Year : 771
A little more than 3 years after the Cell Game
- It's very handy that you can fly 17.
- Mmmmm.
After two more days on the road, Ruri's car had decided to "take a break". Since he had not taken any tools with him, 17 was not able to repair it immediately. Since they had almost reached their destination anyway, it was not such a big problem. So 17 offered to put the pickup back in its capsule, and to finish the trip by flying.
Gently, he had taken Ruri in his arms, and they had been flying for a good 5 minutes now. This time, the young woman was not afraid at all. She had put her arms around 17's neck without any hesitation, and seemed to be enjoying the ride, judging from her giggles and how amazed she was by looking at the landscape below.
- Rooooh stop grumbling 17 ! That's a really funny way to end this trip.
- I had said from the beginning that we should have fly.
- It's better this way, we do both. A bit of road trip for the pleasure, and we finish by flying for the efficiency. Personally, I love it haha! But look, look how beautiful the world is seen from above ! You are so lucky to be able to do this all the time ! I would spend my life in the sky if I could fly!
17 had never thought about this. Being able to fly was natural to him, it was just his normal way of getting around and he didn't really take the time to observe what was going on below. For a simple human, however, the experience must have been quite different.
- ... do you think it's so beautiful? he asked
- Oh yes, it's beautiful. And you are very comfortable, answered Ruri with a smile, from a person as strong as you I thought you were more... rough.
- Ah.
Indeed, 17 had been very careful when he had grabbed Ruri, because he could easily hurt a human without using any force. He wasn't really used to holding a human by the way. He was also trying not to fly too fast, so the wind wouldn't hit Ruri's face too hard. "Humans are such fragile creatures... "he thought, as a huge savannah appeared beneath them.
Ruri, on the other hand, did not forget her new secret objective: to determine the exact nature of 17, and the origin of his powers. Since their departure, she had been observing him, noting the slightest of his reactions or habits, and trying to learn more about him through banal questions. So now that she was in his arm, she was trying to discreetly continue her investigation. She could feel his breath near her face, and even perceived weakly the beats of his heart. His body seemed to have a normal temperature. "Weird, everything seems to work like a normal biological body, how is it possible, for someone who never eats? And I'm pretty sure he doesn't sleep either... ".
She was still thinking about that when a detail appeared to her. She put her hands around 17's neck and noticed that the muscles she felt under her fingers were incredibly dense. An impression of hardness came out of it, they seemed of a supernatural solidity. "Mmmmm that, on the other hand, it is not normal... ".
Ruri was lost in her thoughts, when she was interrupted by 17.
- Isn't that the camp you were looking for?
She looked in the distance, and indeed, she could clearly see a set of tents and some obviously human facilities.
-Ah yes, good job, it's here. Pose not far, we are going to finish on foot. I prefer avoid to make eveyone scare by landing from the sky.
- ...
- Ah yes, sorry. Could you please put down Mr. 17?
- That's better.
17 landed not far from the camp, and they just walked. Once they reached the camp, Ruri rushed to meet the other humans there. She seemed to know them well, as they shouted with joy when they saw her.
17, on the other hand, immediately stepped back. He didn't really want to join in the discussion. So he sat down on a rock and observed the situation. There were 7 humans, men, quite old. From their clothes, 17 deduced that they must be rangers too. After a few minutes, the humans became aware of his presence and pointed him out to Ruri. From where he was, 17 couldn't really hear what they were saying, but the young woman said something that seemed to suit the humans. Ruri was very comfortable, she even ended up laughing out loud. Then, after the rangers gave her a backpack, she joined 17, and sat down next to him on the rock.
- Aaaaaaaaah, it's good to see old friends !
- Friends?
- I'm not sure we are friends. But I've known them for a very long time.
- Are they rangers?
- Yes, how did you guess ?
- Their ridiculous outfits.
- ... pretty bold coming from someone who walks around with a half cowboy, half teenage rebel look.
- Huh?
- I like your scarf but to be honest ... no offense but... it's reaaaaaaally cowboyish. And your jeans, I'm not even talking about them.
- ... what's wrong with my jeans?
- They are a THOUSAND TIMES TOO BIG 17! And oversized jeans are no longer in fashion. And that ripped aspect, no no no. You're 10 years too late for that.
- Huh?
- Hahaha why am I not surprised... Oooooooooooooooh you know what we should do ? A shopping trip together. You can trust me, I like clothes. Well, it doesn't look like it now, but I'm on an expedition so you see, I'm not going to dress like a princess BUT I swear I have good taste. Say, once we're done here, let's head to the nearest town and hit the stores! Oh that would be soooo nice, don't you think ?
Clothes were not really a priority for 17. It was actually quite a difficult subject for him, as the "shopping" sessions with 18 had been a real torture for him. It meant hours and hours of waiting outside the stores for his sister to make her choice, and then hours and hours of arguing with her to get her to admit that the outfit fit and that there was no need to get another one. The mere thought of reliving the experience with Ruri made him suddenly pale. He was looking for a way to get out of this bad situation, but fortunately for him, she quickly changed the subject.
- Well, let's talk about rags later. A quick briefing before we go. Today's mission is quite easy, money as I like it, quickly earned. We have to help them find a mongoose.
- A what?
- It's a carnivorous feliform. Family of the herpestidae, but not to be confused with the viverridae, be careful, it's completely different.
- ...ah.
- Basically, it looks like a weasel, but it is not a weasel.
- It's a small animal, isn't it?
- Yes, I'm disappointed, today we're not hunting big monsters. But hey, you can't have fun every day.
- They need you to find a weasel?
- A mongoose.
- Whatever.
- Actually she's a particular female, she's the leader of her clan to put it simply. She has a tag on her so that the scientists who study her can always follow her wherever she goes. But for several days, they have lost the signal. And they can't find her. Either she is dead, or the beacon has a problem and the female has gone for a walk. She may also be injured. I could not come immediately unfortunately, I hope it is not too late. But well, better late than never.
- But why you?
Ruri gave 17 a confident smile.
- I'm the best tracker in the world. No one can beat me at this game. Absolutely no one.
She emphasized the word "no one" and gave 17 a very intense look when she said it. 17 replied with a smirk on his face:
- Is this a challenge?
- If you are not afraid of humiliation, why not, Ruri answered him in the same tone, you have no chance to win anyway.
17 uncrossed his arms and stood up instantly. He couldn't hold back a little mocking laugh.
- Humiliate me? You're pretty sure of yourself for a hum... girl.
- I take that as a « yes » ?
- Of course.
- Perfect! So the first one who finds the mangoose and comes back to the camp wins. I'll go on my side, and you have the right to fly over the area, since I suppose you'll be flying there. Just be careful not to be noticed by the rangers, I already had to explain that you were a bit antisocial so they wouldn't come bothering you, I'd like to avoid having to bring up the subject of levitation.
- Anti what?
- Forget it, I deal with other people, it's not really your strong point. Here, I'll give you a picture of the female we're looking for, so you'll know what to look for. The first one who finds her will catch her and bring her back here. In any case, let's meet here in 3 hours, that will be the end of the challenge. Is that okay?
- Yes.
17 was about to walk away when Ruri grabbed his right hand.
- Don't go cowboy, there's one last thing to decide.
- Cowboy?
- This is a challenge. So, we have to determine the stake. If I win, you'll have to answer three of my questions, without being able to dodge.
Since they had left together, 17 was well aware that Ruri had not stopped watching him. He suspected that it was to find out who he was. He couldn't really blame her, he knew that his strength was not "normal" at all. He had seen well that she noted discreetly the least of his facts and gestures, and he had also saw her "mmmmmmmmmmm" every time she noticed a detail about him.
However, he didn't really want to explain to her what he was or where his powers came from. It was a complicated story, and what's more, quite difficult for him to talk about. But he couldn't help but find it amusing. 17 had always had a playful side, he liked to have a good time and joke around. It was an aspect of his personality that 18 had often reproached him for. She, who was much more serious, kept calling him a "kid", and 17 liked nothing more than to enrage his twin sister by always doing more. But that was before. Before Cell, their absorption, and the rift that the whole thing had created between them.
Since then, he hadn't really found anything fun.
Until he met Ruri. She could make him laugh. She was cheerful, always smiling, very optimistic and she was also a great tease.
So 17 didn't resist the idea of playing along with her for very long.
- That's fine. But if I win, you won't be allowed to ask me a single question.
- Never?
- Never.
- ... double or nothing, right?
- Yes.
Ruri took a few seconds to think. She had not expected this answer, 17 was smarter than she thought. But it didn't take long for her to regain her usual self-confidence.
- Don't worry about it. You're going to lose anyway.
- We'll see.
- I think you're incredibly confident, you know it's not that easy to spot such a small animal from the sky. Being able to fly won't necessarily be an advantage.
- Maybe I can improve my vision.
Among all the components that Dr. Gero had installed in the bodies of 17 and 18, some were located in their eyes. One of them was a camera. It was not able to see for miles, but it had a handy "zoom" function. Also, 17 was quite confident in his chances to flush out this animal first. He was also very happy to see Ruri's eyes wide, visibly disconcerted.
But, as he was getting used to it, she didn't stay in this state for very long.
Indeed, Ruri came closer and once positioned close to him, she answered with an amused tone:
- You are definitely full of surprises.
- Indeed, answered 17.
- I'll note this information.
- I know.
- Good luck, you will need it.
- ...
Both of them looked at each other for a few seconds, smiling. Then they left, each one on his own, to look for the lost mongoose.