Chapter 7
It had taken mere hours to collect the necessary Arbiters.
There were only thirty gathered, counting Nona, Ginti, Clavis, and Quinn. Castra had begun to get paranoid about Oculus's hawk eyes, and had refused to attend. Passing the message around discretely had proved more difficult in practice than in theory.
The message contained news of a rebellion. All those in favour of change to arrive on the 90th Floor by the end of their work day today.
Nona's bar, much like the great, crumbled coliseum she so enjoyed visiting, was of Greek design. Decorated in the classic Greek colours of white and blue, the overhead beams were coated azure, with clean, marble bar counters and contemporary, thin furniture. Delicate lamps dangled from the ceiling, and the wallpaper of the bar had a stonework pattern with an illusion of arch windows, through which the painted scenery of Mykonos could be seen.
Nona herself, in her usual outfit, sat atop the counter in order to be seen by the crowd. Her legs swung idly as she spoke with a voice of steel.
"Just so we're clear, this is the beginnings of a rebellion. Oculus will no doubt find out about this, and he will certainly try to stop it. But this change is inevitable, and it's coming soon. Arbiters are evolving. In time, it is expected that Arbiters will find a way to develop human emotions." In the crowd, only blank or seemingly uncomprehending expressions were the response to her words.
One could hardly expect less from dummies. This kind of stoic function was exactly what Nona aimed to eradicate, in favour of able-minded, sympathetic and realistic judgement. She understood that they were not humans, that they arguably had no rights to judge as humans would, but continued nonetheless.
"Rule number one of arbitration: Arbiters can never stop making judgements for it is more than their job, it is their sole reason for existing," Her eyes caught Ginti's as she held one finger aloft, "this is quite a responsibility. The change I want to see will not directly result in our decease. If anything it will enhance our powers of making rulings. But -"
"Excuse me," A nameless Arbiter proclaimed, "but in my most recent storage of human memories I can see the damage that human emotions can cause. They are perhaps the only common factor in the deaths of all humans - especially the ones involving homicide or other violent means. Why on Earth would we want to possess such a self-destructive weapon as that?"
"Emotions drive humans, it is true," Nona conceded, "but think about how much more enriched their lives are. For better or worse, the emotions provide a range of perspectives from which making judgements can be improved. God knows how many souls have been sent to the void just because we Arbiters couldn't understand the intricate jargon of human feelings." She thought of one of Decim's first guests, a woman who had been disingenuous simply to protect her husband. A mistake. He didn't see it, and neither could I. Until a human pointed it out.
"Emotions bring pain!" The crowd began to bustle, Arbiters becoming wary and suspicious. "Emotions ruin people! Surely they would ruin us!"
Ginti, leaning on the side of the bar, folded his arms and cast a look toward Nona which translated into 'Told you'. After sparing him a glare, Nona returned her attention to the audience, keeping her voice level. "You would equate being emotionally aware to being ruined? How interesting." Her entire posture suddenly hardened, her hands gripping the countertop, knuckles whitening as she snarled, "I am doing this, regardless of whether or not I have allies. I need Arbiters to fight with me for this revolution of the arbitration system, and I need my soldiers prepared not only to defeat Oculus, but to be prepared to have human emotions. Really, Arbiters already have emotions, but they are incredibly muted and barely even register, let alone play a significant role in our work. If you stick with me," Nona sighed, "you will experience pain. You will feel sadness, you will feel anger, you will feel anguish and you will feel despair."
Nona moved to stand atop the counter, feet planted shoulder-width apart. She could see them contemplating it. Not all, but many. Win some, lose some. "But you will also experience joy," She declared, her voice steadily rising. "And happiness, and empathy. You will experience emotions so pure they will take you higher than the clouds, emotions so powerful they could render you catatonic - every single emotion you've seen in all those guests' memories will be yours to know. Forever. We can use them in our work here, and we can strive to be like the most imperfect species we have ever encountered - because, Hell, they have more to live for than we do right now!"
The Arbiters' eyes, all uniquely coloured with the same cross patterns, all glistened. She had them under her thumb and they hung on her every word. Even Ginti seemed entranced.
"I wish to overthrow the heir to God, and reconstruct this entire Tower, this entire system. The details have yet to be configured but we leave that for the aftermath. For now, I would like supporters - those willing to, potentially, sacrifice everything to this cause," Her eyes lidded.
"This evolution - no, this revolution - will happen one way or another. The outcome depends on our actions from now on. Are you with me?"
The question was tentative, unreliable. Meeting their gazes, Nona asked again, more ferociously, "Are you with me?"
Silence. Then, "Yes." It was with shock that Nona turned her head, looking down to Ginti. His cheeks tinted red, he averted his eyes. "I, uh, guess a change wouldn't be...so bad. At least we still wouldn't be stupid humans."
"...Thank you, Ginti."
"...Whatever."
"Me too," Clavis spoke up. Soon, the bar was filled with the shouts of many Arbiters, all admitting themselves to join the fight. Nona saw Quinn nod enthusiastically, giving a thumbs-up.
Thanking those who chose to cooperate, Nona insisted that the word be spread further to rake in more supporters. After the gathering was formally dismissed, Nona seated herself at her own bar, lethargy stilling her muscles.
Ginti and Quinn approached her.
"Not a bad little speech, there, Nona," Quinn praised. Ginti merely grunted in agreement.
"I did what I could," Nona replied. "We really are going to need soldiers. Oculus has something tucked up his sleeve, I know it. I know him."
"Come on - what would he do, really?" Questioned the redheaded Arbiter. "He's an old man with a magic flower beard, it's not like he could actively stop us mid-revolution."
Nona's shoulders sagged. "Doesn't have to be just him." She scoffed. "Least we know God isn't on his side; we don't even know where the Big Man got to. I guess He's leaving us to sort problems amongst ourselves."
"We'll manage," Quinn reassured her, resting a friendly hand lightly upon the shorter Arbiter's shoulder.
"We will have to," Agreed Nona. "This is to be Oculus's one and only fight: he'll pull out the big guns."
"Hello, Mother."
Haruko Nakamori, a short, svelte woman, embraced Akise. "Ah, I haven't seen you in a long time!" She exclaimed, arms loosening to allow Akise his private space back.
"It's nice to see you, Mother." Akise put on the most nostalgic smile he could muster. He had got much better at facial expressions over the past few days. He would never admit it, but doing acts such as watching drama documentaries and practicing in front of a mirror had been the most helpful methods, Akise found. "I trust your journey was not too stressful?"
"Oh, not at all," She breathed, as he welcomed her into his apartment. "Quite relaxing, actually. The train was very quiet - got to catch up on my reading! Now," She draped her coat on a hanger, "where is this lovely daughter-in-law?"
Akise's expression morphed into a deadpan one. "Mother."
Haruko raised both eyebrows. "What? Am I really to believe that Miss Kozuma is simply a friend?"
"Yes."
"I don't understand, Akise…" Stepping toward him, Haruko placed a delicate hand upon her son's pale cheek, gently stroking near one azure eye with her thumb. "She meant so much to you."
Akise blinked slowly, the intricate memories swirling around his mind as a bird might soar around clouds. Except these memories were all surrounded by a dark, opaque mist, one which totally encompassed all of Akise's insecurities over who he really was.
This desolate fog might never clear. It was as he met his mother's eyes, that he rendered her a true stranger. Akise had seldom experience with hopelessness, but he knew that looking into a close family member's eyes and seeing only question marks was one of the most heart-breaking moments he would remember.
His mother, he recalled, after the death of his father, had continued to live optimistically with the big heart she owned - but she had also built a near-impenetrable cage around that heart, before it cracked any further.
Akise sympathised with why someone would do that.
"Chiaki still means a lot to me," He said softly. "Just...in a slightly different way. Romantic love does not make the world go round." Smiling somewhat sadly, Haruko stopped cradling his jaw. "No, dear. But it keeps it on its axis."
Deciding to change the subject, his mother posed another question, "What will we be eating tonight?"
"Genghis Khan nabe. I have already prepared it. Please, have a seat. Chiaki will arrive soon." Surprised with the cooking skills of her son, Haruko sat at the pre-lain dining table, which was decorated by several tea candles, cutlery, a teapot, and cups.
Whilst Akise was plating the portions of food, he heard a knock at the door. Rushing to answer it, he did not even have time to remove his small cooking apron.
It was strange: wearing an apron again brought him back to his time as an Arbiter at Quindecim, a towel folded neatly over his left forearm and waistcoat fitted to perfection.
Opening the door, he and Chiaki exchanged a socially awkward greeting as he noticed what she was wearing: a knee-length short-sleeved formal dress, tight on the hips and abdomen, accentuating how thin she was. The dress was patterned with a simple black-and-white design which seemed to section off the dress at opportune intervals to give the illusion that she was taller and even slimmer. Finely-pointed black stilettos adorned her feet, reflecting the hallway light. Her hair had been manipulated into a wavy style which complemented her face, and smoky eyeshadow mystified Chiaki's ochre eyes. At her side, she clutched a matching purse.
Akise felt underdressed standing next to her, wearing only dark slacks and a navy blue dress shirt.
"I am only to be labelled as a friend," She clarified, stepping closer to the dining room. Akise let out a brief nasal chuckle. "Of course. But I must say, you are dressed implausibly well, considering that you are not meeting my mother as my girlfriend."
"Nonsense, I always look this good." With a self-confident smile, Chiaki marched gracefully into the room. Akise made introductions and let the two women exchange pleasantries as he brought the food to the table.
Chiaki was seated next to Akise, and Haruko sat opposite them both for conversational purposes.
"Oh wow!" Chiaki blurted, "This looks great, Akise! What's in it?"
His mother nodding in agreement, Akise explained, "Genghis Khan nabe is a dish in which thinly sliced mutton and vegetables - bean sprouts, cabbage and pumpkin - are basted and roasted. Served on special helmet-shaped pans made from cast iron, the idea is to infuse the dish with a rustic flavour. Please enjoy."
They sat and said itadakimasu before eating; the food went down incredibly well, with both of Akise's guests commenting on how good a cook he was.
"Miss Kozuma, I hear you are a teaching assistant at Hokkaido Academy," Haruko spoke up, "what's that like?"
"I love it. Getting to help young adults find their strengths, being able to act as a parent and interact with so many different personalities….it's fantastic. All that stuff that people say about teaching being a fulfilling job - it's all true, right, Akise?"
Akise started. "I - uh, well…" Should I reveal my change in attitude?
"Akise?" Both women were looking at him with curiosity.
He let out a decisive sigh. "...I've been contemplating a career change."
The silence, while momentary, was absolute.
"WHAT?" Chiaki yelped, her eyes wide with surprise. "B-but, you, you're… why now? Why at all?"
"You've always wanted to be a teacher," Haruko stated slowly, "and when you got the qualifications you were so happy. Why would you throw away everything you've strived for?"
Akise lowered his gaze. "...People change," Was the only explanation he offered.
"I think I would like a job with less responsibility, something which is easier for me to accomplish on a daily basis." Meeting Chiaki's confused eyes, he licked his lips nervously, "The pressure or being a school teacher is becoming too much for me. It is already affecting my health."
"That was the summer heat."
"No, I really have been feeling lost lately. My job no longer pleases me."
Both women looked at him, incredulous. Akise understood fully the potential consequences of his current words, but Decim could no longer pretend that he wanted to teach. He had never excelled at acting, and really, had never needed to. At Quindecim, when interrogated about the why, when, and where of the bar, he had merely deflected the questions or invoked deceptive white lies.
Chiaki swallowed. "You're serious about this."
"Yes."
"Then…" Began his mother, "what job do you desire?"
Oh dear. This is going to sound ridiculous in comparison to being a history teacher. Akise sat up straighter, his hands clenched together before his empty plate. "Bartender."
A/N: Sorry for the wait, hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter.