When the trio returned to camp, A2 noticed everyone seemingly going about their business as usual. She cast a sidelong glance towards 2B and grimaced slightly at her counterpart's apparent frown.
Taking yet another in what seemed like an endless series of blind leaps when dealing with 2B, A2 decided to address it. "I know it may be weird to ask this, but are you okay?"
Surprisingly, 2B immediately turned to regard A2, looking almost incredulous behind her visor as she did. If it were anyone else, A2 might have already received an earful, but this was the stoic ex-champion of YoRHa she was dealing with.
A2 went on, trying to explain herself. "I know, but you just look almost pissed to be seeing all of these people here."
Once again, A2 was met with silence. She sighed.
"Look, I know that things aren't exactly great between us, but if we're going to work together as a team then we need to start being at least a little bit open and talk to each other. I know that might seem a little hypocritical coming from me of all people and I'm not trying to step in and be your best friend or anything, but if I can't even get a read on you, this isn't really going to go anywhere." She tried a smile as she continued, "I mean we're the last of the YoRHa, so we at least have that in common. Y'know, aside from having the same exact face, eyes, personality base... I'd say body too, but somehow you managed to be even luckier than me in a few areas." A2 pursed her lips, trailing her eyes along 2B's lithe form in mock envy.
Though there was no visible acknowledgement of A2's attempt at humor, it was apparently enough for 2B to slowly part her lips for a callous remark under her breath. "They're all just carrying on. Acting like there's nothing wrong. Like the world is as it should be. It's not. Everything's been ruined. They all need to know that. They should at least be afraid. The only thing that has been standing between them and extinction has now been wiped from the face of the Earth."
"…Ah." As morbid as that sounded, A2 couldn't exactly say she was completely overreacting. Considering her, no, their own situation, it must irk her that everyone else was carrying on as though nothing of significance had happened. It might have peeved A2 herself as well, but unlike 2B, she somehow managed to pick up on the slight edge in everyone's cadence as they nervously fiddled with their wares, tinkered on weapons or other forms of machinery and talked to one another. The mood was anything but carefree, and she said as much.
"2B, I don't actually think that they're that comfortable about everything. They're all just unsure. It may not look like it, but they're all scared. They have no idea what they're going to do now that YoRHa's gone. They're all just doing what they know how to do in order to try and keep carrying on." Slowly she analyzed 2B's reaction before turning away again as they approached Anemone's tent. "I know you miss him, but you can't take it personally."
2B's jaw clenched hard and her fists tightened dangerously just as Jackass bellowed over the din of the marketplace, "Anemone! I return bearing gifts!"
The resistance leader walked briskly out from under her canopy and tightly hugged both A2 and 2B around the neck, holding them close as she did all she could to keep from crying in front of her people. "You're back! You're both really here… I can't believe it." She looked to her friend and chief scientist. "Jackass…how-"
The android in question raised her hands in surrender. "Don't ask me. This was all between those two."
Holding the two YoRHa at arm's length, she fully regarded them. "2B. I'm so glad you're okay. But…where did you go?"
The Executioner remained silent as A2 and Jackass exchanged glances. After an awkward pause, Jackass responded. "She just went to help me find A2. And as you can see, we succeeded."
"Right." Looking to the prototype, Anemone's head cocked to the side. "A2, what happened to your hair?"
This time even Jackass was staring quizzically at her, having been wondering herself ever since she visited the arena.
Surprising everyone, 2B spoke up. "I cut it for her."
A2's eyes went wide as she swiveled her head, her face betraying her irritation as she stared at 2B in utter disbelief.
Anemone was beside herself. "…Really? Just now?"
"It was getting in her way. Also it was kind of a tribute to 9S."
Anemone exchanged glances with Jackass, the latter of whom was slowly starting to put the pieces together. "Well I can see the inspiration there."
2B was silent.
Anemone continued to stare.
"Uhh… Am I the only normal person around here? Are we gonna do something about the machines or not?" A2 lamented as she broke the silence.
"Oh! Sorry. It's just so weird seeing you two right next to each other. Your faces… Anyways, I'm glad to have you both here. Yes, we need to get to work immediately. The enemy hasn't exactly been idle since you took off."
As the two warriors followed Anemone, Popola slowly approached Jackass, followed by her sister. "Excuse me, Ms. Jackass. May we have a word with you?"
"You've been trading with and accepting help from a machine!?" A2 almost screamed in reflex as she heard the news.
"A2, please. This is a non-hostile machine village that is off the network and has been for years. Pascal and his group have been operating independent of the machine network probably longer than you've been alive. We know what we're dealing with. In fact 2B's been working with them a lot on our behalf."
Shocked, A2 looked to 2B who had yet to say a word since the comment about her hair.
"Anyway, we know that a lot of people feel like you, so we sent Pascal back and told him we'd send help when you two returned."
"Him?" A2 could feel her temper rising. "Anemone, you're joking… It's a machine. It doesn't even have the right voice!"
"No, I'm not. It sounded urgent too, so I'll need the both of you to head back out as soon as you're ready. Which…" She looked at the two of them. "Seems to be about now?"
Swiftly, Pod 153 responded in her charge's stead. "Unit A2 burst a fuel filter in battle and requires a replacement."
Raising her eyebrow in overt criticism, A2 quipped. "Why is this the first I'm hearing about this!?"
The Pod's response was quick and calculated. "It was anticipated that Unit A2 would return within an acceptable timeframe to the Resistance Camp, where she would be able to receive a spare, until which point knowledge of a faulty part would have presented no benefit."
Dragging her hand down her face, A2 responded to Anemone. "Well then, I guess there's that."
"Well you're in luck! Pascal is our main distributor of those, so you can pick one up on your way back! Heck, maybe he'll even install it for you if you're nice enough."
A2's head snapped up and eyed the resistance leader dangerously as she laughed in response. A2 rubbed her temples, "If I have to hear another thing about 'Pascal' I'm going to lose it."
"Alright, cut the dramatics. Just please get over there. 2B can show you the way. We'll see you two when you get back!"
A2 wanted to argue, but as 2B started to leave, she found herself begrudgingly trailing after her. "Let's just get this over with."
As soon as they crossed the boundaries of the camp and stepped out into the wild, 2B broke into sprint, tearing across the water and making her way towards the broken overpass. Gliding along the ground, A2 caught up to 2B, matching her cadence as she regarded her, tone slightly soured. "I didn't take you for the morbid joking type."
Wind billowing through her hair, 2B kept her eyes forward, visibly unbothered as she mentally commanded her pod to gun down the many ruby-eyed machines that charged to meet them. "Sorry, I don't know what you mean." They both slowed to a jog as they swiftly blurred through the iron gate marking the path to Pascal's village.
In stark contrast to her new partner, A2 bristled, annoyance palpable on her face as her jaw dropped slightly. "The joke about you almost cutting my head off? A haircut, really? You don't think that was a little risky?"
Slowing down now to a lackadaisical walk, 2B hummed, hips swaying overtly as she put her finger to her lips. "You didn't like that?"
A buzz ran down A2's spine as an odd feeling settled in her stomach. What? "What are you talking about? Like what? I thought we were going to be working as a team now. It doesn't help if-"
"I thought you wanted me to open up to you."
Is she serious? "I do, but-"
"That was me making a joke."
And what was with that walk just then… "That's not the point. I'm say-"
"So Anemone finds out what happens. So what? How does that effect our relationship?"
"…Relationship?"
"Yes. This thing between us."
That gave A2 pause. "I didn't realize you even considered there to really be anything. I figured you saw this as purely a working partnership or something."
2B was silent for a moment. "Those aren't nearly as effective in my experience."
A2 was curious. "In your experience?"
"You have his memories, don't you?" 2B looked at her and A2's heart fell. The pain in her face that she was so obviously trying to hide tore her up. It was the same face she saw as they stood off against each other on that hill, just moments after his death.
A2 was at a loss. "2B, I'm sorry… It's not that simple. Some things I remember, but…" She looked again as 2B held her gaze, a barely perceptive quiver in her lips as she waited for A2's response. This must be her way of trying to get more of him. He's dead and gone, and the girl who killed him is walking next to her with his memories. "I…" A2 stammered as 2B waited. "I-I…"
A solid and unbothered guise was pulled over 2B's face again and her head faced forward like nothing at all had happened. "We're here." And just like that, she was gone.
Dammit. A2 was dumbfounded. "2B-"
A2 started again, but was quickly at a loss for words again as her eyes fell upon the sight before her. Machines. Everywhere. She knew there was a village, but she hadn't expected this. This many machines were just hiding out here? Her thoughts were cut short as 2B hopped a ladder and approached a rather unique looking machine with huge green eyes.
"Pascal."
"2B! You've returned! Oh, after what happened, we weren't sure if you had made it. I'm so glad you're okay. And who is this? …Where is 9S?"
Steeling herself, 2B forced herself through the conversation. She didn't want to do this right now. "He's gone, Pascal. This is Unit A2. She's..."
"Just filling in for now." A2 refused to meet the machine's eyes as she continuously scanned her surroundings, arms folded tight and body tense.
"2B, I'm so sorry… Is there anything we can do?" The concern in Pascal's voice was palpable and put A2 off harshly. Who is this thing trying to fool?
"It's fine, Pascal…thank you. We're just here because A2 needs a fuel filter replacement and Anemone said we could help you out with something in the meantime."
"Oh…okay then! Well then yes, we can definitely help with that. You got here right before we used the last one! And yes, Anemone is right. Follow me, please." Pascal moved towards the edge of the wooden walkway suspended above a wide open area near the foot of the village. He pointed to a four-legged machine with glowing red eyes, erratically running back and forth, occasionally clawing at the ladder leading up to the rest of the village with its clubbed arms. "That wild beast down there… It-"
In a flash, A2 disappeared, disturbing the steady cadence of falling leaves around the trio and sending a gust of wind rushing through 2B's dress. Reappearing in the air above the machine coated in a cloud of red energy, she let loose a frustrated roar as she slammed her blade into machine's spine, impaling it into the dirt. A2 stared, hunched over and hands still gripped tightly around the hilt of Cruel Blood Oath as she watched the machine's red eyes began to dim, like she had just put a rabid animal out of its own misery. How she knew what that was like, she had no idea. Maybe more random knowledge filling 9S' head…? As her breathing calmed, a realization washed over her that gave her pause. This… It doesn't feel that same. Looking back up to the platform she dove from, she noticed a number of villager- no, machines, staring back at her, some slightly shivering, others lightly clapping their metal hands in praise. Her gaze moved over Pascal, who somehow seemed like it …or he? was smiling, despite its lack of a face. Finally she looked to 2B, and she could tell the Executioner was looking back into her own eyes. Her expression was imperceptible, but somehow still very…off-putting. She had the killed the machine so why does 2B look so…disappointed? "2B…" A2 muttered.
What is going on in your head?
I'm sorry. I know it's been a while. I apologize but things have been occupying to say the least these past couple of years. Hopefully this short chapter is enough to not only peak your satisfaction for a short while, but also get me back into the groove of writing this story. Thank you all for still reading! ^_^
