Author's Note: First of all, if you're still reading and waiting for updates, thank you! You keep this fanfic going by believing in me and reminding me that there are people waiting for it! I got a bit of work (which is good, everyone's got to eat) to keep me busy so while I will do my best to keep up regular updates, I will be a bit more busy IRL from now on. Keep fingers crossed for me! I'll do my best to reply to comments/reviews, so don't be afraid to reach out if you want to discuss stuff! BIG THANK YOU for a consultation regarding Japanese words and phrases to the wonderful people of Lizzie's Bar discord – Leivvi, space-age-pirate, and Zepsor.
To steal from a thief
Savagery. The idea of not sating hunger. Having to wait for the next meal in uncertainty. How did people even live in the times before coord-based drone delivery? It came in especially handy in the case of a long, uneventful lookout. We had some decent quality pizza and sushi delivered from a fancy joint in Downtown. To be clear, I had the former, and he had the latter. I felt the need to enjoy as much pizza in my life before I passed, within a weekly reasonable limit, of course, and Takemura refused to order anything which was not fresh or at least (to him) palatable, after his experience with a street vendor yakitori a few hours before. The whole thing actually began then.
We had met to discuss the next step in our plan and ended up spying on the top of a building under construction, overlooking the Arasaka Industrial Park in Arroyo. His plan was basically to infect the main float so, when the parade would actually happen, he could casually get to it while I take out security measures during the parade... And then go talk to Hanako Arasaka herself, the late Saburo's daughter.
Easy as pie. First we had to get to the float, and those were stored at the Industrial Park, so we were up there, spending the afternoon scouting the area, watching the patterns of the guards and the bots... And then I'd simply have to sneak into the Arasaka warehouse, find the biggest float, and upload some shady software Takemura had found in Kabuki.
It was a plan, yeah, but I thought it was batshit crazy, to be fair, but Johnny believed I should see how useful Takemura could get before it was time to get rid of him. He was a corpo soldier, that Goro. And to his very core. But the more time I spent with him, the more I saw a decent, honor-bound man underneath all that fancy 'Saka chrome.
It was an odd experience, to say the least. Having to spend a few hours with him. Not a shot fired, no traffic, no other people, just a thief with rotten luck and a soldier betrayed by the family he swore to protect. He told me about how he grew up in poverty before being recruited by Arasaka. Trained from a young age, he showed promise and made his way up in the ranks. No wonder he was so fiercely loyal to them. Feeding a malnourished young body food while feeding the young, sponge-like mind ideas about who's in the right was a clear way to gain soldiers for life.
It annoyed me, in a way. Arasaka this, Arasaka that. I reminded him that the damn corporation made me lose my best friend. I was still pissed off about that. Jackie deserved so much better. Takemura said something that I couldn't disagree with, even if seeing tiny Arasaka symbols on his chrome sometimes made me want to pick them out with rusty pliers. But he reminded that we both lost someone important that night. And that their deaths weren't right. And that neither of us was really over it at that point.
The way he talked about Saburo... protecting that man was his life goal, in a way. That insane cyber-grandpa who shook the world and ruled a good fucking part of it. A living legend from a past age, kinda stuck in it, but still in 2077, walking around in his traditional attire, making decisions that made or broke millions, overseeing the creation of unthinkable technologies... before he kicked the bucket that fateful night because his son strangled him.
It was so surreal, hearing Takemura talk about Saburo's favorite plums. I found it hard to believe that that guy even ate stuff, and didn't live on the lifeblood of the Earth's very core or something. Would have made more sense than plums, for sure.
We remained in silence for a while, both ruminating about our losses, when I heard a notification for a message. It was from Jude, and I couldn't help but smile.
Judy: [Heya, V]
Judy: [Starting tuning our virtu – got me thinking. We on for tonight?]
Judy: [Got no idea how much Im digging this right now. Splicing two emotive tracks together is super hard – theres a lotta noise I need to filter out for this to come out baby-soft, but the contrast in our reactions... I mean, it'll give you shivers. Don't even have to amplify the emotional tracks. N O V A]
We made it kind of a habit to leave the days for work and gigs but spend evenings together. Either huddled together, lazying about in a bath (Judy loved water, so the baths were at her place), watching stuff or listening to music through her audio processor... or just, well, who am I kidding, having a lot of fun on my big bed. The one she had at her place only lent itself well to a very particular kind of fooling around... a very pleasant one, too, if I were to be completely honest. Of course, we only did that if we both had time and sometimes we'd take the night off, because I didn't want her to feel to smothered with my presence... and some evenings I didn't feel that great, and I didn't want her to have to see that.
V: [Hehe, looks like someone's havin a good time]
V: [That's cute.]
Judy: [Cuteness has nothin to do with it, mi calabacita]
I responded with the first thing that came to my confused mind.
V: [Calaba-wha?]
Judy: [Nvm, nothing xD. So we on for tonight? Miss you]
V: [Sure we are. My place tonight? Got something I need to do but I'll be home after. Promise. Miss you too]
Judy: [Alright, I gotta go. Byeeee]
"V. V, don't make any sudden moves," Takemura's voice, though usually like gravel, was softer this time, "Look, I think it's a bakeneko..." he gently nodded at a cat that was sitting on the precipice of the building, just cleaning itself, like it had all nine lives left.
Calabacita, bakeneko... I felt like I should be familiar with these terms, being a Night City native.
"A bakeneko?"
"A cat spirit. My grandmother used to tell me stories of them... and other creatures, like kitsune, or kappa. A bakeneko can be seen as a bad sign... it can raise people from death, some say. To see such a creature in this cursed city. I had thought there were only cockroaches here.
"First it was the birds, then the dogs... the cats actually held out the longest," I mused, another message distracted me.
Judy: [Don't make me wait too long... And if you do, wake me? ;) ;)]
V: [Oh you bet. No more sleeping for you when I get home, all tired and longing...]
I nibbled on my lip and shook my head, barely stifling a giggle. Oh shit, I was talking to Takemura, wasn't I? I glanced at where the cat had been.
"Huh, seems the bakeneko got enough of our company..." I frowned and looked around. Nope, the mystical feline was gone.
"Perhaps. Or perhaps it had done its job of raising the dead," Takemura quipped. I could hear some kind of odd satisfaction in his voice. Almost as if he was judging me.
"What job...?" I blinked at him a few times, obviously not following. I was alive, not like I needed an emergency hypo.
"To think you're such an... oodorobou... How ironic. Yorinobu let himself be fooled by a great thief like you," Takemura shook his head, a rare smirk played on his lips. He called me a great thief...but something about his tone assured me he wasn't being too serious and that it wasn't really praise.
After a moment, he spoke in Japanese, having more ease of expressing what was on his mind,
"それでも、誰かに惚れさせられたんだ。(Soredemo, dareka ni horesaseraretanda,)," my passive translator quickly parsed his words into "And yet, you let yourself be charmed by someone..." and he wasn't exactly wrong. I just felt called out. By none else than the guy who thought Wakako Okada was a charming old lady, at that. Was I really being that obvious? No...
"And you think that... uh... why exactly?" I asked, decided to draw it out. He had an interesting way of phrasing himself sometimes.
"One does not simply smile like that when a fixer contacts them. Even on a... payday," Takemura replied, "I have seen you angry, pained, distressed, and disappointed. And now I see you with your heart taken. But in a good way. It almost sounds too generous, such a fate for a thief, but I understand," he mused, leaning against the unfinished railing. After a moment he looked down, and nodded to himself, as if agreeing with some kind of an initial instinct, "And I am happy for you, V. Let us hope that it will bring haste to our plans, and not impede them."
"Whatever it does to the plans, it keeps me going, so I'm happy with that," I replied. It was extremely odd to hear such a thing from him. Viktor, sure, Misty, too. But Takemura? Perhaps Arasaka left at least some 'ganic part of his heart intact. I nodded at him and smiled, "Thanks, Goro. It's nice to hear, though," I added. He wasn't looking at me directly but must have caught my nod in the corner of his eye, because he inclined his head as well.
As we continued our vigil, I started feeling a bit impatient. Antsy, in the best of ways. I knew I was going to see Judy later that night, that we were going to spend time together in whatever way we both felt like... Just knowing I was going to be close to her without having to worry. That thought, looking forward to it, together with what Takemura had said, it made me conscious of something. Since that day Judy and I went diving... I had been much more careful, conscious. It was as if I valued my life a lot more, as if her words, her glazed over stare as she shook the will to live into my thick skull... it really had an effect on me.
And I applied it in my approach to the Arasaka Industrial Park as well. I kept calm, methodically removed any security from my way, human or mechanical, and kept to the shadow, silent on my paws like the bakeneko's bipedal ninja cousin. I even put my recorder on, so Judy could watch it later. I thought that the thrill of it all, even if executed carefully, would be to her liking. Besides, it was incredibly cool, being able to show my 'work day' to her and know she'd appreciate the medium.
Takemura and I parted and went our separate ways for the night. I made sure none of the goons from the site followed me and after I knew I was safe, I decided to delta home. To Judy. It was already late, and I would have preferred if we had more time... but that was something that didn't just apply for that night. After all, talking to Hanako could provide beneficial for my case in some way, so I was working towards finding a solution. A way to win more time for myself.
The Atrium of H11 was never quiet. There were always people who worked later shifts and spent their free time hanging out with one another. The food stalls were open, ads loud... Just Night City at its usual. It was odd, because a lot of the times, I would come back from a day of gigs and everything and everyone just annoyed me. That night, my surroundings seemed vibrant instead. I found myself appreciating it. I saw the little things that often escaped my attention. Couples lounging on benches, kids playing. It was weird and beautiful at the same time, but it confirmed what seemed so obvious to everyone.
I entered my pad, as quietly as I could, in case Judy was asleep. I didn't want to call her on my way back either, so as not to wake her... too early. It was almost impossible to know whether a blockade, an accident clean-up, or a MaxTac intervention wasn't going to delay my return, but that night I was lucky. Judy wasn't on the sofa... she wasn't in bed either. I could hear her soft footsteps and I turned around, feeling my entire body burn up. She had just come out of the shower, not entirely dry yet, but she was perfect, with droplets of water sticking to her inked form, some of which she transferred to my clothes.
We wrapped our arms around each other and stood there, smiling like gonks. I think we said hi around three times each, before we realized what we had been doing and had a fit of juvenile but completely understandable giggles.
"I didn't wanna fall asleep without you," Judy confessed and reached up to comb through my hair.
"And now you won't have to," I smiled at her and placed a smooching kiss on her forehead.
"No, but you're way too overdressed, V..." she pointed out, and I agreed with her completely. We quickly fixed that, before moving to bed. It seemed the plan for the night was agreed upon without too much discussion.
The following morning, some wicked forces kept us from getting up for longer than we had both initially planned. We agreed on taking a day in a week, if possible, to take things easy, grab a meal together, hang out. No guns, no BDs. Just the two of us. I liked those days, because I could spend as much time as I wanted, doing my favorite things. Like feeling Judy's thighs press against my ears, with enough strength to almost muffle all the wonderful sounds she was making. Almost. I wasn't in a hurry at all, and I lost track of time in the process. A few moments after I felt her arch her back, I could feel her grab my shoulder in a gesture that urged me to stop from the time being. It brought me back to reality and I looked up at her, smiling at me, her hair a mess and her breaths quick and shallow. I joined her and let her hide in my arms as she settled down.
We were still learning each other, but there was some kind of silent agreement between us that I really enjoyed. It was as if we both knew exactly when we felt like talking, and when we didn't, so awkwardness, so far at least, wasn't an issue at all. Sometimes we'd just lie there, listening to each other's heartbeats, sated for the time being, remembering that we were human and alive. Together, against all odds. No drug, no implant, no BD could replicate that blissful simplicity of being a happy animal, safe in its den.
My musings on human nature were interrupted by a call. I sat up, blinking, since it wasn't really a contact that did that often. Was there an emergency?
I quickly pulled on a t-shirt and picked up "Misty... Something wrong?" the concern in my voice must have been palpable because Judy sat up as well and took me by the hand. I thought it was adorable.
"Hey, V..." I could hear my spiritual guide through Night City on the other side. She didn't sound too certain, "I hope I'm not disturbing. You okay?"
She didn't answer my question for some reason, "I'm fine yeah. Fine as can be, really. Timing's just right," I dodged and shot a brief grin at Judy who shook her head and mouthed 'gonk' at me, "But I can hear things aren't exactly preem at your end. What's wrong?"
"Okay... Remember how I told you about... Mama Welles trying to adopt me?" Misty began, I nodded. It was a fairly recent conversation, and I still found it amusing, "Yeah, what about it?"
"Well, she invited me over. She even said she was going to make something without meat this time. Thing is... I'm not sure if I can sit there with her for hours, again..." Misty explained. I could see that sadness in her eyes. Hearing stories about Jackie, helping ease a grieving mother's burden while she had her own to process. It made sense that it would be too much even for such a golden hearted girl like Misty.
"I'm not entirely sure how I can help, though," I frowned. Maybe my mind was still buzzing from having my ears kept so warm...
"Well, I know you're really busy. And I really wouldn't have asked but... Would you go with me to see her and share that meal? I think it'd make things... easier," Misty suggested, in that calm, pleasant voice of hers. She was always such a sweetheart to me. I looked at Judy, then back at Misty.
"Uhm... would it be okay if I bring someone with me? Just one more person," I asked, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling sheepishly.
"Of course! Yes! We could meet at El Coyote Cojo, in around two hours? I'm really sorry for the short notice, V..." Misty was both relieved and apologetic.
"Sounds good, sure. See you then," I smiled. We said our goodbyes and disconnected.
"I dunno, V," Judy clicked her tongue, "Seems like you've got women all over you from your waking moment today," she grinned and nudged me playfully.
"Misty's... different. She works at Esoterica, that shop at Vik's front, you know? She gave me the blockers... and, uh, Jackie and her were dating. Was more than a year before... Konpeki," I said the last word very quietly.
Judy sighed, "I'm sorry... Jeez. I get it. I didn't mean to be funny about such things," she muttered, shaking her head.
I hugged her close, "It's alright. It's kinda my fault Mama Welles is trying to adopt her. I convinced Misty to show up at Jackie's ofrenda... and told his mother to maybe start seeing her as the person she really was in Jackie's life, and not some rando. Worked better than I expected," I confessed.
"So we're goin' or what?" Judy piped up with renewed enthusiasm. The part of her that was ready to jump up and help someone in need was clearly awake.
"If you want to, sure. Mama Welles is the closest thing I got to a parent. You ready for this?" I grinned at her, curious as to how she'd react to that challenge.
"Oh, that official, huh? It's on, baby," Judy leaned in and smooched me on the cheek. Needless to say, it still had a bit of evidence on it from my earlier explorations. She didn't mind and licked her lips, I looked at her in understanding and acknowledgment.
"Shower first," I agreed without further suggestion. We still had time, but there was always a risk of an in-flat delay...
We met with Misty, thankfully on time, close to the Coyote. I took my Quadra, as it had better security, and I didn't want to risk any of the equipment from Judy's van getting stolen if we left it in one of the local parking spots.
"Wow, she's a mood," Judy said to me before we came into hearing range. Misty certainly had her own style, one that clearly communicated she forgot to care about what the city thought about her. I respected that. To me, Misty was like a beacon of some otherworldly, yet much needed wholesomeness in Night City. A treasure, but not like scratch, more like a favorite story, told from generation to generation, uplifting the spirits every single time.
I waved at her and we approached, holding hands in a pretty obvious way, only letting go so I could briefly hug the blonde before taking Jude's hand again, "Hey, Misty. This is Judy Alvarez, the best braindance editor in town," I introduced her, blushing and smiling like I was still in high school, "And my girlfriend," I almost giggled out, then proceeded with the second part, "Judy, this is Misty Olszewski, the proprietor of Misty's Esoterica, and a dear friend of mine."
They shook hands, and it was clear they were from different worlds, in a way. But to be fair, so was I, a merc, just adding some more spice into this odd mix.
"Nice to meet you, Judy. V didn't tell me who she was bringing, but I could tell it would be someone special to her. It's been a while since I've seen her so radiant, and that is thanks to you," the blonde smiled.
"Nice to meet you, too, Misty. V told me about you, but I have to say, I never really had a chance to visit that shop of yours," Judy replied.
"Oh, we don't really get many clients. Most of them come to Vik's. Many don't really talk to me. But V always stays, even if only for a moment. It's rare, but it says a lot. And seeing her like this assures me that her good karma has returned... by weaving your paths together.
Judy and I shared a look. It wasn't exactly karma that did that, it was Evelyn Parker. And Jackie was a part of the heist she had planned.
"Fate or not, here we are now, and your cards were right," I said, "Shall we?"
"Oh, yes, yes... Let's," Misty nodded and began walking towards El Coyote Cojo.
"Cards?" Judy asked.
"Misty does tarot readings. She kind of..." Was this the part where I told Judy I saw kind-of-grafitti-but-not-really, and that one... that apparently was her card – the Magician, was right next to Lizzie's? No, that'd be creepy. Even for an Arasaka made Relic chip, "She told me, some time ago..."
"Oh, I didn't tell you anything, V. The cards spoke through me," Misty corrected and I hummed in acknowledgment.
"The cards told me I would meet someone I might... develop feelings for," I smiled at Judy and gave her hand a squeeze. She smiled back and hummed, "Oh I see... Well, thanks cards," she said, "I'm not going to complain about that."
We got to the apartment that was right next to the bar, with Mama Welles waiting for us in the doorway. She waved and offered us a brief smile. It was warm in her own kind of way, enough to be noticed by someone who knew her at least a bit.
"Did you warn her there were more mouths coming?" I asked Misty, she nodded.
"Oh yes, I just didn't say who it was, but I'm pretty sure she has a pot of chili stashed away somewhere, ready to be brought out for any occasion," the blonde chuckled.
"Dios mio, V. I'm so glad it's you! I have prepared some carnitas when Misty told me she was bringing friends... I didn't really think about it," Mama Welles sounded a tiny bit self-conscious. Wow. Misty really did grow on her if she worried about cooking something the girl and her friends would enjoy.
"It's good to see you, Mama Welles," I came up to her and hugged her, feeling a bear-like response from her. When she released me, her eyes gave Judy a curious once-over, "And who is your friend?" Ah, mothers. Mothers and their ideas about gal pals.
I introduced Judy again, in an identical manner. Hearing the confirmation from me and seeing more of our shameless hand holding, Mama Welles nodded, "Thank Santa Madre you have someone looking out for you, almost a miracle in this city. Just like Misty was for my Jackie. Come in, mi hijas, the food's ready."
The interior of Mama Welles' house was familiar to me. It was pleasantly dim, yet it had a warmth to it. It was cozy, if I had to use one word. She had a couple of sofas and a smaller table against walls in what was a main room, next to a flight of stairs which led to the bedroom. We sat down, Judy and I on one sofa, Mama Welles and Misty on the other.
I spent half a year going back to that bedroom, exhausted and poor. The first weeks, at least. The path to the big leagues, however treacherous they turned out to be, was not an easy one. And we still took so many damn shortcuts. Judy's hand grasping mine made me go back to earth and cease my musings. I looked at her and she was almost purple from the effort, keeping a stone face, but from the devilish glint in her eyes alone, I could tell that she was doing her damn best to hold in laughter.
I looked around in utter confusion. What was so funny? We sat down and Judy covered her eyes for a moment, rubbing her temples to try and steady herself. What was going on? I still didn't understand... She nodded at the table. I saw some sort of a stew. Didn't smell meaty, must have been for Misty. There was a variety of syn-veggies in it... corn, zucchini, tomato sauce? Maybe ketchup, I didn't really know. I could definitely smell some onions and garlic, too. I would mind trying that myself, at all. But why was it so funny?
"Misty, I really hope you like mis calabacitas, no meat at all," Mama Welles smiled.
Judy lost it and burst out laughing and hid behind me. She was shaking violently, I could hear her cry and wheeze, there was no way this could be salvaged, so I just gave Mama Welles an apologetic look as I tried to process. And then it hit me. Mi calabacita. V. The Scourge of Maelstrom. The one who stole from Arasaka. The most badass merc in town. Also a zucchini.
I took a breath, as if to speak, then cleared my throat. Judy was still wheezing behind me. I shook my head and simply took out my phone, holding it strategically so both Misty and Mama Welles could see the message from Judy.
Misty giggled and covered her mouth, at least she was being respectful. Mama Welles roared like a bear den mother and leaned back on the sofa, joining Judy in a loud, uninhibited wheeze-fest at my expense. My reputation was squashed, that much was sure. But to see them laugh, instead of crying over Jackie... to see them chuckle as we ate and talked, about anything, from food, to Laguna Bend (apparently Mama Welles knew some people from there, so Judy and her found a subject, too), to Mama Welles asking Judy if she wanted the recipe, so they could laugh at me again... That was much better than tears. It was a memory I would cherish until the end of my days, however many I had left.
