Hoshi no Guu (Star Piece Quest) (M)

[Guu]

It didn’t take them long to reach the hospital. Melani, Bani, and Scott left to report what they had just found as the hospital staff got Pitchen a bed to rest in. After a quick check up, they concluded that he was healthy, but they couldn’t undo what the scientist did without permanently crippling him.

Guu stayed by the moogle’s side, not envying the news he was eventually going to wake up to.


Hours passed and the pink one woke up. She had fallen asleep while waiting beside the bed. As she wearily blinked and her eyes adjusted to focus, she was surprised to see Pitchen looking back at her, watching her.

“You were bathed in a rainbow light.” He said. “I saw it, it was beautiful.”

She knew he was describing Omnilium. She had summoned powers in her sleep before, though no one has yet to personally see it happen. She’d ponder what new ability she had been bestowed, but that wasn’t the most pressing matter right now.

“Pitchen, are you alright?” She asked.

“No.” He said. “I’m an android.”

“Well actually the technical term is ‘cyborg.’”

The furry patient let off a heavy sigh.

“I’m so sorry for the trouble, Guu. I was just exploring the city and.. Well…”

“You don’t need to apologize, and you don’t need explain yourself. None of that was your fault.”

“No.” He spoke out. “This was just like the jungle earlier. I was unperceptive, thought i knew what I was getting into. I don’t know what I was thinking going alone like that.”

Guu didn’t even have a response to that one. Emotions of sapient beings were always so complicated. She just sat there, hoping her presence was moral support enough. Judging for the look on his face, that was a solid no.

Soon after, their three other companions walked through the door to the hospital room.

“Oh, good to see your friend is getting better.” Scott said.

“We’ve talked to the higher ups about getting your friend an escort back to Ambrosia, so he can get back safely.”

“No!” Cried out the moogle, drawing attention from everyone in the room. He quickly composed himself. “I mean, I’ve gotten this far, I might as well see this to the end, am I right?”

Silence falls on the group. You didn’t need Guu’s insight to know that wasn’t the real reason he wanted to come. It was one of those awkward moments when you’re not sure if to address it or leave it alone. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your perspective, Guu is more proactive.

“Alright, you’re free to come with us, but you can’t run from your family forever.”

Pitchen’s face dropped. He averted eye contact from his princess and looked towards the bedsheets in shame.

“They can’t see me like this.” He said.

Guu sighed. Sapient emotions are complicated.

“I don’t think they’ll judge too hard, but if you need more time to build up the courage, I understand.”

“Thanks Guu.” Pitchen said.


It was dawn the next day, every member of the team packed up and had stuck all their stuff into Guu’s mouth. The five of them stood at the gate exiting the ninja village.

“Onward, to the bog.” Said the princess plainly.

“To the bog!” Everyone else yelled in unison.

As they took the first steps of their journey, she couldn’t help watching Pitchen as he waddled along. She honestly felt like a hypocrite. She shouldn’t have been the one to call him out on avoiding his family like that, she was no better after all.