The Sins of a Child

"There used to be countless species of flowers a long time ago. Flowers covered the entire world. Wild flowers, poppies, roses, and so on. This for example," X gestured with his white glove at the pink rose.

"Is commonly called a ‘Pink Rose’. In fact… Flowers have their own language." X explained even as his attention stayed firmly on the roses in front of them. "When you give someone a Pink rose you express love, gratitude, and appreciation."

It was funny just how much a person could pick up over a century of life. He himself was surprised that he knew as much as he did. But, then again, he loved nature, and missed it.

"Their scientific name for the species is ‘Rosa rubiginosa’." He figured Ciel’s tutors would appreciate it if she learned the scientific names to things as well. 

…Perhaps he’d walk her back to her caretakers when they were done. She was safe when she was with him. After all, someone would have to be suicidal to even consider attacking ‘Master X’ in the heart of Neo Arcadia.

His reputation alone had deterred most would be assassins for decades, and that included people who were simply disgruntled with things, as rare as they were.

   Those were Ciel's simple thoughts X touched the pink rose gently and informed her about the flower. Her eyes widening a bit when the other said that flowers had their own language. Processing it to memory that a pink Rose expressed all those emotion. Reaching out she touched the petals in awe at this knowledge.

   "That's amazing..." She muttered, understanding the others appreciation of nature. The Garden was one of the few places she would escape too after all.

   "Rosa rubiginosa, even it's scientific name pretty." The small blond piped as she looked back at X. Knowing that eventually she will have to go back to the lab. As she had left without permission this time so they were bound to be concerned. But she wanted to learn more about the flowers.

After all, he didn’t think that he’d be a cause for suspicion being that he was returning Ciel, not taking her away.

But it soon cleared with a blink and he offered a smile to her, “oh, don’t worry, she was no problem at all.”

He directed the smile to the little girl then, who seemed to be scared that she had caused him a problem - quite the reverse. She had been wonderful company.

He reached over and patted the blonde girl on the head gently before handing her back over to the scientist, “here you go. Ma’am,” he directed at the scientist politely, “if she is fine to come into the central Gardens while I’m around, I’d be happy to take care of her for a while before bringing her back?”

   Smiling at the small pats on the head before she was handed over to the scientist. Gently cradled but not held to close as if concerned about to much contact. Though Ciel didn't seem to notice as she looked up at the scientist. Silently begging with puppy eyes to be allowed to see her new friends.

   It was a bit surprising to the elder woman that the reploid actually wanted to see the prodigy again. Though she couldn't exactly make these decision on her own without talking with it to the others. Also wouldn't it be a good idea for Ciel to interact with Reploid and learn how they work and live? Didn't sound to bad but still she was catious.

   "Well... If you promise to make sure she isn't harmed and bring her back it can be allowed. Though I'll have to talk with the others before it's decided." The scientist stated, it was simply protocol and while it wasn't a guarantee Ciel seemed excited. After all this meant there was a chance she could get out of the stuffy lab more

   "Thank you~!" Ciel piped, hugging the scientist in a burst of joy. A surprised and startled expression showed on the scientist face as the young girl hugged her. Awkwardly returning the hug as she was still holding the small girl. Before putting the small girl down and petting the small girl head once she stopped hugging.

   The small girl was now rocking on the balls of her feet while the scientist looked up at the reploid after glancing at Ciel. 

He reached down and chuckled as she expressed her desire to do her utmost when playing the game, and he scooped the small child up in one of his muscular arms. He met her delight with a happy smile of his own.

"Okay, time to head back now," lest the scientists skin him down to his wiring.

After all, Ciel was an important part of their research.

As the reploid walked back with Ciel cradled against his chest and in his arm, he silently pondered why the little human was so important. He wasn’t sure how to feel about humans experimenting on other humans at all, but he reminded himself that that was a dangerous path to go down.

Maybe he’d ask Harpuia at some point…

But he smiled at Ciel and said, “it was wonderful meeting you today. I hope we can play games again!”

   The small girl giggled when she was scooped up into the large male arms, cuddling happily as she felt secure in them. Though was sad that she had to return she made herself a promise to sneak out and find him again.

   As Fefnir said that he was happy to have met her a small blush formed on the small girl cheek. Her eyes gleaming with delight delight as they finally reached the lab area.

"Don't worry we will! It's really easy for me to-"

   Of course as soon as she was about to finish her sentence a shout was heard not to far from them. A scientist clothed in white came over to the pair seemingly out of breath. Apparently having been running around for a while now, before straightening himself up and his eyes narrowed at the little girl.

"There you are Ciel! We've been looking all over for you!" The scientist stated, before looking up at the reploid a bit suspicious though tries to be polite. "Thank you for finding her, on behalf of the lab I apoligize for any trouble she might have caused.

The small girl seemed to shrink and girl up in Fefnir arms, her gaze moving to her lap as if guilty of causing trouble. Her demeanor quiet and meek a stark contrast to how bubbly and chipper she was minutes before the scientist.

…Once they figured out how she slipped in perhaps.

X watched her, almost fondly as she ran off to see the flowers; his eyes still weary, aged, but; a faint flicker of light echoed in his once lifeless pupils.

It was for children like her that he’d struggled for all these years, for innocents that had never committed a sin. Children like her, and… His old friend.

Reminded of what drove him forward, the light; as faint as it was dimmed once more, and he watched the girl as she raced back to the flowers, her bubbly and innocent nature radiating light off of her.

As she spoke, speaking of the flowers X approached, nodding faintly once he neared the flowers.

"They have. Do you know their names Ciel?" He asked, wondering just much the little girl actually knew.

Genetically enhanced or not, she was still a child.

As he asked the question, he knelt beside her, his hand tucking the robe underneath him. Ceremonial and a bit clumsy sometimes. However, armor was rarely fitting for a leader, and they needed the image of a peaceful ruler, someone who was willing to speak softly before drawing the blade of war.

Even still, no matter how ‘untouchable’ a person seemed, there were still chinks in their armor.

Though they likely will still try to keep her from sneaking out cause that's dangerous.

   As they looked at the flowers, Ciel showed that while she was in every sense of the word a genius and a prodigy. She didn't know everything and still had a lot to learn about the world. Looking up at X, she shook her head,

"No... I thought they were simply called flowers." Seems like the Scientist lacked on those lessons on different plants. 

"Do you know what they are called X?"

His annoyance with his injury was pretty much diffused by the young girl’s appearance, he was almost tempted to ask her why she was here, rather than an older more experienced mechanic. But he knew better than to question it, at least not right away while he was still injured.

"Ah… It does hurt somewhat… And issues?" Xavier politely inquired as he tilted his head a bit at the girl, again, he felt his curiosity peaking at why such a young child was here going to tend to his injury. Perhaps that was the issue, was the fact that she looked so young… He could of easily been repaired by another mechanic, but due to the unique nature of his body it required more specially trained mechanics to take care of him when something broke.

"Yes Issues."

    The small scientist piped, noting how he seemed curious and surprised at this. Slightly kicking her feet a bit on the chair she looked up at him wondering what was taking him so long to answer. After a minute of awkward silence which she simply looked around awkwardly. It seemed that he had just accepted her help and smiled at the introduction.

"It's fine you don't need to apoligize."

    The small girl piped, not at all seeming to bothered by the awkward silence. Just glad for it to end as she looked up at the reploid with a bright smile. Watching as he showed his exposed injury and how he was holding it back from leaking. Her nose scrunched up slightly at the sight and nods her head in understanding that it was full.

"Well I'm Ciel, and don't worry I'll fix you up as good as new."

    She stated, as she could already see exactly where the source of the damage was. Though had to move a stool for her first to be at the height of the bed to the side of the injury. Being small had it's disadvantages...

"Be careful, little one. …. and farwell…for now."