Chapter 2- Interaction
[Zima's Perspective]
That Doctor...He seems to be getting closer, slowly. He's also not very good at clandestine tactics.
"Zimaaaa!" Gummy calls from across the table.
"Yes, what is it?" I focus on her.
"You need to eat!" She gestures to my tray.
"I know, was just a bit distracted." I reply.
"By what?" Her eyes emanate inquisitiveness.
"The Doctor." I say. "He's been approaching us, slowly."
"Huh?" Gummy follows my gaze. "Oh, so he has...Ah, he must be looking for a place to sit!"
"Gum-" Too late, she's gone off to talk to him.
I sigh, pondering on why I haven't just up and left yet. Probably because Rosa's watching me constantly. Normally, I wouldn't care, but it's not my intention to disappoint.
Great, Gummy's dragging the Doctor over here. Why? He's had next to nothing to do with us the whole time we've been here. She's too friendly.
"Look who is joining us!" Gummy proclaims, grabbing Rosa's and Istina's attention.
"Ah, Doctor!" Rosa shows that, by now, infamous smile. "It's great to see you."
"Hello, Doctor." Istina says.
"Hey..." I can tell he's feeling awkward. "How are you all?"
Rosa makes space for Doctor before replying. "I'm feeling pretty good today. Yourself?"
[Doctor's Perspective]
"I would say I feel about the same, Rosa." I slide in next to her. "Thanks for asking."
Forcing myself to speak to near strangers is a chore.
"I'm honoured you know my name, Doctor." Why is Rosa's smile so radiant.
"How so?" I question.
"We've only met once." She states. "And surely you have a lot of work, so I don't expect you to know everyone's names."
"Well...I guess that's true." I say.
"You better talk to the others, Doctor." Rosa turns my head to Gummy and a girl with a monocle. "They are looking expectant."
"Doctor, Doctor!" Gummy jumps at the opportunity to speak. "This stuff is so good! You have to try it!"
She scoops some of her food on a fork and holds it to me.
"Thanks..." I take the fork and taste the food.
"You're right!" I say. "It's delicious."
"Never doubt my food intellect.~" Gummy looks proud of herself.
"Keep it down..." The monocle girl suddenly says.
She's reading? Since when?
"Sorry, Istina." Gummy replies. "I'm a little excited."
Istina doesn't acknowledge her...probably absorbed into her Ursusian book. I won't be able to get anything out of her unless she'd be willing to put down her book for me, which is unlikely.
"Doctor, you should say hello to Zima as well." Gummy tugs on me.
"Alright, alright." I let her guide my vision to the infamous Zima.
[Zima's Perspective]
I should've just left when I had the chance...Now I'm being forced to speak to my 'boss'.
"...You can just call me Doctor." He snickers dryly.
"Yeah, no." I say. "A title like that means nothing."
I hear Rosa sigh and then start talking.
"Zima, could you at least try to be polite?"
"I am." I look at her. "Is the truth not what everyone wants to hear?"
"Your words do not define the 'truth', Zima." Her smile takes on a more annoying meaning.
"Ugh..." I get up and start to walk away.
"Zima, wait!" Rosa says.
"Don't follow me..." I flatly state.
Seems to have stopped her, since there's no more footsteps. To the scouting deck.
[Doctor's Perspective]
"She's gone..." Rosa sulks back to her seat. "What a handful."
"Maybe I should try talking to her..." I say, more to myself.
"Tch, good luck." Rosa remarks. "She has a tendency to disappear for hours at a time."
"Zima can't go too far, can she?" I say.
"I don't know..." Rosa ponders. "This is a big facility."
"Some parts are off-limits to Operators, though." I tell her.
"I don't think that's enough to stop her." Rosa says. "She's a determined person, Doctor, and not one for rules either. Except her own."
"I'm still going to try." I stand up.
"Again, good luck, Doctor." Rosa smiles at me with a hint of sadness and concern.
"Thank you, Rosa." I swiftly wander in the same direction as Zima before wasting any more time.
Where would she go?
[Zima's Perspective]
I like it up here.
The sunset stained clouds, intertwine with the sky to create a tie-dye pattern that is omnidirectional and beautiful.
An ever-present breeze pairs itself nicely with that atmosphere. This entire backdrop would be great to fight in front of, if there were any operations scheduled today.
Meh, guess I'll have to make do...
"Well done, Zima..."
I immediately turn to see...myself.
"Good job..."
No, there are some differences...
"...Sonya..."
This déja vu...
"I'm surprised they're not fed up with you yet..." The mirage says.
"W-what do you mean?" Dammit, pull yourself together, Zima.
"We both know how you treat them, don't we, Zima?" She says, approaching me.
"W-who?" I question. "Who are you?"
"I'm you. You're me." She states. "That is the simple truth. Or is it?"
"I..." My words dry up before I can speak.
"Istina, Gummy and Rosa..." The mirage recites. "Anna, Rada and Natalya...your 'subordinates', are they not?"
"...N-n-no...that's...not how I s-see them..." Why am I afraid?
A disturbing chuckle escapes the mirage of me. "Don't be scared to admit it. After all, it's just 'us' here."
"Zima!" I find myself being gently shaken by the Doctor while staring at a closed door. "Are you feeling alright?!"
My vision darts around everywhere in the vicinity, but there's no sign of that mirage.
"Zima, look at me!" The Doctor exclaims.
"W-what?" I ask as I slowly turn back to him.
"Good God, you're pale." He quietly says. "Zima, did something happen?"
"No..." I say. "Nothing you should be concerned with."
"Are you sure?" He's not convinced, unsurprisingly.
"I'm okay..." I start to breathe deeply. "I'm okay..."
That was the first time I've been scared in a long time. But why? It was only myself and I think I have a pretty good understanding of who I am. Just something about her...it unsettled me completely. And, I felt as if I've seen that before, but I don't remember where or when.
"Can I take your temperature?" Doctor asks cautiously. "Just to make sure you haven't caught something."
"Go...ahead..." I say, while still trying to stabilize my breathing.
He takes one of his gloves off and feels my forehead. It's oddly relaxing...
"Doesn't feel abnormal..." He takes a thermometer out of one of his pockets. "Let me just make sure. Open up."
The thermometer feels cold on my tongue...It beeps and the Doctor takes it back.
"No, you're temperature is average." He sterilizes the device and then puts it back in his pocket. "However, your breathing pattern is obviously irregular. Chances are, the same is true for your heart rate. I recommend you lie down for a little bit."
"...Alright..." I say, unusually quietly. "I'll go back to my room."
"Did you want me to escort you?" Doctor asks. "To be safe."
"That's not...necessary." I commence my wander back.
What just happened?