Year: 774 / November
_Unexpected
17 had been waiting for at least ten minutes in front of the small convenience store in the village located on the outskirts of the nature park he was protecting. With his arms crossed over his chest, he stood there, frozen in an attitude that the inhabitants could now recognize at first glance. Everyone joked benevolently about this silent young man who always looked at them with an inexpressive eye and whose silences had become legendary, the source of many amusing anecdotes exchanged during conversations, often in the evening, in the only café that brightened up the quiet village square.
However, 17 was not feared in this place.
On the contrary. He was respected for his strength, which he used to protect the animals in the park, but not only. More than once, he had helped to find hikers lost in the mountains, sometimes bringing them back in the cold, at death's door, and thus saving their lives. He was also often present to render small services to elderly people who asked him to help them with difficult tasks, such as fetching wood for example. 17 never refused, even if it was often necessary to go through Ruri to reach him, because he stayed away from the village life, spending most of his time in the Park. Only the guards and a few merchants had managed to establish daily links with him, but everyone in the area liked him, sincerely.
So his presence at the center of the village was quite rare, and although it wasn't quite 6 a.m. yet and he was doing his best to keep a low profile, many locals had spotted him and were calling each other to discuss what seemed to be the event of the day.
17, alone, without Ruri at his side to serve as « intermediary », this situation was unusual to say the least. It had been a few days since the bubbly young woman had come to see them. Everyone knew that the couple had been away for a few days on « work-related trip », but they had been back for a week. However, Ruri had not yet reappeared. She was as exuberant and friendly as her companion was silent and distant. She used to come in almost every day to do some shopping, chat with the shopkeepers or have a drink at the end of the day. In fact, she had totally integrated herself into this small community of mountain dwellers who had welcomed this friendly stranger with open arms.
Her absence was therefore beginning to worry everyone, and everyone was wondering in low voices without daring to come and ask 17 directly.
And as usual, the latter did not perceive anything of these human feelings that he always had so much difficulty to decipher. He was therefore far from imagining the emotion he was arousing and continued to wait in silence for the small store to open soon. In his right hand, he was holding a list containing everything Ruri had asked him to buy.
It had been several days since they had returned from their mission in the North with Mint and Moss, and it was the young woman who had almost immediately taken charge. She had dealt with the administrative formalities, had made examine the twins by the village doctor and had taken care of the babies who had become very attached to her. 17, on the other hand, was not really comfortable dealing with such fragile and difficult beings as young babies, but he tried his best to help Ruri in the smallest tasks she could give him.
That's how he ended up there, at dawn, to do some shopping for her before taking his shift. And it was under the watchful eyes of the villagers that he entered the convenience store as soon as it opened. He had been there before, but never alone. He was a bit lost, not really knowing which aisle to go to, especially since the list he had in his hands contained many words whose real meaning was quite obscure to him. He was thinking about this when a familiar voice suddenly appeared.
- If you want... can I help you?
Turning around, 17 saw that the store employee was standing right behind him. He knew him by sight and had never really spoken to him, but he didn't have much time. Under the circumstances, the young man's offer of help was more than welcome, and 17 finally nodded and gave him his list. The young man accepted the piece of paper with a smile, but turned pale as soon as he looked at the contents. His stunned gaze shifted for a few seconds from the list to 17 and back again. But he quickly came to his senses and fled into the stacks, only to return a few minutes later. He was holding a large green box filled to the brim, which he handed to him with a smile.
Remembering Ruri's lessons in manners, 17 tried to do the same, to his interlocutor's apparent joy who hastened to help him scan and pay for all his purchases. The employee then tried to start a conversation with him, but without much success, as 17 only answered "yes" or "no" to most of his questions, leaving long silences punctuating their exchange. He didn't seem to mind, however, and greeted him uncharacteristically warmly as he left the store.
17 nodded his head again in thanks before taking off, returning home without delay.
All this without noticing that several villagers had also entered the convenience store, and that they had lost nothing of his strange purchases...
When 17 arrived in front of his house, he quickly noticed that light was coming from the kitchen.
« Already awake... » he immediately thought with slight concern.
He had quickly realized that the twins' arrival had not been insignificant for Ruri. She had stopped accompanying him to work to take care of them, but had insisted that he should go back to his job without changing anything in his habits. So he was away most of the day, but even when he was there, he felt deeply useless. Mint and Moss were not hostile to him, but he had no idea how to behave with them. He was also very apprehensive about hurting such small and fragile beings whose cries were tugging at him. Because the two babies cried, often. And in an amazing mimicry.
In these moments, 17 did not know what to do.
Ruri had repeatedly told him that everything was fine, that she was able to do everything by herself, and she had even encouraged him to start training again at night. He had hesitated, but in front of her insistence he had let himself be convinced, joining her only early in the morning. It is there that he found her most of the time, slumped on their sofa, leaving the twins sleeping in the room.
That's how he had found her when, an hour earlier, he had returned from his nightly session.
Ruri was sound asleep, but she had left the shopping list in plain sight on the kitchen table with a small note full of explanations for him. 17 had slipped away silently, so he was quite surprised to see that his companion had gotten up during his short absence. She was obviously still partially dozing, because she greeted him with a yawn before stretching herself for a long time. Then, the half-closed eyes, she got up and came to meet him while 17 was conscientiously unpacking his purchases.
- M'ning ...
- Good morning. You're already up?
- Coffeeeeee ... Ruri mumbled, leaning her head on 17's left arm.
- Okay, okay. I'll make some.
The young woman grumbled a "thank you", before sitting down and drinking slowly (and noisily) the cup that 17 had just served her. The latter served himself and watched with amusement Ruri emerging little by little from her long sleep. Disheveled, dressed in a tank top and a small gray short with pink borders, her glance was fixed on the wall right in front of her.
Although he noted perfectly the rings under her eyes, 17 could not help finding her incredibly beautiful in the morning, in this natural unleashed that he liked so much.
But while he was looking at her without saying anything, Ruri suddenly straightened up, yawned again, then turned to him.
- Did you take everything I wrote down on the list?
- Yes, I did.
- And, just out of curiosity, where exactly did you go?
- To the village grocery store, it's the closest one. Why do you ask?
- Ah yes, everything is clearer now.
- What is clearer?
- 17, it's time to subject you to a little practical exercise in human sociology, Ruri replied, taking a big sip of coffee with malice.
- What ?
- Imagine: you and I have been living here together for years. Under the same roof. Well, it's true that we're not married, that we never really made things official, and that when we're in public you stand miles away from me because you're clearly not the most demonstrative man on the planet...
- What?
- Not that I absolutely want you to kiss me in front of everyone, I know you're modest. Let's just say that from time to time, it wouldn't be the end of the world...
- But I...
- Anyway, that's not the point. But everyone here knows that you and I are a couple. You agree with me on that, don't you?
- Uh...
- PERFECT. So basically, these people have seen us living under the same roof for years. What do you think the villagers might have deduced after your little appearance this morning?
- No one saw me this morning.
- Oh, make no mistake, honey, THE WHOLE VILLAGE saw you.
- But why? What's so special about me shopping?
- You really have no idea?
- No idea at all.
- Not even a little one?
- I see you're wide awake now, 17 replied, puzzled, trying to figure out what Ruri was trying to get at.
- You would be too if you had received a BILLION messages in the last 5 minutes.
- Messages about what?
- To congratulate you and me.
- But for what?
Ruri nonchalantly put her elbow on the kitchen table and leaned her cheek against it. Thus positioned, she looked at him for a few seconds, amused to see him so sincerely unaware of the « scandal » he had caused.
- Diapers, milk and wipes, spare pacifier... she said simply as an answer, listing the main things she had asked him to buy.
17 frowned. He put down his cup and stepped back slightly, arms crossed, not seeming to understand right away. There was a long silence in the kitchen, interrupted only by the calculated tapping of Ruri's nails on the table.
And suddenly, everything became clear to him.
The young woman had guessed it in the blink of an eye when she saw 17 put a hand on his forehead, visibly depressed.
- Oh, he said at last. Shit.
- A" »big shit », you might say, she replied with a laugh.
- Raaah, I hadn't thought of that... I wanted to make it quick... humans... they can't mind their own business, can they?
- This is a village.
- ... And?
- And every little thing becomes very important. Especially when it comes to you.
- I'm going to go back and clear up this misunderstanding.
- No offense, but the less you talk to other humans without me, the better.
- Ah.
- Then leave it to me, I'll take care of explaining it all to them. And I was just teasing you, you know, this whole thing has been fun, it's been good to laugh a little.
However, this last sentence drew 17's attention again, especially since Ruri had just yawned again. Despite her efforts not to show it, she was obviously exhausted. Watching her, he noted with concern her slow, heavy lashes and the usual gleam in her eyes that had faded considerably.
He then took her chin, very gently, and brought it close to his face.
- You are tired Ruri, he murmured.
- It's not a big deal, I assure you, the young woman answered immediately.
- How long have you actually been sleeping, since the human babies came to us?
- Enough.
- That's not an answer.
- Mint and Moss don't sleep much at night... Ruri finally admitted. They are very restless, they cry. I think they must have nightmares. The poor little ones...
- Why didn't you tell me earlier? You told me that everything was fine.
- Because everything is fine, I promise you. They eventually fall asleep, and in the daytime I manage. You don't have to worry.
- I can...
- Don't worry, Ruri interrupted him, accompanying her sentence with a quick kiss. I can manage. I can work at home. But the animals need you during the day. As for the evening, your training is important to you, and the twins fall asleep before you get home.
- Are you sure?
- Absolutely. It's only for a few days, until the police find the children's family.
17 only half believed her. He didn't really think Ruri was lying to him, but over time he had also learned that she tended to want to do "more", and not ask for his help. The more she tried to convince him that there was no problem, the more he doubted it. But he did not have the opportunity to continue the discussion with her, because he heard crying.
Mint and Moss had just woken up.
Following their cries like an automaton, Ruri jumped up from her chair and rushed into the room without paying attention to 17. He heard her talking to them, in an incredibly soft and tender voice, until the twins' cries were reduced to a slight hiccup. After a few minutes, the slamming of doors and the sound of water told him that she had taken them into the bathroom.
Since their arrival, he had stayed away from anything to do with baby care. He really had no idea how he should behave with them and was even apprehensive about holding them for fear of hurting them. Anyway, Ruri didn't really give him the opportunity to help with the babies, and he had never tried to impose himself, having let himself be convinced that he couldn't do anything really useful.
When the young woman finally returned to the kitchen, she was holding the two babies in her arms. Still in the gray pajamas they had brought with them, with the same pink and blue pacifiers in their mouths that made them distinguishable. 17 noticed the reddened eyes of Moss and his sister on whose cheek still ran a small tear. The awakening had not been easy, but now all seemed to have calmed down. He also noticed Volt who was following the young woman step by step, stuck to her legs, looking at the babies and addressing them small affectionate barks. Ruri tried to push him away gently with her feet, without success. Sighing, she settled the twins in the high chairs she had retrieved from their former home, then began to prepare their bottles.
17 continued to watch without saying anything, intrigued to see what the young woman was doing to deal with human babies. But his attention was quickly drawn to the twins' giggles, to which he turned.
Volt had just jumped onto a chair between them so he could sniff them and had just started frantically licking their uncovered hands. Hilarious, the twins bent down to caress him.
- He always does this, don't worry, explained Ruri who had noticed 17's interest in the scene.
- Don't you think it's dangerous? Volt is still a wild animal, he answered, trying in vain to keep the wolfhound away.
- He is obviously not trained, and I am counting on you to do something about that. But with the kids, it's different. He loves them, and it's mutual. As soon as you brought him home, he rushed to the bed to sleep with them, as if he was watching over them. And when they cry, he comes right away to lick them. The babies love him and fortunately he is there to distract them a little.
17 didn't answer, but he nodded and let Volt continue. He'd been in charge of the young pup's education since their return, taking the opportunity of his nightly training sessions to bring him along. And while it was still unthinkable to let him come in contact with other humans, he had seen how close the animal, no doubt because of his young age, had become to the human babies he seemed to think of as his lost siblings.
Suddenly, a sensation assailed him.
A breath, something discreet, imperceptible, which nevertheless put his combative senses on alert. Turning his face towards the right, he saw, as in slow motion, Ruri's hesitant movements which had just seized one of the twins' bottles. 17 sensed what was going to happen. He guessed the weakness of her body which dropped the object and his instinct determined in a fraction of second the trajectory which it was going to follow. By reflex, his arm reached out in the right direction, catching the bottle before it reached the ground, and before the young woman even had time to realize that she had dropped it.
- Wow, she stammered when 17 stood in front of her, without a word.
- You're tired, he replied gravely.
- I'm mostly clumsy.
- You must be really sleep deprived to lie so badly.
- No, I...
- Come on, show me, interrupted 17.
- Show you what ?
- Show me how to make bottles. I can do that.
- The sun is coming up, you have to leave for your shift. I don't want to get in the way of your work.
He could feel it in her voice. Ruri was exhausted and tense. Her verbal denials did not change what her body was expressing. And 17 trusted his instincts to understand what she was really feeling, deep inside. Why did she insist on pretending to be fine? Why was she trying so hard not to ask him for help? Why did she insist on playing the role of the perfect, infallible woman?
He didn't know. The subtleties of human behavior were still obscure to him, blinded as he was by the loss of some of his former emotions.
But he did not seek to understand.
No matter what Ruri's reasons were, she needed him, and that was all that mattered to him. 17 moved forward a few steps and passed right behind the young woman, still without a word, without omitting however to pass his hands around her waist. It is only at this moment that he realized at which point this body, which he had not caressed for a week, missed terribly him. The delicate contact of her skin gave him an instantaneous shiver, and an irrepressible desire of her assailed his thoughts. The flinch of the young woman who he had hardly touched made him understand that she had felt exactly the same thing as him, but it was without counting on the noises which Mint and Moss made, right behind them. The tinkling of pacifiers was indeed impossible to forget, and brought them back to reality immediately.
They both laughed at the same time, Ruri throwing a tender glance to the twins who did not leave them of the eyes.
- I don't know what's on your mind cyborg, but forget it right now, she giggled.
- I had in mind to learn how to make bottles.
- You're not tired, yet you're an even worse liar than I am, it seems.
- I am 100% serious.
- I totally believe you.
- Really, said 17 in a more serious tone. Let me help you a little. Teach me.
Ruri quickly stopped struggling. She knew she wasn't being entirely truthful with him and that she was slowly reaching her limits. She really needed his help. So she nodded, inwardly so happy with the gestures of attention and gentleness that 17 showed her, he who could sometimes be so stingy with it.
- And anyway, you're a real disaster in the kitchen, so I'd better take care of it, he suddenly laughed.
- WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU ?! Ruri shouted, furious, by throwing the two bottles which she had in hand straight at 17 who easily dodged them, still hilarious.
- Hop!
- 17 stop moving !
!
- It's not my fault if you aim badly.
- Raaaah! You'll never change with your unfunny jokes!
- It seems not.
And in one gesture, he immobilized Ruri's wrists that he held delicately in his hands. He made an amused wink to her, and the young woman started to laugh again, her anger evaporating immediately under the effect of his smile.
- Well, come on, okay. Come here, I'll show you, she finally whispered.
17 complied, listening religiously to her explanations about the milk, how to mix it and how to heat it. In a few minutes he understood how to do it and he stayed with her until the preparation was finished. They agreed together that he would take care of this task whenever he was present, especially in the morning to relieve Ruri.
Then it was time for him to leave.
His phone just started ringing, several rangers in his team were waiting to receive his daily instructions. He also used to make a quick first tour of the whole park area by flying over it, and this little morning foray had upset his usual schedule. So 17 left Ruri alone again, reassured that he had succeeded in making himself useful. He was sure that everything would be better from now on, and it was true for the days to come. Before leaving for work and as soon as he returned, he would prepare the bottles of Mint and Mousse, but still let Ruri give them to them. He also kept on taking care of Volt and doing the shopping alone, helped by the villagers who had since learned what had happened.
Everything was fine.
At least that's what he thought.
- Sit Volt. Sit.
He still didn't get the answer he was looking for, the puppy just stared at him uncomprehendingly, before turning around abruptly and starting to growl.
17 smiled, but stroked the puppy's head to calm him down.
- That was a squirrel you heard. Nothing dangerous. But you have really good hearing, much more than the sheepdogs in the area. Let's keep going.
And he set off again, with Volt gambolling joyfully by his side, happy to be able to walk unhindered in this immense forest that was quite unfamiliar to him. It was about four o'clock in the morning, and only the glow of the moon through the trees lit their way. But both of them could rely on their senses to find their way through the darkness without using their eyes. 17 enjoyed the young pup's company very much. He was a bit like him, still very wild and unsociable. He wasn't a dog, you could tell when you saw him act in everyday life. He still had all the behavior of a wild animal, of a hunter even, on the lookout for the slightest sound or smell.
For 17, this was not a problem. He had learned to understand animals by living with them every day. He understood Volt's reactions much better than human babies, which is precisely why he took him every night. He needed to correct his behavior a bit so that he wouldn't be a threat to other humans when he grew up, even though 17 had the secret goal of using Volt later on to hunt poachers even more efficiently.
So he used to bring the wolfdog with him at night, tying him to a tree while he practiced a little on his own, then spending the rest of the time walking with him through the silent expanses of the park to study his behavior and teach him to obey simple commands. It was fun and entertaining, and he was slowly starting to get good results with him.
But suddenly, just as Volt had brought him a rock to play with, 17's phone began to ring, causing the unseen wildlife in the forest to flee noisily. He froze, for few people knew his number and only one person could reasonably call him at such a late hour.
« Ruri... »
He didn't need to check to be sure. And his companion wouldn't have called him without a good reason. So without thinking, he grabbed Volt, hugged him tightly, and flew without further ado to his home.
When he reached it after a few minutes of flight, the first thing he noticed was the screams that were coming from inside, and the lights that were all on. They were not cries of pain, and he could clearly recognize Mint's and her brother's screams. But it was the first time since they had returned from the North that they were crying like that. Heartbreaking cries. The same cries they'd made when he'd found them in their beds, just after their parents had died.
17 hurriedly opened the door, releasing Volt who immediately rushed to the living room.
Inside, kneeling on the floor, Ruri was unrecognizable. He understood by looking at the messiness of her hair that she had just woken up. She was obviously trying to calm the twins, holding one of them in her arms while the other screamed loudly, lying on the sofa. Both babies were red, their faces distorted by a pain that seemed insurmountable. And Ruri looked totally defeated.
Broken down.
She was crying too, begging the twins to calm down. Her face was pale and her eyes barely open, as if she was fighting sleep with all her might. She didn't notice anything about Volt's arrival, or even 17's. She was elsewhere, moving automatically, without any real coherence. She was obviously close to exhaustion.
17 froze for a second, then approached her, kneeling beside her with concern.
- Ruri? he asked her, without getting an answer.
He had to ask again three times, making abstraction as well as possible of the deafening noise which reigned in the room to concentrate only on his companion who, finally, ended up reacting. It was not however a reaction which was going to reassure him, because as soon as she turned her glance towards him and felt the caress of his fingers on her temple, she collapsed. Ruri fell forward, as if overcome by fatigue, and began to cry on his shoulder .
- Sorry, sorry... But I can't do it anymore...
- Why are you apologizing?
- I... didn't want to... disturb you, I... said...
- You are not disturbing me, what happened?
- I was... they had just fallen asleep and I also... I tried but there was a noise...
- What kind of noise?
- In the attic. Something fell, it woke them up... 17, I can't do it... They don't stop crying, I don't know what to do, I... I just... I just... I'm tired... I ...
- Okay, okay. No need to say more, I get it.
- I'm sorry ...
- Don't be. We'll talk about it later. I'm here now, we'll figure it out. How... how do I hold this baby so it doesn't hurt?
- This is Mint.
- Oh, you can tell which one is which?
- Of course, why?
- No, forget it. Show me.
17's presence by her side and the calm tone of his voice were a great help to the young woman. In spite of the twins' still loud screams, she managed to regain her composure and calm down a bit. She took a deep breath and then handed him the little girl, gently, showing her companion what he should do. 17 had instantly stiffened at her contact and Ruri herself felt a slight apprehension to see this tiny and frail baby in the hands of a so powerful being. Even though she knew he was able to control his strength and saw him being gentle with animals on a daily basis, when it came to the twins, she couldn't help but feel anxious.
- Hold her head, that's it, like this,she explained to him as Mint continued to flail around.
- Like this?
- Yes. Don't restrict her movements too much, it's even worse and you might hurt her. Hold her like this, I'll take care of Moss.
- And... what do I do now?
- If only I knew... I've tried everything, talking, singing, television...
- Well, we'll improvise and see.
Ruri did not answer immediately, using 17's help to take and hug Moss that she had had to let alone. Thus, side by side, both tried during still long minutes to make stop the cries of the two babies.
17 did not dare to speak, he had no idea of what he could say. So he just imitated Ruri's gestures at first. He tried to rock the little girl and mumble, like the reassuring sounds he had learned to use to calm a frightened animal.
But nothing helped. Neither the cuddles, nor the tender kisses of the young woman, nothing managed to calm the twins.
The only moment of respite they had was when they needed to catch their breath. But even though one seemed to want to stop, he was dragged along by the other. It was impossible to stop their tears, especially since they didn't know what was causing them.
- It's not hunger, or anything like that. They are afraid, Ruri murmured in an almost impassive voice.
- Of what? There's nothing dangerous here, it's probably an animal in the attic that...
- I know. But... the noises must remind them... what happened there... I don't know... They cry like that all the time...
- All the time?
Ruri nodded, to 17's great surprise, and he understood at that moment how terrible the last days must have been for her. He had no idea that the twins were crying like this, and that it was happening all the time. He was decidedly far from the mark, and was instantly angry at himself for not having trusted his intuition, which had made him feel that something was wrong with Ruri's speech.
If the twins were really behaving like this, she must not have been able to sleep very long. At least, not long enough.
He could see the heaviness of her eyelids and the black spot under her eyes.
He had to find a solution, and right away. He would work out the details later, the urgent thing was to get Ruri to rest. His gaze also went to Mint, still in his arms, her face horribly distorted by the screams.
What intense grief this little human must be feeling to scream like that.
Then he noticed that she had grabbed a piece of his t-shirt, clutching it in her small hand.
« Strange » he thought at once.
She was struggling every second, but clung to him with all the strength she could muster.
« Fear, huh? »
And his brother was in the same state, tugging at Ruri's clothes over and over.
Hazel's bloody face appeared for a second before his eyes.
17 felt as if he had been punched in the gut. How could he have been so blind, so insensitive and so disrespectful of the promise he had made?
« The king of idiots... as would say... »
He suddenly froze, so abruptly that even Ruri noticed.
- 17, what's wrong ?
- Give me twenty minutes, he replied, turning to her.
- What ?
- Take the kid back, I have to go out. I've got an idea.
- But...
- Do as I say. I promise to come back with a solution.
He seemed so sure of himself that Ruri didn't ask any more questions. Even though the idea of him leaving terrified her, her confidence in him was absolute. He obviously had an idea, and in any case, she did not have any herself.
The young woman installed Moss delicately on the sofa and took back Mint from 17's arms, who got up and left the small hut precipitately.
Once outside and after closing the door behind him, he took a deep breath.
The night air at the end of the year was cold, but feeling the fresh air on his skin felt good. He needed to concentrate for a short while to do what he had to do.
First, he needed to put some distance between himself and the babies so she wouldn't hear them. So with a leap, 17 took off and flew a few hundred yards to the base of a tree, out of the wind.
Second, he thought about what he was going to say to her.
He didn't want to give too many details. To avoid her hanging up, which was very likely, and mostly because he didn't want to. Something, a kind of embarrassment, had long prevented him from sharing with her the main elements of his new life. And anyway, she never asked too many questions. Neither did he. That was not how their relationship worked. Without him really knowing how to explain it, they didn't need many words to understand each other.
And third... act. Call her.
As he dialed his cell phone, 17 realized he had actually skipped step two. He had no idea how he would approach the discussion, what he would say, or even what he wanted to ask her.
« I'm still better at improvising, » he thought to himself with a smile as the buzzer sounded in his ear.
Still, he caught himself swallowing his saliva with difficulty, far more nervous than he would have liked.
One more, then two, then three rings echoing in the void...
« I know you can see I'm calling you... »
Then a fourth, and another.
« Tchhh. Sounds like you want to play... »
But a voice interrupted his thinking. A firm voice, with an ever-annoying tone, that inevitably made him shiver with amusement. In spite of the distance and the years, he would always ecognize this intonation in a split second.
This voice, an echo of his own, different and similar at the same time.
18's voice.
- What do you want? his sister asked him as soon as he picked up the phone.
- It seems to me that humans are used to saying "hello" to start a discussion.
- Do you know what time it is? You better be at least on the verge of death to call me so early.
- Would you come to my rescue if I were?
- No.
- You break my heart.
- Stop making jokes, or I'll hang up. Could you tell me why you are calling me at dawn?
- To check on my beloved sister. I wanted to hear the delicious sound of...
BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP
The 17 burst out laughing, unable to help it.
« I think I beat my high score » he thought to himself, thinking mischievously about the wrathful face his sister must be wearing at the moment.
But he didn't really have time to joke. He had asked Ruri for 20 minutes, and he knew what kind of hell she was in without his help. Even though the temptation to continue joking with 18 was great, he had to act more seriously. So he picked up his phone again, and this time it only took one ring for the threat to sound.
- I'll give you 5 seconds to tell me what you want, otherwise it will end very badly for you.
- You are in a very bad mood in the morning.
- In the morning? Do you realize what time it is?
- The time doesn't matter, does it? I don't sleep, and neither do you.
- That's not the point, idiot. I don't live alone and you almost woke my daughter up.
« Bingo! » 17 happily thought to himself as he was just given an opportunity.
- Oh yes, sorry, I completely forgot. I'm sorry, I apologize for not thinking of that.
- It's always the same thing with you, I'm a mother, I have responsibilities and you always act like an imma... wait... what?
- What what?
- What did you just say?
- That I was apologizing. I should have paid attention to the time indeed, and I'm sorry if I missed disturbing your little girl.
- ... 17, are you feeling okay?
- I'm fine, why?
- ... I never... you never... said that... you were apologizing for... anything... , 18 stammered, whose anger had almost instantly turned into a confusion that his twin could gladly hear in her voice.
- Because I'm perfect in general. That's why I don't need to apologize.
- Tchh. I really thought for a moment that...
- That what?17 replied, pretending to be incomprehensible in order to better take advantage of the reaction he was provoking in her.
- Whatever. So, can you just tell me what you want ?
- Nothing in particular.
- I'll hang up.
- And how is everything else?
- What are you talking about ?
- Your daughter. Is she still sleeping? I hope I'm not disturbing her sleep.
- ... What?
- I understand that human children do not fall asleep easily. Is this true?
- ... 17 ...
- I always wondered how you did it.
- ... How I did what?
- To learn all this. I mean, you and I don't know much about "human" things anymore. It couldn't have been easy, right?
- ...
- No answer, but no ringing. That's strange, I'm pretty sure you didn't hang up.
17's temper had often irritated his twin to no end. But it was a part of him that she was glad to have found again when, a few years before, he had suddenly appeared at her door. That mocking smile that had disappeared from his face after his resurrection, she had been inwardly so happy to see him wearing it again.
Whatever was happening or had happened in his life (that neither of them had ever talked about), he had somehow "come back" and, as before, it seemed that nothing he could say or do was capable of breaking that bond that had held them together all their lives, the one they had now as well as the one they had lost.
But for all she knew about him and the unpredictability of his general attitude, this conversation made no sense to 18. So much so that she eventually felt something disturbing.
- 17? she finally asked anxiously.
- Yes?
- Haven't your brain circuits been damaged recently?
- Hahaha! No, what makes you say that?
- You. You're acting weird.
- You mean more than usual?
- Yes.
- Wow. I just wanted to check on you, is that so supernatural?
- Why are you talking about my daughter and asking me all these questions? Usually you don't care.
- And you blame me often enough, don't you? For once I've done what you ask, you still find a way to blame me.
- But... no... not at all...
- I notice anyway that you worry about me, it's so human. Coming from you, I would almost cry with emotion.
- Tchhhh, you are really irretrievable.
- So what?
- So fucking what?
- How did you do with the kid?
- But... you really want to know?
- I really do.
18's disbelief was at its peak. She was trying to pick up on that slight intonation in her brother, that inflection of voice that allowed her to unmask his intentions and the hidden meaning of his words. Usually, she never doubted, she "felt". But this time, she was not quite sure. Could it be that he was sincere, and that he had a real desire to know more about Marron? In any case, it was a subject she liked to talk about.
- Well... she began to stammered, it's true that... the beginnings were not easy. Now it's better, but at first...
- Did she cry a lot? interrupted 17, determined to step into the breach he saw opening before him. I've heard that human babies cry a lot.
- What? Uh... yes, but it's often to... ask for food for example.
- But she never cried without a reason?
« I'm almost there »
- Uh ... let's just say that sometimes we weren't sure why, but once you figure out how to deal with it, it's not a problem anymore.
- Oh? Because there's a technique?
- Uh, yes, you ... want to know?
- ABSOLUTELY!
« Come on, just a little more... »
- Well, basically, human babies, anything will bother them or scare them. But they also lose focus very quickly. So the easiest way is to divert their attention.
- It's fascinating.
- ... I warn you that if I find out that you are making fun of me, I will find you and I will kill you.
- And I remind you that, like me, you don't have a ki detector, which would be completely useless to you since I don't have one any more than you do.
- I will always be able to find you.
- Oh, I don't doubt that for a second, sis.
- So...
- But you can save your overflowing energy since I'm only telling you again that I'm really interested in this story.
- ... Really?
- You have no idea how much, 17 laughed, relieved to finally say something totally sincere this time.
- Okay. Well, human babies are pretty easy to calm down actually, you just have to distract them. Anything that makes noise for example, or with colors. The slightest thing and they focus on it and stop crying. The bigger and louder the better.
- It's really, really, really interesting!
Encouraged by her brother's exclamations, 18 continued, with a very unusual high level of enthusiasm :
- Yes, Marron was so cute as a baby. She had a favorite toy, a kind of circle thing with squares of all colors that made different sounds depending on which square you touched. When you she used to play with this toy, it was amazing. She was laughing so hard playing with it and...
- Do you know where this stuff can be found?
- Well... Not really, it was Krillin who bought it. He's the one who came up with most of the ideas to manage the baby, by the way.
- That makes sense.
- Why do you say that?
- He's a human, so it was easier for him to know how to handle it.
- Krillin didn't know any more than I did, being a cyborg isn't a handicap for that. I learned and so did he. It's just a matter of responsibility.
- What do you mean by that?
- Marron is my daughter, to let Krillin take care of her alone under the pretext that I am a cyborg would have been to distract me from my duty.
- ... Would it?
- Yes, to reason like that would have been immature, irresponsible and stupid.
- ... Ouch...
- Did something fall on your head?
- No, no. Your words still hit hard sis, even harder than your fists, replied 17 with an amused sigh.
- ... Are you really sure you don't need a circuit check?
- I'm sure.
- If I ask Bulma...
- Careful 18, you're becoming too humanized, it's starting to scare me.
- Stop that.
- I'm shaking. It's horrible.
- I said stop! I was just...
- Worried?
- Not at all!
- Good. I was afraid. Oh!
- What else?
- Do you know what time it is?
- Yes, 4 a.m.
- 4 a.m. and 19 minutes to be exact.
- ... Yes, and ?
- And I'm really unreasonable. I abuse your precious time with my questions when you probably have tons of things to do.
- ... Uh... yeah, well, I...
- It's about time I leave you alone, this discussion was really nice.
- Yeah, but... I thought that...
17 couldn't afford to drag it out any longer. And he knew exactly what he had to do to end this exchange without incurring the wrath of his twin.
He smiled, before interrupting her again:
- Oh sorry 18, I didn't realize you had questions for me too.
- What ?
- Yes, I've been monopolizing the talk. So let's hear it, what do you want to know?
- About what?
- About me. That's what you want to talk about, isn't it?
- What? uh... but... no, absolutely not, I don't have any... I'm very busy, you know!
- You are?
- Absolutely! I have a husband, a daughter, a family. Responsibilities !
- Surely.
- This is something you can't understand!
- That's absolutely true.
- So I have no time to waste discussing trivia with you!
- I totally agree.
- Well, if you have nothing more interesting to say...
- I'm afraid I don't.
- So, goodbye.
- See ya.
- And if you call me again this early, I'll...
- Let me guess: you'll find me in less than a minute to pop my head even further than I did with the old wreck?
- You read my mind.
- Probably a sensor in my skull.
- Who cares.
- Indeed.
And they hung up simultaneously.
Alone in her living room lit only by the lights of the television, 18 stood still, not knowing what to think of this strange conversation and her brother's more than suspicious attitude.
« I should still ask Bulma if she still has that idiot's plans. In my opinion, a little check-up would really be a good idea... »
Once the call was over, 17 slumped down, leaning mechanically on the trunk right behind him. A big smile spread across his face.
« Still alive, that's pretty much a success ».
He was actually quite pleased with himself, thrilled that he had managed to get precisely the help he needed without having to reveal too many personal details, which he didn't really want to do. And he had to admit that despite the years and distance, nothing in the world amused him as much as managing to make 18 lose her patience and composure. It was a guilty pleasure that never ceased to make him laugh.
« There's no denying it, I really am the best at this game » he thought, smiling more.
He then stood up and looked at his house for a short while.
« So. Something big, surprising and loud, right ?»
Then the answer came to him, obvious.
« You're going to hate this, Ruri »
This only thought amused him much, because after his sister, making enrage his partner was his second favorite leisure. It is therefore with a certain excitement that he joined her, certain words of 18 however remaining in his memory and of which he promised himself internally to speak again with the young woman. But he would save that for later. It was necessary to act first.
When he entered the small house, Ruri was still awake but her advanced state of fatigue was even more visible than before. She was sitting on the floor, stroking the babies' feet with her fingertips, which she had placed on the sofa. The twins were still crying, perhaps a little less loudly, but without stopping.
Ruri was startled when she heard the door opening and she turned to 17 with a questioning look mixed with hope when she saw him coming towards her.
- We're going out, he said simply, moving his arms toward Mint.
- Why?
- I have an idea.
- But...
- Trust me.
The young woman hesitated, but 17 seemed very sure of himself. He smiled, calmly. She had no other choice anyway. So Ruri nodded, without asking any more questions. She simply intervened to correct 17's actions.
- Ok let's do it. But give me a minute, we need to get their coats on.
- Why?
- ... 17, they're babies. They're fragile and it's cold outside.
- Oh, yeah. Okay.
- Here... Here... Take Mint. Hold her head tight.
- Okay.
- Where are we going?
- Follow me.
Taking each one of the twins in their arms, 17 and Ruri went out and made some steps in the night. The young woman followed her boyfriend's confident steps, without understanding. He turned to his left and stepped over the fence that marked the entrance to the stable and, to Ruri's surprise, 17 continued to the door.
« Noooo don't tell me that ... »
And slowly, before she had time to say a word, 17 opened the barn door and rushed inside, with Mint still clinging to him and crying from the cold outside.
Though deaf, both their horses immediately noticed their masters' arrival and gave a loud whinny as the overhead lights came on.
And instantly, in less than a second, the screams of the twins stopped.
Under the astonished look of Ruri and the pleased one of 17, the brother and the sister turned in the same movement to point their eyes towards the enormous animals, making in a small cry of surprise, almost like an expiration. Small tears were still streaming down their cheeks and their bodies were intermittently shaken by hiccups, but they were no longer crying.
- But what... Ruri stammered, before 17 interrupted her.
- Big and loud, he just said.
- What are you saying?
- We'll finish calming them down, and then everyone here will go to sleep. Do you agree, human baby?
Mint looked up sharply at the strange adult she had been seeing for several days, but with whom she had never interacted. The quiet, low sound of his voice was soothing and surprising, but not as much as the horses that continued to roar loudly, scratching the ground with their hooves. Like her twin brother, the little girl fidgeted, alternately looking at 17 and the equines in front of her, confused and undecided.
- I'll take that as a yes.
And 17 stepped forward again, nodding briefly to Ruri to imitate her.
The two horses immediately extended their muzzles toward the adults, who in return advanced a hand in their direction so that they could smell them. But two new smells were added to the ones they knew that night. Also, curious, the animals put almost immediately after their nose on Mint and Moss who moved back at first, pushing again cries of surprise. The little girl even seemed about to cry again, so much this gigantic creature seemed frightening to her.
But 17 gently pushed back the horse's muzzle and started talking to the babies again, this time more calmly.
- There's no need to be afraid of him. He's nice, and so is he. He's a horse. He's a Dada.
And as soon as he had said that, the twins calmed down, turning their curious faces back to the animals. The horses began to smell them again and the babies even laughed at the touch of their muzzles.
- I don't know what a « dada » is, but go on... Ruri murmured in amazement.
17 did not answer anything but continued, now imitated by his partner. They stroked the horses while letting them play with the twins. These animals were very gentle and totally acclimated to humans, even more so because Mint and Moss were covered with the reassuring smell of their protectors. At first surprised, then frightened, the babies quickly became incredibly cheerful, even adventurous. They touched with their little hands the huge muzzles of the horses that blew on them, causing again disarming laughter of happiness that amazed Ruri.
Tears of joy welled up in her eyes, reinforced by the increasing fatigue. 17 noticed them and soon signaled that it was time to go home.
They did so, removing the twins from their warm clothes and placing them on the floor mat in front of the fireplace. Cautiously, 17 and Ruri watched them at first in silence. The two babies were very excited, obviously wide awake despite the late hour, but they were not crying at all anymore. They continued to laugh, turning and returning to the young woman who took them in turn in her arms to cover them with kisses. They were as 17 had seen them in the weeks before the drama.
- Well, disaster narrowly avoided, he said finally with a smile.
- Yes, and thanks to you. That was very impressive. I am bluffed, answered Ruri by returning him his smile.
- I am the best, didn't you know?
- And how is 18 by the way?
- She's fi... How... Tchh, missed...
- Haha you thought you could take all the credit? the young woman laughed in front of the disconfirmed face of her companion.
- How did you guess?
- There aren't billions of people you can call at 4 o'clock in the morning who would be able to give you techniques on babies, sweetie.
- Ah.
- The deduction is made easier by the fact that you just have 3 numbers registered on your cell phone. The list of suspects is pretty short.
- Actually I do have five.
- Sorry, that changes everything indeed.
- Mmmm
17 was only partially surprised. He knew that Ruri had a very keen intelligence, but he believed that her state of exhaustion would perhaps reduce her deductive capacity a little. But he laughed at his vain attempt. The most important thing was elsewhere, and he could not deny that his sister's advice had been more than effective.
- Will you thank her for her help? asked Ruri, perceiving as usual the depth of his thought before he even verbalized it.
- Never.
- Why not?
- Because she'd never let me live it down.
- Haha!
Ruri had regained some colors but her forces were still declining. She could not keep Moss in her arms for a long time and put him back on the carpet. Not missing anything of his numb gestures, 17 began to speak again.
- Go to bed now, he said softly by putting his hand on one of Ruri's shoulders.
- The way they are, I don't think they'll be sleeping any time soon.
- That's all right. I'm here now, and with my technique, no problem.
- I don't think it's going to be that easy and...
- I know, I'm kidding. And you and I need to have a little talk about that anyway. But not right now. You can't take it anymore. Go to sleep, if only for a few hours. I'll come wake you up and we'll have a little talk.
- What about you?
- I'll stay here and watch the little humans.
- But...
- They'll be alive when you wake up, I promise.
- Great. I feel perfectly fine.
- Cool.
- ... That was ironic 17.
- I know. And I was just kidding. I don't think I've become an expert on human babies, but I am able to watch them for a few hours.
Ruri glanced worriedly at Moss, who kept asking for her arms but she didn't feel able to take him again. Then she did the same to Mint who had turned to Volt and was trying to crawl to the young pup, determined to play with him. They seemed appeased, for a time anyway. But she knew it was temporary, and part of her felt a very strong anxiety at the idea of "abandoning" them.
- Sleep and be at peace. I won't let anything bad happen to them.
She gasped as she heard 17's voice behind her again.
He was so reassuring, sitting on the floor, quietly leaning on his hands behind him. His eternal smile at the corner of his lips, his intense blue eyes focused on her.
Yes, everything would be fine. She was sure of it just by looking at him. And anyway, she didn't have a single drop of energy left in her that would have allowed her to continue. She had to face the fact that she had reached the end of what she could do alone.
It would be important for them to have a conversation, and they both had a lot to talk about.
But for this night, it was enough.
Ruri kissed the twins one last time and left them in 17's care. For her part, she went to the room she had not occupied since their arrival. She lay down on the bed and fell asleep, literally exhausted, as soon as her face was put on the pillow.