TO’s ravenous hunger should have been a lot more concerning to them than it was, especially with the new information about Chilacian biology that they had still freshly rattling around in their head. However, that they had eaten little over the last few days, and that what they ate likely didn’t have nearly as many nutrients as they needed, made them less worried. Besides, DH’s appetite still seemed normal, and they even offered TO half of their own food once TO had finished inhaling their own. They figured that if it had anything to do with the Enkavma that Snout had talked to them about, then DH would be just as hungry. Probably more so, since DH always had the bigger appetite.
The food was devoured, and TO tried their hand at making some of the tea that Pearla always made for them. It wasn’t the same as the stuff they had in the safe room and they didn’t have the same precise instructions that Fengari had so carefully given them. Still there was sugar in a chipped bowl, and TO figured anything would taste better if they added enough sugar. They were mostly right. The drink was sickly sweet by the time they were done, but they could drink it at least.
They were considering looking up a guide on how to brew the stuff properly when the door opened. TO looked up, expecting to see the people they’d be going out with on their supply run. Tham was there, which was a little surprising since they still had their arm in a sling. Avery followed them, which was also surprising as Avery hadn’t been involved much in any of their work so far. They had spent all their time watching out for Kei and didn’t seem to have any interest in helping the insurgency.
Of course, that wasn’t the biggest surprise. The biggest surprise was that Kei followed the two of them, unbound. Despite their apparent freedom, their ears still pinned back and twitched far too much. It was so odd to see Kei’s ears moving so much. The movements had always been so subtle before, though still easy enough to read. Now, it was like Kei had gone from whispering their feelings to shouting them; Anger, anxiety, fear.
Had it been Avery or DH, the movements wouldn’t have been that odd. It was only because it was Kei that it struck TO so much. Of course, that wasn’t their primary concern at the moment.
The moment Kei entered, TO jumped up from their seat, took the chair, and put it before them as they backed up. They didn’t have any weapons but if Kei lunged at them, at least TO now had a chair to use. They tried to recall who had been better at hand to hand combat back in training. TO and Kei had never sparred in real life and had never fought against one another in simulations. They couldn’t even recall how the other had performed in training since they had kept their distance.
TO felt a hand on their arm and looked down to see DH still seated.
“It’s ok.” DH said, though their ears pinned back as well and their free hand tightened back into a fist, “It’s ok. They will not attack.”
“You don’t know that.” TO hissed as they watched Kei, ready to react to the slightest movement. Still, Kei didn’t look like they were going to attack. Though their ears were pinned back, they looked less like they wanted to hurt TO and more like they wanted to run.
“If I were going to attack.” Kei said, straining to keep their words even and smooth, “It wouldn’t be here. That would be moronic.”
“You wanted Kei to be out of isolation.” Vik said, not bothering to look away from their computers. “They’ve been spending time unbound with Avery and Goretta, and even with DH-”
“Briefly.” DH said, “They didn’t attack. It wasn’t fun though.”
“I assure you, the feeling is mutual.” Kei hissed.
“I’m not thrilled with this either.” Tham said, “But we’re low on people, we have a lot of stuff to do, and if Kei helps, Avery will help.” He sighed, “This is low risk, and I’ll be coming along. I even have supplies for all of you.” He held up his good hand and showed off some small bags he carried.
“I’m surprised you’re so ok with this.” TO said, “you were the one most against DH and I being allowed out and about.”
“You’re right.” Tham said, “And then you saved my life, got me to safety, and put yourself in danger several times over to help many people. I can admit when I’m wrong.” He glanced at Kei, “I’m trying to be better. At any rate, we’ve still taken precautions.”
TO figured he meant a multi-gun. Well, that would help, but maybe TO would convince him to let DH handle the gun. DH had better aim and synth-level reflexes. Tham might be ok for a civilian, but he also had an injured arm.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” TO said, sitting down again. “It’s risky, It’s-”
“I thought it was risky getting you to help move people from the underground.” Tham said, “I was wrong”
“This isn’t the same!” TO said.
“It pretty much is.” Vik said. “Isn’t it? I mean, we didn’t trust you guys, GiDi wanted you out of isolation, so we got you out and you ended up helping us a lot.” they glanced at TO, “In fact, I’d say the two of you became pretty much essential. Maybe Kei and Avery will be the same.“
“TO, it’s ok.” Avery said. “Look, I know you don’t like Kei, but they want to help!” Avery turned to look at Kei, “Right?”
Kei was silent for a moment, eyeing TO. Finally, when they spoke their voice was low and quiet, but cold. “I wish to go out on one of these expeditions.”
“Their mind is different now.” Avery said, “they’re more settled now-”
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“Their mind was different before I went into the indebted center, and they attacked me then.”
“To be fair, you also attacked them. You know, back when we first met.” Vik said. “Look. We’ve taken precautions. I’m as confident about this as I was with you going on that first time, and GiDi wanted them out of isolation. Apparently, Isolation isn’t good for you synths… or, Chilacians.” They shrugged and went back to their computer, “Whatever you consider yourselves.”
“Come on.” DH said, “I don’t like it either, but they’re trying, right? And it’s not their fault how they were before.”
TO’s ears flicked as they considered everything. Finally, they had one last question. “Why?”
Kei’s ears twitched as they glared at TO, “Why what?”
“Why do you want to help?” They said, “I helped because I wanted to help GiDi, same as DH.” That wasn’t the only reason now, but in the beginning they hadn’t cared about the insurgency or its people, they only cared about GiDi.
“... I want to be productive.” Kei finally said. “I can’t do that while locked in a room.”
“And I want to help Kei.” Avery said, “So I’ll go out too.”
Kei’s ears flicked down, but Avery didn’t see that because they were looking at TO and DH, not Kei. It occurred to TO that perhaps, now that Kei had their brain fixed they might be capable of friendship. That Chilacian saying, ‘friendship is the seed of love.’ rung through TO’s mind. If they were capable of friendship, did that mean they’d be capable of that whole Enkavma thing? Could that mean that Avery, who insisted that they felt nothing like that, might start to? They didn’t like the idea of Avery getting involved with Kei. Kei was the one who nearly separated them and DH.
They also recalled the story that Flit told them about the commander, how Flit had told the Commander how they felt, and the Commander had treated them with such disgust…
No. That would be too hurtful. They’d have to talk to Avery later.
“Look, we’ve taken the same precautions with Kei and Avery as we did you two.” Vik said, “It’ll be fine, and if something happens, it’ll be dealt with.”
“And we don't really have time to argue.” Tham said, “We have limited time; only a few more days, really. Most of the able-bodied people who can work are gone to clear the space under your ship, or they’re getting information, or medicine. Pholi’s gone back to the government building, putting in appearances to keep Gyrini off his back-”
“Petra and Lendulin.” TO said, “They could help, and I trust them-”
“Lendulin is already out helping to harvest underwater, away from the city.” Tham said, “She’s getting what little seafood we can get. Petra is one of the few legged people who aren’t on a wanted list for questioning because she didn’t live in the tunnels, so she’s gone out shopping for what supplies we can buy.”
TO kept their steady glare on Kei for a moment longer before they huffed and looked away. Maybe they were wrong. The Kei they knew before had an altered brain. Now, they were different. After such a sudden change to their mind, TO couldn’t imagine how they were feeling at the moment. Besides, Vik and Tham were right. The insurgents had given TO and DH a chance when they had really no reason to do so, even though it had been dangerous. They had given TO and DH a chance just because GiDi asked them to.
Now, Avery was asking TO to give Kei a chance.
“Alright.” TO grumbled. They’d give Kei a chance, even if they monitored them. Even if they’d never forgive Kei for what they nearly did to them and DH.
“Great.” Tham said as they set the bags on the table, “Each of you take one of these. They’re your disguises for the day.”
TO frowned and took on the bags. They fully expected to see that black goo in there in a little container, but to their surprise all that was inside was a long, tattered cloak and stocking cap.
“If you all drape your wings over your shoulders like you always do, then you can hide them under the cloaks. You can also stuff your ears into the hat. That should help throw off identification programs.”
“What about facial recognition programs?” TO asked.
“Because there’s so many species here, facial recognition works back from most obvious features to least.” Vik said, “With your ears covered the programming wouldn't recognize you.” They glanced at Tham, “Same way it wouldn’t recognize Tham if we cut off his nose.”
“Thankfully, there are easier ways to trick the software than that.” Tham said as he reached into his own bag. He took out what looked at first to TO to be some hairy dead animal, but a moment later he affixed it to his face, and it became a scraggly beard. “This should do it. Since Nagarajin are common here, I should be fine.”
“Anyway.” Vik said, “You’re going out to get food. There’s two ways to do this in the outer ring; through trade, and through hunting. TO, you’re afraid of insects, so I’m guessing you and DH will do the trading thing.”
As Vik spoke, TO caught how Kei’s ears pinned down, caught that hint of disdain. Their own ears dropped in shame, but they said nothing.
“I’ll send you a list, and give, and give you stuff to trade. Check in with me before you actually trade anything.” They huffed, “Honestly, I’d rather have someone else go with you to help, but again… we’re shorthanded.”
“We make do.” Tham said. They passed bags back to Kei and Avery, “Come on, get ready; Time is running out.”