Year: 772
4 years after the Cell Game
Girlfriend
17 and Ruri only needed a few days to drive to Central City, the royal capital. They reached the city at the end of the day and decided to spend the night there before going to meet the rangers of the Natural Park who had called on them.
They had to search for quite a while before finding a hotel that still had room for them and that fit into their very tight budget. However, and just before the sun set, they managed to settle into a small establishment downtown. The room was very simple and not very spacious but clean, which, according to Ruri, was a good surprise considering the price of the night.
- Well, how about a quick briefing to get ready for tomorrow? she asked once they were settled in.
- You've already explained everything to me six times, I think I understand, replied 17. Don't you want to go and eat instead?
- No, I'm not really hungry...
The interminable gurgling that emanated from the young woman's belly at this precise moment made 17 at first circumspect, before he raised towards her a questioning glance.
- What was that noise?
- What noise are you talking about?
- How do you do it?
- It's not me.
- Yes, it is.
- No, it's not.
- Yes, it is.
- OK, it's my stomach. It's a reflex, it means I have it's empty.
- Fascinating function for a biological being.
- I love your sense of humor.
- Thank you. But if you're hungry, why tell me otherwise?
- I'm hungry, but mostly I'm broke. I only have 8 zenis left in my pocket, what do you want to buy with that? A night of dieting won't kill me so I might as well sleep and tomorrow I'll ask for an advance on my salary. I'm used to it.
- If you're hungry, we need to get you something to eat.
- This is the capital, 17. I've been there before and everything is awfully expensive here.
- You can't know until you try.
Ruri hesitated for a moment, convinced of the uselessness of the initiative, before changing her mind.
Even though she was almost certain that she would not be able to find food with so little money, the prospect of a walk with 17 through the streets was very interesting. An idea even emerged in her mind. Although he was very attentive to her, 17 was still someone for whom "romance" was less than a concept, and Ruri decided that this was the perfect opportunity.
- Ok cyborg, you won, we are going to try, she says to him then by smiling. I'll take a shower, change, and we go. Agreed?
- Okay.
And after a time that seemed to last forever for 17, Ruri reappeared.
Most of the time she wore simple clothes, shorts and jeans with short and colorful t-shirts, and she wore her hair in a long braid on the side. But tonight when she came out of the bathroom she was not wearing the same style at all.
She had on a dress, of a blue indigo sublimated by the contrast of this color with the whiteness of her complexion. The straps of the dress were thin and adorned with a knot near her shoulders, and the vaporous fabric extended until the limit of her knees, revealing her long legs. Ruri had untied her wavy hair that flowed down her body like a waterfall.
None of these details escaped 17's sharp gaze, but apart from a furtive sparkle in his eyes, he remained relatively inexpressive.
- Ready? he asked.
- Absolutely, Ruri replied, disappointed at his apparent lack of reaction.
The two of them then set off into the huge city that housed the Earth King's residence. There was a huge crowd outside, the streets illuminated with artificial lights were filled with people walking around at the same time as them.
17 was looking all around him. He seemed to be captivated, his eyes going from right to left to take in the entire landscape.
- Have you never been here before? asked Ruri to start the discussion.
- Not ... recently.
- What do you mean?
- I haven't been there as far as I know, I don't really like places full of people. But on the other hand, I don't know, this place tells me something...
- REALLY? Do you have a memory here?
- Not really. I've traveled all over the world since my resurrection and some places just seem familiar to me. The big cities, the lights, the smells, it all reminds me of things but nothing really concrete.
- Maybe you lived here or in a big city before?
- Maybe.
- It would be great if your memory could come back...
- It doesn't matter. I don't care about my past. What matters is the present.
Ruri jumped in surprise and looked up at 17. He was still looking around, smiling, obviously relaxed. He seemed to be feeling very well, and she wouldn't have wanted to do anything that might have affected his good mood.
- You are right, she answered then with tenderness, without trying to question him more.
The ballad lasted for several minutes, during which 17 did not say a single word.
"You can't be serious," Ruri thought, a little annoyed that her plan was falling through in the face of 17's incredible phlegm, "I have to torture you to get a word out of your mouth? We are both here walking lovingly, I made myself beautiful, and you... "
But as they walked further and further into the meanders of this gigantic city, Ruri looked up again to observe him. They were walking side by side, slowly. And if 17 didn't seem to hate the walk, he still had not lost his legendary posture: straight, almost rigid, he kept his arms crossed and walked straight ahead, unperturbed.
This vision ends up making Ruri laugh.
- What's wrong? 17 immediately asked.
- Haha nothing. I was just thinking that we're actually doing everything wrong.
- Why?
- I realize you and I haven't been on a real date before... well... anyway. And here I am trying to set us up when I should have explained to you what a date is first.
- I know what it is.
Ruri stopped, dumbfounded.
- Wait, you don't remember anything about your past, just yesterday I had to explain to you how a printer works but a date, you know?
- I already told you that I haven't forgotten everything. Some things have remained. It was you who told me about the processional memory.
- Procedural. So, if I understand correctly, you've forgotten what an elevator was but you remember how to drive and repair a car, what a date is and how to ... well ... anyway. Is that right?
- Yes.
- All this paints a very, very interesting picture of the human you were.
- I have only retained the really useful information.
- But why are we doing everything backwards then? Because the logic is to have datess first before ...
- Making love?
- Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh! What the hell is wrong with you? Not so loud 17, we're in the street! But yes, that's it. We never really had a moment... until...
- Don't you like to make love?
- Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
- We can stop if you want, but it's a shame.
- CAN'T YOU JUST SHUT UP A LITTLE?
Ruri then noticed that 17 was looking at her with that little smirk that he always had when he wanted to joke.
- Do you enjoy pissing me off?
- A little.
- Frankly ...
- Is that why you dressed differently tonight? Did you want a date?
- Did you notice?
- Yes.
- BUT WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THEN ?
- Tell you what? That you were dressed?
For a few seconds, Ruri stood there, unable to react. But 17 was still smiling and this devilishly seductive smile calmed her down.
- Haha, ok, ok cyborg. Well, let's make it simple: do you like my new outfit? Do you think I look good in it?
- Yes.
- Did it ever occur to you to compliment me on that?
- I always think you're pretty. Why should I tell you that again?
Ruri began to smile in turn, before sighing and resuming:
- I know that some things are obvious to you and that you don't think it's necessary to tell me, but sometimes you are so mysterious that … do you understand?
Ruri's explanations were confusing to say the least, but 17 was very amused to see her like this, hesitating, biting her lips slightly as she tried to make a request of him without daring to do so.
- I understand that humans are complicated beings.
- I know... Ruri admitted with a laugh.
But she was looking at 17 with an adorable smile full of mischief, against which the armor of his cyborg character was less resistant every day.
- So basically humans need to be told that the sky is blue, right?
- That's it.
- You know, I have a lot of additions to my body that increase my abilities but none that allow me to read minds.
- Too bad.
- True. So when you want something, ask me. It will be easier.
- Okay. So, can you tell me why you don't want to go on a date with me?
- How can I say no to something you never asked me?
- SO DO YOU AGREE?
- Is this important to you?
- Yes.
- Okay. If it's important, I don't mind accepting it. I remember what a date is, but not really what to do on it. So explain it to me. What's the program?
- Can I ask what I want?
- Yes.
Ruri couldn't believe it. 17 was a very quiet and inexpressive person, and his past was so painfull that she had always felt obliged to appear in front of him as a mature and serious person, just like he was. But deep inside, Ruri was still a young girl full of dreams and filled with an incurable romanticism that she repressed since their meeting not to give him the impression of being too frivolous. To see herself thus offered to be able to organize the evening of which she dreamed since months plunged her in a state of intense excitement of which 17 perceived with fear the effects in her eyes.
The young woman remained silent for a moment, and he had the impression of seeing her examine a whole range of possibilities like a computer.
Then, suddenly, she took a deep breath, and answered, in one breath:
- We could go to the main street because there are stores with illuminations there. Then walk lovingly and then we would cross the royal garden because there is a small hill from where we would have a great view of the whole city. And then we should go and buy some ice cream, with the money I have, we should be able to have one to share. And we could eat it while we're walking and we could also go to a little quieter street where we could kiss and then we'd go back to the hotel and we'd go up on the roof and look at the stars. And then you would hold me and we would talk until I fell asleep in your arms.
17's eyes widened in amazement. He swallowed with difficulty before answering:
- Oh. Wow. Okay ...
- You are not forced to if you really don't want to...
17 was clearly not expecting such a request. It seemed impossible to do all this in one evening, and the prospect of doing all these things did not fill him with enthusiasm. But Ruri looked at him with a so hopeful and wondering look that he didn't have the heart to refuse. Even though he didn't understand why, he could see that she was eager to do so.
- No, that's fine. We'll do it all.
- SO COOL!
At the height of the excitement, Ruri followed him before realizing that a last detail was wrong. So, she approached her hand to 17's, before seizing it very delicately.
17 jumped, surprised by this unexpected gesture. In his ears echoed Ruri's very slight giggle of pleasure. She was obviously very happy about this contact, so he did not push her away. On the contrary, he closed his fingers on Ruri's, imitating her gesture, and continued walking at the same pace as the young woman.
The softness of Ruri's skin always had a very special effect on him, like a soothing caress that could heal the slightest wound. She had very small hands, as fragile as glass, and he took great care not to squeeze them too hard.
Ruri was enjoying this tender moment and was amused to see 17 so obediently do it, even though she was convinced that he didn't understand what was going on at all.
Suddenly, the young woman quickened her pace.
- What? Isn't that good? asked 17, intrigued.
- Yes, but don't you smell it?
- Oh yes, it smells great. Do you know what it is?
- Of course I do, I know this area, we are approaching one of my favorite restaurants. They sell vegetarian cheeseburgers with deep-fried sweet potato dumplings on the side. So since we have no money, let's move, because it makes me hungry.
- And how much does it cost?
- The menu with iced tea and banana brownie costs almost 40 zenis. That's awfully expensive. Come on, 17, let's get out of here, please!
- I could ...
- Don't even think about stealing anything Mr. Delinquent.
- Delinquent?
- Didn't you tell me that you stole a van and some clothes during your big getaway?
- I stole a van, but 18 stole the clothes, not me.
- I wonder what the Trunks of the future would say if he heard about the greatness of your misdeeds in this era. What a terror you two are!
17 chuckled as he imagined the scene, but he was now upset. For years he had avoided stealing in order not to get into trouble and to keep a low profile, so he had accepted to do a lot of odd jobs in order to earn enough money to cover his basic needs. But it was mostly a matter of giving himself a little comfort, washing his clothes, drinking and having a little fun. Nothing essential, nothing he couldn't do without. So he had a very distant relationship with money.
But tonight he felt a real frustration.
Since the first day, Ruri had paid for everything they had bought, from food to accommodation, and she had even bought him clothes. He, on the other hand, had nothing to offer her, he had nothing he could share with her. She was hungry, and he was totally unable to help her. He was deep in thought about this, while walking with Ruri who was moving away from the restaurant as fast as she could, when the sound of very loud conversations coming from an adjacent street caught his attention. 17 turned his head to see what was going on, and saw many humans milling around a large table. On other, narrower tables were many, many bottles of what he recognized as alcohol. Two men were holding hands on either side of the large table, both sweating profusely. Their faces were red, as if they were straining.
- What are they doing ? he asked Ruri, who had also started to observe the scene.
- Arm wrestling apparently, she replied.
- What is it?
- A competition. The winner is the one who brings the other's hand to the table. It's a test of strength. Look, there's a pile of money over there. I'm sure they bet money on the winner. It's a real crowd puller, there's a line of participants! It must be exhausting to keep dueling.
- Are you telling me that this thing is a fight of strength and endurance in which you earn money?
- Yes, so what?
17 gave her a jubilant look, a huge smile on his face.
- You're going to wait for me here, and I guarantee you'll eat tonight.
Suddenly realizing, Ruri exclaimed:
- OH MY GOD ! WHY didn't I think of that earlier?
- The lack of sugar without doubt.
- CLEARLY! Well, I'm pretty sure that this kind of thing in the middle of the street is illegal but WHO CARES, it's not stealing. And I'm hungry. And it's not like we were the ones who organized this thing.
- Absolutely.
- Ok 17, I validate your idea, take my 8 zenis and go register!
- Give me 5 minutes, I'll nuke them all.
- Whoa cowboy, calm down. If you show the extent of your strength right away they'll all back off and you'll leave with nothing. Above all, pretend. You can't make it look easy. So you win, but you have to look like you're struggling.
- Against these losers?
- Yes. And try to look tired too. So they think they have a chance to beat you.
- I never get tired.
- So think back to me when I'm tired. And just do the same. Deep-fried sweet potato dumplings are on the line. Are you feeling up to it?
- I accept the challenge, said 17, amused, as he walked towards the group of humans and rolled up his sleeves.
Ruri didn't answer anything and just looked at him in the distance.
One by one, she saw each of the participants move towards 17 who played his role perfectly. He was careful not to win too easily, even making great efforts to look exhausted. She watched him blow loudly and awkwardly, wiping his forehead to mop up a non-existent sweat.
The scene was hilarious, but 17's efforts paid off as he eventually returned, clearly very proud of himself, with a huge handful of cash in his hands. The amount of money he had earned was more than enough for them to go back to the restaurant and buy whatever Ruri wanted. Curious, 17 even agreed to eat part of her meal and the rest of the evening went according to Ruri's request.
Having a little more money on them even allowed them to add a little fantasy to their evening. They stopped at several stores to do some shopping. Although he was not a big fan of shopping, 17 found himself enjoying this moment of total carefree fun, and seeing Ruri's face lit up with happiness was worth taking a little on himself.
After finding (and cleaning out) tan ice cream vendor's store, they both arrived at the municipal garden that Ruri had mentioned. It was dark, but this place was flooded with the lights of a multitude of lamps arranged on the branches of all kinds of trees that framed a dirt road on which they entered. They took a break after reaching a lake, where they sat down to enjoy the fresh air and finish the last remaining pot of ice cream.
- Can I ask you a question? Ruri finally said after a few minutes.
- It's already done, right?
- Ha Ha. No, I wanted to know if you were okay? If it was not too difficult for you this evening?
- Terrific.
- If you had to decide what's worse between a romantic evening with me and being absorbed by Cell, which would you choose?
Ruri immediately regretted having asked that question, and she gave 17 a frightened look. Carried away by the euphoria she felt, she had spoken without thinking, and was terrified that she had hurt him by bringing up a memory that she knew was painful for him.
But 17 burst out laughing, before putting an index finger on his chin and closing his eyes.
- Mmmm, difficult question indeed.
- EH! What the hell is wrong with you ?
- I'm kidding. You know you're cute when you're embarrassed? So, tell me, why are you asking me this question?
- Because I know that's not your thing.
- Don't worry about it. I never do anything I don't want to do. And if you're having a good time, that's good enough for me. Really.
Ruri did not say anything, touched by 17's answer. She appreciated his attitude even more because she knew how much effort he was making to please her. He had never told her that he loved her before, but his actions towards her were far more valuable than all the fiery speeches he could have given her.
- Thank you, she finally replied, in a whisper.
- You're welcome. We still have to go see the stars, right?
- We can go on the roof of the hotel.
- Why not there? It's much higher, you'll see better.
As he did so, 17 held out his arm to point to a huge tower in the center of the city.
- It's a radio transmitter, it's forbidden to go up there, Ruri explained, without her answer having the slightest effect on him.
- What do we risk if we go there?
- That the police arrest us.
- Since it is forbidden to go there, it means that there will be no one there, am I wrong?
- Did you hear what I said about poli- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
In an instant, 17 had grabbed Ruri by the waist and flew with her to the top of the tower, which he reached in a split second. He then set down the young woman, whose hair was now completely disheveled.
- Not too shaken up? he asked her, delighted to be able to tease her again.
- No, it's okay, I've been through this before.
- I would expect no less from you.
- I guess it takes a strong heart to be your girlfriend.
- My what?
- Do I have to explain this word to you?
- No. I know what it is, it's just...
- What? What else am I? When you join me in my bed at night, what do you think of me?
- Uh ... I don't ... actually I never ... thought about ... well ...
- Relax, cyborg, relax, I was just kidding. You know how cute you are when you're embarrassed?
Caught in his own trap and amused at having been fooled in this way, 17 smiled again, inwardly relieved that he had not made a mistake.
"Girlfriend..."
He knew what the term meant but had never taken the time to question the nature of his relationship with Ruri, and something in his intuition told him that the young woman's joke was as insignificant as she wanted him to believe.
He then came to join her.
Under the starlight, she was more beautiful than ever.
Smart.
Impertinent.
Fun.
He was attracted to her, and although he had pledged to be romantic tonight, he was beginning to feel a very different kind of feeling inside him.
- Didn't you say something about kissing at some point? he whispered, hugging her.
- Yes, Ruri replied, placing her lips gently on his.
They exchanged long, tender and passionate kisses. 17 loved nothing more than the taste of that mouth, so appetizing. He lost all awareness of his surroundings when he could hold that delicate body close to him, when he saw her standing on her tiptoes to be at his level, when he felt the caress of her shy fingers in his hair.
- This date is finally getting interesting, he managed to say as he caught his breath.
- Ah, you see romance isn't so bad after all.
- Yes.
- Come on, you were perfect tonight. I'll stop torturing you, we can go back to the hotel now.
- Ah yes, that was the last step. Letting you fall asleep against me.
- We can always add a step to the program, if you have a romantic suggestion to make?
The suggestive tone of Ruri did not escape 17, who did not wait to answer this call that she threw to him.
- Making love, it is romantic? he answered by tightening his embrace on theyoung woman's waist.
- 17... Your frankness is at least as much a quality as a flaw...
- This is not an answer to my question.
- So yes, we can. But it depends. What you did to me last time in the North was anything but romantic.
- Are you talking about the time you screamed so loudly that the whole hotel heard us?
- 17 !
- If that's the problem, I'll find a way to shut you up a little.
Ruri blushed, but she was no longer as impressionable as before. The deep, sensual voice that 17 used when he spoke to her like that moved her to the highest degree. She straightened up again to kiss him, then asked him with a chuckle:
- Are you going to dig into your memories again? Is that how you got all those ideas?
- Sort of. Let's just say that when I need it, my process memory comes to my aid.
- Procedural.
- Yes, whatever it's called. And by the way, since you mention it, I had a question to ask you too.
- Which one?
- That night you did some very unusual things to me. It intrigued me a lot. I would like to know where you got these ideas?
- I am a scientist.
- And?
- When I have a problem to solve I do research.
- You mean you found all this on your computer ?
- You have no idea what you can find on the internet by typing in the kind of keywords I used, explained Ruri, who was careful not to tell him that she had also called her friend Iris to ask her for some advice on what she could do.
This answer seemed to surprise 17 deeply, but it also aroused his curiosity. So, without waiting for further explanation, he picked up Ruri and took her in his arms, before rising into the air and taking the way back to their hotel.
- Is there anything else you found on the internet that you didn't show me?
- Maybe, Ruri answered. What about you? Do you have any other memories buried in your head?
- Maybe…
The next morning, after a short night, 17 and Ruri set out again to reach the Royal Natural Park which adjoined the capital. They had to follow a large tarred road which then branched off onto small dirt roads on which few vehicles were driving. The surrounding landscape was made up of large grassy areas, cultivated fields and pastures with farms and numerous livestock grazing quietly along the main road that led to a village.
Once parked in the main square, they decided to take a quick tour.
This place was very quiet, made up of small wooden and stone houses, obviously very old, with facades decorated with flowers and decorations of all kinds. A tiny fountain stood in the center of the square, and the sound of the thin stream of water that escaped from it formed with the song of the birds a soft melody that few human voices disturbed.
A grocery store and a few others completed this very rural picture located only a few kilometers from a very dense urban area.
The locals were very polite and welcoming, and 17 was very careful to be polite also, even though he let Ruri do most of the talking. As the conversations went on, they learned more about how the park works. In fact, this village was the last stop before entering the park. Most of the inhabitants were royal employees who maintained the wooded areas, and many of the rangers lived there with their families. Farmers and business owners made up the other part of the population. The borders of the Nature Park were marked by a gigantic fence that closed off its contours and allowed for the screening of comings and goings.
Indeed, a portion of the park was open to visitors. A fee was charged to enter the park, and the proceeds from ticket sales helped pay the rangers' salaries. This open area included forests and large plains where wild animals were found, some of which could be dangerous. The free ride was therefore only allowed in the very first few miles. Beyond that, rangers had to accompany visitors to ensure their protection. On the other hand, there was no fence to mark the boundary with the forbidden part of the park, where the rarest animals were found and where nothing should hinder their freedom of movement.
Only the King had the right to come and observe them.
17 and Ruri decided to continue on foot. They soon reached the famous fence, and the young woman found her teacher there, the one who had called her. She was a very tall woman, with grey hair in a bun and wearing smoked glasses. She explained everything about the giant eagles that lived in the mountains, in the center of the park. They were a rare species, threatened with extinction, and scientists were trying to protect and reproduce the last specimens. But the professor had just received an important summons and had to return to her university. She needed Ruri to replace her to assist the chief of the Park rangers in this delicate mission.
17 let them talk to each other, but did not miss a moment of this exchange, during which he took great care to note all the information about the animals' behavior. Once the conversation was over, the teacher left, but not without giving them the coordinates of the chief ranger, whom they went to meet immediately afterwards.
He was a man of average height, probably in his fifties, whose attire 17 noticed with amusement was pretty close to what he expected: jeans, a strappy leather jacket and a big cowboy hat.
"Is this really a uniform in the rangers or what?" he had wondered when he saw him.
But underneath his rough appearance was a man of great intelligence and great sensitivity to the protection of animals. He was delighted with their visit and showed them around the park, answering all of Ruri's questions and keeping an eye on 17, whose attentive silence and sense of calm strength had not escaped him.
When the tour was over, they returned to the ranger headquarters. The chief served them each a cup of coffee.
- Well, I hope you don't have any more questions Ruri? he asked the young woman.
- Actually I do, but it's very down to earth.
- Tell me.
- You haven't told us about the accommodation yet?
- Oh yes, it's planned. Your teacher was staying in an empty room on the second floor of the village café. As for 17, well, we should be able to put him up here until we find more comfortable accommodation.
- Ah...
- Doesn't it suit you?
- I don't want to sound rude, but is it possible to find something else? We need to be able to observe the eagles as closely as possible. I need to understand their environment, the interactions with other animals, their whole ecosystem.
- Would you like to move inside the park?
- Ideally, yes. It would be perfect for us.
- Oh. So you two are staying together?
Ruri nodded silently, not daring to look at the ranger leader. 17 had remained silent, listening as usual to the conversation, closing his eyes to better concentrate and avoid being asked to take part. But Ruri's lack of response intrigued him enough to make an exception and raise his head to look at her.
She was red with shame, without him understanding well why.
- Well, no problem, I think I know how to do it. Both of you go back to the village to get your car and come back here, I'll wait for you.
17 turned to the leader who had just spoken and observed him.
On his wrinkled face was a big smile, and he had a very particular look on Ruri, different from the one he usually saw in other men. It was a look full of good intentions. A kind of benevolence, a kind of tenderness. Immediately, 17 liked this human. Unlike most of the other people he had met in his life, this one did not stare at him with curiosity or concern, nor did he seem to be surprised by his silence. As 17 got up to follow Ruri, he noticed that the ranger leader was also looking in his direction. They both exchanged a brief glance, filled with a mutual and instinctive respect that surprised 17 as much as it reassured him.
This mission was looking very promising.
Once they had retrieved their car, 17 and Ruri returned to the headquarters as agreed and followed the chief who was driving his own vehicle. They drove into the park until the dirt road was a tiny, barely visible path, lost in the middle of lush vegetation and trees, each bigger than the next.
Then, finally, they arrived at their destination: a small clearing in the heart of the forest.
On this flat, treeless space stood a wooden hut. Like most of the houses in the area, it looked very old. In front of the front door, a small wooden deck topped by a porch housed an ageless swing that creaked in the wind as it made its way through the surrounding spruce trunks.
Two small extensions adjoined the main house: on the right, what appeared to be a barn, while on the left, the large sliding door made one think of a garage. A second floor and a chimney outlet completed the picture of this picturesque vision.
- This house belongs to the Park. It was used as a shelter a long time ago for the rangers in case of bad weather, but now we have individual cars and since almost everyone lives in the village it is not used anymore. We haven't done any work on it in years, but it's right in the center of the park. You won't find a better location.
17 didn't say anything, waiting to see Ruri's reaction, but he was delighted with the offer. The idea of having to live in a village surrounded by humans did not appeal to him, and he had already lived partly in forests during his long years of wandering. This place, isolated and quiet, had everything to please him. But he had to have the agreement of his companion. He didn't worry too much about that: used to sleeping on the back seat of her car, Ruri was anything but a demanding woman in terms of comfort, but from the questioning pout she was wearing, he felt that a detail was disturbing her.
- Years, huh ... she mumbled as she walked around the cabin.
Then, suddenly, she made a brief wave of the hand towards 17 who came at once to join her.
Without a word, she opened the door to the cabin and stepped inside, closely followed by 17. They quickly inspected the place. Although rather bare and dusty, this small house was quite "complete": a main room with a small kitchen opening directly on the outside and a living room in which the fireplace was located, then a corridor that led to a bathroom and a bedroom. Finally, at the top of a dimly lit staircase was an attic. Two doors led to each of the extensions. The stable contained two empty boxes. The garage was an unbelievable jumble of tools of all kinds, in which 17 immediately saw the silhouette of a four-wheeled machine whose name he could not remember, but which he recognized. He approached it and touched the faded yellow bodywork with his fingertips, before Ruri's voice sounded behind him.
- This is a quad bike.
- Yes, it's ... coming back to me.
- It looks as old as this planet if you ask me. I wonder if this thing is still drivable.
- It seems to me that there is everything here to fix it, replied 17, who had knelt down and seemed fascinated by his careful study of the vehicle.
- Can you fix it?
- I can fix anything. Don't ask me how, but ...
- Can you fix this?
17 turned around and came back to Ruri who was showing him a metal panel on which a multitude of wires were connected.
- It's the electric panel, the young woman said. Out of order in my opinion.
- I don't know anything about electricity...
- Curious for a robot.
- I'm a high-end robot, human, not a vulgar, wired machine. But I think I should be able to do something.
- That's good. We can heat with the fireplace but we'll need juice for the appliances.
- What appliances? There is nothing here but lamps and a microwave.
- Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
Ruri then turned around and left the cabin as quickly as she had entered it, still followed by 17 who then let out a long sigh.
"And here we go again ..." he said to himself as he saw her join the chief of rangers in front of which she positioned herself, hands on hips, looking straight into his eyes.
- We're going to need bedding and something to fix the electrical panel, she asked.
- Don't worry, I'll go home and bring it to you.
- I also need the internet to work.
- We can probably find the necessary equipment by tomorrow, by the time I send a ranger to the Capital to buy some.
- The kitchen is not equipped.
- My wife has already planned to have you both over for dinner tonight.
- We will reimburse you for your purchases with our salaries. We'll talk about the amounts tonight, but the first paycheck can be household appliances. We don't need the latest stuff, but functional stuff will do. I will make you a list.
- Your salaries?
- I will be taking over animal studies from my teacher. 17 will assist you as a ranger, I understand you have poaching problems. Isn't that right, 17?
- Uh ... stammered 17, although Ruri did not give him time to answer before she resumed her conversation.
- There, he agrees. You'll see, it's the best. Isn't it 17?
- Uh...
- That's it. He's the best. You won't regret hiring us.
- I don't doubt it for a second, replied the ranger leader, who had not lost his smile since he met them.
- Great. Well, then we'll start unpacking and of course we'll gladly accept your wife's invitation. We'll come by around 8:00 PM, if that's okay?
- Perfect.
- Great! 17, come with me and we'll start with a good cleaning!
And again, in a flash, Ruri had just turned around to go back inside the cabin.
Now side by side, 17 and the ranger leader watched her walk away, saying nothing. With his arms still crossed, 17 couldn't help but smile as well at the determination she could show when she wanted something. Nothing seemed to be able to scare or stop this little human, and he never found her as attractive as when she was like this.
Suddenly he heard a chuckle on his right.
- As beautiful as she is stubborn, isn't it?
Without answering, 17 addressed a quick and cold look to the ranger leader who had just spoken, which did not seem to be disturbed as he continued almost immediately afterwards:
- I wasn't making fun of her, 17. Not at all. Margot ... well her teacher told me a lot about her. I know that she is brilliant, she is her best student. She even gets special treatment from her university, which lets her study partly at a distance. But she also told me about her character, and really, I am not disappointed.
The tone of his voice was not at all confusing, 17 knew he was sincere. So, reassured, he relaxed and nodded his head in agreement.
- Something tells me that I narrowly escaped an agonizing death, the ranger continued, laughing.
- I ... no.
- Haha! I know. But I can also see that you're the quiet type. Don't worry 17, it doesn't bother me. I judge people on their actions, not on their appearance, and even less on their words. It's true that we're having a little trouble with poaching and if you want to help us for the duration of your mission here, I'll gladly accept.
This response was unusual, to say the least, but it confirmed the first impression this man had made on 17: he deserved his respect.
- I don't like poachers, he finally said.
- Well, then we have something in common, said the ranger.
- Yes.
- Great. Well, I'll let you get your stuff together. I'm going home, or my wife will gut me. She doesn't like me to keep her waiting or she'll…
- 17 ! CAN YOU HELP ME?
The two men were startled when they heard Ruri's scream.
- Haha! It seems that in fact we have two common points! laughed the ranger.
- ... yes.
- I'll leave you then, see you tonight anyway. Don't keep your partner waiting!
As he watched the ranger walk back to his car, 17 suddenly spoke up. He had just realized something very important. Some things were as obvious as the color of the sky.
But that didn't mean they had to be kept quiet.
- Girlfriend, he corrected. Ruri is my girlfriend.
