Year : 771

A little more than 3 years after the Cell Game

One minute.

17 had only needed one minute to neutralize the poachers.

Ruri couldn't believe it. He had walked towards them with a calm and relaxed step. He hadn't even kept the gun she had given him. And suddenly, the poachers were at his feet, stunned. She had seen absolutely nothing, everything had happened so fast...

And there he was, still as nonchalant as ever, standing next to a bunch of sleeping poachers. The image was somehow "comical". But Ruri didn't forget how exceptional his skills were. Who was this man? However, at first sight, he was nothing extraordinary, nothing in his appearance suggested such power. She continued to observe him for a few seconds.

"Who the hell are you...It is absolutely necessary that you accompany me, no debate, I do not leave from here without you ! ". Her glance stopped then on the face of 17. " Rooooh and you are so gorgeous ! "she thought then. Now that she had a little more time to look at him, she could not help but find him a crazy charm. His long black hair, his earrings, and especially his eyes with such a clear blue, which seemed able to pierce you in an instant. "Stay focused girl, he's going to notice you staring at him eventually.... "

"Why are you staring at me like that? "

In a second, Ruri's face turned bright red. "Raaaaaaaaaaah damn ! Find something to say Ruri, find somethiiiiiiiiiing". Trying to put on a brave face, she replied:

- But uhhhh for nothing, well, no, I'm not staring at you first, I was looking... I was looking at... your scarf!

- ...my scarf?

- Yes, it suits you well, you know. Did you buy it at a local store?

- ... no.

- Did you steal it?

- No.

- ... it's really hard to have a conversation with you, you know?

- I know.

- ... Well, you're aware of it already, that's a start.

- I stopped the poachers.

- I saw it.

- In a minute.

- I saw it too.

- Without killing them.

- I see that indeed.

- And so?

- So what?

- What do we do with them?

- Oups! "

Ruri then turned around and called he rangers, "Guyyyyyys, can you put these idiots in ... the ... cars? "

It was only then that she realized that the rangers had all gathered behind the trees, huddled together. Obviously, the little demonstration of 17 had frightened them quite a bit. Ruri burst out laughing.

"Hahaha no but what cowards, frankly! But he is not dangerous, look at ...? "She said, turning to 17. He was motionless, arms crossed, staring, without any expression on his face.

- Raaaaaah but if you don't make an effort, we're not going to make it !

- What did I do?

- Do you have to look at them like that?

- With my eyes?

- ... ooooooooooooooook let it go, I'll take care of it. Hey guys, don't worry, I got this. So, please, can you put these jerks in the cars and make sure they're healthy? Thank you. 17 ?

- Yes?

- We've got work to do, so let's go.

And while the rangers timidly came out of their hiding place and took charge of the poachers (without taking their eyes off 17), Ruri then moved with a determined step towards the fence and the herd. 17 suddenly grabbed her by the arm:

- Are you really going to go?

- Yes, why?

- But... how... you can't go.

- I can't ?

- Yes.

- Why not?

- That animal is dangerous.

- I know, thank you.

- You are a ...

- Female ? That's what you were going to say ? Ah no, no misogynistic thinking here! So what, I'm a woman, and therefore I'm weak and fragile and I need a man to help me because alone I can't do it ?

- ... human.

- ... what?

- You are weak and fragile, like a human.

- ... and what are YOU exactly?

17 had just said too much. To launch into a big explanation about his cyborg nature bored him deeply, and anyway, it was neither the time or the place.

- Forget it," he said, "I'm just more powerful than you, all right. You said you were in a hurry? Then let me immobilize him. And then you can go take care of your female.

- ... ooooooooook, since you insist so much, please.

It seemed strange to him that she gave in so easily. But it didn't matter, the main thing was that she agreed to let him do it. 17 had no intention of killing this giant deer, but a good punch should be enough to put it out of action. He then approached the fence. The deer was still in front, and as soon as he saw 17, he straightened up completely and was able to let out a tremendous roar. He positioned himself in front of it, ready to charge.

"Just one blow will be enough" ... thought 17, cocking his arm. But just as he was about to lunge at the monster, Ruri jumped in front of him and grabbed his arm firmly:

"WHAT ARE YOU PLAN?ING TO DO ? "she exclaimed.

Surprised, 17 stopped dead in his tracks.

- I'm going to deal with him so that he stays calm.

- By hitting him ?

- I won't kill him, just knock him out.

- And if you hurt him?

- I know how to use my strength.

- You'll have to hit him harder than the poachers.

- Yeah, but ...

- So how do you know you're not going to hurt him ? ?

- I know how to use my strength.

- Why use force ? Why ?

- How do you want to do it? Talk to him?

Ruri gently released 17's arm. She came close to him and took a deep breath.

"I won't let you do it," she said.

"You what ? "He finally replied, confused.

"I will prevent you from hurting him", Ruri said, still as calm as ever.

At these words, 17 could not repress a burst of laughter. He took a slight step forward, getting closer to the young woman. Both were now so close that their noses could almost touch. He stared at her intensely. For long seconds. But she neither looked away nor down. "You've got guts... "He thought to himself. Strangely, it was only at that moment that he noticed that she had green eyes, he had never seen them before.

"You can't stop me," he whispered.

Ruri shivered. Not with fear, but with a strange feeling. 17 had just changed his tone, and without her being able to explain it to herself, her heart was suddenly beating strongly in her chest. She felt so ... small all of a sudden.

"I love your voice... " she thought, trying her best to hold his gaze.

After a few seconds of confusion, however, she came to her senses.

- Yes, I know I can't stop you.

- So why are you trying?

- Just because I'm weaker doesn't mean I should give up. Don't hurt animals unnecessarily, I'm not going to sit back and do nothing.

- Even if you don't have a chance?

- Yes.

- ... Let's admit it. What should we do then?

Ruri then moved forward a little bit, and this time she gently touched 17's nose, who did not move, even just a bit.

"You have such beautiful eyes," she murmured, "what a pity not to use them properly.

17 suddenly stepped back. "What?"

Ruri also stepped back.

Neither of them understood what had just happened between them. Neither of them wanted to show the confusion they both felt. They both tried by all means to keep their faces impassive. It was Ruri who first broke the silence.

- You are not very observant, that's a fact. It is not necessary to hit him in this situation. If I had your strength, I would do it differently.

- And how would you do it, if you had my strength?

- ... Let's bet. Try my method, follow my advice. If I'm wrong and it doesn't work, you can knock him out.

- ... and if it works?

- Then you promise me that you will think about my request.

- ... which one?

- You'll figure it out.

- And why would I do that?

- Are you so afraid of losing the bet?

- Afraid? Me? ... I'm not afraid at all.

- Then what are we waiting for?

It was definitely not easy to change her mind. Bored, but also amused and increasingly curious, 17 nodded.

- I'll do it. What should I do?

- Get into his space, let him charge, grab him by his antlers.

- ... and then?

- Nothing. Just hold him down. Until he releases. And if he charges again, you do it again.

- Is that all?

- Yes.

17, although increasingly puzzled, did not try to argue further. He entered the enclosure of the giant deer, which immediately charged him. And as Ruri had suggested, he grabbed it firmly by the antlers, and then stood perfectly still. The deer struggled with all its power, growling, scraping the ground, trying by all means to push 17 away. But despite all his strength, he was not able to move him even an inch.

After several minutes of fruitless struggle, he backed away. Clearly unsettled, he remained facing 17, but seemed reluctant to charge further. His breath was getting shorter and shorter, he was getting tired.

- 17 ! Now come back to this side," cried Ruri.

- Now?

- Yes, not tomorrow.

- …..ok.

- Wait, when you come back, lift one of the posts and go under it.

- ... what?

- You lift a post and go under it and come back.

- ...

- Don't ask questions, we're testing my method, right?

17 did so, and pulled up one of the gigantic poles anchored to the ground in order to get under it. As soon as he returned to the clearing, Ruri indicated to him to turn around

- Great, you do the same but in the other direction now.

- Are you kidding me?

- No raaaaaaaaaah ! but stop arguing for a while, lift a post and go back into the pen.

- ... It doesn't make sense.

- Don't try to understand.

Once again, 17 complied. But this time, once he was back in the pen, the giant deer did not charge him. Instead, it stayed at a safe distance, shaking its head from left to right gently. Then, after a few seconds, it backed away. And finally, when a good minute had passed, it turned around and walked away to join the females (who still hadn't moved by the way).

17 stayed in his place, trying to understand what had just happened. Why didn't he attack anymore? Was he too tired? It seemed to him that the deer was beginning to show signs of fatigue, but he was not exhausted. Why such a change?

"Okay, I'm coming! "

He barely had time to turn around when Ruri had in turn entered the pen. Immediately, she ran towards 17 and put her back to him.

- What are you doing?

- Well done 17, you did very well.

- I asked you a question.

- And I'm going to answer it, but first let me do what I came here to do. Look, we have to hurry," she said, pointing to the herd of females, "do you see her?

17 examined the herd. All the females looked identical to her, models of the male but without the horns. There was no difference. Except ... On closer inspection, one female finally caught his eye. She was standing slightly apart from the others, not grazing, hardly moving, and her head was tilted so far forward that her muzzle was almost touching the ground.

- It's...

- Yes," Ruri answered immediately, "that's her. And from the way she's acting, she's really not well.

- What's wrong with her?

- We'll soon find out. Give me your scarf.

- What's that?

- Your orange scarf. I'm just gonna borrow it for a few minutes.

- But...

- Trust me, my method works so far, doesn't it?

Indeed, 17 could not deny that for the moment, Ruri seemed to know what she was doing. With a slight sigh, he took off his scarf, and gave it to her. The young woman wrapped it around her neck, then declared while laughing " I like very much the " cow boy " look that it gives you, but recognizes that on me, that has at once much more style! ".

Without waiting for an answer however, she began to approach very gently the sick female, one step after the other. It took only a few seconds for the male to spot her and move forward in turn.

"He is going to kill her ! "17 thought immediately. He was preparing to step in when, to his surprise, the deer did not charge. It stretched its neck towards Ruri, then began to smell her, from bottom to top.

"Ok big boyyyyyyy, we're fiiiiiiine" she whispered then, staying perfectly still, "you let me pass don't you? "

And, indeed, the giant deer moved aside and returned to his herd. He was now calm.

17 could not believe it. Why such a change? He looked away from the animal, and watched Ruri as she moved, this time much faster, towards the injured female. He had to admit, he was impressed. In her place, he would have known only to use force to master this beast. But this little human, decidedly, was not ordinary. He had to know more. So he also went forward, following Ruri in the direction of the female.

"Ok I admit that you are impressive", he thought then, "and you're the first human to do so ... "