A long metal track was under construction in Ark City. This was the fifth edition of it, since the first four had fallen apart with catastrophic results during tests, and once again, the Paragons of Ark City were busily transporting hundreds of steel tracks.

Gemini, unfortunately, wasn’t exempted from this mind-numbing duty. Fortunately, he had been exempted from the morning shift, since the Memory Sifter had sent over a batch of plans that would theoretically provide a firmer foundation for huge flying ships to take off from. Descending from the skies, he landed next to Degurechaff, who was setting down a cargo container full of nuts and bolts.

“Good work out there,” said Gemini. “Mind taking a break for a moment? The cause of the instability has been identified.”

“Really?” General Degurechaff asked. “Let me take a look.”

The general scanned through the papers. “Might need to pass it down to Lord Versaud. I’m not that good at artificing.”

Waving over a Squire, who had been hanging out in a corner nearby when the general brought a cargo container over, Degurechaff passed him the documents Gemini was holding, and shooed him away afterwards. Wiping some sweat off his forehead, Degurechaff turned to look at the metal track, a complex expression on his face.

“Something on your mind?” Gemini asked.

“This is the fifth one already,” Degurechaff replied. “I’m beginning to wonder if this…mass driver is going to work. The ship” —Degurechaff fumbled at that word— “keeps derailing at the last second.”

“It can’t be helped,” Gemini replied. “After all, this is an engineering project on an unprecedented level. No one’s ever made something like this.”

“I’m just unlucky.” The general sighed. “Chamberlain has it easy — those Thruster artefacts are far easier to attach. If only I was allocated that… I would have been eating lunch by now.”

“At least you aren’t Ortega,” Gemini said. “Poor guy.”

“True. Did you know that he’s penniless now?” said the general.

“Wait, how did that happen?” Gemini asked. “Last I checked, he still had a house, right?”

“Well, he sold it to a senator after he realised that more gems were needed to power the teleportation formation,” Degurechaff replied. “He’s going to auction his prized items for it too.”

“He’s going that far?” Gemini asked. “Why?”

“Only by going all-in can he have a leg to stand on when he wants to claim compensation,” said the general. “He’s going to suffer momentary loss, true, but the teleportation formation is the best option of the three when it comes to long-term gain. No one will gainsay him when he succeeds. To be honest, if I was directed to restore the formation, I would have done the same, and more.”

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“You old men truly are scheming.” Gemini shook his head, and then paused. “Wait, if he’s going to get compensated anyway, why is he still dropping by my house every day?”

“Nicely put, it’s because you’re generous,” the general replied. “Bluntly speaking, it’s because you’re an easy mark.”

Gemini cursed a few times, and then relaxed. “Well, Lila always cooks a lot anyway. And it’s not like he hangs around after dinner either.”

“I get the feeling that the second half is why you don’t really mind, though. Busy ploughing the bedsheets, eh?” Degurechaff covered his mouth to laugh. “Truly, the young are vigorous and mighty.”

Heat ran up his face, and Gemini turned away brusquely. “Well, it’s better than staying single.”

The general clutched his heart, in an overblown display of sadness. “Low blow, Gemini, low blow. As expected of a Constellation.”

Recovering a moment later, he said, “When’s lunch?”

“Lila should be dropping by soon — oh, speak of the demon.” Gemini flew over to the familiar, endearing figure, and the two hugged silently. A gentle, soft warmth enveloped the Constellation, and he closed his eyes as Lila continued to hug him. The worries hiding in his mind faded away, replaced by her heartbeat, and for a moment, Gemini felt that all was well in this world.

“Alright, that’s enough for a moving hug,” General Degurechaff said, having followed Gemini down a few seconds later.

“Way to spoil the mood,” Lila replied. “Here, lunch! There’s enough for four people, so…hmm?”

Gemini had placed a finger on his lips. “Let me finish.”

He turned to Degurechaff and said, “There’s enough for four people, so hurry up and get a partner. Overeating is bad for old men.”

“Nice,” said Lila. “You attacked both his age and his marital status. Super effective, I’d say.”

“…Damn this couple.” Degurechaff snorted, and sat down on the ground unceremoniously. “Be thankful that I’m a tolerant person, tch. I’ll overlook this due to your delectable offerings, hmph.”

“Sounds like one of those tsunderes you keep telling me about, Gemini,” Lila said.

“No, that term only applies to teenagers and young adults who are in love,” Gemini replied. “He’s too old for that.”

“Is he?”

Gemini laughed. “Alright, we’ll stop teasing him for now. He’s sulking now.”

“No, I’m not. The words of children aren’t enough to sadden me so.” Degurechaff took a bite out of a huge sausage, and grinned. “This is great, though. Where did you buy this huge delicacy from?”

“Oh, there’s a market down at Helisseum Street. Look for the line of red and white stalls, and go for the one in the middle,” Lila replied, her words somewhat muffled.

“Don’t talk while eating,” Gemini said. “It’s dangerous.”

“But you’re doing just that. That’s unfair.” Lila poked Gemini’s cheek twice, and then leaned onto him. She breathed in twice, and laid her head onto his lap. “Did you visit the Memory Sifter?”

Gemini blinked. “Had to get some documents for her. How did you know?”

She sniffed twice. “Her tower has this herbal scent to it. She didn’t do anything funny to you, did she?”

“Other than the usual threat to dissect me and see how the CSS works, yeah,” said Gemini. “Otherwise, she was helpful and all.”

He speared a small piece of chicken and brought it to Lila, who ate it happily. “Right, we should be ready for the test soon, no? Are we doing it today?”

“That should be the case,” said Degurechaff. “Depends on what Versaud says, but even then, it should be a minor tweak or two, at most.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t break apart again, then.” Gemini shook his head, and returned to his food.