S-2878 • L2 Ritluna • D09 Tecesi
"Ritluna keeps the sky in steady thread.
Tecesi ignites gesture and direction.
Gaia weaves tide in living cadence.
The story moves forward, radiant and whole."
Maia left the apartment that night.
I sat on the couch, staring at the floor.
My thoughts tangled.
My focus fractured.
All the new emotions overwhelmed me.
Unable to process them, I shoved them into a drawer.
And continued.
I returned to the hospital.
Stepped inside.
Vital was waiting at reception.
Head nurse of the blood bank.
"Good morning.
How are you?
Dr. Daren would like to see you.
Shall we?"
Anxiety overflowed from him.
He ignored my expression entirely.
Unbelievable.
Slowly, I dragged my enormous scowl in his direction.
It was barely eight a.m.
I would display my mood.
We reached the quietest wing of the hospital.
Already crowded:
Research participants.
Donors.
Recipients.
I opened Daren's office door.
His warm smile awaited me.
He had come from Kinshasa — the Eighth City.
"Good morning. It's good to see you."
He gestured toward the chair.
"Sorry to trouble you, you see…"
He ignored my unfriendly face.
I sat, determined to keep it brief.
"She agreed to donate blood samples.
But she has no intention of coming here."
Daren's eyes shone with hope.
"Would she agree if we paid?"
"Believe me. She is… different."
I allowed a restrained smile.
Different — and yet, familiar.
Who she truly was… a mystery.
He rested his hand on his chin.
"Alright.
We'll work with that.
Would periodic samples suffice?
For my research, they would be enough."
"I suppose that's fine."
I shrugged.
"Where can we find her?
I can send an android for collection."
His gaze revealed expectation.
"That won't be necessary.
She'll agree if I collect it."
Daren pressed his lips.
"Will that be inconvenient?"
I shook my head.
"It's fine."
"When do you need the first sample?"
The conversation stretched longer than I liked.
"If possible, within this ascenbria.
Collection can be done during the selunas."
He smiled, charmingly.
Trying to sound friendly.
"I'll check.
You'll be notified."
I stood and left.
Behind me, murmured gratitude.
I messaged Maia.
We agreed to meet under the waxing gibbous.
The ascenbria passed quietly.
Except for the anxiety.
And the restless excitement.
Especially at the thought of seeing her so soon.
I wanted to see her.
Very much.
S-2878 • L2 Ritluna • D10 Unabe
"Ritluna sustains the rhythm above. Unabe ignites axis in rising light. The air sings clear in the world's canopy. The narrative weaves step and presence."
My interior ignited at the thought of our meeting.
My mood — excellent.
Until Takashi delivered the news.
"A volunteer has died.
Complete failure of cortical neurons."
A knot formed in my chest.
I felt my blood surge harder through my veins.
I opened the research insurance file.
Volunteers received daily compensation.
In cases of severe damage —
or death —
the award was paid to them or their designated person.
An amount which, according to Josivaldo, was a ticket into Zenith.
"Hmm… right…"
I tried to contain the tension.
"Though serious, it was expected."
Takashi remained impassive.
I cleared my throat.
"Contact UNITED Insurance.
Notify the responsible party.
She is the first volunteer we've lost.
I hope she's the last."
My voice came out low.
Weighted.
I sent the certified insurance file.
Finally, it was time to meet Maia.
I gathered the blood collection equipment.
Headed toward Centralia.
Waited on the sidewalk.
Sunlight warmed my face.
I closed my eyes.
A shadow fell across me.
I opened them.
Maia stood in front of me.
Close.
Too close.
I let out a stifled gasp.
She laughed.
"Did I scare you?
That wasn't my intention.
Have you been waiting long?"
"No."
The anxiety in my stomach worsened.
"Shall we go in?"
A familiar place.
Was this the same hotel/café from the night I blacked out?
People looked at us.
Then returned to their routines.
We went upstairs.
Maia wore a blouse.
Despite the near-summer heat.
"Do you feel cold in this weather?"
I tried conversation.
She opened the door.
"It doesn't matter."
I steadied myself at her dry tone.
The large window illuminated the red interior.
Less nauseating than before.
Maia removed her jacket.
Underneath, a black shirt.
Scars lined her arms.
Her neck.
Was that why she wore the blouse?
She sat on the couch.
I remained standing before her.
We stared.
"Come.
I only bite a little."
She tapped the sofa.
I hid behind a shy smile.
Sat beside her.
"Unless you ask," she whispered.
So close to my ear.
Her breath brushed my neck.
I shivered.
Looked away.
My cheeks burned.
I took the blood collector.
Asked for her arm.
Usually the Rhea androids performed this.
They located blood flow precisely.
I searched for a vein.
The only viable one in her hand.
"Wow.
Your blood flow seems restricted.
You should drink more water."
Silence.
As always.
Her sharp eyes followed every movement.
She seemed tense.
I would recognize that expression anywhere.
Fear of needles?
I sanitized the area.
Ready to begin.
She signaled for me to stop.
"One moment."
Her eyes followed the needle.
Despite myself, I laughed.
She grimaced.
"Hey!"
"You take beatings, break bones, and you're afraid of a simple needle?"
"It's different."
She closed her eyes.
Exhaled.
"Go ahead."
I giggled.
The needle pierced.
She flinched.
I applied the bandage.
"Done."
I stored the sample in the transparent container.
Maia stared at it.
"Wow, that's my bl—"
Her pressure dropped.
She lost consciousness for a moment.
Then regained it.
"What—?"
I shook my head, laughing.
"Unbelievable."
"That's it?"
Her usual coldness returned.
Glimpses of vulnerability.
Seconds long.
Then indifference again.
"That's it.
The researcher wants selunial samples.
Any problem?"
"No.
Not at all.
Text me…"
She leaned closer.
I could see every freckle.
"I'll make time for you."
I stood abruptly.
My heart racing.
"Right.
See you nex—"
"Hey.
What's the rush?
There's a floor here with large windows.
You can see a beautiful sunset.
If you'd like…"
Her voice nearly faded as she spoke.
She watched.
Waiting.
I sighed.
Agreed.
I had no commitments anyway.
We reached the 165th floor.
Concrete.
Vast windows.
Empty.
The smell of fresh paint lingered.
I approached the glass.
Focused on the skyline.
Maia wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
Caught me off guard.
Buildings stretched endlessly.
The sun slid between metal spires.
Piercing the polluted sky.
All my attention shifted to her hands.
Resting on my right shoulder.
A subtle touch.
Heavy to my sharpened perception.
Her chest moved rhythmically.
Details. Details.
How long would she remain like this?
That was it.
I was inevitably aware of Maia.
"It's beautiful," I murmured.
She sighed.
Warm breath against my nape.
Oh, heavens.
I held my breath.
"The view from your place is better.
But I like this one."
Her husky voice struck like lightning behind clouds.
A cramp tightened low in my body.
Heat rushed downward.
I felt like prey under a predator's gaze.
One who enjoys the game.
Maia straightened.
Watching me.
Unable to meet her eyes, I focused on the horizon.
Orange tones.
Grays.
Fading into dusk.
We stood in silence.
For a long time.
Night settled gently around us.
"Shall we?"
She squeezed me slightly.
Shook my structure.
Why was my heart racing?
"Let's."
At the entrance, she remained still.
As if waiting.
For something undefined.
"Are you… waiting for the bus?"
"Oh. Right."
I opened the bio-screen.
"It'll arrive in ten minutes."
Shifted subtly on my heels.
"Mhm."
I looked everywhere.
Except at her.
Would she say goodbye?
This was the moment, wasn't it?
My thoughts bubbled.
The bus notification chimed.
I started toward the stop.
Maia caught my arm gently.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye?"
Goodbye?
"Oh — yes.
See you."
Too fast.
Trying to hide embarrassment.
She released me.
Smiled softly.
"See you."
Her gaze lingered on my back until I boarded.
I looked through the window.
She was already gone.