As the sun set behind the Wall, the first drop of rain touched New Yuan City. A soft chime echoed from borough to borough, and almost instantly the sky lit up with fireworks. Celebrations burst to life, and it felt as if every citizen had poured into the streets that evening.
Except for V.
He had chosen to stay home, telling me he wasn't comfortable with the massive crowds announced. Still, he urged me to enjoy the festivities with my friends. He promised he'd be waiting for me whenever I returned.
I felt a little bummed at first. I had wished he would come along and meet my friends. But then, Firinne's words echoed in my head: owners do not care about other people's machinas.
So, I left the house alone.
As I walked around, I had expected people to use umbrellas and covers, but instead I found the opposite. Citizens had stripped down to the lightest clothes, and public places had retracted all their covers. To my astonishment, the vast glass canopies above the Agora opened, and for the first time, I saw the Tree of Unity and the Water Fountain reach up into the open sky.
Not only the people of New Yuan City, but its very infrastructure seemed to be waiting for the rain. Every surface, every vessel, every channel appeared ready to catch and hold the water.
I joined Chaoxing at Cloudburst Crystals, the party she had chosen for us to attend. She was already there with Aurelian, the machina she had befriended after they met again at the beauty center. The two of them looked dazzling, their bodies embellished with thousands of tiny crystals. Chaoxing's long black hair glittered with diamond-like dots, while Aurelian's golden curls bounced with embedded gemstones.
I had opted for practicality, braiding my hair into long strands, tiny white ribbons woven in. My white silk dress was plain, its only embellishment being a long pair of transparent gloves I had printed myself, scattered with delicate crystals that shimmered up to my elbows. For a moment, I felt almost underdressed... until Henry and Aimen, Aurelian's partner, appeared with drinks. They also had chosen simple white, their outfits glowing under the scattered light.
For the first time, I watched Chaoxing and Henry together. Just as she had described, he was kind and charming. However, the way they interacted didn't feel romantic. Something in their gestures and ease made me think they were... friends.
I recalled V saying that machinas weren't only meant to follow their owners' orders. They were built to understand what their owners truly wanted, even the things left unspoken.
From what I could tell, Henry wanted Chaoxing to pretend to be his girlfriend. But in truth, she was his best friend.
When our eyes met, he gave me a knowing smile, as if he could read my thoughts.
A small tug pulled at my heart as I got reminded that V wasn't here with me. The owners of Chaoxing and Aurelian didn't seem to care about mingling with other machinas. To the contrary, they seemed to enjoy themselves.
But the party was too dazzling to dwell on what was missing. A shirtless man wore a large hat, with crystal droplets cascading from its edges and clinging to his body like a strapless gown. Another was dressed in a fabric that made him appear soaked, his hair slicked back as if he had just stepped out of the shower, though not a drop of rain had reached this borough yet.
A performer on stilts moved through the crowd, her gown shaped like a thundercloud, releasing soft puffs of fog whenever someone clapped. She blew a gigantic bubble ring that floated over the crowd, scattering smaller iridescent bubbles all around.
When the first drops of rain came, a wave of excitement and anticipation rippled through the crowd. Cheers and screams of joy erupted as the sky finally opened. The music blasted, and everyone danced wildly, until the rain became almost too much for me to bear.
"I'm going to rest for a moment!" I yelled to Chaoxing over the music.
She waved without missing a beat, twirling with Henry as if they had rehearsed a choreography for tonight.
I ran for cover inside the building, and from there, I spotted two familiar faces on the balconies above.
Firinne and Kira were watching the dancefloor from their cover. I decided to surprise them, weaving through the crowd and up the stairs.
As I got closer, I caught pieces of their conversation.
"This is a big one."
Kira looked up to the dark clouds above with worried eyes.
Indeed, the rain began to feel like a storm, the sky pressing down on the city as water fell in thick, heavy drops, drenching everything and everyone in its path.
"Do they know it's coming?" Kira asked Firinne, her worried gaze still on the collapsing sky.
"They know..." Firinne replied absentmindedly. "I just hope they know how much..."
I realized they were talking about Tardigrad. From the way they spoke about it, I wondered if their city could handle such a relentless downpour.
"Did you find a solution for—" Kira started, but Firinne discreetly brushed a hand on her lips, and Kira fell silent.
"I thought it was safe to talk here?" the redhead whispered, glancing around.
"Not anymore," Firinne replied, her eyes turning to look at mine directly.
I stepped out of my cover to join them on the balcony.
"Are you sure you're not a machina?" I asked with a smirk.
Firinne laughed, looping her arm around mine. Kira smiled too, though her eyes remained cautious, fixed on the heavy clouds unleashing torrents above us.
I felt a strange closeness to them. Was it because of the secrets we all shared? We leaned against the rail, letting the rain surround us. I wondered if they felt as connected to me as I did to them.
"Is it truly safe to talk here?" I asked Finn.
"It is," she replied. "The sound of the rain is probably drowning out any microphones. The cameras are blinded by the heavy rain. But, depends... what do you want to talk about?"
I turned to both of them, my curiosity taking over.
"I wish you could tell me what you're up to. Why were you snooping around Chaoxing's house... Or rather, Henry's house? And Malik? I know there's more than smuggling medications and freeing Vincent."
Kira and Firinne exchanged a long look.
Once again, I got the impression that, just like with Vincent, they had a way of communicating with each other without words.
"We're gathering information," Firinne finally spoke.
"Information? About what?"
"We don't know, actually."
I let out an incredulous sigh, not believing her.
"It's true!" she defended herself already. "That's how it works in our organization. Each member knows only the minimum they need to know. We don't know the rest of the plan. This way, if someone gets caught, only one link is broken, not the whole chain."
"What organization? What's the goal?" I insisted.
"We're protecting our people," Finn answered with a grave look.
I frowned. Protecting the people of Tardigrad?
She placed her hand on my arm.
"Do you want to help?"
My face recoiled on my neck, even more surprised now.
"Finn, don't—" Kira jumped in, trying to deter her friend.
But Firinne had an agenda.
"All you have to do is place this on your owner's desk tablet," she said, pulling a small silver rectangle from the top of her dress.
Instinctively, I took a step back.
Every nerve in me screamed to turn and run. The past weeks had pushed me past so many boundaries. I had broken rules, shared secrets, been attacked... I felt stretched in all directions.
But this was one line I wasn't willing to cross.
"I can't. He's good to me. I can't betray his trust."
Firinne paused for a second, as if assessing me.
"But... you're already lying to him every day, aren't you?"
I gulped. She was right.
But this lie felt different. This lie had started way before I knew V.
"I didn't have a choice."
She knew what I meant. Kira had probably told her already that I wanted to tell V the truth. She had deterred me from doing so, but still.
"I understand. Sorry... I just had to ask."
She tucked the device back into her corset, and, between this and the map she showed last time, I couldn't help but wonder what else she might be hiding there.
"Is that what you're doing at Henry's and Malik's? You look for their desk tablets? What do these things do?" I asked, vaguely pointing at the hidden device in her corset.
"To put it simply... They help us figure out if someone's involved or not."
"Involved in what?"
"We don't know that part. But we can guess... Probably something that could endanger our people."
I frowned again.
"Are Henry and Malik... involved?"
"We don't know that."
"But you did... You did use this thing?" I pointed at Finn's bustier again. "On their desk tablets?"
"Yes. But we don't know the results. I told you already... We're just the first line of information. Everything we gather is sent to our people outside the City. They handle the rest. We don't know their conclusions."
If Henry and Malik were investigated, it was probably something related to the research center. While Malik was the Director of Research, Henry was the government authority in charge of overseeing bioresearch in the City.
What kind of research project could threaten Tardigrad? Maybe something about denying them medication again?
"V is not involved, that's for sure," I spoke, feeling the need to defend him and make sure he wouldn't be entangled in whatever spy mission they were on. "I can tell you what his research project is about," I added, wanting to disclose just enough of it for him to be absolved of any suspicion. Clearly, there was no way the study of exobirth could affect Tardigrad or medication going their way. "He told me about it. It's-"
"Don't tell me," Finn cut in.
"His research-"
"Sade, stop!"
Her sharp, loud voice shut me up. Even Kira looked surprised.
"You can't tell me more than I need to know. If you are aware of your owner's work and believe it isn't harming our people, fine. But keep it to yourself."
I hesitated. "But... why are they interested in his research?"
"You tell me," she scoffed. "No, Sade, don't tell me!" She immediately cut me off as I opened my mouth again.
I wasn't going to tell her, but I couldn't help defending V.
"I'm sorry I can't help you with that. It wouldn't feel right."
Firinne gave me a small smile, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.
"I understand. Don't worry. It makes me appreciate you even more... You're loyal," she said, pressing herself against me with a chortle. "Forget I even asked."
"What about the next oasis mission?"
We both turned to Kira.
Next to me, Finn seemed to tense up.
"Another mission?" I asked, curious.
"Yes. The last one was a success, so we planned one last one before the end of our Love Machina contracts," Kira explained. "Finn, you were not planning to do it alone, right?"
Firinne didn't answer.
"I was supposed to be here, but then Callie told me about my departure date. It's tomorrow," Kira smiled at me, knowing I already knew the good news. "Finn will need someone to help her down the tunnel with the shipment. Would you mind giving her a hand?"
I turned to the one whose opinion mattered most to me.
"You don't have to," Firinne said with a small pout, crossing her arms over her chest.
I considered it for a moment.
The first time I was asked to help them, I remembered the revulsion I felt. I didn't want to get involved in anything that might jeopardize my mission with V.
But today... after that night at the oasis, after meeting new people and feeling the warmth of their group, after seeing new sides of Firinne and Kira, and most of all, meeting their leader, Vincent... If I had another chance to meet him, to meet them all, I wanted to take it.
"It's OK. I did it already. I can do it again. No problem," I confirmed with a strong nod to the two women.
"And we need Sade to open the tunnel from her side, anyway," Kira reminded us, sealing the deal. "She might as well help you carry it until the oasis."
"You're right," Finn pinched her lips. "Thank you, Sade. I appreciate it."
"Are you all here?" Chaoxing's voice called from behind us.
She brought the party with her. Aurelian followed behind, a wide smile on his lips.
A moment later, we were all gathered inside a gigantic photobooth. Henry and Malik stayed outside, holding our drinks, while the five of us, machinas and non-machinas, smiled, laughed, and squealed, all focused on one thing: deciding on the next pose we would strike.
🌳
It was still raining when I stepped out of the loop station. V was waiting just outside, a dark umbrella spread above him. That sight gave me the usual butterflies in my stomach.
He had stood there, in the rain, waiting for me.
"You're the first person I've seen tonight covering from the rain," I teased, slipping my arm through his.
He only shook his head with a faint smile. The wide umbrella moved above me, drawing me into its shelter.
"How was it?"
"Amazing," I breathed, my fingers tightening gently around his biceps.
And it truly was. I had never witnessed so much beauty gathered in one place before. The dazzling lights, the joy through the crowd. For the first time in my life, I felt like I had partied with friends.
He smiled, his expression content, almost proud of me. We walked side by side, as soft lights lit up the path.
"I wish you had been there," I couldn't help but mention. "Look."
I pulled out the printed photobooth strips. Some looked as if they were in motion when tilted in one direction or the other: Kira sticking her tongue out, Chaoxing exploding in laughter, Aurelian caught mid-jump, and Firinne winking at us.
"You're so cute," he chuckled, and as expected, his eyes lingered only on the corner where I appeared in the picture. "Are they all your friends from the machina meeting?" he asked.
"Yes... Too bad you didn't come to meet them," I admitted with a small pout.
V smiled faintly, his eyes sadder than usual. "It's not my place."
"Why not?" I pouted more, nudging his arm.
"Too many people."
I nodded, knowing how V dreaded any place with crowds.
"Well, they all asked about you. Many of them came with their partners," I let slip with a teasing tone.
He shook his head. "It's not the same."
"How is it not the same?"
"They're probably... normal," he shrugged.
"You're normal too."
He looked away, still shaking his head.
We were almost at the house, and I found myself wishing the walk were longer. I wished I could stay just a little more under the umbrella, close enough to feel the warmth of his body against mine.
"What about you? What did you do tonight?" I asked.
Anything to stretch the moment.
"Actually..."
At the front door, V slowed and turned toward me, both of us beneath the umbrella, the soft sound of rain above us. His dark eyes caught mine.
"I finished writing my research."
My face lit up at once.
"Really? That's wonderful. You must feel so relieved!"
"I am... I submitted it to the committee already."
The corners of my smile faltered. He submitted it?
I had thought we both dreaded that deadline, that it loomed like a shadow over us. To me, it meant the end of my contract, the end of our lives together. Why would he want to rush it, to submit it earlier than planned?
"Don't worry," he spoke already, his hand reaching for mine. "The faster I finish this research, the faster I can get a new one. And with the new funds I'll get... I'll prolong your lease with it."
I couldn't fake a smile back on my face. I kept looking at him, my hand cold in his.
Whatever the next contract he will have, it won't be with me.
It will be with a copy of me, a real machina.
"Besides, I couldn't stand looking at it for much longer..." he shook his head with a small, humorless chuckle. "Nobody likes writing a paper that proves they're a monster."
My chin lifted slightly, my pupils widening as if I'd been struck.
This time, it was his turn to take my hand and lead me to the house.
The fragile house of cards we had built together.
That night, we slept in the same bed again. And that night, I truly had a nightmare.
I was in our home, searching for him. I opened every door, ran down hallways that seemed to stretch endlessly the faster I ran. I heard his laugh, his voice, but every knock, every call went unanswered.
Finally, a door opened.
A dark lake waited for me on the other side.
The cold water rose to my hips as I stepped in. In the distance, a pair of yellow eyes watched me from just above the surface.
I rushed toward them, desperate to save them.
My presence in his life felt like this clear surface.
A mirror reflecting everything he feared he was.
Then the monster shrieked, loud and forceful, and the sound knocked me down into the water.
The next moment, I woke up in V's arms. He was shaking me gently, bringing me back to reality. I was drenched in sweat and tears.
I remembered the mirror on the water's surface. I wanted to shatter it, even if it meant he would never see me the same way again.
Even if it meant losing him.
But not tonight. Tonight, I stayed in his arms.
And silently hated the person I had become.
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