded you had to be under those doll clothes. Especially since you carried him with hardly any trouble the way Klaus could. At least at this size.But you would have to just about book it to get to the desk in time. As it turned out, the spell wasn’t going to last very long at all. But how to get over there so quickly?There was one sure fire way to do it, but Sonic wasn’t around. And Zed couldn’t use his blood ability to create a breeze to float on. Which left only one final way. Swinging on the hanging plant.“Are you sure this is safe?” Zapp tugged on the vine, “I mean, these things snap pretty easily with enough pressure.”“And I would rather not damage my plants [Name].” Klaus added, “They are quite precious to me.”“I climb and swing on these a lot.” You assured them, “The weight won’t hurt them, at all. As long as we go one at a time. Er, well. As long as you go one at a time.”Steven was the first to try it, being on the heavier side with Klaus. Trusting you and testing it all at the same time. And when he landed perfectly, Klaus breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t even know this plant could reach his desk.Leo was the last one, having to be caught before they all scurried off the desk and onto the floor. Each one slowly growing back to their normal height. You felt melancholy watching.The time you’d spent at the same size was almost like having your family back. But now they would be larger than you. And you’d still be here, just as big as a pencil. It felt a little hollow. Sure you were a member of Libra, but you were just so…tiny. Could hardly do anything to help them outside the office. It left you feeling a bit cold.Klaus turned, expecting to see you on his desk, but frowned at the empty space. Glancing at the bookshelf they had swung from he noticed you just standing there. Your face was too small for him to read properly, but he could tell you weren’t exactly happy.Approaching the bookshelf and lowering his voice to not hurt you, “[Name], would you like to go see what a car is?”You shook your head, having to speak up a bit to talk to him again, “Maybe some other time Klaus. I should try to see about that little problem Gilbert was having in his office. That noise he heard.”“I understand. Do be careful.” You nodded, turning away, “You’re still a member of Libra. And you’ve helped us immensely today. Thank you.”You wanted to say something back, but no words would come out. That wasn’t the first time Klaus had thanked you, but it was the first time any of them openly stated you were one of them. It meant so much to you.