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BGM: Always Alcohol. Women. Even drugs. The drunks continued to vomit grandly in the back-alleys, and thieves slept with their hands in their pockets. Prostitutes picked up clients along the main street, cheap illegal drug vendors shouted about new deals, and sparks flew on the Engine-Type electric bulletin boards scrolling over their heads. The Urban Roamers, no longer able to wander to other cities, made their usual racket, which could hardly be called music. They sung of their sad fate trapped in Inganock. 覧Hearts go wild here. 覧People wish for just one night of dreams. 覧The King doesn't protect his citizens. 覧Instead of joy, people continue to quaff poison. Instruments with broken strings lay at the Roamers' feet, and an old empty food can laid open with three shillings inside. A paper bag containing bread crumbs and three more shillings, a glass bottle with a tiny amount of fluid inside, and some broken instruments. 覧Their only assets. There were no longer any humans who'd pay for just a song. Until ten years ago, this sort of thing never happened in the gigantic nations centered around the Engine Cities of the greatest kings and nobles. People had been living peacefully in them. A Complete Environment City. In other words, a world with no need to trade with the outside. All production and consumption originated and vanished within Inganock. An Ideal City dreamt up by the great Scholars. But now, those ideals easily burst at the seams. There were many nightmares, and only a handle of pleasant dreams. Even now, Gii remembered someone he met six years ago, an aged teacher who spoke of life itself. The Old Teacher, who'd changed into an 《Ezeck》 resembling a feline. For him, with his insight into life, the fantastic change tormenting his body was nothing more than a cool breeze. He'd probably throw some shillings into that empty cup. [Gii] (But somehow, I still haven't given up completely.) ......given up. Given up. 覧On what? 覧What don't I want to give up on?  Almost like a memory, he could see it at the edge of his vision. Although he shouldn't be able to see it clearly, Gii felt as if the clown was pointing toward that entrance. Gii knew what was there. A shop that smoked both legal and illegal drugs. There was an illegal brothel at the back. People said it was a melting pot of pleasure. The twins had whispered that some of the rich merchants with ties to the Upper Tier went in and out of here. However, it was a place Gii had no connection to whatsoever. Even when he paused in front of this place, there was only a short exchange of greetings with the owner. Tonight should have been no different. And yet...  Video: Reunion  Unfortunately, yes, as usual.How's business, Alisa Greg?  If you'd buy one of the shop girls... that's right, I'm running low on drugs to mix into this hookah.Would you help a friend out? [Gii] I don't like those kinds of jokes, Alisa Greg. Alisa Greg. The owner of the opium den providing pleasure to all without discrimination, from laborers to wealthy merchants. The rumor that she'd attack you with drawn fangs if you didn't call her by her full name was true. She was also a client of Gii's. A drug that had been popular a few years ago had eaten away at her heart. The hookah was her life. Hey, Gii, a new girl came in tonight.I'm sure you'll get in the mood, right? Pretend I tricked you and go try her out. [Gii] Well覧 They didn't usually talk for this long. However, today... The dancing illusion at the edge of his vision... Again, he had a feeling that it was pointing. Gii hesitated in answering. The image of a clown, which he knew was nothing more than an illusion, seemed to be saying that there was something inside the brothel. 'Something inside the brothel? What is it?' [Gii] (There's nothing in there but beds. What would Freud say about this?) [Gii] (......am I getting desperate? Reckless, even?) He could hear strange sounds coming from the owner' s snake belly. Weariness was mixed with that calm comfortable sound. She was tired. So was Gii. So was everyone. He gave a small sigh, and shrugged his shoulders. 'I'll just see her face, Alisa Greg,' he said with a sigh. Gii went through the door.  'Would it be easier if I became dependent on pleasure, like the people having fun in the other rooms?' he thought. No. He was just tired. Gii heaved a sigh. Just a little tired. He'd walked all around the Lower Tiers and healed six patients today. He wasn't quite up to the walk back home. He could just sleep there for a while. He'd give that girl some time to take a break. 'I'm spending money again.' While Gii absentmindedly thought that, he knocked on the door. It opened. BGM: Burn With Love  覧Salem? 覧The smell of medicine bottles. 覧A high voice laughing at imperial tabloids. Yeah, that's it. This... high voice. This... soft yet shallow laugh. Despite all that changed over the last ten years, he recognized those two things. Gii didn't express those thoughts. Instead, the girl opened her mouth. Her clear smile soon disappeared. He saw an expression without flair. Aaah, he was right. That face, that expression, and that skin. There was no mistaking it, it was Salem.    You were in the school of medicine......yes, that's right! Eh? Is it...really you......!? Yeah, it's me.It's been a while, Salem. Ten years I think?  An embarrassed smile. She'd never made this kind of face in the past. Salem. Yes, it was Salem. Gii remembered. She was once a friend of his, studying at the same university. To think he'd see her again in a place like this... Nothing had surprised him lately. What sort of face was he making? Gii tried to imagine it, but couldn't. He looked at Salem's face, at the thoroughly changed form of his old friend. 覧Her body... 覧It looks like a human's, but... 覧The sunken color burnt into her eyes stands out.  Ummm, yes, that's right.Something, yes, right. Shall I prepare some alcohol? I'd like to talk to you, okay?  A flattering voice, as if imploring. A voice that Gii had never heard before. An expression he didn't know was covering Salem's face, but that didn't surprise him. After all, ten years had passed. Ten years that Gii didn't know about.  What did Alisa Greg say? She said that this strange customer came, who she'd seen before he even crossed the threshold, and he stressed her out like it was her first day.Even though she's a pro. Hey, is it true that you'll pay her even if you don't sleep with the girls? Maybe.Move importantly, Salem, about Alisa Greg...  She tore up someone's face once, even though he was a customer. Salem sat down on the bed, giggling like a girl. 'Even though she was a pro...' That made sense. She was used to Salem's line of work. There didn't seem to be any falsehood in those words. Actually, I moved to this Tier only three days ago, and then she let me do my work in here.But this is great, do you live nearby? Yeah, very close. Come visit again sometime.I'll make sure the room is clean.  ......what? You can't come and visit?Or do you mean that the rooms are filthy?  Salem, where've you been all this time?What's happened to you these past ten years? He thought she was dead. He thought that way about all the people he'd known before the day of 《Revival.》 After all, his family died, as had many of his friends. They all died from Engine fires and Creature injuries. That was why he'd considered Salem to be someone who'd died a long time ago.  ......a more "horrible" place than here? *giggle* You're right, you're right.It's the same everywhere. It's all a dump. Yes, you're right. So you can tell jokes now. I don't tell jokes.It's true, everywhere's the same. But, have you changed?Before, you were覧 Oh, stop that.More importantly, why not have fun while we talk? I'm incredibly good you know, I had quite the reputation at my previous shop. She dodged the question with a smile. Her past seemed to be something which couldn't be touched, surely for the same reasons as Gii's. He shrugged his shoulders. Just for a moment, he touched Salem's cheek. I know the old you. I'm sorry.I can't make jokes.  I'll do it with you.You can do anything you want to me. For you... yes, I'd even have your baby. I'm serious, you know? Don't repeat the same joke so many times.Wasn't humor your strong suit? Back then, he often heard Salem's bright laughing voice. He had a feeling that this was one of the little pieces of his fragmented memory. Salem laughing, and Gii watching. It was nostalgic. No, not that... 'Didn't something else happen too?' he thought. It wasn't something he should remember. Nothing would come from remembering. So, how should we kill the remaining time?Just talking together will drag on a while.  I see...... okay then.Good night, umm覧 It's Gii.That's what I call myself now. Then good night, Gii.Sweet dreams. 覧Good night, Gii. 覧Sweet dreams. She said that with a smile. Only that smile and that voice of hers were as he remembered them. BGM: None     BGM: Calmly Days It certainly did feel like morning. He could hear just a little of the warped birds' twittering. Influenced by the Equation, his "right eye" could see light on the other side of the eternally gray mist, even through the curtain. The curtain. Something familiar entered his vision. His small bedroom. An apartment he couldn't quite call comfortable. The Engine-Type Air Conditioning was the pride of his room. And覧 He felt someone else's presence. But it felt familiar. His tense nerves soon relaxed. A presence suited to the dark. If she seriously silenced her breath, Gii probably wouldn't notice her. [Gii] ......Ati? He sat up and looked to one side. There she was, the Black Cat lying on the bed.  [Gii] And yet, I'm a light sleeper. I thought it was still morning, but I guess not. Good evening, Ati.  It isn't morning. Good evening, Gii.No, not that, not that. Good morning, no... Good afternoon is the right answer, Gii. [Gii] Sorry about that. Good afternoon, Ati. The smell of food reached his nostrils. It came from the other side of the door. Usually she'd make just enough for herself, eat it, then hurry off to work. She was a cat, the Black Cat. That was her 《Street Name.》 A pliant and agile Chrome-built black female cat. Ati the Black Cat. A Runner who worked only for money. She was a cat with no collar. Always free, never looking back, here one minute and gone the next. He didn't worry about it. Her presence was no longer unusual. Gii pulled up his blanket and tried to go back to sleep when覧 There's enough brunch for you too, Gii.It's not that good, but do eat it. [Gii] ......what? He woke up, completely this time. That whimsical cat had made him brunch? What change of heart was this? Cooking? Her? 覧Rare things do happen. 覧The Black Cat's hands aren't suited for cooking and yet... By the way, Gii, where were you last night?Having fun? There's a woman's smell on you.A really thick one. Whose? 覧Aaah... 覧So that's what this was all about. She was practically freedom incarnate. What reason did this cat have to worry about Gii? Out of the two kinds of reactions people often had about him, which one was hers? In some ways she was like the children. In others she was like the dealer and Eralee. Gii couldn't pin it down. Somehow, he just couldn't grasp that cat. [Gii] No, she's an old friend, not a 'woman.' Liar.[Gii] I'm not lying. I hate lies.I don't forgive liars. Don't do things I hate, Gii. [Omitted CG: Ati straddling Gii. Her tits are out.]  ......aren't we friends?She pushed him down hard. When she was serious, Gii couldn't hope to beat her. Ati bore down on him, pushing him into the bed. He could feel both her weight and her softness. Her face was close. Her breath touched his lips and cheeks. Don't lie to me.We've known each other too long for that. [Gii] If we're friends, then let go of me. Please. ......even though it's been so long.........Gii, you've been no fun lately. [Gii] (This is bad...) 覧Being this close together... 覧I can feel her supple body. Muscles far denser and more pliant than any human's. That was why... Ati had thrown her body into the world of the Runners. She could hunt Engine Humans and ferocious Monsters. Gii's overall physique was the better of the two, but if Ati was serious, her victory would be certain. Absolutely certain. To begin with, Ati was stronger than most 《Pucelles.》 There were a number of reasons for that. Even so, Gii's bones weren't creaking and her retractable artificial claws weren't tearing him apart. She was holding back. She wasn't trying to hurt him. Gii knew that. He knew that, but... [Gii] ......I'm telling you to let go. N. O. If you really want to reject me, then try using your Cracking.I won't resist it at all. [Gii] I can't do anything but look. The rest is all trickery. And I want you to look.[Gii] Cut it out with the jokes for today. I'm sorry, but please let me sleep a little longer. No, it's past noon.[Gii] ...... ......okay? If you're trying to be polite, then stop it.After all... I think... we're too close for that. Hold me, would you?I just used the shower. Unsurprisingly, there was the scent of Engine Factory-made soap. Gii was careful not to inhale it. The scent of soap was his weak point. He turned his face away, and Ati's followed him. She was looking at him close up. Don't run away.Keep that up and I'll get mad, you know. 覧You're already mad. 覧I considered saying that aloud, but... [Gii] I don't have the energy. Then get some energy by eating something.You're drinking nothing but coffee again, aren't you? [Gii] I'm drinking water now. Same difference.You'll still die if you don't eat something. And I don't want you to die, Gii. 覧'Since I'd lose another safe place to sleep.' 覧That's how I thought she' d finish her sentence, but... She said nothing. Instead, her gaze silently fell down on him. A beautiful golden eye looked at Gii. That right eye of hers was strange even among 《Pucelles.》 They exchanged gazes within that silence. One second. Two seconds... Gii couldn't help but look away first. For some reason, whenever that eye gazed at him for too long, he lost the will to disobey. Was it because of its golden beauty? Or... something else... [Gii] I will, soon.  ......l see. So that's how it is.Then how abort mouth-to-mouth feeding? Do you want me to force it down your throat again? [Gii] No, that would... Then will you go eat properly?Will you eat the meat and the vegetables? [Gii] ......no, that would be... What.[Gii] I'll do my best. ......you'd better do your best.I don't like it, but it's at least somewhat reassuring. You're weird as always, Gii. [Gii] Yes, as always. 
Fates End fucked around with this message at 20:21 on Jul 27, 2018 |
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