Trithorax: 4693-376
I was out for a long time last night. From that bench in the cemetery, I even watched the sun rise. I didn't want to go to work today, but I had to. I didn't want to know the answer to what the engineer at the lab found. He had isolated the DNA and analyzed the sequence. I knew from my portable PDA that an email had been sent to my account. I knew it was the results. I just had to run it against the database, but I didn't want to know. I sat there until Raoul called me and asked for my presence at work.
The night had been long. I sat there in the damp chilliness, staring at the nameless headstone before me. I couldn't see the name for it had been eroded off. The paths between the graves were illuminated with lines of blue light. It was a futuristic touch to such an old graveyard. Nonetheless, it was calm and serene and I was so absorbed by my thoughts that I couldn't even hear Trithorax arriving. I just remember a soft voice ringing through the thick darkness, calling me: "Ruby-Rabbit?"
I remember smiling and nodding. I immediately told him I didn't want to see his face, and I also told him why. I heard through his trembling sigh that he was genuinely worried and was having second thoughts. I don't know what made him stay, but he did. We spoke four about an hour. Well, I spoke and he listened. I refrained from using any names, whether it was that of Raoul, X-breed, Papa or the other moles at work. I was speaking in third persons only. I even avoided mentioning the names of streets, companies and institutions involved.
I told him frankly that in this web of liars and players, I was the spider – the worst of them all. I was playing everyone.
Trithorax then posed the only one question he asked the entire evening; whom did I feel for the most? My answer came spontaneously in a flicker of a second, and it dumbfounded me to the extent to where I remained silent for the rest of the day. You are the first I am talking to today. My answer to Trithorax was; "You."
He then touched my shoulder and I raised my hand to feel the warmth radiating from his skin. I held his hand throughout the night and we said nothing. As the sun rose over the horizon, I let his hand go and he left me there.
An hour later, I was at work. I ran into Raoul on my way to the men's room. He flashed me with a smile and I responded with a genuine smile. I think it caught his attention. He asked me if I was in a good mood today. Well, I wasn't but Trithorax had made me feel a spark of hope. As a response I placed a hand on Raoul's shoulder and gave him a friendly pat whilst I nodded.
CATTAAAG: 4693-377
§§
From that piece of flesh from the dead girl and her unborn, which I sneaked into Raoul's lab and had tested, I did find out that she was fourteen years old, pregnant and the most horrific discovery of them all… on her son's telomere sequence on chromosome 12, Jupiter's trademark allele, CATTAAAG, was present. The allele was a small DNA sequence, which served as a quality mark from where he was created. That girl had been implanted with a Blondie who in turn was bred by the largest biochemical facility on Tanagura, and whether Raoul likes it or not, it leads straight to his door. And pretty soon, Raoul will be knocking on mine, confronting me on the evening research at the lab, which was performed without his consent. Unless, Stewart's friends have been smart enough to cover up their tracks. I am waiting to see what happens at work.
This was the answer I feared, but right now there is no time for me to lose my composure. At least, the girl has a name.
Pet identity: BKCT-7930
Name: Lejia Nao
Date of birth: 4679 – Eph – 291
Gender: Female
Medical History: File BKCT-7930/4679-291
Summary: Heart condition, endocarditis, due to HACEK bacterial infection at the age of three. Successful treatment of E. Corrodens with Quinoprehistine.
Last noted: 4693-323
Referred to the Tanagura Biomedical Center, Fertility unit U41 for annual check-up. Examination performed by, Dr A. Hannoh.
I didn't want to know more. I switched my PDA off.
I am only focusing on my programming, smoking, drinking and having meetings with Papa Downs. My only shelter and safety vent is Trithorax. If this situation had taken place five or seven years ago when I was at the peak of coordinating the Black Market, I would've never allowed myself to divulge anything to anyone whom I didn't know as well as I knew Iason. But times change. And for the first time I don't care about what happens to me. I care about Trithorax and his wellbeing. I will send him an email when the temporary chat is up. I will send him the address to it, but I will need a secure line. And I know of only one such secure line. Raoul's own computer. That network is outside the common ether so it is the safest one. No one can tap into it unless they have Jupiter's skills.
I thought Raoul would never leave his office today. It was about half past eight when I got access to his computer. I was in a hurry to create a temporary forum with a small chat site, where I and Trithorax would be able to talk alone. My heart was in my throat every second I spent in front of Raoul's computer. I feared he would come back, since he has been working late for quite sometime, and confront me. After that incident with the post it notes, I am not taking chances on leaving traces. This time I was really careful. I emptied the cache files, I cleaned up everything and I even repositioned his ink pen in the same angle it had been placed on the table when I entered the office. I don't know if I'm equaling what would be called paranoia, but I just couldn't face Raoul.
I sent the link to Trithorax via email and now I am hoping he will come on line at any second. I've been waiting for about twenty minutes. The chat is up and running…
Well, I'm making some tea, and then I'll come back to you…
My flat mates have cleaned the dishes and even placed my gigantic cup in my cupboard. Well, thanks for that matey! I am drinking white tea, something I haven't had in a long time. I do not appreciate far too roasted tea leaves. This one I bought at a shabby little store where they have all kinds of odd food, for the tea they sell is actually better than that I've had even at Iason's residence.
Oh! Trithorax has found his way in!
BlueBunny logged on 377: 22'03. Magellan Firewall opens portal KJNDB-897349-493.
Trithorax logged on 377: 22'27. Magellan Firewall opens portal IGBHL-3682-9932.
BlueBunny
Hello beautiful. I've missed you more than you can imagine.
Trithorax
Me too. I've been thinking about you all day. I was stressed out the entire day as we are having some departmental restructuring… but all I could think of was you. I value that you trust me this much. I really do, Bunny.
BlueBunny
I am glad that you spent the night with me. It meant a lot to me.
Trithorax
You are welcome. By the way, was it all really true? Maybe I'm stupid for asking, but it all sounds so deep… pretty heavy stuff to carry on your own.
BlueBunny
Afraid so.
Trithorax
I don't know what to say.
BlueBunny
You know… I've been thinking… and I wish I could get my boss out of this somehow.
Trithorax
Why the hell would you wanna do that? He is obviously involved.
BlueBunny
Yeah. Too obviously.
Trithorax
What do you mean, Bunny?
BlueBunny
I just don't understand. If he wants to run the show, why convince me to return and give me a job as "clerk" at his company where he runs the risk of me discovering all this? Does it make sense?
Trithorax
I dunno, but considering your former work, maybe he was planning on hooking you up on it again.
BlueBunny
Why take that chance? I gave up that business years ago. What made him so sure I would say yes? Anyway, I am not so certain. He was really serious when he warned me about not stepping into it again. I know my boss. I know him enough to state that he doesn't threaten without a cause. It's never a threat – it a promise of retribution if I disobey.
Trithorax
What if he wants to control you then?
BlueBunny
How do you mean, beautiful?
Trithorax
I was just thinking how we handle competing companies. If you can't fight them, then buy them, and if you can't buy them then make sure you know every step they take. You know…
BlueBunny
You have a point there. I just find this so unbelievable. How could he do all this without me noticing? He really played me, huh? I even helped him to set that damn beacon up.
Trithorax
I am truly sorry. I guess not everything in this world is what it seems. Isn't it so?
BlueBunny
You are right.
Trithorax
Can I ask you something, Bunny?
BlueBunny
What?
Trithorax
How could you do it? I mean how could you trade all those lives?
BlueBunny
You really wanna know?
Trithorax
I must.
BlueBunny
Fair enough. I was young, ambitious, hungry for money and success – any way out of Ceres was a good way. I climbed higher than most can ever imagine and somewhere along the line, I dusted the empathy off my shoulder. When you work long enough with Blondies, you start becoming like them. After a while people were just assets, expendable assets.
Trithorax
You are very honest.
BlueBunny
Sorry. I know what I sound like.
Trithorax
So what has changed?
BlueBunny
After my former boss died, I realized that it had all been an empire built on hollow ground. I did it but without him it just didn't have meaning anymore. Nothing had meaning anymore.
Trithorax
You loved him that much?
BlueBunny
No… well, sometimes, but he was the only life I knew. We were so integrated. My training period, my life as a eunuch, us as business partners and that everyday life. So when he died, so did I. It was almost as I have forgotten what it was like to be free again… just as I had said to Riki.
Trithorax
Don't you want to live again?
BlueBunny
Yeah… I am still waiting for it.
Trithorax
Waiting for what, BB?
BlueBunny
For life to return.
Trithorax
Why wait? Maybe you should seek it out instead.
BlueBunny
I know.
Trihorax
So?
BlueBunny
I think I've taken the first step at least. I am talking to you, aren't I? And it seems like we'll meet soon.
Trithorax
Does this mean that you are coming to the Aaïryn peninsula?
BlueBunny
Yes. :D It is settled. Besides, I need it after all this.
Trithorax
:eek: You don't know how happy you just made me. I have already figured out my costume to the masquerade.
BlueBunny
Wow. You are really planning ahead. There are two and a half months till then.
Trithorax
I know, but I am really anxious to see you.
BlueBunny
Me too, but Tri, I still have to ask you not to show your face to me. I don't want to know.
Trithorax
You really think I'd be at such a great risk?
BlueBunny
I don't want to take chances.
Trithorax
Sigh Fine, so when do you think it will be safe enough for me to be able to hold you in public?
BlueBunny
You wanna hold me in public? Hehehe.
Trithorax
What's so funny?
BlueBunny
You sound like a concerned pairing partner. Cute.
Trithorax
A pairing partner… I didn't say that…
BlueBunny
Sure sounded like that.
Trithorax
Would that be an impossible future?
BlueBunny
Us?! Together??
Trithorax
Yes.
BlueBunny
I don't know.
Trithorax
Wouldn't you like that?
Trithorax
BB, you got very quiet…
Trithorax
…Bunny…
BlueBunny
Can I dream?
Trithorax
Yeah… let's dream together. Let's pretend it's possible. Let's spin the wheel and see where it stops.
BlueBunny
I'd love it, Tri. I really would. When I come home there'd be someone waiting for me, or warm the other side of the bed.
Trithorax
We could have dinners together. Talk about what we did at work, or just relax watching a movie.
BlueBunny
A nice hug now and then, a sweet kiss… fooling around in the apartment.
Trithorax
Or maybe go someplace together and we would always be together.
BlueBunny
Till the end of time?
Trithorax
Till the end of time.
BlueBunny
It's a nice dream. Thank you.
Trithorax
You are welcome.
BlueBunny
Will I see you tomorrow?
Trithorax
I might have a late night at work, but I will try to come home as fast as possible. I hope so.
BlueBunny
Ahh… and there we have reality checking in. Time to wake up again, I guess.
BlueBunny
Ok. I'll see you then. Good night, Tri.
BlueBunny
Tri?
BlueBunny
Hello…?
Trithorax
Is that all you have to say?
BlueBunny
What?
Trithorax
Have you stopped pretending already?
BlueBunny
You want to continue playing, Tri?
Trithorax
Just a few minutes more… please? I've never felt this before. Doesn't it make you feel something?
BlueBunny
It does Tri, but it's hard. It's confusing. I don't know what to do with all these feelings.
Trithorax
Bunny…
BlueBunny
Yes?
Trithorax
Can I pretend that I love you?
Tears were falling down my face. He broke my soul and I dared to dream for the first time. I wrote the line "I've already pretended that", but erased it and just sent him a kissing smiley.
Have to stop here for tonight, Artemisia. I am too tired and too overwhelmed. I'm off to bed.