[] 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.
