Year : 771
A little more than 3 years after the Cell Game
It wasn't quite daylight yet, so the road was relatively deserted. 17 took the opportunity to drive a little faster. As much as possible, actually, because Ruri's car was not made for speed. It was an old, greenish pickup truck, worn out by thousands of kilometers. It must have been driven around the world several times because it looked so old, but this allowed the young woman not to buy it too expensively ("the deal of the century !" she had explained to 17, when he had asked her about the reason of such a purchase).
Ruri traveled a lot to get the money she needed. So she had set up a rather spartan living space in this wreck. The back of the pick-up was used as a kitchen and a storage space for all her equipment, and to protect it all she had installed a sort of removable tarpaulin. And to sleep, she used the back seats. It was rather rudimentary, but largely sufficient for her. But the « price to pay » was that this heap of junk was driving even slower.
17 tried to move forward without losing too much time, but it was not easy. At least he could take advantage of the night to make up for the hours lost during the day and arrive at their next destination on time. Ruri had given him the geographical data and the expected date of arrival, and had left him to take care of the rest. The day before had gone pretty well, even though they hadn't done much of anything interesting except drive around and stop to do some shopping and allow Ruri to eat a little. The only thing 17 wasn't prepared for was how talkative Ruri was. She couldn't stay 5 minutes in silence without speaking up, asking questions, telling an anecdote or commenting on the landscape. For more than 3 years, 17 had hardly spoken to anyone, so he had a hard time keeping up with her. Staying silent wasn't very effective, as Ruri didn't care at all if he didn't answer her.
However, he was not bothered by her presence. She even managed to make him smile. She had talked to him until late at night about animals. She had given him a real biology lesson, explaining to him the different classes, families, species, while using a lot of complicated words that he had absolutely not retained. Ruri had a prodigious memory, and despite her whimsical side, she knew how to be very serious when it came to nature. So 17 had listened carefully. He had really tried to understand, and for the first time in his life, he had been genuinely interested in a discussion with a human being.
Exhausted, Ruri had fallen asleep on the passenger seat, without really realizing it, and without finishing her explanation of how animals should be classified. 17 had placed a blanket over her, normally stored in the back, and had continued to drive in silence. From time to time, he had glanced in her direction. She looked so peaceful. How could he know that such a tornado was hiding under that soft face...
Suddenly, Ruri began to open her eyes, one after the other.
- Mmmmmmmmmmm you're still driving? What time is it?" she said, her voice still sleepy.
- 5:15 AM apparently. You can sleep a little more.
- Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm no, I'm fine, I'm totally awake.
- You don't seem to be.
- Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
17 did not insist. He had quickly realized that Ruri was very stubborn. If he wanted to, he could knock her out without her even noticing. She knew it. And yet she talked to him as if nothing had happened, in a cheeky tone, as if he were a human being like any other. And he found it terribly amusing.
- I'm hungry. Shall we stop?" said Ruri.
- As soon as I see a place where you can eat.
- Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Ruri wrapped herself in the blanket, obviously she was not yet fully awake. She remained drowsy for a few minutes, when suddenly she stood up and turned to 17.
- Do you know where we are now?
- We passed the western capital about two hours ago.
- ... 17 ?
- Yes?
- Did you sleep last night?
- No.
Ruri seemed to be very intrigued by his answer. She did not say a word, but stared at 17 for several seconds. She seemed to be thinking intensely.
-Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, okay.
- Okay what?
- Nothing. I'm noting it.
- You're noting what ?
- I'm hungry. Shall we stop for breakfast?
- ... yes, I see a village.
- Cooooooooool !
Once they arrived in the village that 17 had seen, they stopped at a small gas station. Apart from the employee, there was no one there, and the surrounding streets were also deserted at this early hour. Fortunately, the station sold some hot drinks and food. Ruri went to the nearest stall.
- Great. So great. Sooooooooooo, I'll take this, and this, and ... This. 17, what do you want for breakfast? Come on, there's plenty to choose from!
- No thanks, I'm good.
- Do you want a cookie?
- No.
- Do you want a muffin ?
- No.
- You don't want a brownie?
- No.
- ... you want ... some chips?
- ...
- ...
- ...
- Ah, there it is, the bug has arrived, you don't talk anymore. Oh dear. Really, nothing suits you?
- I'm not hungry.
- Well, at least I can't say that you cost me a lot of money in food !
As she said this, Ruri's eyes suddenly became serious again, and she started to stare at 17 again. She was thinking again.
- Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
- Mmmmmmmmmmmmm what ?
- Nothing. I'm noting it.
- ... what are you noting?
- I'm also going to grab a coffee for the road. Do you want one?
- ... yes.
- Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
- Could you stop doing this ?
Ruri couldn't help but laugh. Finally, a reaction. 17 was always so impassive and inexpressive that seeing him get angry was very amusing.
- Sorry, she said with a smile. Let's get back in the car and I'll explain, okay?
Seeing her smile immediately calmed 17. Her smile was so sweet, truly devoid of any mockery. She was so sincere that strangely, he couldn't hold it against her for very long. She was annoying, but in such a natural way that she was endearing.
17 nodded, and they both got back into the car. They drank their coffees in silence, and then Ruri ate a huge cookie with relish. She looked very happy to be eating.
- Cho'se cookiech are choooo good
- ... what?
She finished her bite, and continued:
- I was saying that these cookies are so good.
- Ah.
- You don't know what you're missing.
- Okay.
- ... I think you're having a little trouble with the concept of "conversation" 17.
- Ah.
- Another interesting characteristic of the specimen 17. A rather rare animal, and not easy to study, I must admit, answered Ruri with her little mischievous smile.
- And can I know what else you observed about me?
- Let's make a little assessment. The 17 can fly. It has clearly superhuman strength, and it's also very fast. So far, weird, but okay. But where it gets really interesting is its biology. Because you see, from what I've observed, the 17 doesn't seem to have to sleep, or eat. He drove all night, because otherwise we wouldn't have gotten here in such a short time, and yet he shows no signs of fatigue. Not one. He hasn't eaten since we left, nothing at all, he refused all the food I could offer. On the other hand, he has not refused to drink. He accepted the soda I gave him yesterday, he drank water, and now he has accepted the coffee, but not the cookie.
17 turned to her. Ruri had really spent the whole day observing her, in her every move. He smiled back and decided to play along with her a bit.
- So, what do you deduce about... the 17?
- Well, accepting a coffee but refusing a chocolate cookie shows that the 17 is not very smart. But as it is, I'm not deducting anything. I am very, very curious. The strength, the speed, at least that can be learned. But not sleeping or eating... Physiologically... it's very strange.
- Yes, it is.
- You don't want to explain it to me, I suppose?
- No.
- Hahahaha but you are really unbelievable. So, you fly, you can stop a giant deer with one finger, you don't sleep, you don't eat... and I'm supposed to find this PERFECTLY NORMAL? For real ? hahaha!
- I didn't say it was normal.
- But you won't tell me anything.
- That's right.
- ... am I allowed to try to guess?
- Yes.
- Will you answer my questions if I have any?
- It depends on the questions.
- Don't underestimate my intelligence, 17, don't underestimate me," Ruri replied with a laugh.
17 laughed slightly and answered her, while starting the car again:
"Certainly not. "