-nods-
...yeh..
-looks down,sad-
mn sorry...


-sighs deeply-
Fuck if i know....

-zach meanwhile is happily sitting on a curb-

-walks with him back to the house-
It might hurt more...


-hoodie pulled up over her head, very very beginning of her transformation-
-cautiously approaches from an alley, leans down a bit-
...Hey, are you a glitch too?
-wary, twists foot cutely-

I dont care, he cant find me..
-shivers again-


-looks up,head tilt-
......glitch?

-really actually concerned-
...
Are you alright?


-sits next to him-
You're smoking.
like, you're on fire...
but you're not.

-kind of freaking out,dry heaves-
Fuck fuck...fuck...


-jerks head up to see-
....You can see that...

Hey...
-locks the door, turns to-
Thomas, you're okay.
-swallows hard, doesn't understand why he's protecting him like this-


...-nods-
Yeah.
-weak smile-
I'm Vanellope.
-holds hand out-

-shaking hard,uses good hand to clentch his shoulder-
i...i cant...

-head tilt,looks at hand-
....
odd.
-shakes-
Zacharie...

What?
-worried-
...???
Let it out, it's okay!


-small smile, looks at the pavement-
I'm different too.
Sometimes there are disturbances in this stuff called ether, and, well, it never turns out good for me. I can feel it changing today...

I cant go back to him.-pale-
I cant...

-hums-
I am diffrent, i am not from here...
I am a monster.

Shhh...
-strokes his face-
You don't have to!
Look, it's me.
-weak smile-


...-frowns-
Some people say I'm a monster...
Those that can see my true form, anyway.

-clings too-
Dont let him take me please.

-laughs-
I AM a monster.
I am burnt up inside.

I won't, shhh.....
-strokes his hair-



...Oh?
-looks at-
That makes sense, and explains why you smell a bit charred.
-big smile-

-clinging, looks so broken-

-nods-
Now, do tell.
How did you know i was this way?

...-frowns, doesn't know what to do, feels so guilty-
-begins straightening his wrist, wrapping it very firmly to a splint-


.....
What way?
-tilts head-
I can see things other people can't, that's why I'm a glitch.

-shivering,whimpers-
owow...


-chuckles-
I see...i see..

I told you it would hurt more.
-finishes it-
Be careful, alright?


-looks at-
What about you?

-nods,sad look-
...
-nuzzles close,still worried-
....

What about me, my dear lady?
-head tilt-

-strokes his hair softly, knows this can't last long-


Why are you sitting sad and lonely on the curb??
-sticks hands in her pockets-

-ends up falling asleep in his arms-

-laughs-
I am not sad darling girl!
-shakes head-
I am waiting.

-afraid to move, definitely doesn't want to wake him, tries to get comfortable-
.....


Oh.
-frowns-
I just...I guess I just assume everyone sitting on the street is sad.
-looks down-

-calm,deep sleep-


-chuckles-
Well, that would be rather pessimistic.
-looks at-
Why are you on the street?

-eventually dozes off as well, although quite uncomfortable-


....I don't have anywhere else to be.
-shrugs-
I sleep where I can, eat what's given to me....
-sighs-

neither do i.
-chuckles,taps hand on foot-
For a price i can help you however..

-frowns, looks at-
I have nothing to give...

Ah, but you do.
-chuckles then stands-
My friend is here...
-the judge pads out from the darkness and climbs into Zach's arms-

...What, then.
-small smile-
....?
-looks at Judge-
Aww, a cat!
-smiles big-
Can I pet him?

Its not my place to stay.
-holding the judge-
Yes, you may.
-nods,chuckles-
But he is more then a cat you know...

-judge twitches his ears,watching carefully-

....I...I want help though...
-looks up at, big sad eyes-
You're the only person I've seen that's like me, please help!
....
-pets Judge softly-
More than a cat?

I am not like you, i am not a glitch.
-sighs-
Yes, more then a cat, he is...
Im not sure, what ARE you my dear friend?

-judge purrs-
I am a judge, and you really should help her..

But you ARE different.
-sad look, continues to pet Judge, giving him scratchies-
.....
Judge?

Never said i wasnt~
-smiles behind his mask-
And fine fine i will help...


Yes..
-purrs and lifts chin-

You will?
-happy-
What can I do to repay you?!??!
...
-jumps up-

-thinks-
I do not know yet, but you have something.
I am sure of it,.

-wide grin-
Thank you Zacharie!!!
-pets Judge some more-

BUT, what is it you need help with i wonder...

-closes eyes-
I want to sleep in a warm bed...have a warm meal...and even enjoy the company of someone who doesn't hate me.
-sad-

-nods-
We will go to Judge's home then.
-looks at the car-
Yes?

-purrs-
Yes.

The Judge's home?
-tilts head-
Won't his owners mind?

-laughs-
Owners?
No no, it is his home. And his alone.

-looks smugly up at her-
I am a free man you know.

-confused-
....
Um.
Okay.
-doesn't want to question it-
-small smile-