Blank Storage [Nier:Automata x Fate/Extra]

[SoothingCoffee]

[] You probably shouldn't pry into Saber's privacy.
- [] Talk to Popola and Devola. Anemone did say they probably need something.

...

You... should probably leave this alone. You have to admit, there's some sense of discomfort at the thought of violating Saber's privacy, despite the fact that she has been mostly hostile (admittedly, you did provoke her) - and really, the last thing you want to do is upset her more than she already is, and make an enemy out of her when she finds out. Just because her opinion of you is probably at rock bottom, that doesn't mean you want it to dig even deeper. You feel your lips quirk slightly, trying to hide your disappointment.

5B notices it. Maybe because she's sharper than you've given her credit for - maybe because you want her to find out. She places a hand over your shoulder; her thumb brushing at your jugular as she grips comfortingly, before stretching her free hand theatrically over the air. "I suppose we will have to talk with someone else, then?"

You hum in agreement. You suppose you could just go do that Machine's request, but... you want to say that 'you're not in the mood', but that sounds way too petty, and awful. Your eyes scan around the camp; they have returned to what they were doing quickly after Saber left. Your sight lands on a pair of red-haired androids by the corner of the camp. Popola and Devola, you think their name is. "Let's ask if they need something," you say, nodding at the twins' direction.

5B follows your sight, before nodding her head. "Let's go, then!" and without further ado, you let 5B escort you to the corner of the camp. On one hand, it isn't a bad sensation; rather comforting, really, that 5B actually meant what she said about showing off her love. On the other hand, it would be a lie if you don't find the mixed stares somewhat... unnerving.

One of the twins notices your approach, eyebrow cocked; a languid smirk on her lips as she bumps her straighter-haired twin. "That was some commotion you caused," she comments, once you're close enough.

You wince, catching 5B's smile twitching. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." you gesture vaguely with your free hand.

"Ignore my sister," the other twin huffed softly. Said sister promptly pouts. She ignores it, and looks at you softly. "And you don't need to apologize. While Saber is the best soldier we have around, she has quite the temper."

The wavy-haired android snorts, rolling her eyes. "That's the word. Needs some anger management help, if you ask me."

"Devola," the softer-speaking android - which you suppose is called Popola - chides.

"What?" Devola shrugs. "I'm just saying it as it is. I -" she stops with a wince. "Look, not like Saber's bad, but her temper is as short as it is explosive. Very," she delivers flatly. "Especially when it comes with you YoRHas."

"I wonder," 5B speaks for the first time, her tone pondering. "Just what happened with her to garner such animosity?" she rests a hand under her chin, rubbing it softly. "Would I be wrong to say that she enjoys a good battle?"


"She does," Devola nods, grinning exasperatedly. "She's a real battle junkie. Heard from gossips that she would often hang with Jackass because of that."

You glance alarmedly at your partner. "... 5B?"

She smiles at you. "It's nothing, dear. Simply thinking out loud."

"... Wow, you guys aren't pulling any punches, huh?" Devola mutters.

Your cheeks color. 5B lets out a satisfied huff, pulling you even closer into her side-embrace.

"I think I see what you are thinking. Whether it would work..." Popola shrugs. "I don't know. But well, her story isn't ours to tell," Popola nods, almost apologetic. "She has her reasons, bug even we don't know the details. I think you would have more luck asking Anemone, or your Commander about it."

You hum, nodding in agreement. You've expected as much. "I think I'll just leave her alone," you admit. "We're not here to make enemies," but to improve relationships, goes unsaid.

"Probably a good idea," Devola says, before smirking crookedly. "Though you're not doing a really good job at it."

Well, she's not wrong. Though in your defense, you've only been here for roughly five hours, and talked to only five - including the Machine - people down here. And it's only your luck that Saber already has some form of grudge against YoRHa. You are about to open your mouth to defend yourself -

Only for 5B to cut you off with a huff. "Hmph," she frowns. "Nonsense. 3H is the greatest at what she does. Without a doubt, my Partner could conquer any individual in a way that would shame Mars and Venus, and heal even the grievous of injuries which would make Asclepius green in envy," she puffs her chest out in pride. "She's amazing, and that's a fact."

"Uwaah," Devola blows out. "Conquer, huh?"

Popola chuckles.

You duck your head in both embarrassment, and joy - somewhat regretting the fact that one of your hands is occupied from 5B's side embrace. T-that's too much, isn't it? Way too much. And isn't the role being reversed, here? Aren't you the one supposed to make 5B turn into an adorable red stammering mess?! You're not used to this!

"... I think she's going to explode."

"Perhaps you were being too..." Popola trails off, sounding unsure, and amused.

"I'm simply telling the truth -"

You raise your hand up. 5B quiets down. You take a deep breath, trying to put some semblance of composure back into yourself. When you finally lift your head up, Devola's crooked expression tells you that you only succeed partly. Certainly, your heart is beating way too fast than you're comfortable with. You don't even think her statement about exploding is too off-the-mark. "I'm okay," you breathe out, carefully. "I'm fine," you repeat again, this time for 5B. "... I think we should go back to why we were here in the first place."

Popola nods. "Right. Is there anything we could help you with?"

"Actually," you reply. "I'm here for the opposite of that."

The twins blink. Devola's lips thin, her eyebrow cocked towards you. "... You know, if you're looking to improve relationship with the camp, I think you're going to the wrong androids."

"... Devola is right," Popola smiles sadly. "We're not very popular in here."

Your lips quirk downward in confusion. 5B tilts her head. "Why would that be?" she asks the question in your mind. "You two seem pleasant, both in heart, and in the eyes. Especially so when compared to that Saber."

"You should probably keep the compliments to your lover," Devola comments dryly. You return it with a chuckle. You know better than to read deep what is not there. It would be a lie that you don't completely mind it, but you're aware that 5B is simply being honest, and doesn't have any ulterior motives. You think it almost impossible for 5B to even have ulterior motives. "But," Devola sighs, sharing a look with Popola.

"In the past," Popola continues. "We have done something awful. That is to say, our models had done something awful."

"You two don't know about it since most YoRHa units are fairly new," Devola chimes in.

"Nevertheless, the same can't be said about the androids around here. They're not old enough to know what we've done, but they're old enough to be aware that we've done something bad - enough that they hold a grudge."

You frown. "By the sound of it, you don't even know what that 'something bad' is."

They shrug. Melancholic. "It is what it is," Popola replies.

Devola hums in agreement. "So, even if you want to help us, it won't really benefit you."

5B makes a chuckling noise. "My 3H doesn't really care about such petty thing, does she?" she turns to you.

You stare at her for a while. And then sigh. 5B perks up at that, her smile turns into a satisfied, puppy-like grin. You smile at that too. "Well, 5B's not wrong. Even though our purpose here is to improve relationships, our orders were to help the androids around the camp, and since Anemone told us you might need something..."

The twins share a look. Popola bites her lips, before nodding. Devola lets out a sigh, her hand resting over her thigh; hunched over it with a wry smile. "... You two are really something, huh? That's not a bad thing."

"There is something we could have you do," Popola admits, before her face grows uncomfortable. "Although it's unrelated with camp business. It's... our personal project."

"Yeah," Devola nods, her smile thinning. "Something like that. You don't really have to do it -"

You sigh. Almost exasperated. "We'll do it."

Popola titters. "I'm sorry, but we don't really want to burden you. Nevertheless, we've been investigating of a red-coated android for a while now," there's a beat. She closes her eyes. "We know him as the Guardian, and we've been... looking for him as long as we could remember."

"... I think even beyond that," Devola adds quietly. "But last we've heard, he has been sighted a lot on the desert. We never got the chance to go there with the chores we're given, so..."

"Alright," you nod your head, before tilting it in curiosity. It's such an odd name. "Anything you could tell us about him?"

"Not much, to be honest," Devola admits.

"He's more of an Urban Legend around here," Popola adds, crinkling her eyes open. "How he's a wandering warrior who would either kill, or rescue androids... though more often than not, his name is used more often as an excuse for some actions, unfortunately."

Devola sighs heavily at that. "Yep. Thing is, because of that, we don't even know if he actually exists, which is why we're hesitant to go out there when we have other things to do."

"Why the interest, then?" 5B inquires, peering curiously.

They shrug, a complicated expression crossing their face. "We don't know for sure," Popola says. "But... something tells us that we should. Like I said, it's something of a personal project of ours."

"Heh," Devola smirks. "You could still back off from this, you know? It'd probably be a waste of your time."

You shake your head. "No, it's fine," really, at this point, it's as though they're deliberately trying to stop you from helping them. What's up with that. "Seriously. So," you say after a beat. "Any place in the desert we should search for? It sounds like a pretty big place."

Popola smiles, releasing a huff of laugh. "It is. And it's very hot, and the sand gets everywhere - thankfully, you YoRHa units are equipped with things we could only dream off. Nevertheless, there are three places you could search the Guardian for."


[] Abandoned Civilization of Machines. Just right by the side of the desert. This placed used to be a residence complex for mankind, however that has long been perverted. Machines have taken over, turning it into their own personal hive of terror; positively drowning with these desert dwelling Machines. It's almost impossible to not encounter a fight of attrition in here.

[] Oasis of Calm. Located on the deeper part of the desert. In the middle of a sandstorm, this Oasis remains completely clean, and untouched. Apparently, its beauty and calm have attracted so many Androids to take several days retreat into; perhaps the closest thing you will ever get to Mankind's equivalent of a 'beach resort'.

[] Temple of Smiling Gods. Long ago, gods walked upon the earth. Long ago, they fought; long ago, they died. It was here that these dead gods were buried; of large blank eyes, and a grin which stretches forever. Located deep into the dry, and sandy expanse, it is only through the navigation map that you could find the place. It appears that it inspires 'fear' towards the Machine Lifeform.

 

[SoothingCoffee]

[] Oasis of Calm. Located on the deeper part of the desert. In the middle of a sandstorm, this Oasis remains completely clean, and untouched. Apparently, its beauty and calm have attracted so many Androids to take several days retreat into; perhaps the closest thing you will ever get to Mankind's equivalent of a 'beach resort'.

...

To be honest, there is a lot of reasons why you choose to check for the dubbed Oasis of Calm. For the first, it is the most reasonable place for an elusive figure like someone called the 'Guardian' would be in. Because despite the fact that it is apparently rather famous, as Devola explained, it does not see a lot of visitors, if any. Mainly it was because of the rough terrain, and environment - partly because the androids really don't have that much free time, nor the will to go that far for a 'simple' retreat. Everybody here, in the Camp, and in the Bunker; they all have duty they need to do; each one a cog in a well-oiled machine, and 'long term free time' is a privilege not given to a lot of androids. More often than not, you would only encounter a couple, or none at the place.

Secondly, the two of you do have such privilege. Perhaps it is selfish, and perhaps you are being a little too willful, but the Commander herself never specified anything about how long you're going to be here beyond an implied 'I'll let you know' - and the prospect of the two of you, together alone in some hard-to-reach pool of life in the middle of nowhere, holding hands - toe-dipping together in cool water, sitting side-by-side is too much for you to pass on.

Certainly, the way 5B's expression brightened helps in making that decision.

"Don't you think it is curious," 5B breaks out of her tuneless hum, leaning up to your side. The two of you are making your way through the city, following the checkpoint you've placed on your in-built map. She peers at you, green eyes glimmering with an excitement that you share half of with. "That he's called the 'Guardian'?"

You tilt your head, turning your attention to her. "How so?"

Her lips quirked thoughtfully, eyes shifting ahead. "Normally, a Guardian is someone who protects, and it carries with itself a 'benevolent' or 'good' connotation, but the twins mentioned that he also attacked other androids."

"They did say that the other androids also used his appearance as an excuse," you grimace at that. From the way Popola, and Devola said it, you're pretty sure that those excuses are not something trivial. I didn't kill him, you could imagine the android screamed, the Guardian did - and there would be no way to prove them right, or wrong. And while such deception can't last long, there would always be doubt in the air. Hm. You can already follow where 5B is going with this.

She seems to catch your look, and she smiles. "Yes. If that's the case, then why call him the 'Guardian' in the first place? Why not just..." she makes a twirling gesture with her hand, raising it up to the sky. "Call him something like the 'Wanderer', 'Nameless', or 'Stranger'? Such title would certainly befit a mysterious figure like the one we're searching, no?"

You let out an agreeing hum. While the nature of those names are rather dubious, you could understand 5B's sentiment. "... They said they were searching for him for a long time," you recall. Longer than they could remember - and unlike you, androids don't easily forget.

"So either he's very old," 5B continues, quirking her lips. "Or the twins didn't tell us everything. Hm," your partner rests her chin under her hand, humming tunelessly. "Truly, what a curious case we have ourselves with, 3H," she says eventually, nodding her head. "You've made good decisions approaching those twins."

You smile, giggling. "It's more than that, of course," you bump at her softly, eyes twinkling. "... The way they said it, it seems as though we'll be visiting a paradise. Together. Alone. With no one. Or if there's anyone, we won't care."

"U-umu!" 5B stammers, cheeks red. Lips wide, chest puffed out. "T-that's something to be excited too, of course! Although," she glances at you, almost teasingly. "That's quite devious of you if that's your only reason doing this, 3H!"

The corner of your lips twitch upwards. You find yourself chuckling, leaning slightly towards her sturdier frame; towards her red ear. You can feel her tense; a short silent gasp. Your smile grows only larger. Now it's your turn to strike! "Do you think that's a bad thing, my love?" you whisper, tone low.

"N-not at all!" 5B shakes her head, voice cracking between bravado, and a squeak. She turns to face you - and suddenly, it's your turn to freeze. Her lips brush against your nose. "3H," she breathes out. "Just being with you brings much joy to my heart, and for you to prioritize my joy..." she makes a face. "It's indescribable, this feeling in my heart."

"... Oh," you lean away, looking down. Well, that backfired horribly! You breathe deeply. "Well, I think I'm very, very lucky to have someone like you, 5B. Especially for someone like... me."

"I don't think that's true."

You blink, turning back to her. "What isn't?"

"That you're lucky," she explains, gazing off to the distance. The red of her cheeks fades. She chews at her lips, a melancholic expression on her face. "I should be saying that."

You smile softly. This time, you try not to get that to you. Not too much, at least. There will still always be the guilt, and the shame - the preconceived failure. But if you wallow every time 5B looks like her age; like an experienced veteran who has lost and done so much, then you would only perpetuate the pain, and the grief.

"We're both very lucky then," you say.

5B turns to you, and the ray of the sun falls on her. For a moment, you feel your breath taken away - like you are seeing something divine. And then it's gone. 5B's hair swishes, and her usual arrogant pomp returns with a swagger. It doesn't quite hide the pinkness in her cheeks. "Umumu. Well said, 3H!"

You chuckle.

Up ahead, the pavement gives away to dusty brown dirt. Skyscrapers tilting, and leaning so dangerously they feel like looming giants of many eyes; old, grey, and broken - and stubborn; extremely stubborn. You pass under them, and almost like walking through a gate, the last of the city breaks away to bleached browns, rocky canyons, and dry air. A pair of tents lay on either side of the path, held up by pole. Someone is already there.

"'Ey," the woman raised her hand lazily as you enter her ear-sight. Gray bangs poke from beneath her desert shawl, hiding her right eye, and a crooked smile on her lips. "What's two YoRHa cuties like you doin' up this far?"

"We want to go to the desert," you answer easily enough. You peer at her curiously. "Who are you?"

"Name's Jackass," she grins. "Nice to meet'cha."

You blink. Slowly. "... Nice to meet you too?" you chew your lips. Where have you heard that name - ah, right. "Devola mentioned your name."

Jackass perks up at that. "Oh? The twins, huh," she places a hand under her chin. "Strange that they would ask someone to do something for them."

You return smile. "We offered them help."

She nods. "Yeah, that'd oughta do it. Ech," Jackass makes a face. "They're good bunch, lemme tell you, but the other fuckers are way too stubborn for their good. Hell, the two of them are way too stubborn. Fucking troublesome, I tell you. Bunch o' loose screws," she shakes her head, raising both arms in a way that says 'what can you do?'. She turns back up to you, a knowing smile on her lips. "So I can guess why the two of you are here."

"Indeed?" 5B speaks out, tilting her head. Belatedly, you realize that her eyes are narrowed, in curiosity. "... Why do you name yourself that?"

Oh. Jackass cocks an eyebrow, an amused smile on her lips. "Jackass, you mean?" 5B nods. She shrugs. "Well, I like the sound of it."

"I find that dubious," 5B points out, nodding decisively. "But if that is true, it says a lot about you."

"Oh?" she chuckles. "Well, that's fine by me too. 'Side, don't think you could say that, yanno?"

"It's our designation," you add in.

"Yeah, but nobody says you can't use a nickname," Jackass retorts, before shaking her head with a chuckle. "Well, moving on," she cocks her hips. "You're both looking for the Guardian, right?"

You blink, before nodding. "Yes. How do you know?"

"Told you I can guess," she looks positively smug at that, but it fades almost immediately. "Not a whole lot the twins would want to do beyond searching for the man."

"Hm," you peer at her curiously. The way she talks about the twins - about the Guardian. Despite how out-of-place - or rather, in-place Jackass appears to be, she seems plenty knowledgeable. "Do you think anything about the Guardian, then?"

"Eh..." Jackass makes a face, tilting her hand in a so-so gesture. "He's a bit of an odd ball, that one, but what can you do? A practical hermit."

You blink. "Wait, you've met him?"

"No, I didn't meet him. I caught him," she grins widely at that. "Though I myself am a believer of 'catch and release'."

The Guardian is real? Wait, that's not what you should be focusing!

"You caught him?" yes, thank you 5B! You accompany her inquiry of surprise with a nod. "Pray tell, how?"

"Well, that's a secret. I'd have to kill you then," she chuckles at that, shaking her head - before her one eye focuses back on you. "And I know what you're gonna ask. The twins never asked. Just listened for gossips. Like I said," she sighs in exasperation. "Way too stubborn."

"I... see," you decide, slowly. In actuality, you don't. At least, not completely. Partly, yes. There is something the woman before you is not telling you.

"Uh-huh," Jackass looks a little chagrined at that. "So where are you looking for him, then?"

"Oh. Um," you blink, and for a moment you stumble. You know before saying it what your answer will cause, but you're already too deep to say anything else: "The Oasis of Calm."

Both of her eyebrows raise. "Ho-hoh?" you don't miss the implication in her tone as she looks the two of you over. You also do not miss the leery grin on her face.

As if on cue, 5B gives Jackass an excited nod. "Indeed. This will be our first time to be... in such a place," she exclaims, before promptly pressing you to her side. You squeak. "This will be something I - we will forever cherish."

You do not miss the slip. And by the frown on Jackass's face, neither does she. Her single eye meets you, and you return it with a shake of your head, smiling.​

[Blank Stora ge]
​

Just as the twins have mentioned, journeying through the desert zone is difficult - and into somewhere as deep as the Oasis of Calm, amidst sandstorms? It's deemed almost impossible. Almost. Pods helped in that regard - a drone equipped with so many functions, all made in mind to fully support their designated owner in every way possible so that the android could focus entirely on their job. In this regard, their advanced System Navigation would have helped immensely; still fully functional despite the interference of the storm.

Unfortunately, neither of you are designated with a Pod. Fortunately, your entire purpose is not so dissimilar to a Pod, and thus you have everything that a Pod has - minus combat capability, apparently - and more in terms of support. In a way, you being paired with 5B makes you h-her P-Pod in all but name.

"... How beautiful," 5B breathes out in awe, eyes glimmering as she beholds the scene.

And you have to agree. Words couldn't quite describe the scene before you. The Oasis of Calm lives up to its name; just a step inside, you can immediately feel the drop of temperature - how the sandstorm has receded, and how the ground has returned to soil. There are trees, and all manner of plantations - and in the middle of it all, is a lake; so clean, it's like you're staring upon Earth's natural mirror.

"It is, isn't it?!"

You jump. So does 5B. The two of you snap towards the source. There, beneath a lush tree lay two red-haired... YoRHa Androids. One of them seems to be sleeping, head resting on the other's shoulder; while the other one seems... out of it, hand waving in slow arcing movement. Inwardly, you sag a little. You suppose it's too good to be true for you to be alone.

You share a glance with 5B. She nods, and you follow her approach the android. "Good evening, friends," she greets. "What are you two doing here?"

"... Chillin', you know?" the android answers, tone languid, head wobbling. "Man," she giggles.

You frown. "... Are you alright?"

"Yeah, girl," the android waves at you. "I'm totes fine. Purrfect. Just cruisin' in this dream of ecstasy. It's awesome."

You tilt your head. "Ookay?"

"Oh!" 5B makes a noise of realization. "Are you having recreational drugs?"

You snap your head to her. "What?"

She nods, grinning. Happily. Excitedly. Positively starry. "I've heard, and read of it. In the past, Humans used to past their time by way of imbibing themselves with numerous forms of herbal, or chemical concoctions. Apparently, it makes them 'high'. Though I am not aware such a thing exists for androids!"

You shuffle in your spot. "How do you know about this?"

"Umumu," your partner puffs up her chest in pride. "I always try to learn about Mankind's culture whenever I have the free time!"

"... Yeah, man," the android cuts in, wobbling in head. "They... they also used them to, um, to enhance their skills, and stuffs. They like, try to put all addictive goodness into everything that they could. It's awesome. But uh," the android blinks, resting her head against the tree. "Jackass made the drug for us. Called it the E-Drug. Something about how it triggers our 'pleasure' and 'horny' button to fuck and kill? Though I don't think I'm growing horns. Heck. I asked her to teach us to make it."

"... Huh." You're not entirely sure what to say about that. It's all completely new for yourself. Some of that part also seems highly dubious.

"... Say," the android grins. "Wanna try some?"

5B lets out a gasp. Starry green eyes turn to you. "3H! We need to try this!"

"I," you open your mouth. Close it. Close your eyes too, and sigh through your nose. "We need to do something first, remember?" 5B pouts, but nods understandingly. You turn to the 'high' android. "Do you know an android called the 'Guardian' coming here, lately?"

The android blinks. Slowly. And then recognition. "Oh yeah. Him. Sure, we saw him. Said he was going to the Abandoned Apartment? Eh. Said he was going to come back here."

5B's starry eyes return.

You sigh, smiling in exasperation.

[] Wait here. You are here in the first place for a reason, after all!
-[] Take the android's offer?

[] Go to the Abandoned Apartments.

...

Edit: Not entirely happy with this update.​

 

[SoothingCoffee]

[] Wait here. You are here in the first place for a reason, after all!

...

Of course, logic dictates that you should immediately go to the Abandoned Apartments. It is the most efficient option, after all. But you could also argue that by going there, there's a big chance that you will miss the Guardian. It's not as though the desert is a single path road where it's unlikely for the two of you to miss each other. There's an even bigger chance also for the Guardian to deliberately avoid the two of you. But if you wait here, while it would definitely cost the two of you a lot of time, you will definitely encounter the Guardian. Besides... your eyes trail towards the small lake of clean, blue water. It seems to seduce you; tantalizing you with promises of many fun times with your lover.

In the end, you choose the one with the least negative.

You like to think your smile is a bright thing. "We'll wait here," you decide.

Undoubtedly, 5B's smile eclipses your own, nodding sagely; hand resting under her chin. "Umu! That is a wise decision, 3H. I wholeheartedly approve it. Then, does that mean - !"

"No," you deliver flatly. She doesn't need to finish to know what she's about to ask. 5B pouts. It is a very tough uphill battle, and you almost falter - but in the end, wisdom and common sense win. "Definitely not. We're still on a mission, remember?" you shake your head.

"Umu..." 5B sinks in defeat. You would have felt guilty if she doesn't perk up almost immediately, spreading her hands with a flourish. "Well, no matter! We can still enjoy this together, no?" she gestures around herself. Or rather, she's pointing straight towards the pool; like a soldier on a marching order. "Let's!"

Your lips twitch in amusement. "One moment," 5B nearly stumbles at that, frowning at you. You laugh sheepishly. "Sorry, 5B, but I want to ask these guys a few questions," you gesture towards the barely-there android. "If you don't mind?"

"... Huh?" the android blinks slowly. She lets out a yawn, smiling lazily. "Yeah sure. Shoot. Figuratively."

You shuffle a little. 5B shifts to your side; her stance radiating impatience, and barely-held excitement, but now that you've turned her attention to the androids, you can also see curiosity. If they're just normal androids, you wouldn't have asked. But these two are YoRHas. "Can we know why the two of you are here?"

The android tilts her head. Glazed grey eyes gaining more color. Life. "Oh," then she begins to chuckle. "Here as in here, or here as in..." she makes a vague gesture. "The planet? 'Cause one of 'em's pretty funny, and the other's pretty alright."

"Um," you blink. "... Both?"

"Uh. Well. You ask a lot, dude," she mumbles. "I don't even know your name."

"I'm... 3H," you say, before gesturing to your lover. "She's 5B. I'm her partner."

"And I am hers," 5B adds. "We are lovers."

You duck your head.

"Ooh," the android coos, leaning her head back. She grins lazily. "That's awesome. Congrats. Name's 10D. This here's," she tilts her head to the quietly snoring android on her shoulder. "13D. But yeah," she drawls. "We're basically here as scouts. Keep an eye out for the gals above, yanno? Report, and stuff, and keep things cool n'case of some heat, yeah?"

"... I see," you mumble. You suppose it makes sense that the two of you aren't the only YoRHa units being deployed on Earth. In fact, you would probably find it weirder if you are. You peer back to 10D. "And the other one?"

"Heh," the android chuckles, snorting. "We're stranded 'ere."

"... You don't have your Pod," 5B says suddenly, tone surprised.

"Heheh. Yep. We lost it on the way here," she yawns. "So we can't go back n'less we wanna get lost more."

"That..." you trail off. "Sounds horrible."

"Pfft. Nah," she waves a hand, smiling crookedly. "Ain't that bag. Got my supplies, and got my girl. Not like we need to eat, or anything, right?"

"We can help if you want," you offer.

10D shakes her head. "Thanks but no thanks. We got someone else on the task," she grins, eyes alternating between the two of you. "Well, that all?" you think so, at least. You nod. "Coolio. I'll just enjoy my high. S'getting weaker, so Imma need to take it again. There's, uh," she waves vaguely towards the pool. "I made a fishing pole. You can use it if you want."

"Oh," you stand straighter. Fishing sounds nice, even if you've never done it before. Especially when 5B's around. Everything sounds better when it's the two of you, really, but better things are better when they're new things. It means that it's a new experienced for the both of you. Something special. You close your eyes, sighing through your nose in contentment. Exactly what you want. "We'll do just that. You... should probably ease up with the drugs, though."

"Pfft," she waves her hand dismissively. Fails as it falls back to the ground in one stroke. "You're not Commander White!"

Well, she's not wrong.

[Blank Storage]​

Sadly, it is only three hours, and twenty-seven minutes of you, and 5B having fun together - the first hour was spent on splashing each other with water, the second simply sitting together at the edge of the pool, hand-in-hand and feet in cool water, while the last was fishing and not catching anything (you suspect it's due to lack of bait) at all, while 5B leans her head on your shoulder, humming a tuneless song into your ear - before your target finally arrives.

Garbed heavily in thick brown desert clothes to the point of revealing almost no skin (you almost think him a mummy), the Guardian is a tall android. Taller than even the Commander, and taller than even those back in the Resistance Camp. What little you could tell about the Guardian, from where you are sitting - and from where he is walking, is that his skin is tan-brown, and that his hair is white. Metal grey eyes peek from the shadow. Stern, and sharp as he walks up to the 10D, and 13D.

"Yo," 10D greets lazily. She looks way more out-of-it than the last you spoke with her. She wasn't kidding when she said she was going to take more. "Did you find it?"

There is a sigh from the walking bundle of cloth. He pulls his hood back, revealing spiky white hair, and brown tanned face. "I did," he says, almost tiredly. He plops the burlap sack on his hand back on the ground. "But it wasn't in the Abandoned Apartments like you said, 10D," you can hear the exasperation practically dripping from his tongue. "I found it in the middle of the desert."

10D blinks. Slowly. Almost uncomprehendingly. "... Huh," she says, eventually. "No wonder it took you long."

"No wonder indeed," the Guardian grumbles loudly.

"Yeah, man," 10D nods her head understandingly. The Guardian lets out another deep sigh. She paws at the burlap sack, dragging it to her side. She blinks, feeling around the sack. "Weird," she says. "It feels weird."

"... It's inside."

"Oh," the woman intones. Finally, her hand reaches deep inside the sack; her tongue poking out of her lips in concentration. Then it brightens. "There you are!" she exclaims, grunting as she promptly battles the burlap sack, swinging it around in wild abandon.

Another deep sigh. Inhale, exhale. He pinches the end of the burlap sack, and pulls it off. Triumphantly, as though she has won a fierce battle, 10D holds up a deactivated Pod. "... Maybe moderate your drug dosage next time," he suggests, smirking wryly. "Or at least, don't do it while wandering in the desert?"

... Wow.

"Pfft. Shaddup, Big G. None of that weak-ass shit. 'Specially when you're ain't White, and an Ass," she grouses. "Now, c'mere, Poddy," she pulls the Pod to her lap. Her face creases in concentration as her fingers reach around the Pod. And then she perks up. You hear a click. "And... there you go. Wakey, wakey, Poddy."

The Pod lights up. Activated. It stays still for a long moment, and you could almost imagine it being 'confused', but then it lifts off to the air. Wobbling as it rises up, and bobbing up and down until it's on 10D's face level. "Pod - 072 Activated," it speaks in monotone, in a high pitched voice that belongs to a child. Its 'face' turns to regard the high Android. "... I told you so."

"Prick," the android responds. "And who teaches you to speak like that, huh?"

"You."

"Huh."

The Guardian closes his eyes; a pair of fingers rubbing the ridge between his nose. He wears a difficult-looking expression. "Right then," he turns to the two of you. "Why are you -" he freezes, eyes widening. Locking.

On you.

And you know that look. Recognition. Information kept secret. Knowledge that not even 5B knows. About you. About who you are.

Something prickles at the inside of your throat. It's a confusing sensation. Like something else, inside you, is pushing you to speak. Pushing the urge to ask. Giving the want to know. Something that is you, but not you. "You know me," it's less of a question, and more of a statement.

You feel, more than see, the twitch in 5B. It's a violent thing. Her shoulders hunched; fear running in her veins. Tense, and ready to leap at the Guardian at a moment's notice.

The man comports himself quickly. "Do I... know you, you ask," he cracks a small, lazy smile. "Who knows? My memory has been splotchy of late."

He's good, but it's not enough to fool you. Your purpose is to Support your fellow androids, and that means having the ability to read them so they won't lie to you - so that they couldn't cover up their problem. You open your mouth -

A hand falls over your shoulder. You inhale sharply. "3H..."

You turn to 5B. An awareness beyond your awareness. The 'you' awareness. It snaps you back to reality. Snaps you back from that want to know. That urge to know. And as you see 5B's eyes, you think you forget how to breathe. Wide green emerald eyes, radiating an emotion so bright it's as though lightning is coursing behind them. The hand trembling as with her body. Concern. Worry.

Fear.

Of you. For you. For her. She knows - no that's not right. She has an inkling of something horrible.

"Please," she shakes her head, whispering. Voice cracking. "Don't ask."

You turn to the Guardian. He wears a difficult expression.

[] Open the Pandora Box.

[] Keep it Closed.

​

 

[SoothingCoffee]

[] Open the Pandora Box.

...

You stare deep into 5B's eyes. Searching. For what, you're not entirely sure; everything is already bared open for you, and maybe that's why you've believed her when you first woke up. 5B is the type of person who wears her heart in her sleeve. Now, there's fear in those eyes. It burrows deep into your chest; an uncomfortable, and painful sensation that tangles your insides, and crushes your throat. You've caused this. Protocol - no, every being in your body dictates you to stop; to abandon your curiosity. If 5B doesn't want you to know - whatever that is - then you don't need to know, right? After all, 5B would tell you if it's important.

But... there is a voice in the back of your head, niggling at your brain. An overwhelming sense of curiosity; an overwhelming sense of want. You don't just need to know, but you also want to know. And that? That's important to you. Not in the most objective sense, to be sure. Certainly, it's not like you're going to die if you do not ask. But it's like... it's like there is a hole in your heart that you've only begun to notice, and you could just... shut that hole up; put a lid over it, and mask it with false skin, and be done with it. Ignore it. And as long as you don't actively look for it, it's as if it was never there to begin with.

However... it would be painful. It would be terrifying. It would be knowing that there's something wrong with you, and choosing to be ignorant. Even though you are someone that has little to lose to begin with, that doesn't mean you should always lose. In fact, you think the fact that you have so little to lose make you more terrified of losing more. Because - what would happen when you have nothing to lose? To be hollow?

You turn your head to the Guardian. Beside you, 5B sags in defeat. Guilt worms deep into you almost like a physical thing, forcing you to reconsider. To apologize. It's a bit funny, you have to acknowledge. Hours ago, you were the happiest, and luckiest person in this planet - but now you feel like the complete opposite.

"Please, how do you know me?"

The android wears a series of difficult expressions - like biting into something acidic. "You know," he smiles wryly. "This is not how I expected my day to go. Teaches me to vary up my patrol route, right?" he shakes his head.

You smile apologetically. "I'm sorry, but I really want to know."

"... Yeah," the Guardian sighs heavily. "Is it truly necessary, though? Some things are better left forgotten, and you could end up hurting yourself too."

You don't miss how his eyes glance to your 5B. You don't miss how she seems to flinch; making herself look smaller, like a mouse hiding in a corner. The corner of your lips twitches. It hurts. It hurts so much. It hurts so much you want to destroy yourself. Everything of this is against what you're supposed to do. "I already made up my mind," you explain.

His lips quirk, pity in his eyes. "This is why I don't involve myself with you YoRHa units," he stays quite for a long moment, seeming to contemplate something. Part of you acknowledges that he could simply lie - or just run away, and not like you could do something about it. You have the confidence that he won't do that. "... Last time I saw you, that was... three years ago. Few months after, ah, that mess in Pearl Harbor," he chuckles a little at that. "Though it's really unrelated. You were one of the YoRHa units that were deployed on here, and back then," he turns his gaze to 5B. "You had a different partner."

You inhale sharply. "... A different partner? You mean..." you glance your side. 5B's face is hidden behind her bangs.

"... You really don't know, huh?" the man's brows quirk downwards. "But yes. The girl standing beside you is not your first partner."

"Then who..."

He shakes his head, expression apologetic. "I never caught her name. An android wearing blue, and pink hair. The two of you were..." he trails off, shuffling on his feet; face uncomfortable. "Close."

"Lovers," you posit.

"... Yes," he confirms, after a long pause. "It's why I was surprised to see you..." he trails off. He doesn't need to finish it for you to understand. He watches the two of you. You don't know what expression you are wearing, and you aren't brave enough to check 5B's. But whatever he sees is fit for him to sigh deeply, and stare towards the sky. "Like I said, this is why -"

"Is she -" you cut him off, but you force yourself to breathe deeply. You don't even know anymore. The pain doubles. Triples. Quadruples. It's hard to think. An oppressive tension that seems eager to choke you into the ground. "What happened to her?"

The Guardian frowns. "I don't know. You better ask someone else, really," he shrugs.

"I... see," you say. You lick your lips, staring squarely into the man's eyes. "Thank you, for being honest."

"Heh," the man smiles crookedly. You don't miss the frustration in his eyes. "Don't really feel like I deserve that, but..." he shakes his head, and for the first time, you notice how tired the man is. Old. Older than old. Eyes that have seen so much. He turns around, breaking eye-contact. "Well, I should leave."

You take a deep breath to clear your mind. You almost forget. There's another reason why you're here. "Wait," you call out. The tanned android pauses, looking over his shoulder; an eyebrow raised. "There's someone looking for you: Popola, and Devola. They want to meet you," you explain.

There it is again. The slight widening in his eyes. Recognition. Then they narrow. "Tell them to give it a rest," sorrow, and regret, and pain. He smiles bitterly. "Those two. Heh. They've suffered enough, kid. Nothing will come out from their search."

And then, just like that, he walks away from the safety of the Oasis, into the stormy desert. You could have stopped him. Could have tried to convince him. You don't. Instead, you turn to face 5B. She flinches, hugging herself. Eyes hidden behind her golden locks. Trembling. You open your mouth. "5B -" she flinches again. Your jaws click shut. Something itches at the inside on your throat, and the pain remains a throbbing sensation in your chest. You don't even know if it's something physical, or psychological.

You don't know what to say. You don't even know what you're feeling. Was that worth it? you wonder.

Silence descends, and it lingers, and it stretches. "I'm sorry," 5B whispers quietly, and you inhale sharply. "I... I should have told you. I - I do not know much about her, but I should not have kept it a secret, 3H."

"It's... okay," you say. "You didn't -"

5B shakes her head. "No. I should have told you. You deserve it," she whispers out, and you feel your system freeze when she looks up, revealing a watery smile. She tries to look confident. Fails. "I know little of your previous... partner, and I have never bothered to look into her. What I know is that she defected once - once you were assigned to me, and..." her breath hitches. Fear. Extreme fear. Like a mouse being cornered by a cat. Desperate. You open your mouth - she speaks faster: "She's supposed to be dead, but that's because of lack of activity on her part so there is a possibility that she's still -"

"5B!" you shout, and regret it almost immediately.

She jumps, hugging herself tighter; making herself smaller. You work out your jaws, but no words could form. How could there be, when you don't even understand what's happening? "I was..." 5B starts, voice almost a squeak. "Am scared, 3H. That i-if I told you, you would have - you would have left me."

Your eyes widen, and then narrow back. There is little you understand, little you could feel from that recognition. Too many uncertainty. But out of that, there is one single thing you are certain of. "5B," your hand reaches out to her chin, lifting it up gently. Green eyes refuse to meet yours. "Look at me. Please," you breathe out. She does, almost immediately. You smile. "There's... a lot of thing I'm unsure of," you explain. "But one thing for sure, 5B: I will never abandon you. Why? Because you are my treasure."

[Blank Storage]​

The walk back to the Resistance Camp is more subdued than before. Though part of you loathes the silence, another part of you can't help but appreciate it. You are exhausted, mentally speaking, and at the very least, the silence is nothing oppressive. You're sure that everything will be back to normal once you've got your rest.

Surely.

Hopefully.

Before you even realize it, you find yourself standing before Popola, and Devola. Blue eyes regard you in anticipation, and concern. They've definitely noticed your mood. "So," Devola starts. "Did you find anything?"

"And are you okay?" Popola continues softly. "You like tired."

You smile a little at that. "Thanks, but we're fine. Just a little rest," you say, before taking a deep breath. And then you tell them about your encounter with the Guardian, minus that one conversation with him. You don't think the twins need to know that. "... He said for the two of you to give it up."

Unpredictably, you see relief in their eyes. Hope. Devola snorts, and Popola chuckles. "I see," she says, closing her eyes. They look as though a great tension has been lifted from them. "We will not, of course."

"... Why?"

"'Cause that means we're not chasing some wild goose," Devola chimes, grinning. "Means that he's real."

"And by his refusal," Popola adds. "That means he knows of us. For the first time, we feel that..."

"If we could find him," Devola sighs, leaning her head against her sister's.

"It means we could ask him how we can atone."

"... Atone?" you ask, carefully. No, you shake your head. "He said you shouldn't, though."

"Well," Devola snorts, grinning challengingly. "He could say that to our face."

Popola titters, nodding. "I agree."

You open your mouth. And then closes it.

[] Respect the Guardian's wish. He had said that looking for him would only cause these two to suffer - or at least, he had implied it as such. You do not know the whole story, you know, but... you are fond of these two, and you do not want them hurt.

[] Respect the Twins' wish. Who are you to stop them, really? After what you have done, wouldn't that make you a total hypocrite? And if the Guardian was true - that they have suffered this far, then... That just means you have to support them in their endeavor - and in the end, that's the best you could do, right? You really do like these two.​

 

[SoothingCoffee]

[] Respect the Twins' wish. Who are you to stop them, really? After what you have done, wouldn't that make you a total hypocrite? And if the Guardian was true - that they have suffered this far, then... That just means you have to support them in their endeavor - and in the end, that's the best you could do, right? You really do like these two.

...

... That's right, isn't it? Who are you to decide what's better for these two, to convince them that they shouldn't pursue whatever they are pursuing, especially the stunt you've just pulled? Your lips twitch; a mixed dose of wryness, and shame. You don't really owe the Guardian either; not really, and even if you do, you don't think it would matter much. Because even though you've only just met these two, you won't deny that you like these two; a deep understanding for Popola and Devola's unknown circumstance. Perhaps that is why. You feel a connection, and birds of a feather flock together.

You take a deep breath, and smile. "We'll help too."

That seems to startle the both of them. Blue eyes blinking right at you. Popola shakes her head. "... No. As much as we appreciate the offer, we can't have that."

"Yeah," Devola chimes in, frowning. Her body shifts a little in place. "Look. I don't wanna be rude, but this thing? It's our problem, and we'll deal with it ourselves."

"We do not want to trouble you two," Popola agrees softly. "You've already helped us."

And that's the thing about Popola and Devola, isn't it? You have noticed of course, and Jackass herself had told you straight. It doesn't really take someone smart to figure out why the girls sit at the corner of the camp on their lonesome - why some of the androids here seem to regard you mildly after you've conversed with them, and why the general hesitance; their seeming, almost feverish, want to 'atone'. You don't know the reason why or how, and you don't think you'll ever get it - but you're already seeing the aftermath. Hesitant, and doubtful - both directed inwardly, and outwardly.

"You're not troubling us," you reassure them. "And I know, it's not our problem, but that doesn't mean you're not going to need help, right?"

"That may be so," Popola admits, before shaking her head. "But we still could not accept that -"

"Why not?"

She blinks. Devola frowns, her expression folding into something difficult. "Look," she stresses out. "We just want to do this on our own. It's -" she cuts herself, grimacing. "It's our sin, alright? We're the one atoning, not... you. We just - that's just how it is..." she trails off, sighing.

Popola nods mutely, green eyes peering up at you. "... It's our responsibility," she adds, eventually.

Something catches inside your throat; a challenge to their belief, a protestation at their lack of understanding. Forcefully, you make your shoulders lower; tension fleeing from your muscles. "I get it," you breathe out, and in some very detached way, you really do. You think everyone gets it, really. It's my problem, not yours. It just is so go away. You could almost see the parallel between this, and your conversation with Saber. Almost. Because it's different. You were diplomatic with Saber for the sake of being diplomatic. You would lie to say that you like the blonde android, even if you don't hate or dislike her. But these two? You can't really put it into words the why, but you want to help them.

And you suppose, nothing so far has stopped you from pursuing what you want. "But if you are serious about this, then why aren't you taking every advantage of everything that could help? Why aren't you trying?"

Devola blinks, before narrowing her eyes at you; her shoulders hunching forward from their relaxed state. "That's really uncalled for, you know," she glowers.

You know. It's incredibly callous, shallow, and cruel, and ignores every factor that mattered. "I know," you nod with a grimace. "And I'm sorry, but I just don't want you guys end up..." you trail off, letting the silence to fill in the blank. "We - no," you shake your head. "I just want to help. Honest."

You feel the silence. It lingers, and it stretches. Blue eyes meeting your plain brown ones. Eventually, they turn to face each other; conversing silently; their expression running through several emotions before they close their eyes, coming off to an agreement. Popola turns to you, lips curved with wryness. "You're not going to give up until we say yes, are you?"

"I'm sure I will, after a time," you admit. Or until you I forget, you don't say. They don't know, and they don't really need to know. You see 5B, her eyes shy and meek and hesitant, staring at the back of your head. You feel your chest ache at that. 5B should not be shy, meek, or hesitant. Right now, she should be chiming in with you. Her chest proudly puffed, her smile smug as it is radiant, showering you with praises, and reassurances.

Not... this.

Devola snaps you from your little thought with a snort. A crooked smirk on her lips as tension fades from her body. "Yeah, think our ears are going to be broken at that point," she quips easily. She lets out a sigh. "... Fine, then. You can help."

You perk up with a smile. "Really?"

Popola hums; something tentative in the tone. "Yes. We'll tell you if we have any new information, and you'd do the same for us. If the Guardian wants to avoid us, I don't think he'll be in the same place as before - but unless he crosses the sea, he should still be around here. Hopefully, we can find him. In the meantime, though..." she frowns, peering at you in concern. "Are you really okay?"

You wave her concern with a shake of your head. "I'm... we're fine," you correct, glancing to your partner. 5B smiles, and your heart aches again. "Like I said, we're just a little tired."

"Maybe you should talk with Anemone," the soft-spoken sister of the pair suggests. "I know there's a few empty bedrooms you two could use in here, but Anemone has the keys."

Devola hums in agreement, nodding.

"Thanks," you say, smiling. "We'll do just that."

[Blank Storage]​

The room Anemone gives you is three times bigger than the one you have up in the Bunker. Were you a vainer android, you would have exclaimed how unfair that is. However, since you have little to now attachment for your room up there... you could only gawk at the amount of personal space you are being given. There are two beds - practically cots - on both sides of the room, separated by a line of 'shelves'. Crate-boxes, and footlockers are lined along the drab wall. Neon lights hanging from the ceiling, flickering with dim yellow light.

Behind you, the door closes shut; a click resonating in the air as 5B locks the room. You exhale, watching your lover carefully as she steps to your side.

Her eyes flicker. To you, then to the room, and then back to you. "It's big," she states with forced confidence. "... Which bed will you take, 3H?"

You're very sure that any other time, 5B would have immediately suggested to sleep together. It's definitely something she would do. You try not to grimace. "I..." you trail off in thought. Maybe... you smile. "How about you pick yours first?"

5B blinks, eyes switching back and forth. In the end, she settles with the small bed on the left. You are highly aware that she's still keeping an eye on you as she makes her way to the cot. She sits down. Shuffles. "Aren't you going to...?" she trails off, gesturing towards the other bed.

You take a deep breath. Heart beating a mile per second. You're pretty sure that your cheeks are practically burning. For a moment, you hesitate. Then you take the first tentative stride, and before long, you are standing right in front of the startled 5B. Eyes wide, a question5B in them. Despite your decision, you find yourself fixated on the dull gray floor. "W-we c-can sleep t-together," you stammer out. "That's, uh, t-that's normal for l-lovers, right?"

"O-oh," 5B stutters back, and you could see her dainty legs twitch, tense, and wriggle together. There is joy as much as trepidation in her voice. "O-of course!" she exclaims, and promptly pulls off her heels, and scoots over onto the bed. Her feet shifting, and fidgeting nervously.

You gulp; the sound almost like a thunder in your head, and the beating of your 'heart' like the incessant drumming of war. Your mouth feels dry, and your lips chapped. Quietly, you sit at the edge of the bed - a squeak from your partner and you respectively as (oh god her skin) the back of her hand bushes against the small of your back. 5B pulls back almost immediately, and for the longest moment, you find yourself deeply fixated at your own feet. If things stay like this, then you're going to self-destruct by accident!

You breathe in deeply. One, two. One, two. Then in one go, you settle yourself onto the bed - and realize how much you have underestimated the bed's size as your shoulder presses against yours and oh god oh god her are those her breasts against your - you freeze, breathing halted as you find yourself staring hard at the equally dull ceiling. You feel like burning. You feel like you're actually going to self-destruct by accident. Maybe that would be better. 5B is sturdy, so she won't be as hurt, and it's not like you're going to die anyway even if you're going to get hurt - wait, no, that would mean destroying your heat-sink, and makes you practically naked -

What are you thinking!? Bad idea! Bad idea! Go away!

You shudder.

"T-three - 3H?" 5B breathes out, and you are suddenly, and deeply aware of the soft, and warm air prickling, and caressing the side of your neck.

Stiffly, you turn your body sideways to face her. Anything that you're about to say dies immediately in your throat. Brilliant green eyes gaze deeply into your eyes, and you find yourself sucked by them. Hooking you, and dragging you deep like a sinking ship into a deep blue ocean of calm which you drink, and gulp, and breathe in greedily. Is this what love feels like? You wonder faintly. This deep satisfaction; this encompassing sensation of calm, and peace, and that everything is going to be okay. That yearning, weakly strangling, and strongly pleading for this moment to never end...

You have never thought too deeply into it; if asked, you would naturally say that of course you love 5B like you would breathing air. However, that's just saying it. Everyone could do that. But to feel it... if this isn't love, then you don't know what is.

Her small, and soft, and warm breath caresses at your cheek, dispersing and travelling to tickle at the tip of your nose. The sensation gives clarity to your mind; a sensation not unlike waking up from a pleasant sleep. You can feel her chest; the flow of air that goes in, and out. Feel the fabrics of her clothes, and the soft skin of her body tingling against your body.

You breathe in. Rose, and copper mixing together into your nose. "... I'm sorry," you say at last.

5B blinks, surprised for a moment, before she shakes her head. "You don't need to, 3H," her pink lips curve. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"No, I did," you correct her, smiling self-deprecatingly. "I did a lot of wrong things today, but worst of all... I made you scared," your thumb brushes a hair out of her face. 5B's breath hitches slightly. Your finger freezes; a series of emotions running inside you; too fast even for you to understand. You smile. "See? You still are, right now."

"... I do," 5B admits. "But it's not your fault, 3H. It's something stupid again," she explains with a chuckle. "Just like that time in the Forest."

"Tell me, please."

5B sighs, closing her eyes. Her lips curve into something wry. "... It's unfair, you know?"

You frown. "What do you mean?"

She opens her eyes. "You're always taking care of me," she says. "You always do that, even when you've forgotten everything... sometimes, I want to be the one taking care of you, you know? For once, I want to be the one spoiling you."

You blink, and belatedly, you realize the increasing warmth on your cheeks. "... You're already spoiling me lots," you reply.

She shakes her head. "It's not enough. You're showing me plenty of passion, yet I show so little, and it's... terrifying, almost," 5B exhales, eyes drinking yours. "3H, I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," you state. Immediately.

"You can't know that," she whispers out, shaking her head. "... What the Guardian told me, about your previous partner. It... it makes me wonder. What if you get a new partner? What if one day, you wake up, and instead of having me, there would be someone else? And you can not know that, can you? To you, they will always be your first, and I will be forgotten and - and I want you to be happy, 3H, but - but I don't - I can't live -"

"Oh, 5B," you choke out, and you find your body already moving to embrace her. You can feel her body trembling. Shaking. Despite the fact that she is stronger than anything you've ever encountered, she seems so frail. So fragile. So small.

You caused this. You. This is all of you. Because of you. Stupid. Idiot. Selfish. If only you hadn't opened your mouth back then. If only if only if only if only -

"I'm sorry," you force out. "I'm really, really, really sorry."

... Heh. What a huge joke, you are. You can't even say you won't leave her.

Because.

Because it's like what 5B said, isn't it? You can't possibly know that. You can't.

Your jaws tense, and in that moment, you curse upon those cruel gods who created you.
​

[Blank Storage]​

Interlude Time:

[] Mankind's Future Savior

[] Assault Number One

[] A Selfish Wish

[] The Genuine Article
​

 

[SoothingCoffee]

Grey eyes stare upwards, through the holes on the concrete ceilings. Dark cloudy sky greets him; looms over him like the rolling wave of a tsunami, eager to eat him up. Not the greatest whether, but that is to be expected from this place. Idly, the man tilts his chair backwards, tilting it until it stands on two back-legs. It wobbles; teeters precariously, before the man shifts slightly - then it stills, reaching the perfect equilibrium of weight distribution.

He closes his eyes, and then opens it again.

"Hey, Shirou," the boy grins crookedly, hands leaning over the desk. "Let's go to the Archery Club after school, eh?"

Amber eyes blink. "Uh," he chuckles sheepishly, ducking his head. "Sorry, I have something else to do, today. Besides," he raises his hand; a roll of bandage wrapped around the wrist. "I haven't recovered, you know?"

The boy narrows his eyes, before sighing deeply; his head shaking in exasperation. "Shirou," he sneers. "Maybe you think you're hotshit or something, but you're really not. Drop the shitty act; I'm not as blind as Ryuudou. You're coming with me after school."

"I -" the boy narrows his eyes. Emiya sighs, frowning. "Fine, if that makes you happy."

The boy's lips twist into something ugly. "What the hell happened to you, Emiya?"

Grey eyes blink, mind returning to the present. His head turns around the classroom - or what's left of one; shattered window-glasses, and rusted metal; crumbling concrete, and stray wires poking out of the wall. Destroyed chairs, desks, and doors; all turned into rotten sticks, and more dust. Layers of dust, pieces of ceramic tiles, and whatever time and climate have left the place with. After all this long, it's a miracle that this building is even still standing.

The man snorts.

After everything, it's a miracle there's still a city.

"Sure brings back memories, huh..." he trails off. For a moment, he stares off to the front of the classroom - before he scowls in irritation. "Haah," he blows out harshly, shaking his head. "This is really pathetic," with a heave, the man kicks off to his feet, the tilting chair crashing into the ground. "Just what am I trying to do here?" he mutters, lips curling in disgust.

The streets of Fuyuki aren't much better. Wasn't much better then either. In fact, he mused, nothing has really changed. Empty, abandoned, and dead. Only difference now is the addition of nature added into the mix. Husk of car-frames lying haphazardly on the cracked asphalts; rusted, and looted to the gill. Moss, and vines, and all manners of fungi turning the abandoned buildings into their home. Halfway done constructions left alone; houses, and used-to-be shops missing parts of itself. Silent whispers of the wind passing him by, pulling trails of the man's steel-gray hair; carrying with them the stale air of doom, and gloom.

Belatedly, the man finds himself standing in the middle of a large park. Dead grasses, and deader trees. Somehow here despite everything that has happened. He snorts. "Speaking of doom, and gloom..." a familiar unfamiliar sensation lingers at the edge of his mind. Weakened by time, but it's nonetheless still there. Thousands have died here, and even after millennias, they still remain. His eyes scan through the landscape. After a moment, they stop to a small spot on the other side of the park.

He cocks an eyebrow at the boy sitting by his side. Red hair fluttering seamlessly with the glow of the setting sun. After a moment, he lets out an annoyed sigh, and follows the boy's line of sight. There's still a few kids here playing around; whooping on the swing-sets, and jumping on the see-saws. Off to the side, he saw a brown-haired man wearing a priest cassock watching the probably-orphans with a dead smile. "Shirou," the boy averts his eyes to glare at his friend. "You're going to tell me what's wrong, or... else."

Amber eyes turn to him. They blink. "... Or else what?"

He grins crookedly. "Don't tempt me, Shirou. I can make your life become either heaven or hell with ease, and that's hell you're currently heading to."

Shirou regards him dryly. "Aren't you supposed to be my friend?"

"That's right," the boy nods. "And that's why I'm giving you the choice to decide."

"There's something twisted about that logic, you know? I'm not an object that you own."

A raised eyebrow is his answer. "Well?"

Shirou sighs, leaning back on the park bench. "... I've been thinking about the future," he admits. Finally.

He scoffs. "The future?"

"Yeah," the redhead chuckles. "It's been on my mind since..." he shakes his head. "Anyway, it's just that... I don't know what to do. It'd be a few months before we graduate, and everything feels... pointless. Aimless. It's -" he smiles bitterly, lifting up his bandaged hand. "It's why I rarely go to the Archery Club, anymore."

The boy stares for a long moment. Then he sighs, shaking his head. "I always knew that you're an idiot, Shirou, but I never thought it would go this far," he shrugs his shoulders, smiling in a 'what can you do' expression.

Shirou furrows his eyebrows. "... Hey."

"Shirou," the boy turns to him, expression glowering. "Do you think that I would leave a useful freak like you alone in this shitty place?"

"What?"

"You heard me the first time, you idiot muscle-head. If you haven't decided what to do after we graduate, you're going to come with me."

"... Don't I have a decision in this matter?"

He snorts. "Please, Shirou. You don't leave a stupid person with a choice - at least, not the meaningful ones - because that's how bad decisions are made."

Shirou Emiya sighs deeply.

The man opens his eyes, found himself returning to the dead park. Found himself staring at the back of his tanned palm. He clenches it into a fist, and drops it down to his side. "In the end though..." he grimaces as he turns around; away from where the Red Dragon had fallen from the sky. "How pointless."

If there is something he could appreciate about the city right now is the quiet. Or at least, it's something he appreciates right now. Animals had immediately evacuated from the city right after the Red Dragon fell, and they have not returned. Even the Androids, and the Machine Lifeforms seem to ignore Fuyuki's existence. Both a curse, and a blessing, the man supposes. In this quiet, ghost of a city, one could easily become insane -

The man stops suddenly, head perking slightly as he stares up ahead. Fuyuki General Hospital. Or at least, it used to be one. Now the three-stories building has been completely decimated down into a mound of rubble, and sticking rebar. Only reason he could identify it as a hospital in the first place is due to his memory, and the surviving cross-sign barely visible from where he stands. Standing three kilometers, behind what used to be a random company building, it's not the hospital itself that catches the man's eyes. No.

It's the lone Machine Lifeform standing right in front of the remains of Fuyuki General. Or at least, a special variation of one. Rather than following the clunky looking, if sturdy design that most Machines seems to have, this one takes the appearance of a mannequin. A badly made one. From a distance, it could be easily misunderstood as an android, but the man's eyes are better than most. He could see the odd contours, and balls on its joints; the 'metal' that seems to connect the limbs together; the dark black lines that seem to travel across its white-gunmetal body. The too-large, and too-round head that has a pair of blue eyes.

Rather than a mannequin, the man muses, it looks more like a dummy.

Almost without a thought, a large black bow forms in his hands. The man blinks, before snorting derisively. "Sentimental fool." An arrow follows as he pulls the string back, stepping into the open street. He takes aim -

And then the Machine looks up to his direction. It stills for a moment, before a pair of red-orange-rust gauntlets form on its hands. It takes a boxing stance, lightly hopping on its feet; head ducked slightly. He could almost feel the 'narrowing' of the Machine's eyes.

"Huh," the man blinks, lowering his bow slightly. His lips twitch when the Machine tilts its head. "How interesting," he smirks, dismissing the bow, and arrow back. The Machine's head tilts the other way.

The man takes a step. And then another. It's almost half-an-hour of walking sedately before the speck of a Machine that was three kilometers turn into something much more cognizant. Belatedly, the man notes, placed behind the Machine, and covered almost entirely by the hospital ruins is a hatch that he guesses would lead underground. It's guarding it, the man realizes.

"So, what are you supposed to be?" he asks casually, smirking. One hand resting on his hip.

Somewhere between those minutes of walking distance, the Machine has decided to drop his stance. Though the same can't be said with his gauntlets, resting idly on its 'thighs'. It peers at him; blue eyes blinking intermittently -

Wait. The man feels his eyebrows rise. "You can't speak?"

More blinking.

"You never saw the point?"

It nods.

The man snorts, letting out a bark of laughter. "So you're a glorified shut-in, then? Well, you haven't answered my question."

It releases a humming noise - almost whirring. And then it blinks. Letter after letter of Morse Code turning into sentences.

"Hm. So you don't know?" he narrows his eyes in suspicion. "Then what are you doing here?"

It stares at him.

The man snorts. "None of my business, huh? Well, I'm afraid it is."

It tenses, a question in its eyes.

"Why? Because I'm the Second Owner of this City," the man snorts a little at that. Well, he isn't - not officially, but since there's no official, and Tohsaka is probably already dead, he may as well make it official. "Meaning I own this city."

Several blinks. Doubt. Dubious. A shake of his head.

"... You have not seen me because I was on a vacation."

More doubt. Then a question. Challenging in tone. Aggressive in gesture.

For a brief moment, the man wonders if he could win the fight. If it was thirty minutes ago, when he got the distance, maybe he could have. But now? Close combat has never been his forte - that was... someone else, and while he's not sure about the Machine's capability, he's still sure it could fight better than him. Something in his mind tells him so. Well, the man muses, there's another way, but that would only work if he got a long enough opening to utilize, which would depend on the Machine again...

The man sighs in irritation. "Well, whatever. I'll leave you alone. Do you have a name, or not?"

It tilts its head, before shaking its head in negatives.

"Hoh?" the man perks a little at that. "How about Shirou? Nah," he shakes his head. "Forget about it. That name belongs only to a one of a kind breed of idiots. Pick up your own name, you hear?" he sneers.

More blinks.

"My name, huh?" the man replies. He looks at himself; the shitty imitation of a certain idiot, before snorting. "Shinji Matou."

 

[SoothingCoffee]

You wake up in a large gray room, under an unfamiliar ceiling. For a long moment, you stare at it, trying to remember why you are here - something warm tickles the side of your neck, wafting up to your cheek, and you inhale the scent of rose, and copper sharply. You blink, memory returning as you twist your neck to the side.

Wide green eyes immediately absorb your attention, watching you with a sort of intensity that drowns you. It's not a bad sensation, really. Comforting, even. For an idle moment, you wonder why she's frowning - oh. "... 3H?" 5B whispers, tone tentative.

You smile softly, leaning it to peck the tip of her nose - feel the supple skin rub against your lips. "Good Morning, 5B. How was your sleep?"

"I-I slept well, 3H," she smiles brightly, face flushed red. You could almost feel the tension leaving her muscles; taste the relief radiating off her. "H-how about you? I hope you did as well," she says, and with how animated she is, you reckon she would have gesticulated with her hands if not for the fact that they're practically around your waist. Instead, she simply pulls you closer. This close - well, closer - to her face, the tip of her nose nearly touching yours, it's now your turn to blush. "We will be doing a lot today, I believe!"

"O-oh?" you raise an eyebrow.

5B hums with a nod. "The Camp Leader did say that there are other androids that need some help, right? There's also that Forest Machine's request..." she trails off, eyes lowering, before smiling. "Hopefully, nothing like yesterday will happen."

You stiffen for a moment, before you quickly collect your composure. "Yeah," you sag, reciprocating her embrace, burying your nose into her hair, and she yours. "I'll make sure today will be easy for the two of us, I promise."

5B hums quietly in agreement.

You don't know how long the two of you stay like that. You don't think you particularly care. It could be an eternity, and you would be happier for it. Love, this sensation that you are undoubtedly feeling, is such an intoxicating, and addicting thing. It makes you feel safe. Content. Satisfied... Full. In that moment, you are both content, and fearful. If you were to die, if you were to forget right now, you don't think there would be any regret. But... at the same time, you don't want either to happen to you. You want to stay like this forever - you want to live, and you want to remember. It's a little funny, in retrospect, how resigned - and accepting - you were in your waking hours in the Bunker. You despise that android; that mindless thing who could never understand love.

"3H, are you okay?" 5B's voice pulls you back from your mind, green eyes regarding you with concern. "You're trembling."

"H-huh?" you blink in surprise. Belatedly, you note that you are trembling. What is this burning, unpleasant feeling? You shake your head, forcing it to stop. "I-I'm fine," you say. 5B stares. You pout. "Really, I'm fine. It was nothing. See? I'm not trembling anymore."

5B's lips thin, and you cringe. "3H," she sighs. "If there is something wrong, please tell me. I don't - I am aware that that I'm not," her face scrunches. "That I'm not you, but that does not mean you should carry your own weight, 3H. I do not want to see you hurt. So please..." she trails off quietly, and you could feel her fingers fiddling together behind your back.

"I..." you open your mouth, and then close it. For a moment, you don't know what to say. Or rather, you know what to say, but you find it hard to collect the conviction to say it. You swallow, take a deep breath, then: "I don't want you hurt either..." you close your eyes with a sigh, pressing your forehead against her. "So, I promise to be honest, then."

"... Thank you, 3H."

You pull back slightly, staring at her cute little nose. Your lips twitch slightly into a smile, regret trickling into your expression. Something bitter brewing inside. "Well, I think we should start our day properly."

5B sighs deeply, lips twitching into her own smile. "It is disappointing that we could not stay like this forever, but... you are right, 3H."

And thus with regret, you break away from her embrace.

[Blank Storage]​

In this world, there are many things that a Support Android with her Combat Android Lover need to be worried about. You are also aware of the possibility that you are one of the biggest worrywart in a type of worrywarts, and the worse part is, you don't think you could stop yourself from worrying. Ironically, as a Support-Focus Model, you are supposed to stop others from worrying too much, but to do that, it's also required for you to be the biggest worrier of them all. Maybe, you muse dryly, recalling yesterday's talk with the Guardian, it is completely justified.

It doesn't make it any less exhausting.

As you step out of the room the Resistance allows you to use, it is in the form of Anemone's unsure frown upon seeing you that your list of worries expands. Thankfully, as a Support Android, it's basically programmed into your system for you to be good at hiding your inner - probably overplayed - turmoils by folding it, and shoving it into the deepest recess of your mind.

5B frowns, tilting her head. "Is something wrong, Camp Leader?"

"Huh?" Anemone blinks, before shaking her head. "No, nothing's wrong. I just want to tell you two something, but since you looked so tired last time..." she shrugs. "But back to the point, you two should be careful with Popola, and Devola."

"What?" you furrow your brows, regarding the woman dubiously. You know that the twins aren't well regarded by the androids, and it's part of the reason why they're so... obsessive to seek 'atonement', but... "Why? Something wrong with them?"

She must've noticed it. Anemone shakes her head. "No, it's nothing like that. Popola and Devola..." her expression twists into something difficult. "The two of them are fine, but I doubt you haven't noticed that they're," she pauses, looking for the word. "Somewhat estranged from the whole camp."

"We have noticed," 5B chimes in, an oddly sharp look on her face. "So what? I don't think that matters."

You blink. "You think the other androids would do something drastic," you say.

Anemone winces, lips twisting. "No, nothing drastic. Just... I know that your mission down here is to nurture relationship between YoRHa and the Resistance down here," she smiles wryly at that. "Despite our goal, and enemies are the same, there is still a gap between us. You YoRHa Units are better at nearly everything in ways that we normal androids couldn't compare. More than that, you are young compared to us; there's a lack of..." her expression grows wistful. "Connection. We do not share the same experience."

5B's frown deepens, and you stare at Anemone for a long moment. "Would you at least tell us what it was that Popola and Devola did, exactly?"

"I..." Anemone sighs deeply. "I'm sorry, but it's really not my story to tell. You should ask the twins themselves."

"Right," you sigh.

"Look," the android says, holding up a hand. "I'm not telling you guys to do anything. Frankly," she mutters quietly. "I think it would be good for them, but you should know that we don't let up grudges so easily. Even when we've forgotten about them, the sentiment - the emotions that are carried with it still remains."

You share a look together with 5B.

5B hums. "We appreciate the advice, Camp Leader, but we believe that we can weather such difficulties through."

Anemone gives the two of you a smile, before turning away - returning to the small stack of papers on her desk.

Now what?

Choose 3:

[] Hang Out With Popola and Devola. Despite knowing the... difficulties to your mission this would cause you, you can't truly bring yourself to care. Maybe that says something about you, but you've made a promise, and... you could sense a connection with them. Birds of the same feather.

[] Follow in On Saber? Yesterday... could have gone better. Certainly, you have burned bridges with the brash warrior, but it could have gone worse and bridges could be rebuilt. Maybe you could try to apologize?

[] Finish the Forest Machine's Request. You've put it off yesterday, and while you're aware the slight... recklessness of working with the enemy, you've already accepted it. So may as well complete it, right? Beside, that Red Machine hurt your 5B. Certainly, with one less Red Machine alive, the world would become all a better place.

[] Approach Wisteria. She is one of the androids in the camp who got something for you to do. The idle-looking orange-haired android is currently chatting up with Shield, a red-headed male android. By the look of it, Wisteria is talking the ear off Shield.

[] Approach Key, and Six. Two strangest looking androids within the camp. One is a large man wearing a cassock, while the other is... probably a female android wearing a Machine Head for helmet. The two of them seem to be having the most intense of discussions.

[] Approach Hammer. The Camp's Weapon Trader is a heavy looking man with tanned skin. Yesterday, Anemone told you that he needed something. Though by the look of his face, someone has already beat you to it.

[] Approach Sache. The Camp's Item Trader appears broody. Anemone told you that one of his legs are practically busted. Maybe you could do something about it?

...

A/N: M'not very satisfied with how this came out.

Anyway, I'm wondering how you guys are enjoying this story so far? Do you guys have any gripe on it? Some likes, and dislikes? Tell me, please!​

 

[SoothingCoffee]

Spoiler: Plan

[] Approach Sache. The Camp's Item Trader appears broody. Anemone told you that one of his legs are practically busted. Maybe you could do something about it?

[] Approach to Wisteria. She is one of the androids in the camp who got something for you to do. The idle-looking orange-haired android is currently chatting up with Shield, a red-headed male android. By the look of it, Wisteria is talking the ear off Shield.

[] Finish the Forest Machine's Request.You've put it off yesterday, and while you're aware the slight... recklessness of working with the enemy, you've already accepted it. So may as well complete it, right? Beside, that Red Machine hurt your 5B. Certainly, with one less Red Machine, the world would become all a better place.

...

Nodding your head seriously, you scan through the camp ground. For all the war that is currently happening, it feels strangely peaceful right now; idyllic almost. Wind carrying the smell of rust, and stale earth. People speaking together; some wandering gazes falling on the both of you; at times thoughtful, at times suspicious, and at times, judging. You try your best to ignore them for the time being. You two are an oddity here, you are aware of that. Granted, you've seen a few YoRHa Units here and about, but they never lingered - and those that do, you could count with a single hand. It is as Anemone has told you, you suppose; you being friendly with Popola and Devola doesn't seem to help your case either.

You exhale your lungs out. It doesn't matter, you decide. They don't matter. Who you associate yourself with... There is Wisteria, seemingly bothering the younger looking Shield. Key, who was having a serious discussion with the strange... masked android. Popola and Devola off in the corner of the camp, and... Saber. Ponderously, you wonder how long this - this whole thing will last.

"Let's talk to him," you whisper to 5B. Sitting on a tarp, with crates and shelves surrounding him is an old-looking, dark-skinned android; his name is Sache, the camp's main Supply Trader. That title alone denotes him as important, and... you smile wryly. You suppose you should do your mission still; the main reason you're here is due to the kind Commander's excuse for you to "cool-down" (you remember when her eyes landed on you; the flickering of emotions on her eyes. You didn't know back then, but you think there was a flicker of guilt in that stoic facade of hers), but that doesn't mean you shouldn't abandon your given objective to raise goodwill by talking to other androids whose needs are down in the priority list.

5B smiles beatifically. "Let's, 3H," her hand softly holds yours, and you find yourself being led by your lover. Your mind blanks a little; you've never noticed that 5B's exposed back, before. Or at least, not enough to properly appreciate it. It's pale, and smooth; curving inward along the 'spine' as it trails down, before expanding - only to be covered by the dark skirt. You blink, and realize that you've stopped. "Hello, Trader!" 5B greets. "We are here to aid you in need?"

"Hah?" Sache looks up; dark narrow eyes squinting. Strapped around his forehead is a pair of glowing goggles. "Yeah, what can I help ya YoRHas with? Wanna buy anything?"

5B frowns. "No, we are here to help," she repeats, peering at the man. "Is there anything...?"

"... Oh. Oh!" the android snaps his head up. He grins. "The Leader told us that you're going to be here to help. And hell yeah, ya could help. I've been meaning to call the twins -" your lips tighten; they're not your servant "- to do it, but heck. In case you don't know, I also sell those Plug-in Chips, but the thingamajig I used to make 'em broke, an' I don't have the stuff to repair them, so -"

"Actually," you cut him off. He turns to you in confusion. "We're not here to help with that..." you trail off, staring at his left leg. You blink. It's dead, you think. Scrapped up by age, but polished, and shined lovingly by hand - but it's dead. Not even broken. You frown. Perhaps long time ago, it could be fixed, but by now, it's nothing but a detachable decoration. Such a thing should be replaced a long time ago, yet... "Anemone told us."

Sache follows your gaze. "No," he replies, thinning his lips; his tone changes - from something jovial into something cold. Heavy. "If it's this, then I don't need your help. Yeah," he nods, raising his head. "'Less ya wanna help with the other thing."

5B furrows her eyebrows. "... Why would you not? Is it not important to repair that which is broken? My lover here is capable of healing it, even."

You hum in agreement, though you're not sure what to feel about the unbearable heat when 5B mentioned you. "It would be hard," you acknowledge, eyeing the leg. "But I could."

"What did I say?" he growls, before scoffing. "... Look, most of us here don't like to admit it, but I 'ppreciate you YoRHas. Made us a little redundant, sure, but I ain't too arrogant to admit that without ya guys here, we'd be doomed already. Fuck," he grins sharply. "Even those restoratives ya guys created already saved hundreds of us, but..." he glares, eyes flinty. "There are some things ya YoRHas can't - won't understand."

"Then make us," you reply.

He snorts. "You know what?" he shakes his head. "Fine. This thing here," he rests his hand on the dead leg, his tone softening. "It's the only thing that is original out of me. Only thing that is me," he mutters, closing his eyes. "Every part of me other than this one has all been repaired, and replaced once, and... ya ever wonder about it? Would you even be you when all parts of you are all replaced?" he opens his eyes, sighing. "I ain't curious enough to find out."

You open your mouth, and then closing it. You feel a flicker of something painful inside you; a strange heat that keeps on growing.

"... That's it?" 5B beats you to it, a cock of an eyebrow, belying her contempt. Voice almost a f. "That is quite... such a thing should not matter," she dismisses. "You are you. It does not matter how you look, or what you are made of - as long as your personality; your core," she places a hand on her chest. "You are still you. So what if -" she cuts herself off, a twitch that jolts through your hand. "It doesn't matter."

Sache stares at 5B like one would to a fly. "See? Told you that ya YoRHas won't understand. This body," gloved hand taps at his leg. "It's myself. It's important, you hear?" he scowls. "We ain't like you. We ain't just gonna switch bodies, or save our mind into some machine willy-nilly like some dress-up games. We die when we're killed."

It's strange. Somewhat belatedly, you realize that you're angry. And 5B is angry on your behalf. I'm suffering from worse, and you're complaining from this! you want to shout out. And who the hell are you to decide we can't understand, you want to scream. Who the hell are you to accuse as if we're some emotionless killing machines? Who the hell do you think you are to judge my 5B? Who the hell are you to put labels on her, on my 5B, as if she's yours to label? Who are you - !

You inhale sharply, closing your eyes, and quickly reassert clarity back into the forefront of your mind. The anger is still there, but muted. Hidden. 5B casts an eye on you, and you smile; rubbing the back of her palm with your thumb. She relaxes. Stiffly, you cast an eye to the man. You take another deep breath, remembering the reason why you are here in the first place, and then open your eyes back.

"It's like talking a piece of brick," 5B shakes her head. "At this point, I think it's your head that's in need of fixing."

Sache glares, almost like a wounded kitten -- you can't help but compare.

You sigh, reminding yourself that you're the Support Android Unit, therefore you should use words.

[] Appeal with Emotion. Though saying that you're well-versed with words, and you could control your emotion very easily - you are still angry at this man who would say "you are nice" and dares to add "but" at the end. Let emotions do the job. Guilt trip the hell out of him. Make him feel pitiful enough for him to be malleable to doctor's orders.

[] Appeal with Logic. Sache hates the Machines, but then, who else here doesn't? Nevertheless, it's pointless to fight fire with fire. What you need it cold hard logic. Point out the flaws; the effects that his little philosophical stubbornness has caused the camp with.

[] Drop the Topic. It's futile, in the end. Besides, you're here to raise goodwill, right? It just means that they would have to like it - not that it would actually be good for them. Just like eating food. Androids don't really need to do it, and it has no actual nutritional value - some are outright dangerous - but you can't argue that they are delicious. The same applies in this case. So what if it's going to be deleterious for his functionality? Just ask for the other thing he wanted you to do.

 

[SoothingCoffee]

… It doesn't really matter, does it? You suck in a deep breath, pushing those dark, burning thoughts deep into the recesses of your mind. In the end of the day, your goal here is to raise goodwill; to make everyone happy - and happy is the operative word. So what if this old android's going to end up with a dead leg that's possibly going to kill him in the future, if it means adding more burden on everyone else here on the camp? So long as he's happy, and satisfied, then that's your mission accomplished.

Of course, you could try doing otherwise. Just like how you forced yourself on Popola and Devola to get them accept your help, but…

"Fine," you say, sighing. 5B blinks, startled by your answer. Her eyes furrow with questions, and you sneak in a smile; rubbing the back of her palm reassuringly. She frowns, but nods. You turn to regard the old android. "If that's what you want. What about the other thing you wanted?"

Sache grins. "Good for you to realize that," he doesn't really know, does he, what he just said? How insulting, and how demeaning, and how insensitive his words were? "Anyway, I'm not asking much. Just need a Broken Key — the winding type, you know? — a Broken Circuit, and a Small Gear. You do that, and I could start making you guys Plug-In Chips!"

"Got it," you start to nod, before frowning. "Where do we get all of them?"

"Huh? Well, it's simple," he chuckles. "Seen that open field filled with dozens of Machine Lifeforms? You could get the materials from them. They should be easy for you YoRHas."

"... Right, of course," you plaster a smile. Quietly, you wonder, is that how this android sees YoRHa androids: as weapons; as tools of war? Even though you are all soldiers, it's still… "We'll get those materials for you."

"Aye," Sache bobs his head. "Thanks. I can't wait to get my hands on them, yanno? Even if we can't really use a lot of them, they're still pretty amazing."

"Right, right," you bob your head, before turning your back around. You feel your smile slipping. "I'll see you later," and with that, you depart from the old android. One step, two steps. Your smile vanishes completely.

5B promptly engulfs your arm in her… breasts, leaning closer to you. Green eyes inspect you closely. Then, in a soft tone: "... Was that fine, leaving it like that?"

You open your mouth, before closing it. "It's fine, isn't it?" you reply. "He's happy, after all."

"That doesn't matter to me at all, 3H," 5B says, her tone almost chiding. "I don't care if he's happy, or not, but you…" she trails off, smiling. "I care about your happiness, and even if you everything's fine, you're not."

"I…" your lips quirk into a smile, but it fails short and become a grimace instead. "I guess I just feel really disappointed at myself…" you let out a deep sigh. "In the end, I'm still a Healer Type android, huh? It feels a little bit wrong when I gave up… like that."

"Well," 5B frowns thoughtfully, then she looks up into your eyes. Her smile is so bright, and so soft you might as well melt. "You are my Healer Type, are you not?"

You chuckle. "Of course I am," you give her forehead a peck. She flushes with joy; looking almost like a puppy. "Well," you whisper. "I guess you're right about that. Let's go talk with Wisteria. Hopefully this time will be different."

It still feels strange, of course. Not a single pep-talk, however effective it was, could erase such feeling immediately. It's like that burning sensation you had with the Guardian; the feeling of doing something right, yet so incredibly wrong. It's my body, you realize belatedly, it's fighting my mind. And while you want to go as far away from Sache, because… because… why again? Because he insulted 5B? Saber did worse. Something stops you from reaching the answer, and you take a step back.

You want to let Sache be, but your body… it wants to help, doesn't it?

You let out a put-upon sigh. The day has only just begun, but things are already starting to fall apart. It's unfair. Once more, your mind wanders back to your creators. Humans. They really are cruel gods, aren't they?

"Greetings!" 5B's exclamation pulls you out of your rumination. Swinging her arm theatrically, she expertly interrupts Wisteria's conversation with Shield. She twists facing the brown-haired woman. "Umu!" she nods. "We're here because Anemone said you might need help in something?"

"Huh?" brown eyes blink. The android regards her companion, who lets out a smiling shrug. "Oh!" realization strikes. She grins, almost as wide as 5B's. "You're the YoRHa Units! Anemone told me about you too - so now's my turn, huh?"

You hum in agreement, joining in.

"Well, it's simple, really," she crosses her arms over her chest, nodding sagely. "Yes, yes," she looks up suddenly, and then, as if dropping an ultimatum: "I want to eat a mackerel."

Shield makes out a choking noise. "Wisteria, how many times do I have to tell you -"

"Oh come on, Shield," Wisteria cuts him off; her lips pucker up into a pout. "I just want to try it, you know? It's supposed to be extremely delicious, and ah - knowing its dark secret, it only makes it all the more tantalizing, no? Like the forbidden fruit."

"Um," you furrow your brows.

Shield glances to you, before sighing. "It's a fish," well, you know that. Also, is it just you, or does this android look really familiar? "It's also poisonous," he finishes dryly. "Incredibly so. And this woman right here wants to eat it."

5B tilts her head. "Don't humans do that too?"

Shield glances, before shrugging. "I can't say, but it's still incredibly dangerous. Just ignore her, please?"

"But Shield," Wisteria pouts. "You said you knew how to de-poison it, right? I know you can."

"I -" Shield starts, before stopping. "That was different," he grumbles. "And even then, it's not completely - even if the meat is incredibly delicious, especially raw, it's not like I could remove all of the poison, so there's still going to be that tingly sensation…" he trails off. Evidently, by the shine in Wisteria's eyes, his effort to discourage her has completely backfired. "Um…" he turns to you, eyes pleading.

Matter of fact, as you glance away from his eyes, the way he just described that mackerel makes your mouth water a little. And you don't think you're not alone, considering the fascinated glimmer in 5B's eyes. Forbidden fruit, indeed. Even just from that, it must've been enough to tantalize 5B.

And a fish… that must involve fishing, right? Doing that sort of thing, with 5B?

Of course, there's also the poison to think about. There's still danger in that. You suppose if Shield fails to remove the poison, you can still heal… but in that case, you couldn't eat any of it. Or at least, you have to be the last to eat it.

Which, you suppose, you are completely fine with… just to satisfy 5B's fascination, you are quite willing to do it.

[] Catch a Mackerel.

[] No, that's too dangerous.

 

[SoothingCoffee]

[] Catch a Mackerel.

A/N: Because of part-time, and school kicking my butt, this update took longer than it should. Though it helps a lot fleshing things out more.

...

Closing your eyes, you let out a thoughtful hum, mulling over the decision. To fish with 5B, or not to fish with 5B. To make 5B happy, or to make a non-5B android happy. It is, indeed, a very difficult choice to make. Lifting your head, you open your eyes. "Let's catch a fish."

Wisteria lets out a big whoop. Shield groans pitifully.

5B looks surprised for a moment, her eyes widening slightly, before an excited smile lights up on her face. "Umu! 3H, I approve of this! I definitely approve of this!" she nods, twinkles in her eyes. "To have the chance to taste this whispered forbidden fish… and ah, fishing, huh?" her smile softens. "I don't - I don't think we've ever done that before," she whispers. "This will be our first time, 3H."

Her — and your — first time fishing, huh? Despite yourself, you find yourself more than a little excited. Though you're definitely interested in the fish, in the end, it's because 5B wants to do this that you want to do this. But now that you find out this… memory that you could claim belongs to you; something that, whenever 5B thinks about it, she will remember the you that is now rather than the you that is 'before' or 'after'. For someone whose existence is so fleeting, that really is the best you could ask for.

Although, it really would be nice if you can stay like this forever, huh?

"Well," you nod determinedly. "If it's like that, I want to catch a thousand mackerels."

"Please don't do that," Shield groans, face in hands. His voice is heavy with defeat. "Think of the poor mackerels," he peeks through his fingers. "And I thought you were the sensible one."

"Please don't place your high expectations on me," you reply, deadpan.

Wisteria laughs, slapping his back. "Hahaha! C'mon, Shield, whaddaya say? You promised, right?!"

Shield grunts. "I didn't promise anything, Wisteria," he mumbles, before sighing deeply. He scratches the side of his head. "But even if I don't want to, you guys will still do it, anyway…" he straightens himself, and you blink. For a moment, he looks like someone familiar. "Which is something I can't leave alone."

"Don't worry too much about it," you say, after a moment.

He blinks, looking at you. "What do you mean?"

"I'm a Type Healer YoRHa android," you explain with a smile. "If something goes bad, I'm confident I could fix them right up."

"Huh," he blinks. "Kinda like Popola, and Devola, then… Wait, I thought -" his head tilts slightly, a frown on his face. "I thought their models are..."

5B makes a noise of surprise, and you blink. "They're also healer types?"

"Huh? Oh," Shield nods. "Yeah, something like that."

Wisteria hums, side-eyeing Shield. "They're basically the Camp Medics," she explains. Which is something you didn't know. If that's the case, then… well, it changes nothing, really, but doesn't that make the whole thing slightly worse? "Practically responsible for us too, but…" she sighs.

Shield's jaws tighten. "It's really unfair to them, yeah," he agrees. "Still," he smiles weakly. "I saw you guys with them yesterday, and seeing them looking happy like that… ah, to be honest, I'm a little jealous of you guys. But then take it the wrong way," he adds quickly. "I'm still really glad."

"Why?"

"Well, Shield may not look like it, but this guy here's the bleeding heart type, y'know?" Wisteria explains, grinning crookedly. Shield coughs a little. "Whenever he sees someone in need of help, he really can't help himself. Though with the twins… ah," she grimaces.

"It didn't work out," you finish. She nods, and Shield lets out a small sigh. You… could see that. Unlike you and 5B, Shield is a member of the Resistance. He's not an outsider - and that fact alone would be enough for the twins to put their guard up. And even if they knew he was being earnest… certainly, associating themselves with him would have caused him to suffer. Knowing them, you don't think they would accept his help. Even then, you had to force yourself into them until they accepted.

5B frowns. "You should have -" she cuts herself off. You blink for a moment, and - ah. You close your eyes. You should have tried harder - saying that, after what happened with Sache… it hurts a little, you have to admit. Of course you are aware that 5B isn't the type to surrender easily… unless it's you. With Sache, 5B would have pushed, and pushed despite her misgivings… unless you said otherwise.

Whoa, for a Social Support Android, you're really bad at this, huh?

Still, Shield must have caught that, by the way his eyes shift. "I know that, but…" he trails off, wincing.

The silence lingers, and it stretches. Even Wisteria seems unsure how to break it, and you don't quite miss the occasional worried glances 5B gives you. You suppose she knows that you know. You take a deep breath, and give her a comforting smile.

"Right!" you start, clapping your hands. Their attention jump to you. "So, fishing? How do we get the mackerels?"

"Well," Shield clears his throat, standing straighter. "They're saltwater fishes, so… the easiest would be get to the shore in the Flooded part of the city. In any case," he tilts his head. "Do you have any fishing pole you can use?"

You open your mouth to speak - "Umumu!" 5B puffs up her chest smugly. "There's no need to worry about that! From what I've gathered, I believe I could craft it quite easily. After all, I already have one of the most important part -" opening her hand, particle lights gather into it, forming the outline of a pole - before it bursts into a spear. A familiar red, and barbed spear. Despite it only being yesterday, you've already forgotten she took that. "Now, all I need is a wire, a hook, and a bait. Is that not correct?"

Uwaah, 5B, you don't think that's how it works! But since it's her, you're completely willing to believe! You nod encouragingly, and if you thought 5B couldn't look any more proud, you've thought wrong.

"Um," a blank look flashes over Shield's eyes - as quick as it appeared. "It would be faster to get an actual fishing pole, but… yeah, that would work," he nods, before tilting his head; a peculiar expression on his face. "... Say, where did you get that spear?"

"Oh, this?" 5B grins. "Spoils of war from an insane Machine. It's not quite my style," she admits. "But one certainly could not dismiss this spear's aesthetics."

"A-aesthetics, huh?" his eye twitches. "Can I… touch it?"

"Why not?" she shrugs. "Though do be careful. It can be quite dangerous."

"I'll be careful," Shield nods seriously, and you watch in interest as he takes it from 5B's hand. There's a moment of pause the moment he put his hand around shaft. A gamut of expressions run through his face, before settling on wry exasperation. "... You know, I know a certain someone who would pay generously for this," he chuckles, before shaking his head. "Well, here. Thanks. That was quite the experience."

"... Okay?" 5B tilts her head in confusion.

"What was that?" you ask.

"It's just a little something I could do," he says, sheepishly. "It's really hard to explain, but I could read a weapon like one would read a document."

"That's a really strange ability to have," you comment.

"It really is," he agrees. "I don't really get it either. Some weapons, like the standard YoRHa equipment, do record memories, but the older ones?" he shrugs, a complicated expression on his face. "I think, for some reason, I was build to 'record' weapons."

You hum in interest. If that is true, then there must be magic involved in his creation, but… the only one who has access to that kind of technology is YoRHa, you think - which might mean two things, and you pick the most likely: "You must be very old, then?"

"... Technically," he nods, smiling wryly. "An Android found me dormant on the other side of the world… though she immediately shipped me off here. There has to be a reason, but I haven't find it. So far, Wisteria has been taking care of me -"

"Heheh," Wisteria grins widely, rubbing her nose. "You know, Shield here looked so listless when he first came here. After I took him under my wing, he has never been the same since!"

"That's because of how many times you've endangered yourself," Shield deadpans. "If I'm human, I would be having a heart condition by now."

Wisteria stares for a moment, before slapping his back. Shield nearly topples. You could see stars on the female android's eyes as she beams. "Aww, that's just plain adorbs, Shield. You're making me shed tears, ya really are! This gotta be what a parent feels like when her kid is all grown up."

"... Parent?"

You cough. You think the conversation is getting side-tracked. "Then what did you think about that spear?" you nod towards the aforementioned object.

Shield straightens himself, shooting you a grateful look. He takes a breath: "It has... a really bloody history," he explains, after a moment. He frowns, pinching his chin with a difficult expression; brows creasing. "Excessively bloody. And it's so old, it doesn't really have a name anymore. It has switched owners so many times their face are blurred together. But… for some reason, it's not sad? Not really happy, but… satisfied," he decides, nodding.

"... Huh," you turn your gaze toward the red barbed spear, and then back to the thoughtful Shield. Wisteria simply shrugs with a 'what-can-you-do' expression — so it seems that this is nothing out of the ordinary. "I guess that's why you were working with the weapon trader, huh?"

Shield blinks, looking up. "Oh, yeah. Something like that," he nods. "Most of the weapons aren't as unique as that one, but you would be surprised how… different they are inside."

"You're talking as though these weapons are something alive," you point out.

"I think they are. For me, at least," he replies. "It's like how some of the androids here would personalize their treasure, and talk to them like they're alive… these weapons, they're like my treasures."

"Treasures, huh?" unbidden, you find your eyes trail to your partner. Maybe you're not the only one thinking that, because you find yourself meeting 5B's eyes. You smile. She smiles. "Well then," you turn back to Shield. You ignore the way Wisteria seems to smile. "I guess we should actually go."

"Alright," Shield nods. "And uh, I know I said it's possible, but you should probably get another fishing pole anyway."

"That's probably a good idea, yeah," you smile, sidling up to your partner's side. "I can't just leave the fishing to 5B herself, right?"

"... I feel like you're deliberately missing my point, but… right."

[Blank Storage]​

The Flooding City… is flooded. Well, that's really obvious, but you can't really help it. As you step out of the large sewer line system that connects this place to the City Ruins, flooded is the first thing that comes to mind; the smell of sea slamming you like a hammer. Second is how unnaturally bleak this area is — and that connects you to your third, and final impression: this damage, it's artificial, isn't it? It isn't like how the City Ruins became how it is due to age, or how the desert has always been a desert. And this place, it doesn't become like this due to the erosion of rain, and water, but… something did this.

And perhaps, that is why this place is so bleak. Toppling skyscrapers, and sinking holes. Rusty rebars bent out haphazardly like a bunch of angry snakes, and murky puddles the color of rust, and asphalt. Following the road leads the both of you to an 'opening'; a 'bridge' that juts out to the sea, forming a shore of a sort. And as you gaze beyond that, you begin to understand the extent of the damage done to this city. Stepping stones made out of fallen buildings, like mini-islands connecting to the other side of the city. And off to the horizon, these ancient structures loom like tombstones; like monoliths with its hundred dead eyes staring right back at you.

"3H, there's someone here."

You blink, before following 5B's gaze. You didn't notice them before, but there sitting at the edge of the bridge, facing the horizon is an android in blue with pink cherry-blossom hair, tied into twin-tails by a pair of blue ribbons. For a moment, you find yourself stopping. The Guardian's words come pouring back to you. It's a stretch, but in the first place, pink hairs aren't exactly common, but then, neither are they - you inhale through your nose, and then exhale. She's dead, you remind yourself. Don't be stupid. Stop being so unreasonable - you're going to end up hurting 5B more.

Without missing a beat on your step, you approach the android. "Excuse me -"

"Eek!" the android jumps with a squeak, quickly spinning around - golden eyes widen, and you realize immediately that tilting backwards. Her hand reaches out - and your hand quickly shoots out to grab it. You immediately feel yourself falling forward from the android's weight - a pair of hands surrounds your midsection, anchoring you to the ground. Relief washes over the woman's face as she stops falling; you think she'll find the same thing on your face.

There's a moment of silence as the woman breathes out, settling back onto a more comfortable position. Her face is still pale. You don't blame her. That could have gone badly. While nearly all android models are completely waterproof, that doesn't change the fact that the lightest of androids is still in the triple-digit - add in the body volume, and there's only going to be one way in there: down.

"S-sorry," you grimace, pushing your head downward. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"N-no," she shakes her head hurriedly. She pauses, taking another breath, before smiling. "It's not your fault. I should have watched my surroundings better," she titters at that. "I'm lucky that it was you who came along - what if it were a Machine Lifeform?"

You frown. "I still should have been more careful. That could've been... "

The android's eyes glance towards the ocean, and she lets out a nervous chuckle. "Yes, that would have certainly put a damper on things, huh?" she shakes her head, giving you a soft smile. "Fortunately, that didn't happen, so it's fine, isn't it?"

You shoot her a skeptical look, before you sigh deeply. "Still, I have to apologize," you smile weakly.

Her smile is a warm-sunny thing. "Apology accepted, miss…"

"3H," you respond, before gesturing to your lover. "And this is 5B," she grins at that, waving lightly.

"I am... Vixen," she dips her head to you. "Nice to meet you, 3H."

"... Can we take a seat here?" you ask, gesturing to her side

Her eyes widen; a hand rising to cover her mouth. "Of course, of course," she titters. "You don't need my permission to do that, 3H!"

You nod, smiling. "Thank you," you say, taking the spot by Vixen's left. 5B takes the one on your left.

Vixen hums. "May I ask what you two are doing here?" she asks, voice lilting with curiosity. "This sort of place, it doesn't really have a lot of visitors."

"We're fishing," you answer, and as if on cue, a fishing pole — an actual one, after much of Shield's pleading — materializes on 5B's hand. You could almost feel the excitement radiating off her; smile wide.

"Mackerels," 5B chimes in. "Poisonous fishes that are legendarily renowned to be delicious! Fortunately, we have a capable cook in our camp. Umumu…" she trails off, nodding satisfiedly. She's already celebrating, huh? You love that part of her. Then again, you love every part of her -

Vixen clears her throat, and you blink, ducking your head slightly. "I see," she smiles beatifically. "That sounds quite nice… still, I appreciate you being here, 3H."

You blink slowly. That sounds… odd. Carefully, you turn to face Vixen. "... What do you mean?"

Vixen turns toward the sea, face taking a wistful expression. "This place, it is where one could be alone and that can be nice, but it's not the same as being lonely. I suppose," she shoots you a sidelong glance; eyes curving almost like a fox. "I was getting a little lonely."

Being lonely, huh? You wonder about that. You've never been lonely before — never even have the chance, with 5B forever by your side. Granted, it has only been a couple days since you woke up, so to say that you understand her would be a lie. You don't think you would ever want to be alone — an existence without 5B, without her comforting presence supporting you like a pillar, even if only just a moment, you don't believe you could bear with that. "I see," you say, in lieu of nothing.

The conversation trails off from there. Keeping an eye on 5B's smile, and an ear on her tuneless humming, you find yourself gazing towards the horizon. There's a sort of calmness you can't really describe from the eternally cloudy skies; the sound of waves crashing against the shore, and the cool splashes on your dangling legs. Now and then, the silence would be broken by 5B's cry of excitement as a fish bites the bait, and of triumph when she managed to reel them in. You close your eyes, and wonder what this… thing you are feeling is called. Not quite happiness, but close.

Content, you think, before nodding. It fits. It reminds you of love; of gazing into 5B's emerald green eyes last night. If it is possible, you don't mind for this to remain forever. You wish - and hope this could remain forever. For someone with such a fleeting existence, it is an unreachable thing, but perhaps that is why you wish and hope for it. If I cease to exist now, I wouldn't mind — something like that is probably expected from you, but that would be a complete lie. Maybe you could use that to comfort 5B, one day, but…

Ah. Even if you are content, right now, you still really don't want to die. You don't want to forget this. You don't want to be replaced by another you. You want to be you.

You open your eyes, and gaze towards the horizon. Then, after a moment, you turn to face 5B. That soft, and pale face with a fierce, and bright and determined expression; a pair of brilliant, and honest eyes that could both absorb absolutely, and be absorbed completely; a pair of eyes that makes your inside all fluttery whenever she sets them on you; that makes a fleeting being like you feel eternal. You burn that image into your memory. Dozens. Hundreds of them. Folders, after folders. Encrypting them individually. It is futile, of course, you know that. You're probably not the first 3H to have done this, but the effort calms you. Reassures you. So long as you are the current you, you could forever have her image literally saved inside your mind.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" you blink, turning your head slightly to Vixen. "This place, I mean," she adds, catching your eye. "People avoid it because of the memory it carries. It haunts them. It haunts me," she admits, a twinkle in her eyes. "But I think that's part of this place's charm. It makes a person think of the past. Of what could have beens…" she sighs, trailing off.

"The past, huh?" saying that, it's hard to miss the way 5B's attention immediately fixes onto you. It's not like she's hiding it. You sigh, smiling wryly. This place really brings the melancholy out of people, huh? "Such a thing, I admit I'm a little bit jealous."

"... You do not need to, 3H," 5B mutters quietly. Comfortingly. It's nice. "Thinking about the present, and what you want to do… such a thing is already more than enough."

She doesn't understand. Or at least, not fully, but that's fine for you. You don't think you want her to understand - more than that, she has already more than enough on her shoulders. In a way, 5B has it worse than you. You fear that you will be gone, but by the time you are gone... well, that's it, isn't it? You won't remember. You're not even going to miss her. You're not the one being hurt.

But 5B? She's the one who has to deal with it - with you. Every morning, every afternoon, and every evening fearing that you'll forget her. Memories fading away like vapors in the wind, and when you forget, she would have to repeat - have to create a new bond. Every time. Every time. Every time. For her to even remain by your side this long...

"Thank you, 5B," you whisper.

"You would have done the same," she declares, beaming.

You wonder about that.

Vixen hums. There's something there that you can't quite put into words. Silently, you keep an eye on her. Despite her smile pleasant as usual, there's something in her tone that sends your hairs standing. "Say, 3H," she turns to face you fully. "Would you do anything to have your happy ending?"

"... Happy ending?" you repeat under your breath. That's… an odd terminology, but you understand what it means. My happy ending, huh? What is your happy ending? You glance towards 5B, and she glances back to you. Seems like the feeling's mutual. But… if that's the only thing, you already have your 'happy ending', huh? But to call this a 'happy ending' would be completely wrong. You don't feel satisfied, and certainly you don't feel happy. Best Ending, you think, describes the current situation better.

What is your Happy Ending?

[] You and 5B, gazing into each other's eyes. Sleeping together in each other's arms for an eternity. Such an ending - you don't mind it.

[] You waking up one day, but remembering. And the next day, still remembering. And the next month, the next year, the next decade, the next century - still remembering. And each time, 5B would be there, to greet you.

[] 5B's smile. Her joy. Her happiness. Her focus. Her being. Her beauty. Her love. Her everything. You want those things to remains. You do not want her to be sad, or regret, or hurt. It is ironic, in a way, because you're in the way of such a thing to ever be realized.

[] Write-in

Would you do anything to achieve that?

[] Yes. Anything. Perhaps it is selfish - no, it is selfish, but it is your Happy Ending because of that. And if it means to destroy the world to get your Happy Ending, you will still be content with that.

[] No. There's a line that even you can't - won't cross. You can't be so selfish, and even if it hurts, you have to think of others. You, yourself, simply because your existence is fleeting; whose creators were so cruel, does not mean you have the rights to drag others down.