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"Yes, I..." Kikue started, her ears flicking after Miller had opened the door. The note was still clutched in her paw, somewhat crumpled now. But, 'your surprise'? Kikue didn't know what to say? "S-Surprise?" she repeated, momentarily confused. Was it her birthday? Had she forgotten? No...it had passed in the labs, in the dark group of weeks... Her birthday was long past now.

She padded silently into the room, looking for all the world as out of place as was possible. She felt so nervous, afraid -- the memories of the events that had just passed only a day ago were like poison in her mind. She kept her eyes on Miller, but all she could think about was -- what if I hurt him? What if I do it and I don't even mean to?

Kikue clamped down on emotions as best she could. No, that was stupid. Unless he did something provoking...something that startled her so much that she couldn't control herself...everything would be fine, because she had eaten and...everything would be fine.

She shifted her weight from one paw the other, her tail lashing behind her.

Kikue held out her hand obediently, closing her eyes. She tried to stammer out something about how he didn't have to repay her for the "present" -- in fact, she hadn't even thought of the yukata she had given him that day. It felt like it had been a long time ago already...but that one had been the most like a boy's that she had; and she'd bought it herself back home --

She felt the tiny addition slip onto her wrist. As she opened her eyes, she had to suck in a breath in surprise. "Oh..." she started, holding her wrist closer to herself. Against the fur, the silvery-blue bracelet stood out plainly...it seemed so normal, so pretty, even on her.

Kikue looked up at Miller, flattered. She smiled warmly. "It's beautiful...thank you..."

Kikue's smiled broadened. "But you helped me too, even though the whole situation was probably scary for you as well..." Kikue held her uplifted arm to herself, feeling for the first time -- in a long time -- pretty. Just for the briefest moment in time...

Kikue blinked carefully, really noticing Miller then...he hadn't changed. He hadn't changed yet? She felt some relief at this, that he should still be clinging to his humanity, yet...she knew the dangers people had talked about if you stopped the serums... "Miller...how long have you been on the Island, now?" Her voice had a tone of worry to it, even as she held her wrist to herself, plainly in love with his gift.

Somehow the stones made her think of her mother...

Kikue hung her head a little, remembering how she had pounced him without asking questions. The instincts after a change pushed her to the breaking point... She tried to hold off an apology, knowing he would probably dismiss it, because she had said she was sorry for that so many, many times now...

She could only nod her head, not really being able to imagine what it must have been like to be watching her through the change. The strangest part was still her feet...she was taller now. Somehow her large, changed feet had pushed her upwards. It made the world an even stranger place.

Blowing out a breath through her teeth, she laid her ears back against her head. Three weeks...when did I first change? I can't even remember...but it felt like it happened so fast... I have to check my records, I can probably create a loose timetable about when these things happen... "I was worried that...you would be changed already..." She curled her tail around one of her legs idly.

Turning her attention back to her bracelet, she held her wrist aloft in the air a little, so she could admire it again. The light catching on it was indeed mesmerizing, but she didn't know why. To wear something so normal felt freeing. She had never worn jewelry. But she liked it.

"Well...I...well, things happen, with the changes..." A pained look crossed Kikue's face. She had no idea what to say. What could she possible say to him that would explain everything? And yet at the same time, she didn't want to explain all of it -- because it hurt, to hear it. Being on the outside, not knowing...only watching...she had been there before, and been afraid, wondering when it was going to happen to her.

She bit back a sardonic laugh. Now look at me...

"It happened not long after I came here...a few weeks, like you..." She frowned, coming closer and putting her heavy, large paw on his shoulder. "If I remember rightly, it's probably not far away for you...but I'm glad that you're still okay, right now..." She pulled away then, knowing he might not like the close contact after their first meeting.

Thankfully she was somewhat distracted, turning the bracelet over her wrist with two aptly placed claws. Mother...the colors. Make me think of you.

The news was strange to Kikue. So, it seemed apparent now that other people only felt Miller's humanity was something to throw back in his face. What was the point of that? People do stupid things when they're in situations out of their control... She twitched her whiskers, a bitter taste in her mouth. People always reacted stupidly when they felt the pressure of someone else in control. Interesting.

Noting his question, she quickly attempted to dispel any ill feeling he might have. "Oh...n-no...nothing's wrong...I was just..." She looked at the bracelet again. "...Thinking about my mother..."

Kikue was surprised to hear Miller talk of his family. Most people that she had met so far avoided the topic. She knew very little about most peoples' pasts...considering she knew very few people on the Island in the first place. It came with the territory of constantly hiding out in one's room. "You...ran away?" She tilted her head, her ears flicking upwards. This was new. It reminded her of Fiona... Kikue swallowed the lump in her throat. Better not to think about that.

Kikue wasn't sure if it would be polite to ask, simply, 'Why did you leave your family?'. In the end, she had done the same thing...although she had an inkling that her reasons were probably very different from Miller's...