U-1146 had to credit the normal cell. Despite any misgivings that he had concerning the cell, the cafe was actually a really nice place. Instead of leading him into what he assumed was going to be his peril if he wasn't paying too much attention, the cafe was actually decent and the food actually catered to a manner of immune cells. Even the barista, a shy looking normal cell who had been granted another occupation aside from dividing, still managed to smile at 1146.
It was quite nice.
Well, it could have been better if his companion wasn't…
Well... him.
As 1146 began to drink his green tea from a mug that was far more expensive and cultured than when he had first taken a wayward glance at it, the normal cell shifted his seat and glanced at the window. Normally, 1146 would have me chalked up the sudden change in focus to avoid getting interrogated, however he couldn't fault him for looking outside. For once, it was a nice day out with few bacterial invasions and pressing concerns.
Despite their surroundings, the communicator in 1146's pocket burned like a brand against his side. Depending on the news that his colleagues would be reporting, there might be more things to remain wary of in the near future. Meetings among the neutrophil division of the immune system were rarely arranged considering that most operated on a single cell basis—unlike the Killer T units that worked better in battalions. Hopefully, his favorite red blood cell's determination would continue and he wouldn't have to shirk his duties.
As soon as 1146 thought that, a sudden croaking noise was heard. Immediately wary, his fingers grasped the handle of his blade in hand, and he swiftly shifted his head to the side to catch sight of NC-1998 looking abashed and embarrassed. What was—
It was then that 1146 realized that they weren't alone.
Shifting another wooden chair to their already cramped table, another normal cell sat beside them. It was NC-1816 and for once, 1146 wasn't all too happy to see him. Still, when the normal cell flashed him a bright grin and chirped a merry greeting, 1146 couldn't help but reciprocate.
"Mr. Neutrophil!" The newly seated normal cell murmured as he took from his mug of his own tea. "What are you doing with my newest protege?" His dark brown eyes narrowed as he stared down 1146's charcoal black eyes. His voice lowered and for a moment, 1146 new true fear. "You're not planning on exacting justice just because his eyes are against regulation, are you?"
Well, 1146 had more than enough jurisdiction to do so. He held a spotless record and what's more, not many would question his methods and his actions regarding what he had perceived to be a threat. No one could be too careful considering that the whole event concerning Cancer had happened dozens of cycles ago, but was still fresh within the immune system's collective mind.
Still, NC-1816 was a friend. Not necessarily a close one, but a friend nonetheless.
Sweet, mild-mannered, and bening NC-1816 was loyal to the body, but he was also willing to protect his newest clone.
It would be devastating to lose a new normal cell so soon after division.
1146 regarded his friend before happening to glance at the other normal cell at their shared table.
What would NC-1816 do if he realized that he was housing the reincarnation, the very same soul of a cell who had been Cancer? A cell who could actually be housing the memories of Cancer?
Would he be just as adamant in keeping 1998 safe? Or would his whole mind and beliefs change?
1146 wanted to follow that train of thought, but at the same time, it was a sobering thought. The neutrophil couldn't imagine what it would be like to be suddenly, acutely aware that you were housing something that could potentially harm the body. What was worse, he couldn't help but think about NC-1998 and his situation. What would it be like to be abandoned by the one cell that was supposed to teach you, to make sure that you were free from harm?
Was that what happened to Cancer?
1146 took another sip.
Murmuring gently, he assured NC-1816 that he was simply patrolling the area and that he wanted to accompany 1816's newest charge on his endeavor when it came to a certain red blood cell. Hearing that, 1816 immediately thumped 1998 on the back, which resulted in angry mutters and a surprising amount of color to rise within his cheeks.
"Come on, stupid!" 1998 tried to shove 1816 away from his body, trying his best to get away from 1998's attempts to hug him in congratulations. Despite his gangly limbs and what looked like to be a weak constitution, 1816 managed to hang on tight and nuzzle his face against 1998's face. "Look, I'm just going to return the stupid handkerchief that you soiled with your stupid tears because you're so-so-so—"
"Ah! Looks like you care!" 1816 continued his frivolity while 1998 finally managed to escape from his creator's grasp.
As he did so, 1146 caught sight of 1998's flushed cheeks, the look of something… shining in his eyes that immediately narrowed into suspicious slits when he saw that 1146 was scrutinizing his features.
It did not help that 1146's gaze held the same look that he would give to suspicious cells that tried to act like they were cells of the body instead of pathogens.
"What do you want?" At 1816's rough jab to the ribs with his shoulder, 1998 managed to suck in a breath before apologizing because of his rude disposition.
1146 ignored that, not at all caring of such politeness and pleasantries.
Had… had 1998 looked so carefree as Cancer? Did his cheeks have a healthy flush or have rounded fat on them that signalled health? Even now, when 1998 looked so eerily like Cancer what with his glare and the way he looked like he was about to kill the neutrophil, 1146 could see something that he saw in very few cells.
He saw—
1146 steepled his hands together, almost as if he were praying and canted his head to the side. In a slightly amused—slightly confused—tone of voice, he murmured a little under his breath but loud enough for only 1998 to catch wind of, "You have a hidden kindness in you, NC-1998."
NC-1998 scowled.
"Geeze, you're so blunt like a dull blade." He clicked his tongue and looked away as he tried to hide his face behind a bowl of glucose and other sweets. Shoveling a face full of food was probably one of the easiest ways for 1146 to dismiss his suspicions but it wasn't enough.
Yet—
It was a start in the right direction.
"Besides, you don't have to call me by my full designation code." NC-1998's cheeks flushed an even darker color red, but he kept his eyes affixed to his bowl of sweets.
"Oh?" 1146 questioned. Oddly enough, he felt like he was treading on territory that was somewhat more intimate than he realized with the supposed normal cell. In fact… it was as if they were… as if they were playing the role of acquaintances becoming friends.
1146 wanted to laugh.
Imagine, almost becoming friends with a reincarnation of Cancer Cell… Ah, the irony.
1146 sobered.
The memories—he didn't want to think about them.
"What should I call you then?" 1146 continued.
NC-1998 clicked his tongue again. "Isn't it obvious? Call me NC!"
This time, 1146's confusion was palpable and innocent. "Not your number?"
This time, it was 1816 who spoke up. Although he had remained quiet during 1146's and 1998's conversation, he had remained eagled eyed and vigilant for his pupil's sake. Still, his dark brown eyes glimmered with mischief when he said, "NC for Normal Cell. Also, NC for nonconforming beacuse he has dreams of—"
NC shoved his elbow against his mentor's ribs which did little but earn him a grunt and a smack on the head.
"Come now, I think it's adorable that you—"
"Shut up, you decrepit piece of—" NC looked at 1146 who appraised the both of them with a curious look in his eyes. Turning back to 1816, NC bent low and muttered, "That was supposed to be kept secret." He again jabbed 1816. This time, 1816 uttered a low moan, much to NC's satisfaction and 1146's horror.
"Forget what he said," NC muttered. He wiped his hands and retreated back to his bowl of sweets. "Cells don't dream, dreams don't exist, and the body—" He stuffed his mouth and began to scarf down the food as if he were a neutrophil and he was phagocytizing a bacterium.
1146 frowned.
Dreams, huh?
If 1146 wasn't already too aware of how much NC reminded him of Cancer, he would have considered him a reincarnation of a white blood cell. Regardless, it was probably around that time AE-3803 was supposed to be around, so where was she? 1146 tapped one of his gloved fingers around the rim of his mug before he found himself gaping at a suddenly jumping 1816.
That normal cell was certainly more excitable than usual.
Honestly, 1146 wished he had that sort of energy when he wasn't hunting down pathogens.
"Apologies, Mr. Neutrophil, 1998!" 1816 bowed low in front of them. "I completely forgot that I'm supposed to be inside to get our newest shipment of oxygen. Forgive me!"
NC flicked his spoon in 1816's general direction.
"Go away."
1146, on the other hand, was far more gracious. He tilted his cap and bowed his head low. Despite the misgivings he might have had about NC, 1146 was still grateful for the brief respite from reality that 1816 had unwittingly gifted to him.
Once 1816 had left the welcoming aura of the cafe, 1146 returned his steady gaze back on NC. Unsurprisingly, the normal cell was gazing out the window, his hands steadily shoveling his sweet food into his waiting mouth. His eyes were contemplative, almost clouded in thought. For once, 1146 could see that his companion looked serene, if not a little too quiet and thoughtful than what was probably good for him.
"I actually have a motive for accompanying you today," 1146 managed to say when the silence finally became too much. At NC's concerned glance, 1146 was more than happy to elaborate as he scratched the back of his head bashfully and with a fair amount of red dusting his normally pallid cheeks. "Remember when we first met?"
Remember when I thought that you were a normal cell—innocent and wholesome like the rest of the normal cells in the body?
Remember when we could have been friends?
Or was that just me?
"I—" NC looked a little perturbed at the question, but nodded anyway. His hands came to rest on his shirt, almost as if he were vividly remembering being almost strangled because 1146 couldn't control himself. "It was certainly a surprise."
Despite himself, 1146 smiled.
Who knew that this normal cell had a sense of humor?
"Well, I actually wanted to apologize." 1146 placed his mug of tea in the center of the table and leaned back in his chair. 1146 was bracing himself for the outcome of whatever he was going to say and so… He had to be careful with the next thing he said. "You see, that red blood cell who fainted at your door… she's very special to me."
There. That was it.
If 1146 was only the slightest bit sure that NC-1998 was Cancer, he knew that he needed more than circumstantial evidence to confirm his mounting suspicions.. All he needed was verbal confirmation, but for now…
His lime green eyes had widened slightly, his breathing choked. NC tried looking away into the nearby window, but it was more than enough.
1146 knew and now…
Now he wasn't all too sure where to go from there.
The neutrophil took a deep breath and figured that if became closer to NC, then he would have more than enough interactions to give him the closure that he needed.
"And I wanted to thank you for taking care of her when no one else could."
1146 leaned forward, eager to see how NC would react.
NC, for all what he was worth, placed his spoon neatly into his bowl with a slight clatter.
"Special to you," he muttered lowly. "How?"
1146 shifted a little uncomfortably in his seat. That same feeling that he had with 2001 only half a cycle ago… It was rearing its ugly head and 1146 didn't know how to feel about that. Before he could answer, the cafe door opened once again with a slight jangle, which caused both cells to look up to catch a glimpse.
To catch a glimpse of—
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
And back again.
The new cell bounded over to their table, her cheeks flushed and strands of hair falling out of the braid that fell neatly over her shoulder.
"Mr. Neutrophil! I was told by a normal cell that—"
Her golden eyes suddenly fell on NC-1998's figure, her jaw going slack and her eyes widening before they hardened into steel.
1146 glanced between the two of them, his decision made once he saw that NC-1998 was avoiding both of their gazes and that AE-3803 looked like she was only a micrometer away from losing everything.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
He wasn't angry.
He shouldn't be angry.
But he was curious.
"Miss Red Blood Cell?"
3803's eyes snapped to his, an almost surprised and betrayed expression slipping onto her face as he gestured towards the table.
"Would you like to have a seat?"
