Several weeks later, Artemis, as Diana, entered The Cafe’s Meow in ALTR after a few patrons left. Reina put away cups below the counter until the singular chime of the bell on the door caught her attention. She stood.
“Sorry,” Reina said. “I’m about to close. I could make something to go if you—.” She stopped at the sight of Artemis.
“I’ll only be a moment,” Artemis said.
“Diana?”
“I’ve read your messages.”
“Oh! Uhm, you did?” Frick, I’d given up on her ever coming online again. I feel like I wrote some embarrassing diary-like stuff last time… Could I check without her noticing?
“I must correct two misconceptions.”
“Huh?” Reina stared, bewildered, at the icy, unflinching visage of Artemis.
“You owe me nothing. Ever. Your treatment was from my own selfish desire, to which I will not explain further. Do not make me repeat this again.”
Reina mumbled sounds, at a loss for words.
“Second, you shouldn’t feel obligated to alter your life for me, or anyone. It’s irrelevant that you’re able to do things you were unable to prior. It’s your life.” Reina stared blankly, processing. “That’s all. I will excuse myself.” Artemis turned to leave. Reina snapped from her stupor.
“Wait, please!”
Reina hopped over the counter haphazardly, nearly falling after. Artemis continued toward the door. Reina broke into a mad dash. Her movements were incredibly awkward, outlining her lack of experience. As she approached Diana, her foot grazed the back of a passing cat, sending her tumbling forward. She tried to grab a chair to no avail, only knocking it over. She closed her eyes while bracing herself as the floor filled her sight. Yet, no impact came to pass. She felt the pressure of her collar at her neck, then hands at her shoulders.
“Close. Be more careful. You’ve clearly not become accustomed to the sensation of running,” Artemis said as she lifted Reina to her feet. She already turned away again by the time Reina processed the event.
“Please, wait!”
Artemis paused a few steps away without turning around. “What is it?”
“I, er.” Think! Can’t afford to be tongue-tied now. May never get this chance again. “I’ve been working on a new blend and your opinion was so insightful last visit. I’d really appreciate your time.”
A quiet few seconds passed, besides a meow. Artemis turned. “I suppose I can spare a moment.”
“Great! I’ll hurry.” Reina turned back to the counter with a sigh of relief.
“Watch your step.”
Reina almost walked into a passing cat again, narrowly dodging it. That was close. Embarrassing.
Artemis noticed Reina’s ears redden. “You could have asked from your counter.”
Reina gave a nervous chuckle as she noticed the warmth of her ears. Ack! My hair’s up. Where is that setting? She rapidly flipped through a settings menu in her HUD. “I think I was gonna try to block you leaving. Silly, I know. It’s just that I’m working on this blend for a specific reason.” She returned behind the counter while Artemis followed to a seat.
“Oh?” Artemis lifted a meowing heavy cat onto her lap.
“I tried coffee. In real life, I mean. I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would… I’ve tried all my blends here, of course, and thought it’d be the same? That made me kinda, sad? Disappointed? Not sure.” Reina began working.
“And you think a different blend will change that?”
“Maybe. I don’t really know. It’s bugging me, though.”
“The answer is likely more simple. You set a precedent for your palette.”
“Huh? I don’t follow.”
“I experience it often myself, as I switch between tea and coffee regularly. They’re quite different and take some adjusting to each time. Do you have the same level of equipment in your home as here? I’ve heard these simulations strive to be accurate, but there would be little reason to simulate low quality ingredients. What of the ingredients you used?”
“Oh. I didn’t really think about it?”
“We may be in ALTR, however, memories are created all the same. You could say your ‘memory’ of the taste was disappointing.”
“Oh! Wow. It makes total sense after hearing that. I think you’re right.” Reina continued to work uninterrupted, with a subtle smile. “So, you drink tea, too? I kinda always thought people were one or the other.”
“Yes. That is indeed quite common. However, I find—.”
Artemis and Reina engaged in a lengthy discussion about tea and coffee, even after Reina served her. Reina eventually remembered to ask Artemis’ opinion on the coffee, to which she gave an insightful, constructive critique. Unbeknownst to Artemis, as she sipped the last of her cup, the usual tension in her face had faded. Reina hadn’t seen her enough to realize this, yet it subconsciously gave her a push.
“May I… ask you something?” Reina asked.
“Your reluctance indicates it may not be something I’m willing to answer.”
“It’s a personal question about me.”
“Very well.”
“It’s kind of a follow-up to what you said before… and what I left as a message.”
Reina explained how besides having to feed, cloth, shower, etcetera, herself, her life hadn’t really changed since leaving her ‘bed’. She didn’t push very hard when it came to physical therapy. She wasn’t making plans for when she could move more than a few minutes at a time. The way she spent her daily life simply had changed little.
“Is this really okay? It feels wrong that I’m not doing more. Especially that I don’t want to do more,” Reina said. Her shoulders drooped, a mixture of relief and regret.
“I said as much earlier. I do not like to repeat myself, so recall it on your own. ‘Man’s ephemeral nature simultaneously gives us meaning and no meaning to our lives. One should live for oneself, for your neighbor is, or should, do the same.’”
“Was that Mewthoos?”
“It was. I’m surprised you know of such an obscure philosopher.”
“Not having to take care of yourself adds up. I’ve read a lot of philosophy, religion and spiritual texts.”
“Admirable. Do—?” Artemis stopped herself. Reina’s expression conveyed her contemplation.
“If I piece together…” Reina mumbled for a bit. That quote is merged from two different books. Is that a hint? She looked up to meet Artemis’ gaze. “You’re saying each individual must define the meaning of their own lives. They shouldn’t live by the meaning other’s establish, and therefore shouldn’t be obligated to satisfy it, precisely because it exists in the first place. In other words, there is no right or wrong here.”
The corner of Artemis’ lips lifted ever so slightly. “Remarkable. Nuance and situational context can, of course, be debated, but yes.” I realized I was being obtuse and thought I would have to expand further. Such a curious young woman. Dangerous.
“But still…what if I said, I sometimes wish I was still in that ‘bed’? Is that really not wrong? To discard your efforts? My family’s desires?”
Artemis’ eyes widened for a moment. She paused. “I will only repeat myself once more. It was done for me, not you. If anything, I wronged you.”
“What? No, no. I didn’t mean it like that. I can’t even convey the happiness I felt at the warmth of Yuna for the first time. My parents hugging me again after so long. Even if I accept what you said, without really understanding, that it was a selfish action, I’m still grateful. I just…”
“Maintenance is unpleasant. Tedious. A theory I submit, for I have oft desired the same.” Artemis pet the cat on her lap.
Reina met Artemis’ gaze in slight surprise. “You mean?” Ugh, is it possible I really am feeling that way for basically the same reason as what Dante’s said? I’m embarrassed…change the subject, Reina. “If you know of Mewthoos, have you read Rekard?”
“I have.”
Artemis and Reina discussed philosophers, religious texts and geopolitics for several hours amidst further coffee. They shied away from recent events, remaining in more historical contexts. Eventually, Artemis checked the time, thanked Reina for the discussion and coffee, then excused herself. Reina watched with a content expression until suddenly slapping her hands onto the counter.
“Wait, Diana!” Reina called just as Artemis opened the door. “If I may take a page from your book and be upfront. I’ve surely proved today that besides my personal question, I can keep our discussions contained. Not involving ‘our’ outside. Will you come again? Please be clear. Oh, and I’m going to work at tea, for next time.”
Artemis paused, turned her head slightly, and nodded in affirmation. She exited. Tea? A sly, dangerous girl. I look forward to it.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
In Reina’s room, she woke from ALTR in her chair to see Yuna’s hair. Yuna had her ear against Reina’s chest.
“What are you doing?” Reina asked.
“Ah!” Yuna jumped a little, startled, then pulled away to stand. “I was wondering if your heart would be racing if you were like fighting a boss or something.”
“I was at my cafe.”
“Oh.”
“It also doesn’t work like that. You fight all the time in ALTR, have you ever come out sweating?”
“No, I guess not. Never really thought about it.”
“You can pretty much think of us as asleep from the neck-down when connected.”
“Guess that makes sense.”
“Did you need something?”
“Welllll…”
“You want to vent again about Aelfric.”
“Maybe...”
“I wish you’d just get over it, but it’s fine. If anything, I’m proud of you.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Because in the past you’d just take out your frustration on poor Dante, Lawrence, or someone nearby.”
“That does sound like me. Hm.” When the fuck did I chill out so much? Weird.
“Do you mind?” Reina gestured toward her bed. “Takes me a while to ‘wake up’ enough to walk otherwise.”
“Sure.” Yuna lifted Reina into her arms and gently placed her on the bed.
“You didn’t squeeze this time. You’ve really improved with your new arm.”
Yuna touched her right arm, which appeared the same as her other. “Yeah, didn’t have a choice after the broken cups. Mom forced me.”
“And the twins did amazing work. I can’t tell the difference.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty strange. It feels different, but now looks the same. I’ll probably get used to it like my eye, though.” Yuna flexed her right arm.
Reina sat up and gestured to her lap. “Come on, then.” After just a few moments, Yuna had her head in Reina’s lap. Reina stroked her hair tenderly.
“Surprised you offered.”
“It seemed effective in keeping you calm last time.”
“Fair enough.”
I can’t let her know I really enjoy this, Reina thought as she watched her fingers glide amongst Yuna’s hair. Her hair’s so shockingly silky, and smells so good. But, if she knew that, well, I’m not sure what she’d do, but not gonna risk it.
“He’s seriously sucking all the thrill out of fighting, Reina. When we clash, it’s like he doesn’t enjoy it at all.”
“Couldn’t he just be reserved, like Papa?”
“No. Pops could really get into it. Trust me. You can feel it in the weight of their strikes.” Yuna paused. “Fuck! Wish he’d wake up already.”
Reina felt Yuna’s surging body heat. “Me too.” Her stroking of Yuna’s hair quickened. “But—.”
The heat tempered. “I know. Even when he does, might not be able…” If I’d have been stronger then. If only. God fucking damnit.
The heat surged again. Reina placed her comparatively much cooler hand on Yuna’s cheek. The sensation jolted Yuna from her train of thought. Yuna placed her own hand over Reina’s, pressing it lightly. Reina began stroking Yuna’s hair again with her other hand.
“Is Aelfric really so bad? Is he not helping?”
“He’s right, a lot. That’s part of the irritation. He points out and nitpicks every goddamn little flaw in my form. After every single spar. He’s even stopped to nitpick some stupid shit like—.” Yuna continued to vent.
Around the same time, Dante awoke from his ALTR in the basement. He gestured in the air at his IRIS, flipping through settings menus.
“The hell? That’s never happened before. Did I really leave such a setting?” A few moments passed. “Huh, yup, here it is. Set at ten. Guess I never thought someone would call me that many times in a row. She’s been calling me daily to solicit favor again I’m sure or some stupid shit. Why the hell so many today?” A call appeared on his IRIS, from ‘Constance’. “Speak of the devil… fine.” He accepted the call.
“Listen, how many times do I have to tell you, I’ve got no real power, give up,” Dante groaned.
“Finally, you fucking answer, you pri—!” Constance yelled.
“Glad we could have this chat, cya.”
“Wait! Please, Dante, wait.” Constance pleaded. Surprise rippled across Dante’s face at her tone. “Please hear me out. This is serious. I’m really worried.”
Dante sighed. “Alright, but if this is a veiled attempt at—.”
“I swear, it’s not. Please.”
“Okay. You’ve got my ear. Not sure you’ve ever asked before, instead of just demanding. What’s got you acting so out of character?”
An audible click of Constance’s tongue came through. “This is why—. No. Nevermind. What do you think of Aelfric?”
“Uh, in what way?”
“How serious would a threat be from him?”
“This is what was so important to ask me? How should I know?”
“Please! Dante.”
“Fine, just stop with the pleases, seriously weirding me out from you, of all people. I don’t really know the guy. Seems like the type to follow through, though. Why? What kind of threat?”
“‘Severe punishment’. What do you think that’d mean?”
“I think you should probably cut to the chase and tell me why you’re worried. Yes, even when I’m being a dismissive prick, I still listen.”
“When Aelfric came to us, I was kinda crushing on him. His eyes, and he’s so handsome… But after he told us about giving up territory, Nero freaked out. Mother had her guards drag him out of the room. Aelfric’s expression hadn’t changed even a little since arriving. And then, ‘I assure you, you will be sufficiently rewarded for complying.’ His look changed for the first time. His eyes were so cold. Like, I don’t even know how to describe them. I literally had a chill down my spine. ‘However, there will be severe punishment if you interfere.’”
“I see. Wild guess, Nero’s doing something stupid? And you think I’d care because?”
“He dragged Augustus and a dozen of his circle with him to reclaim territory.”
Dante sighed. “Augustus. Figures.”
“I know he’s the only one in the family you don’t hate.”
“Well, yeah, but what do you expect me to do? What about Mother?”
“I don’t know! Something! What if I’m worried about nothing and I told Mother? Don’t you have any idea how Aelfric will react? I have a really bad feeling.”
“Fine. I’ll see what I can do. You’ve always been such a bitch I’d normally never tell you this, but you do have good intuition. And honestly, I’m amazed how not-bitchy and not-condescending you’ve been in this convo. Always thought you were another ice queen like Mother. No way she’d worry about Augustus in this way.”
“I…thanks?”
Back in Reina’s room, Yuna still lay on her lap, complaining. Reina received a call and asked Yuna to quiet.
“Dante? What is it?” Reina asked.
“What do you think ‘severe punishment’ would mean coming from Aelfric?” Dante asked.
Some time later, after dusk in Lyrsium, Yuna stood outside a warehouse. She wore her Aegis suit, which had an obsidian hue. She nearly blended into the night. At the same time, Dante and Reina-cat viewed Yuna’s sight from the Vyxora basement monitors.
“This it?” Yuna asked.
“Coords seem right,” Dante said. He remained on a call with Constance in his IRIS. “Constance says Nero might have a private stash there or something. I guess Odin walked in and started looting. Nero and his grunts riled each other up, yada yada.”
Reina-cat called Aelfric via a monitor. His voice played after no answer. ‘I apologize for not answering your call. I am either asleep or dealing with an important matter. I will return your call posthaste.’
“Still no answer from Aelfric,” Reina said.
“Not seeing any movement. Guess I’ll just—,” Yuna said, interrupted by a shout.
“You motherfucking—!” Nero roared.
Yuna broke into an immediate sprint to the closest entrance. It opened into a processing dock. She wasted no time proceeding in while ascertaining the scene playing out. The furthest distance away, half a dozen people were tied up, unconscious, in a circle. Several masked men and women watched over them while others dug through various containers. Opposite them, at another entrance, stood Aelfric in a similar obsidian Aegis suit with helmet equipped. A young man and woman lay a short distance away in pools of blood which streamed from their necks. A cloaked, masked Nero barreled toward Aelfric, cursing in primal roars, interspersed with a woman’s name ‘Talia! Talia!’. Aelfric wiped blood from his wakizashi as he unflinchingly waited for Nero. Yuna kept her stride the entire way, speeding up as Nero reached Aelfric. She reached Nero as he swung toward Aelfric with reckless abandon. Yuna caught his arm, then pulled it hard behind him as she kicked at the back of his legs. He fell to his knees with a cry of pain. Aelfric, who had his wakizashi primed for a swing, sheathed it at his waist while watching calmly.
“Shit. Oops,” Yuna said, albeit her suit altered her voice. She realized she had dislocated Nero’s arm and possibly fractured it. “My bad.”
“My fucking arm!” Nero shouted in pain.
“Pulled too hard. Need more practice.”
“Yuna! Look at the bodies, quick,” Reina said. Yuna looked over.
“Wew. Not Augustus,” Dante said.
“Isn’t the girl still breathing?”
“‘Still breathing’?” Yuna said out loud.
Nero immediately moved toward the girl, dragging Yuna forward, to which she released her hold. He yelped in pain as his arm fell limp to his side, but slid into a kneel near the young woman. He reached for her yet wavered in panic, unsure of what to do as blood trickled between the fingers of her hand that loosely pressed the wound on her neck. Her eyes fluttered half open.
“Talia will bleed out if you do not apply adequate pressure to her wound,” Aelfric said.
“Talia! Talia, can you hear me? Stay with me!” Nero pressed Talia’s wound with his uninjured arm. He shifted so that her gaze would meet his.
Aelfric glanced at Yuna, who now stood, and spoke via their suit’s communications. “Your presence is unexpected.”
“Yeah…long story short, came to prevent Dante’s other brother getting killed. You, uh, didn’t cut down anyone else around here, did you?”
“No. I’ve yet to see Augustus.”
“Yeah, him.”
“Since you’re here, could I trouble you to quell those approaching? I’d originally intended for this outcome so that Nero would listen. And understand.”
Yuna turned to see those who had been digging through containers rushing toward them. “I do need the practice.” She flexed her new arm while walking toward them. “He’s got a scabbard hidden on his back, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
Dante and Reina spoke over comms as Yuna continued forward.
“Do you know who ‘Talia’ is?” Reina asked.
“I dunno. Girlfriend, maybe?” Dante said. “Rocks for brains seemed weirdly upset, I suppose. Can’t remember if he cares much for his minions, or they him. Vigo was the charismatic one.”
“What Aelfric said… did he intentionally leave her alive?”
“Uh…”
“Dante, if you don’t want me hitting your brother too hard, make sure to point him out,” Yuna said.
When the encroaching mob reached around twenty feet from Yuna, she erupted into a flying lightning-fast kick to the center-most chest. They were sent airborne until sliding across the ground. By the time it registered with the others, it felt as if Yuna had teleported to them. Despite them all being caught off-guard, she stood amongst them, unmoving. Most of them carried some form of makeshift weapons, such as boards and metal. Then one swung a metal bar toward Yuna’s head. She struck their arm hard, sending the bar flying. She then delivered several blows in quick succession to their body until ending with a palm strike to their chest with her cybernetic arm. They flew across the ground for some distance before landing violently. She inspected her arm, flexing her fingers in contemplation until at last the others attacked her.
Meanwhile, Aelfric had walked to the side of Nero who repeated ‘Talia!’ over and over while pressing her wound.
“Do not relent in the force you’re applying,” Aelfric said. “Otherwise, she may bleed out, since you did not get to her sooner. Stay still.”
Aelfric grabbed Nero and popped his dislocated arm back into place. Nero let out a grunt of pain but immediately starting rubbing Talia’s cheek, trying to illicit a response from her. One eye fully opened. She mouthed some words that were inaudible.
“Don’t try to speak. I’ve got you. You’re gonna be alright, Talia.”
Aelfric had moved to above her head. He crouched a little to be at Nero’s eye-line. His helmet retracted.
“Nero,” Aelfric said in a stern tone. He had an emotionless expression. “I have a medical team on standby nearby. Do not speak. Listen. As this will be your only warning. The sole reason you are not lying next to Talia is because you are an ‘Aurelius’. If you disobey me again, your family name will not save you. And I will know. I knew this was Talia when I cut her just enough. I know this one is Tyler.” He gestured to the dead young man a short distance away. “He’s paid for your mistake. And I know all of them.” He gestured to Yuna’s fight. She dodged and weaved effortlessly through the mob, decimating their numbers with every passing second. “Do we have an understanding? Do not speak.” Nero nodded. “Good.” Aelfric reached out and moved Nero’s other hand over the one applying pressure. He pressed to a degree, bloodying his hands. “Continue at this level, no more.” He stood, his helmet re-equipping. “They will be here shortly.”
Meanwhile, Yuna had dispatched most of the mob. She held a clenched fist in the air directly in front of the face of a young man with feminine features. He resembled Priscilla. He winced while having his arms outstretched.
“That’s him!” Dante said in Yuna’s comms.
“Heh. Stopped just in time.” Yuna said as her arm fell. “Oh yeah, I fought this kid, right?”
“Yes, Yuna. How do you forget that?” Reina asked.
“Was probably boring. I only remember his face. It’s pretty. Like a girl. This really you and meathead’s brother?”
“He takes after my mother,” Dante said.
“Please, stop. You’re Abyss, right?” Augustus asked. “Stop, everyone!” He frantically glanced at the remaining few, who were close to swinging at Yuna.