AN: from this point on the story takes an interesting twist. I will attempt to weave the stories from the various media into one, albeit somewhat incoherent, story. Taking from the anime, manga, light novel (which is really a side story), and the radio drama, will not be easy, but seeing as only the manga does not follow the anime canon, it should be doable with a bit of work.
Let the threads of fate be woven together by these words. Enjoy the ride.
The fog over the city was thick as a winter blanket. Gray, impenetrable, and depressing. Such were Ray's thoughts on this day, as she stood at the large windows looking out towards the rooftop patio, so covered in fog she couldn't actually see the concrete railing. It was much the same as any other of her days in the Smith household. Wake up, do chores, eat, more chores, eat again, finish chores and then do whatever she wanted until dinner. Though something seemed amiss today.
"Where are you going Roger?" Dorothy had decided to stay inside and play the piano, a more soothing melody than this mornings typical alarm.
"Paradigm City Headquarters. It seems they want me to deal with the fisherman at the pier being afraid to fish, because of some rumors that a ghost ship sank two vessels this last month." Roger was wearing his more wintry attire. The fog brought with it an unsettling chill even the negotiator couldn't escape.
'Ghost ship? Wait… Didn't that only occur in the manga? Yeah, it totally did, so why is Roger being made to deal with it if I'm in the anime's world?' Ray was unsettled by the thought of the world taking unexpected twists. It could potentially make it more difficult for her to find a way home. 'Then again, it might give me more time. I'll just have to wait and see.'
"Norman, could you have Big O prepared for a water excursion?"
"Absolutely sir. I'll start preparations as soon as you leave." Norman half bowed as Roger descended towards the elevator.
"Thanks Norman. I'm not sure when I'll be back tonight, but expect it to be late." With that Roger was gone.
"Norman, if Roger dislikes the Paradigm Corporation why does he take jobs from them?" Dorothy continued to tap away at the keys while looking towards the older gent.
"Cause money talks." Ray interjected without thinking.
"How can an inanimate object speak?"
"It's an old saying meaning that money has the ability to make others do as we want. And I'll agree with Ms Ray on this point, maintaining the Big O is not cheap. And while he dislikes everything the Paradigm Corporation stands for, the money they provide is quite necessary." Norman pulled a notebook from his pocket and started writing something down. "And with additional mouths to feed, and more repairs to be done, having steady income is quite useful. Now then, Dorothy would you come help with making Big O water proof? Ms Ray, please see to the other chores Ms Dorothy has not completed today."
"Ok." With that, Norman and Dorothy left to go waterproof Big O.
It was well past when the household typically took lunch, and Ray's stomach was rumbling. Most of the remaining chores had been completed, save for doing the dishes.
'Well, if I haven't done them yet I may as well make something to eat first.' Her stomach growled loudly, 'Scratch that, better make everyone something. Ray set about making a light lunch for Norman and herself, and some tea for Dorothy. 'She'll probably berate me, or act up, but whatever. If I'm already making something for the two of us I may as well include her.'
Despite Norman's attempts, and Ray's own, Dorothy refused to warm up towards the wayward woman. If anything, she had simply become stone cold towards Ray. It didn't really upset Ray, but it was odd. Dorothy wasn't hostile, wasn't friendly, and after that night on the patio barely spoke to her at all, unless Ray spoke first.
'I wonder if she's scared of me? I could hear the archetype, and humans shouldn't be able to hear them at all. Nah. Probably just thought I was making it up.'
Ray took the plates of food and a pot of tea on a cart to the repair bay. She had to yell over the din of whatever constituted as water proofing to be heard.
"Yes Ms Ray, is there a problem?" Norman poked his head out of the neck door.
"I said I made you some lunch if you want it. And some tea as well." Ray shouted back so she could be heard.
"Is that so," Norman smiled, delighted the young woman had thought to make them food. "I'll be down in a minute. Ms Dorothy, will you be joining us?"
"If I must." Dorothy followed Norman back out onto the catwalk, and over to a small office that was in the repair bay.
"No ones forcing you Dorothy. If you wanna keep working on Big O you can." Ray was setting out the food on a small work table in the office.
"If you've already gone through the trouble of making tea then I shall having some." Ray set a small cup and saucer in front of Dorothy.
The three had lunch in silence, as the iron giant slept not far away, ever present and watchful even in repose.
Roger was making the rounds to his informants to get some information on the Ghost Ship sightings, as well as finding information about Normans new assistant. From what Norman and Dorothy had told him, things about Ray weren't adding up. How could she possibly have known he piloted Big O before finding out in the underground? Or that the noise of repairs was actually just that. Moreover, she mentioned his enemies, something he knew he probably had, but even Roger didn't know whom they were. Yet Ray was worried if she had said anything outside of the household about the Megaduce, she would be imprisoned.
Who hated Roger that high up the political chain that they could hide someone "in a dark cell"? Roger has some ideas, and he intended to find out, as well as what other secrets Ray was hiding.
His first stop was the Speakeasy. Big Ear usually knew a bit about everything for a price, and the new assistant shouldn't have proved different. Shouldn't have!
"That new assistant in your household is a real mystery." Big Ear nonchalantly shook his newspaper out and flipped a page. He continued without looking away from the paper, "I met her myself a few weeks ago, right before your butler hired her, other than being a bit frayed and dirty from homelessness, nothing about her seemed out of place."
"Yet you said she's a mystery?" Roger sipped at his beer that Dale had opened for him.
"A mystery indeed. There's no record in this city of anyone by that name born in the last forty years. And records that exist further back don't have that name either."
"So it's not her real name, or it's a name she remembered?" Roger stared up at the ceiling fan, lazily spinning away.
"If I had to guess, it is her name, but she might be an illegal resident." Big Ear put his paper down to sip at his whiskey on the rocks. "I didn't get the feeling she was lying."
"Illegal resident huh? That might be it."
"Why the interest in the young lady anyway? She isn't exactly your type now is she?" Big Ear seemed amused.
"Call it professional curiosity." With that Roger got up, and left a stack of bills next to the paper.
After not finding much with Big Ear, Roger went to pay Major Dan Dastun a visit. Though he had little information about her either.
"Ray Law? That's Norman's new assistant right?" Dastun was filling out paperwork and didn't even look up at Roger. He could still hear him rifling through the drawers of crime reports, however. "Stop snooping and just tell me what's up would you. I'm busy these days, unlike a certain negotiator."
"Ouch," Roger jested playfully. Then the serious tone came on. "Something about her just isn't adding up, and I have a right to know, considering I am paying her and all."
True enough, Roger was paying Ray's wages. Not that it cost him that much, she was barely paid above minimum wage, and her living expenses were deducted from what she earned. The paltry sum she had left over at the end of the month was enough for her to save a little money and spend on a few luxuries, like books and spare clothes.
"You're getting too paranoid, you know that Roger." Dastun scribbled away on the report. "She seemed just fine when I was over just last week. Polite too. Isn't she also the same age as Dorothy?"
"From what she's told us." Roger shrugged.
"Good, maybe Dorothy can make a friend. Poor girl always seems lonely when I come to visit."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean Dastun? Dorothy's just an android, and Ray is acting strange. I'm telling you something just isn't right." Dorothy needs a friend? Has Dastun lost his mind?
"Have you tried asking her?" Dastun finally looked away from the report to his old lieutenant, a bored and annoyed expression crossed his face as he sighed.
"I'm not sure I would get a straight answer if I did." Roger shrugged.
"Well, I'll look into the illegal resident files we have here, but if Ray's information doesn't show up, then I can't help you."
"Thanks Dan. Now, I need to get back to work on that Ghost Ship."
"Ghost ship my ass. Probably just some piece of junk floating in the ocean." Dastun seemed disgruntled, but kept on with the paperwork as Roger left.
Roger returned home very late that night. Norman had already retired for the night, and Ray was about to do the same when Roger asked to speak with her in private again. The dark lights of the household made it appear as if Dorothy was frowning.
"Now then, there's something I have been meaning to ask you Ray." Roger tried to make himself relax, but for some reason he was rather tense. 'Why should I be tense? I'm just asking for some information, no different than a negotiation.'
"What is it?"
"It's just, how can I put this," Roger took a deep breath, steeling himself before he began, "Since you have come to live here, some things you have said… Well, it doesn't quite add up."
'Shit.' Really what else could Ray have thought. 'If he learns the truth that I'm from another world, he will think I am as crazy as Schwarzwald. Heck, if I didn't know it was the truth, I would think I had lost it too.'
"Ok, so what exactly is it you want?" Ray was practically hissing in distress and fear, much like a cornered mouse might fight back against the cat that put it there in the first place.
'Is she scared? Why? I haven't done anything yet?' "I'm just wondering… You wouldn't happen to be an illegal resident would you?" Ray visibly relaxed when Roger asked his question.
"Oh, is that all? Yes, I was born outside the city in a small town, so there aren't any records of me here." It wasn't a lie at all, Ray was indeed born in a small town, 'outside' the city.
"I see. Well, if that is the case, you might want to register with the city. It will make it much easier for you in the long run if you're able to access public services provided to legal residents."
"Yeah, you're right. I hadn't even thought about it really. After being homeless I was just glad to have a roof over my head. If that's all, I want to get some rest. I did most of the cleaning today while Big O was being worked on."
"Alright, get some rest then, I can ask the rest later." Roger was rather dismissive of the whole conversation. 'OK, so she's an illegal resident, that's one question down. Now how do I find out how she knows who my enemies are, and why she knows that?'
"Dorothy, let's talk for a bit." Roger called Dorothy into his office not long after Ray had left for bed.
"Is something bothering you Roger?" Dorothy was unusually less monotonous in voice and movements.
"Yeah, and I want your help with fixing it."
"What can I help with?" Dorothy tilted her head to the right. While for the most part Dorothy kept up the I'm a Robot routine, sometimes she slipped into more human mannerisms. Roger suspected it was to annoy him.
"I want you to keep an eye on Ray, and follow her around for a few days if you can, quietly, and without being seen."
"May I ask why it is necessary to follow her around?" 'Really? Is there no escape from that dreaded woman's existence?' Dorothy wouldn't say it out loud, as Norman didn't like that the two of them didn't at least try and get along. But Dorothy had found Ray's very being in the house to be an anomaly she couldn't ignore, despite her best attempts. Human emotions weren't something Dorothy had a complete understand of, but if she put how she thought of Ray into such terms, a nuisance and an enigma.
"Just keep an eye on her for me, and report if she does anything against the law or suspicious."
"Alright, if I must."
After that Roger went to bed, and Dorothy used the houses security cameras to keep an eye on Ray's sleeping form.
The next morning, Ray was up early, did her chores quickly, and asked Norman to help provide her with proof of living in the Smith manor.
"I'm not usually one to pry Ms Ray, but what exactly do you need these documents for?" Norman handed her a small envelope containing records proved that Ray had worked there for the past two-ish months, as well as an expenses sheet showing she lived in the household and the contract she had signed.
"I'm applying for legal resident status, so I'll need proof this is where I live and work." Ray took the envelope and put it in her jacket pocket. It was one of Roger's older jackets that was kept around for whatever reason, and while a it large on Ray, it was warm. The fog was still making it rather chilly outside, and other than the hobo jacket she had worn her first day in Paradigm City, Ray had no other warm outerwear. So she wasn't about to turn down a hand-me-down, even if it was Roger's old clothing.
"Is that so, then hopefully you will not be forced to wait all day in line. You'll need to go to the Southeast Dome and apply at a residence and tax office there. Will you be able to find it on your own?" Norman was worried about Ray, though he may not have said it in so many words.
Illegal residents would usually have a difficult time applying for legal residency, not because there was any real reason to deny seekers such, but mainly for bureaucracy and a 'we're better than you' feel that some legal residents had.
"I should be fine. There's a bus station down the street with a map to where it goes, and the rail station can take me the rest of the way to the dome." Ray walked off towards the elevator, "See you when I get back." The doors closed and Ray slowly descended out of sight.
"I will be leaving as well Norman." The red head appeared at Norman's side. She barely came up to his elbow height wise. Wearing her black cloak and holding the shopping basket, she looked ready to go to the store, not track someone down covertly.
"Good luck on the surveillance mission, Ms Dorothy." With that Dorothy left down the stairs, soft clanking noises fading as she went.
Finding the office wasn't an issue, and the line went fairly quick. Filing lout out the forms only took a little bit, and Ray was told it would be a few weeks before she would know if the application was accepted.
'Hooray for isekai protagonist luck. Except I'm not a protagonist.' Ray walked towards the rail system that spanned the distance between domes and the illegal sectors. How are those sectors illegal anyway? Aren't they just part of the city?'
A few blocks from the office Ray happened to spot a sign saying a new library had opened a block or so from the station.
'Oh! That's fortunate, it's on my way back anyway, and I have time until dinner, may as well take a look and see what new books I can find.' It was fairly easy for Ray to find the library, more signs pointed the way, there was a large crowd when she arrived. 'Well, other than books, the only entertainment people have here is music and movies. Little wonder they would get this excited about a library.'
Ray had noticed a cloaked shadow following her not long after she had left the mansion, but had paid little attention to it. 'Dorothy thinks she's being sneaky. Well, can't say I wasn't expecting Roger to have her tail me for a while, after that conversation yesterday. She probably thinks the cloak helps hide her. Well, maybe it does. Not many people have bright red hair after all.' Truth was red hair was pretty rare in the city. When Ray ran errands for Norman people would comment on how there were two of them living in one house, and that it was, for some reason, enviable. Ray's hair was barely red at all, however. More like someone had run out of red markers when coloring hers. Yet people would comment on it, and usually it wasn't nice. "People with red hair tend to bring bad luck." Ray had heard that more than once, and didn't quite understand where the superstition came from, but suspected it was much like the jest that "Gingers don't have souls," from her own world.
The library was huge, but also cozy. It wasn't too different from a modern library in Ray's own world, save for the lack of technology. Reading nooks, study corners, rent-able study rooms for students of the various institutions around the city. The middle of the library was open, and allowed artificial sunlight in from the sunroof, the second floor had some meeting balconies hanging over the open first floor, and the third and fourth floors had them too. It sort of made a flower shape with the design.
Ray found the section on religion, grabbed a book about reincarnation, went to the science section, found a few books on theories of other worlds, and set off to a corner to read. She felt eyes on her back as she went to the corner, but couldn't see Dorothy anywhere. 'That's odd, I know she followed me in.' Just then Ray got the urge to look up at the balcony of the second floor. There was Dorothy, trying her best to hide from Ray, and not draw attention to herself. Ray made eye contact, gave Dorothy a questioning look, then made a gesture as if to invite her to come down.
Dorothy jumped down from the balcony, terrifying the humans below. She quickly walked over to the corner Ray had occupied and sat down next to her.
"Use the stairs next time dumbass. What if a kid had run under you?" Ray didn't bother looking up from the book she was leafing through.
"I did not see any small, unaccompanied children on the first floor." Dorothy paused for a brief second and continued, "Norman will not be pleased to learn you have used more foul language in front of me."
"Norman can deal with it. You could've hurt someone, and for once I'm actually right in using such language."
The two were silent for a while, Ray reading the book about reincarnation, and Dorothy watching, carefully, before asking Ray, "How long did you know I was following you?"
"Whole time. It's cold, but no one else has been wearing cloaks. And the basket makes it look even more suspicious." Ray was dismissive of the entire ordeal, as if she didn't mind being watched like some prey on a hunt.
"Is that so?"
"Yup, now if you don't mind I am trying to read." Ray continued to read in silence until it was about time for the two women to return home.
Dinner was rather solemn. Roger had learned that Ray was fully aware of being watched, Ray had learned Roger didn't trust her, and Dorothy had learned Ray was looking into something peculiar. And of course, Norman had learned of Ray's use of language, but for once he did agree with her.
"While I do not find the words used to be in proper ladylike fashion, Ms Ray is correct that what you did was extremely foolish, and someone could have been injured. Please refrain from doing such gymnastics when you are out of the house Ms Dorothy."
"Told you." Ray had remained pensive since speaking earlier, and in fact, had said nothing since dinner.
The next morning Roger went off to join the Military police in finding and boarding the ghost ship. Norman had made arrangements so that Big O would have additional weapons ready to equip, and had made sure some snacks had been left inside the cockpit.
"Have fun storming the castle." Ray said as he left.
"Isn't he negotiating with a ghost ship?" Dorothy was playing a tune Ray didn't recognize. Ray couldn't help but sigh in frustration.
"Dorothy let's talk." Ray squared up for what was ahead.
"I would rather not." Dorothy continued playing.
"Well fine, then just sit there and listen." Dorothy made no protest to that. "Look, I know you hate me, that's fine, I don't care. But you need to stop being a jerk about it ok? I'm trying to save money and look for a second job to get my own place, but until my papers come back that can't happen. So get off my case for a while would you?"
Norman appeared then, wearing an old military suit. "Well then, I'll be going now."
"Going where?" Dorothy stopped playing and looked over at Norman.
"To wait in Big O for when Master Roger needs him." Norman spoke stately enough.
"I should go," Dorothy replied, and quickly left the room to go wait in Big O.
"Oh my, Ms Dorothy certainly seemed in a hurry. Did something happen between you two again?" Norman gave Ray a questioning look.
"Kinda. I told her to get off my back and not be so rude to me for a while. I'll be gone soon anyways right?" Ray sighed. "Well, it's probably better that she went, Dorothy doesn't need air and that might be needed in a water battle."
"Quite right. Well then, I'll start dinner. Would you like to help Ms Ray." Norman seemed to be in a jovial mood despite the circumstances.
"Yeah sure. Should we make something spicy?" Ray followed him to the kitchen. "Why are you wearing that old grunt suite anyway?"
"Ah, well that's a long story." Norman smiled down at Ray in that fatherly way he had.
"We've got time."
To Be Continued