CHAPTER 12: My Little Lily
An early gray light shines through a lonely window, giving a melancholic atmosphere to the small room. Faint chatter of androids going through their daily routine trickled through the concrete barrier. The room itself had the odor of medical supplies and dry blood. One of the two beds cradled a sleeping form of a human woman. Her right hand grasping the stoic face of a silver-haired machine in tenderness. Whom was in his own version of sleep as he sat on the cool floor and hunched over the side of the bed. Even in his sleep, he listened to the calming sound of her heartbeat and even breaths of her lungs.
A thin, off color blanket covered Lilia to cover her partial nudity, but in her dazed sleep had pushed it to her waist. Sleep was restless for the human woman. Her breathing hitched, tighten her hold on the silver-haired machine, and murmur as her eyes darted behind lids throughout the night. This caused Adam to wake and check on her. Out of tenderness, he pulled the blanket up to cover her. Even though he couldn't help but steal a glance at something so human—feminine—such as the swell of her breasts and the dark nipples. A brief thought came to mind of touching the mounds but dismissed it and returned to his original pose to fall back asleep.
Movement came from a pink haired twin who walked in stealth to not disturb the wounded woman. She had left minutes before to return with a fresh bag of ice water. The petite twin placed the icy compress on Lilia's swollen ankle. It had reduced through the night thanks to the fifteen-minute intervals every three hours the twin did. Unfortunately, those periods caused Lilia to wake, only to fall fast asleep minutes later. Only once did she shot up during a time of restless dreaming muttering of being eaten. It took Adam's even voice to calm her so she could continue resting.
This time when the twin placed the ice-water compress was no different. However, Lilia yawned instead of going back to her dreams.
Lilia, half-asleep, groans out, "G'mornin'." Then, rubs tired hazel-green eyes with her hands. The rough bandages on her left hand gave her a rude reminder. "Oh..."
Her machine counterpart murmured, "You should rest more."
She yawned again while stretching her body. "I'm... all right... slept OK. Even though someone kept nudgin' me awake with an ice pack."
Popola frowns at her comment and retorted, "Reducing inflammation on your ankle is important."
A series of chuckles came from Lilia's throat. "I know. How's it look?"
"Not too bad." She answered. "The swelling has reduced and mild bruising is present. Prolly later today we'll use bandages to compress it. It'll be a couple days before you can walk by yourself. Feel any pain?"
"Just when I try to move it." Lilia replied.
"That's good then."
It was at that moment Lilia's human nature came. Her stomach made a loud growl at being empty and demanded food. A deep flush formed on her cheeks. Reminded that it had been over twelve hours since her last meal and that got spewed on the grassy woodland ground.
Popola smiles. "Good to see that part of you hasn't changed."
Lilia groaned at her remark.
Popola informed, "Well you're in luck. Two fighters caught a moose this morning to use its hide."
Her twin then added, "I'll see if I can't cut up the meat for you."
"Wait... wouldn't that be suspicious?" She asked with mild concern.
The wavy-haired twin crossed her arms and explained, "You weren't here for long, but it isn't unheard of for us older android models to eat. We do it a few times a year to help our bio-fuel replenish. Although, we don't have to go the added steps you otherwise need to do. Or, the insane frequency you need to do so. I'll just tell them that excuse if I get questioned. No one will comment."
"Although, we have wondered," Popola interjected, "about this android that came with you." She said alluding to Adam. "He knows?"
Lilia swallowed the lump in her throat and looked at Adam. He looked at her with his usual calm facade, waiting for her reply to the twins. Thoughts running through her head.
They don't know he's a machine. I guess... to avoid complications, I should go along with their assumption. He passes for one at least.
"Yeah. He does. Long story."
Adam cocked his head at her answer and gave a flash of a grin. It was just a quirk at the corner of his mouth.
"We figured as much." Devola said. She shifted her feet and looked as though she contained a curiosity.
Oh, you two just don't realize it.
"But, why did 2B want to attack him?" Popola asked concerned.
Oh, shit. Um...
Adam saved her on that one, "I've had scuffles with them." He waved his right hand at her in annoyance. "2B and 9S I mean. Internal dispute between us."
Lilia sighed and nodded, deciding to play along with his lie. Even though she disliked doing so to the twins, they both gave enough of the truth without revealing the depth of their relationship. She suspected that the twins noticed it at any rate. Along with keeping Adam's machine heritage a secret. Lilia wasn't stupid. She knew the Resistance androids believed the machine-android war was still ongoing. Because of that fact, the inevitable hostilities toward Adam is something she wanted to avoid. Further complicating matters is his high-level access of the alien's network, a result is a high head-price if his identity became known among the Resistance. After all, he wasn't Pascal and the other passive machines at the village and amusement park. Although Lilia learned the truth concerning the alien's fate, and that knowledge was more than likely being kept secret by YoRHa.
It was just another thing she had to confront 2B and 9S on their next meeting. They investigated that alien signal a couple months back and learned of the alien's fate. She needed to understand why. What was the point of the secrecy?
Christ, it was just two nights ago I found out about this shit. It's too early in the morning for these thoughts.
Devola hums at Adam's excuse. "Well, it's YoRHa business then. Anyway, I'll get your food along with some water." With that said, the twin left the three.
Lilia sighed as she looked at the ceiling. "Well... never had moose before, better than all the fish I've been eatin' at least."
"Well, while she's gone, I'll check your other wounds." Popola said as she removed the ice-water bag from her ankle and set it on the desk by her bed. "I'll be right back with more bandages and gauze."
With that proclamation, Popola left the room. Thus, leaving Adam and Lilia alone. For a moment they were silent as they looked at each other. Then, Adam raised himself to sit on the side of the bed. His heavy, metallic weight dipping the mattress, and his right gauntlet arm cupped Lilia's face. The calm expression on his gave difficulty to read as his eyes trailed to her neck. For a second his red eyes hardened before softening again as they gazed back at her. His intention a second later became evident as he leaned and planted a tender kiss on Lilia's lips. She sighed and returned the tender ministration. The wounded hand she had ran across his right shoulder, caressing with two unbandaged fingers. Then, the side of his back. The sensation of torn cloth and his exposed metal exoskeleton gave her pause. Worry etched on her face as she stopped kissing him.
"I'm all right." He responded, cutting off her words and removing her prying hand. "Just minor scratches. The skin will repair itself in a few days."
"That's not minor!" She implored. "Christ, I felt metal!"
He humphed at her. "I'm fine Lilia. I can take... more of a beating than you can. Besides, those two looked at it and cleared me while you were asleep."
That silenced her despite instinctual protests.
Adam noticed her worried eyes and added, "As long as my exoskeleton remains undamaged there won't be any side effects. Which it isn't. Like I said, the skin will repair itself in a few days."
Lilia sighed and looked away embarrassed. "I'm sorry..."
He shook his head in dismissal. "Don't be. It's... understandable considering..." An idea came to mind as he turned his back so she could see. Then, lifted that part of the haggard shirt up from the shoulder. "See? My exoskeleton is fine."
Hazel-green eyes widened in shock at the wound. But, it was as he said. She could see the metal exoskeleton which was undamaged—if blemished—underneath the torn skin on his right side of his back. The exoskeleton was a stark contrast to his milky skin tone. A dark gray color and shined in the light. On examining the wound was disturbing on an instinctual level because in the back of her mind it was registering as a grave injury prone to infection and needed immediate medical attention. Along with her previous experience.
However, she couldn't help but have a morbid curiosity. She raised her uninjured, right hand and touched the afflicted opening, tender in her explorations. Afraid that if she wasn't careful, she'd hurt him. Lilia skimmed across the torn skin and the cool, exposed metal. A slick substance between the skin and metal exoskeleton gathered on her digits.
"This doesn't... hurt?"
Adam watched her with curiosity over his shoulder as she touched his injury and shook his head. "No. I can feel your hands and a slight sting, but no pain."
"I guess... That's good. What's this?" She asked, showing him her slick fingertips that had the transparent, thick fluid on them.
"It's a lubricant that keeps my skin elastic and from sticking to my exoskeleton." He explained.
"Oh... like a moisturizer."
He nodded. "You can say that."
She swallowed the lump in her throat and asked, "Did this... happen with Grün yesterday?"
Reddish eyes rolled at the thought of that event. "Yes. Your android friend 9S launched a missile which caused him and I to catapult from the explosion. This was from the impact on shore and hitting a tree. I would have sustained greater damage if I hadn't erected a protective shield."
Lilia didn't know whether to be grateful he told her the truth or mortified that happened to him yesterday. Perhaps both.
Christ, you machines and androids are fuckin' tough as shit to have survived. She thought in amazement. In full acknowledgement that if it was her she'd be a splattered paint ball on the ground, turn to burnt bacon, or both.
However, it awakened old, painful memories. She now had two important men in her life who came face-to-face with a deadly explosion. Except, for this time, one of them came back to her. For once, life didn't maliciously spit in her face.
Morbid thoughts wormed into her mind before pushing them away from the here and now away. She sighed with irritation before poking him on his lower back. "Didn't I tell you to be careful?"
He snorted as he let go of his shirt and cascaded to its proper place along his torso. "Well, tell that crazy android friend of yours to not shoot a missile at a thousand-meter-tall machine."
Her throat rumbled in a chuckle. "I'll add that to the list." She then had a thought, which made her remember something "Aren't you supposed to be with Eve today?"
She saw him grimace. "I—"
Lilia tapped him in the shoulder in a gentle reminder. "I'm sure he's worried since you're not with him now."
"I don't want to leave you." He admitted. "You're still hurt."
She waved him off, not having any excuses. "I'm fine Adam. My nurses will be sure of that. Go to your brother before he starts lookin' for you."
He was silent a few moments as confliction rattled his psyche. Reddish eyes shifted, and his silver brows twitched in thought. Then he breathed out, defeated, "All right."
A smile graced Lilia's face but then faded as she asked in hesitation, "And... could you do me a favor while you're out?"
Adam raised a brow. "What is it?"
Lilia scratched her head. "If it's not too much trouble... could you get my purse and staff?"
The silver haired machine chuckled and shook his head. "No trouble at all."
She smiled again and nodded. "Thanks. You two have fun. And try not to worry too much. I'm in good hands."
Adam shifts his feet in nervousness. "I'll try."
At that moment, the twins came back. Popola carrying the bandages and gauze, and Devola had her breakfast. The heady aroma of cooked meat wafted in the air causing Lilia's mouth to water and her stomach to growl. The source came from cubed meat skewered on six metal rods. She groaned at her body's reaction to the food. Even though she couldn't help it.
Mentally shaking her head, then addressing Adam while she caressed his hand with her own. "Go. Before your brother starts lookin' for you. I'm not goin' nowhere."
Adam nodded his head and gave her a chaste kiss before he teleported out. Lilia blushed from the public show of affection. Well, somewhat public. The twins looked at her and Lilia could tell they wanted the juicy details now that Adam vacated the trio. Popola having the slyer look of the two.
Lilia rolled her eyes. "Ain't tellin' you two nothin'."
Unfortunately, her human nature popped up again, this time she needed to pee.
—xxx—
In a halo of golden light, Adam teleported to his and Eve's meeting place. Overcast, thick clouds obscured the sun. The air saturated with humidity and brief gusts of wind. Eve was sitting on his side of the table with his arms crossed and feet on the dark oak table very much emitting impatience.
Eve raised a brow at his exceptionally late twin. "There you are brother! I was going to come looking for you. And what happened to your shirt?"
"Sorry, for being late." Haste in his voice as he rationalized it was better to leave Lilia out of the conversation, given Eve's strong dislike of her, so he informed, "Grün returned, and I took care of that problem."
"Just you? Are you injured?" Adam couldn't put his finger on it, but his brother's tone wasn't as concerned as it should be. Given the fact how dependent his twin was on him.
Maybe it's just me and where my own thoughts are at the moment. I expected Lilia being accused as to the cause of my injuries. Maybe... he's letting up on his jealousy?
He hoped that was the case and decided not to press his brother.
Adam waved his twin's worry away, "Those androids were there, although they were a nuisance given our history. I have minor injuries to my skin, but not much else. Anyway, what do you want to do today?"
Eve continued to keep his brow raised, knowing something was amiss. That didn't stop him from giving a smug smile. "Um, thought we'd go someplace different today. The database says there's a marshland around two hundred and forty-one kilometers north east of here. I've been there, so I'll teleport us. Thought we'd play there if that's OK with you."
Adam nodded, quick on accepting his offer. "Very well."
Eve got up from his spot on the table and approached his brother, embracing him in a tight hug which Adam returned. For a moment nothing happened and worry crawled into Adam's mind.
"Eve...? Is something wrong?"
He felt a tremor before Eve rushed, "N-no! Nothing is wrong. Sorry."
Then, his twin's golden teleportation light surrounded him and they were off to their destination.
Once they had arrived, Adam took in the scenery. The marsh had a thick covering of medium high grass, rushes, and sedges. The songbirds, frogs, and crickets made their chorus within the grass. His sensitive nose picking up the scents of raccoons, opossums and muskrats. The shallow, veins of sloughs cradled ducks and geese adding to the symphony of wildlife. Cattails and bulrushes dominated the edges of the water. His shoes stuck to the muddy land. Few trees sprouted adding to the wide berth of land. The same, thick overcast of clouds from the city ruins covered the sky.
"I'll hide while you count, OK?" His brother announced before he disappeared.
While he was playing with his brother, Adam came across patches of flowers in the wet marshes. They sprouted two to three feet tall; had blue-green, spreading, glossy, strap leaves; and a single reddish-brown stalk shoot, before it separated at the tip of the flower stalk which had five individual flowers. The flowers emitted a very fragrant smell that pleasing to his nose and had six separate petals. Adam observed the flowers having white or had a delicate pink color to the petals. The stamens started as white before the gradation turned into dark purple color, and the anther was an off yellow shade that produced the powdery pollen.
Wait... wasn't it common to give flowers to people who were sick?
He scanned through the database to see what species of flower these were. Crinum Americanum commonly called "Swamp Lily".
A lily? Yes... I... I should give Lilia... lilies. He thought with mild amusement. Yes, she'll like these. They are beautiful, and delicate like her.
Once he and Eve finished later that night, he went to collect the flowers he saw earlier. A foot below the end of the flower stalk he cut and made a flower arrangement of both the white and pink ones. Eve questioned him on his activity and purpose with the flowers. Although Adam preferred to gloss over the affair pertaining to Lilia, it became unavoidable with Eve's question.
"Lilia suffered injuries the other day." He explained. "Humans gave a person who was sick or injured flowers to help them heal even if they lack medicinal properties. A mental or emotional stimulus is the best answer to the social norm in my opinion. These lilies... remind me of her. I hope she likes them."
Adam, so engrossed with his task, he didn't notice the tremble in his brother's physic or the brief glow in his pupils.
"What if that android doesn't like lilies?" His twin retorted. "It's not like they're needed for any repair work."
Adam sighed, knowing why he said that remark. "It is the thought counts Eve." Not bothering to turn and give attention to him. They were having a wonderful day, and it kept Adam's thoughts preoccupied from his biting worry over Lilia.
Eve's face crunched in a scowl. "Tch, fine. Whatever. See you later then." He said in a dismissive tone and teleported out.
Eve... I wish you'd stop that. And now to fulfill my promise. He thought once he finished collecting a large arrangement of the flowers.
He then teleported to the campsite by the river. The moon hid behind thick clouds and the heavy fragrance of rain impregnated the air. His night-vision brightened the otherwise blackened scenery—giving it a medium blue-gray color instead. Lilia's things remained on the stony riverbank and the gashes in the ground were a heavy reminder of what happened yesterday the other day. An arduous sense of gloom overcame him as he collected her things and placed them in her bag. A picture in his mind she more than likely had thrown it at the rampage machine to escape.
The absolute terror she must have had—
With a mental shake to drive out his burdensome thoughts, he then teleported to the location of her staff. The faint scent of her blood invaded his nose. He glanced at the destroyed remains of the rampage machine, trickles of Lilia's blood coming out of the mouthpiece and flies had gathered. The odor of blood and flesh attracting them to lay their eggs. Anger coiled and bubbled in his breast as he searched for her pole in the thick grass in a haphazard daze. Once he found it, the first thing he noticed was the black stain of her bloody palm print streaked and pooled around the ground from the light rain.
Her piercing scream echoed in his mind along with the sound of delicate bones breaking. A wheezing, gasping breath as she fought to breathe as the same pole pressed against her neck. The imprint still on her skin in a dark bruise.
Cruel what-ifs' playing in the recesses of his mind he hadn't arrived. Her glassy, fogged eyes staring at him with contempt and judgment. His blunt nails on his free hand dug without mercy into his palm. Aware of the sting as it cut into his flesh but uncaring. His fake, carbon composite skin only served as a shroud his machine heritage. Teeth gritting as the anger and self-loathing only tightened in his chest.
Patters of rain dripped from the sky pattering against the metal of the machine, tree leaves, and foliage.
Have I not been good to her? Have I not been gentle? Even when I didn't know what she was?
The machine he believed he'd destroyed twitched, and its eyes lighting in dim awareness. Its remaining sensors detected him. "fOur... iTc-chY... tAstY..." It gurgled out in a digitized voice.
What did she do to deserve to be hurt? To be torn apart by a machine? Or... was the sin... my own? Was it because of my ambition? For me to witness the cost?
"fEed... Mee... EaT..." It crawled on its one remaining limb as sparks and oil came out of its half-destroyed body in a pathetic display.
Adam gritted his teeth in a snarl. It... it wouldn't have been worth her life!
Rage and self-loathing came out at once as he shot an energy wave at the rampage machine as he screamed. The ground vibrating and the woodlands lighting up in a beacon. The trees in the way of the blast disintegrated along with the machine.
Take my failure with you! You damn machine!
—xxx—
Lilia continued to chew on the tough piece of moose meat in her mouth. It wasn't beef that's for sure, but whatever. Content as she drank at least half the water content of the bottle the twins procured for her. Her stomach rolling in the gamey meat and crystalline liquid goodness. The twins had inspected her injuries, and she was recovering as expected. The missing fingers on her left hand however—
It made her nauseated looking at the missing digits. The pinked, contorted, little stumps staring at her. The hard yank of bone and the crunch echoing in her mind. Followed by the excruciating pain and black pit of fear of being eaten alive. She could still imagine the nerve memory of the digits as she wiggled them.
The twins had re-wrapped her hand and added more ointment. Thankful that she didn't have to see it for the time being.
It drizzled rain later that morning, which only added to the discomfort on her ankle. With little to do until she healed, she rested and dozed—restlessness and boredom increased. Toward lunchtime, she received her first visitor besides the twins. Irritation gnawed at her at seeing the silver-haired android, her clothes damp from coming out from the sprinkles of rain.
"Oh, hey 2B. Where's 9S?" Lilia said in a clipped tone.
2B shifted her feet at her tone. "He's being repaired at the Bunker. I came to... check on you."
"Well, as you can see I'm healin' fine. I have two wonderful nurses."
The android offered an uncomfortable moment of silence before she asked, "Where's... Adam?"
The displeased human smiled. "Oh? Adam? He's with his brother right now. Ya know he sees him every other day. Did you know? Which reminds me." She turned to her two nurses. "Devola, Popola, I need to speak to 2B in private. We need to have girl talk."
The pink-haired twins looked at each other with speculation and awkwardness before they nodded and exited. A single wooden door creaked before closing shut.
Lilia raised herself up to stare at the guilty android and crossing her arms. An unamused expression on her face. "Well... got somethin' to tell me?"
An awkward stance found shape in the android's slender body. Her petite hands clenched and a deep-set frown on her thin, pink lips. An unusual posture considering 2B's calm and collected demeanor.
"You shouldn't be seeing him!" She hissed out.
Her support Pod piped up, "2B, the Commander's orders state—"
"Shut it Pod!"
Lilia's eyes narrowed and the frown on her face deepened. "Humph! Or what?" She said boarder-lining on a snarl. "Why shouldn't I?"
"Because he's—"
"A machine?"
2B gasped at Lilia's interjection.
"Yeah, 2B I've known for a while. And, no," she waved her right hand at the android, "it doesn't bother me. And, no, you ain't gonna change my mind."
Desperation laced the android's tone as she said, "You know what the machines are!"
Hazel-green eyes rolled at her statement. "That's real stupid of you to say 2B. Why leave me at Pascal's village? I'm surrounded by machines. What makes Adam so different?"
She paused before ordering her support machine. "Pod... play the recording of the first encounter with Adam and Eve."
"The recording is classified."
"I'm aware! I'll explain the situation to the Commander later! Show her the recording!"
Should I get popcorn for this? She thought in dry sarcasm.
Lilia huffed again, suspicious and guessed of the recording stored.
The pod approached her and materialized a yellow-orange screen. It showed a brief blip of a window before she noted a familiar voice.
"Welcome... to—" The video shifted, but it paused enough for her to see the stilled image.
She recognized Adam although he was shirtless. Beside him was a carbon copy of him except he had short-cropped hair, a black tribal looking tattoo on his left arm and different style pants.
That must be Eve. This wasn't how she thought she'd first lay eyes on Adam's twin. But... at least I know what he looks like now. And, where are they?
In the background was a staircase and there was something on the sides that looked blob-ish, but it was blurry. Lilia suspected that it was intentional given how blocked out it was.
They don't realize I know that the aliens are dead... Is this at one of their bases?
Lilia came to that conclusion on observing the blurred-out imagery surrounding the silver-haired machines. Along with the fact the pod said the video is confidential. And it sounded as if they cut Adam off mid-sentence. Not only that, she remembered that alien signal that Adam hinted at a few days ago and what Pascal said months back. Deciding not to question the android at the obvious blurring, she continued to look at the screen. The twin brothers teleported, and each went to a subsequent android. Eve having gone to 2B.
"You—!"
"2B! Look out!" She overheard 9S say off screen.
"My name is Adam. The—" there was a deliberate crackle and a screen shift. The next 2B was fighting Eve while Adam talked off screen. "Machines are weapons capable of evolution. We can grow. We can become... aware." The screen shook due to 2B fighting Eve, but she could see the swish of her blade, fire from the Pod and the kicks and energy blasts from Eve. Something blurred around the androids and the machine twins.
Lilia nodded at the information so far given. Yeah, Adam has told me as much. I can hear the drum roll playing.
Adam continued, "Eventually, the intelligence within our network surpassed that of our creators. You'd probably be surprised at how quickly it happened."
"You—" The screen crackled again mid-sword slash as 9S spoke.
When the video played again, it was Adam who said mid-sentence, "—the humans on the moon? Now they are interesting."
"Why them?"
"Because they are an enigma!"
Yeah, that sounds like Adam. She thought with a roll of her eyes. I'm still waiting for it. And it's obvious they are leaving out information about the aliens every time the video cracks like that. She said nothing as she listened to Adam continue his speech.
"They killed uncountable numbers of their own kind and yet loved in equal measure! It's fascinating, don't you think? What could drive such behavior? We have dedicated ourselves to unraveling this riddle of humanity... And now we will allow you to assist us. You were made in their image after all."
"Assist you with what?" 2B demanded from the machine.
"It's simple... We need you to locate the humans on the moon and bring them to us. We will then dissect and analyze them to drag their secrets forth into the light!"
Whelp! There it is, I guess that's what 2B was counting on that bit of information. Lilia shook her head and rolled her hazel-green eyes.
"Surely you see the attraction in this."
"Are you insane?! We'd never do that! Can you believe this, 2B? This guy's bonkers!"
Lilia chuckled, that sounded just like 9S to say.
"Well, I suppose this concludes negotiations. The only remaining option... is to destroy you. The same way we—" The scene shifted again, and the screen dissipated.
"You see!" 2B exclaimed. "If he figures out you are human..."
The irritated human woman pinched the bridge of her nose. "You mean he once wanted to do that. He no longer wants to."
2B pursed her lips, dubious at her statement. "He could be lying to you."
Lilia shook her head. "He's not. I would think with you and 9S spyin' on us you'd think otherwise."
The female android twitched.
"Before you ask, Adam told me. And Adam concluded when 9S hinted as much. And I ain't pleased one bit of you two playin' peepin' tom on us. I have to wonder why the hell you two didn't tell me when you both realized who I was talkin' with?" She snapped while pointing an accusatory finger at the guilty android. "In hindsight, I'm glad you two didn't."
She lowered her head in shame at the thought. "We... we were..."
Lilia slumped her shoulders. "Let me guess 'under orders', right? Figures. Dunno who the hell I should be madder at. You two or that damn Commander of yours."
2B sighed, weary at the turn of events. "She reasoned a sudden change in your demeanor towards him would be suspicious. And... to gather intel on him and his brother. They were a new machine model and your meetings presented an opportunity. So, yeah, we've been watching. The Council gave the go-ahead on the operation too. In Commander White's defense, she prioritized your safety if he were to discover your true identity and to keep tabs on you."
Her pod piped up again. "2B, I must warn this conversation is against YoRHa regulations—"
"I know Pod. Situation has changed." The android woman retorted, annoyed at her support pod and exasperated.
Lilia gave 2B a sideway glace. "And let me take another ballpark guess, the day you two left on that 'mission' of yours, was followed up by him figurin' it out who I was and me the same with him. And... you two were to eliminate him once he did cos all you knew was his desire to dissect humans. Right?"
"He—!" The android picked up on her hint.
"Yeah, pretty much. So if he wanted to dissect and analyze me, he'd done it. I mean, it was a prime time, right? You two were gone, and I stood no chance against him. And he admitted that's what he once wanted to do. So that little video you played? Totally pointless." Lilia proclaimed.
"Yet you—!"
"Yeah." She interjected. "He won't hurt me. He can't."
2B sighed at the weariness at the complicated affair. "The order still stands."
Lilia snorted at her. "Well, I'm tellin' you otherwise. If you attack and hurt him, I'll never forgive you for it, orders or not. Tch, with how mad I am at you two, I'll prolly let 'em kick your asses. Adam won't hurt me. You'll just have to trust me on that." She'll keep saying it until it got through to their thick, metal skulls.
The silver-haired android crossed her arms in doubt. "And how do you know he won't in the future? What of his brother?"
Regret laced Lilia's voice at that question. "I... tested him... rather stupidly. He won't hurt me. Now, his brother..." she paused in quiet consideration, "that I don't know. And since you two have been listenin' in. I'm sure you two get the impression he doesn't like me very much. I'd be more concerned with Eve than Adam... if... I were to be honest." She sighed at the admission. "Don't tell 'em I said that."
"We... still have our orders," 2B murmured, her head bowed in defeat with clenched hands. "I'm sorry."
Lilia's face soured. "Tell your Commander I said to go eat machine cock for all I care. And get the hell out."
—xxx—
That night, a golden light whished into the cool, dark room. The soft patter of rain echoing in the small space along with a soft snore. A surprise gasp of two pink-haired twins cut through the calm stillness. The twins relaxed once they realized it was Adam who had teleported into the room. They placed a finger across their mouths to signal to stay silent and allow Lilia to rest. Adam nodded at seeing her half-naked sleeping form that lay on her left side and cuddling a pillow. The blanket bunched around her waist showing off the curve of her lean legs and a thick woven bandage around the left ankle and foot. The bandages, which were on her arm and back, are gone. Only a faint pinkness where at the locations of now healed skin. He couldn't see her mangled hand because it was under the pillow.
The twins then gave him a cross look at seeing him wet from the rain. He wasn't dripping wet, but enough for his trousers to tighten on his legs. The moisture added a shine to his bare torso. The silver-haired machine ignored their irritated stare and set Lilia's things on top of the table next to her bed in quiet stealth. With delicateness, he set the flowers he collected next to them. Little drips of moisture came off the petite petals. An armless, wooden chair—which wasn't there when he first arrived—was at the right corner of the bed. A moment's consideration came to his mind before he sat on it. The wood creaked as he settled on the wood. With patience, he waited for Lilia to finish resting. The silver-haired machine continued his gloom mood as he hunched over and stared at the scuffed floor. Then, he sat back and crossed his arms. His reddish eyes scanning over Lilia's sleeping form again.
As he did the other night, he closed his eyes and turned on his secondary audio sensors to listen to the beat of her heart and breathing of her lungs. The enthralled machine couldn't help but listen to the life that pumped through her delicate, human frame. He listened to one twin move and leave the room, but he didn't pay much thought to her departure.
Moments later, the android return and picked up the click of her shoes as she approached him. But, instead of acknowledging him, she walked past him toward the desk. He opened his eyes to see what she was doing. A momentary panic settled in his chest as he perceived the rustling of the flowers he had brought but that subsided when the pink-haired twin unveiled their new home in a cylindrical, metal tube. She had a white tablet in her hand she let drop into the tube and a faint splash of water. The twin turned to him and smiled before sitting next to her look-alike.
Adam stared at the vase of flowers and more calmness settled in his metal being. The rain outside stopped.
"Ya know Adam, it might be annoyin' when those small storms come, but they always leave the area lookin' fresh. Like... I dunno, like the earth took a bath or somethin'."
A small smile graced his lips and the sweet tang of blueberries filled his palate.
Bathing... fresh... new... cleansed.
The rain has washed my sins away. Let me be forgiven, by you, my Creator. Have mercy on my bones of metal and nerves of wire. Have me stay within your grace.
Hours later, Lilia exhaled a heavy breath as her body stretched. Her right hand moved toward her face and rubbed her sleepy eyes. She then turned over on her back and having noticed that Adam was there, pulled up the blanket to cover herself. He didn't see—knowing how prone to bashfulness she was—keeping his eyes closed until she covered herself.
"G'mornin' to you." She mumbled.
He then opened his eyes and smiled at her. "To you as well. How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Better," she said simply.
The plain answer was enough. He'd take 'better' considering the last few days she had to endure.
The twins got up from their spots and the straight haired one announced, "We'll be right back with your breakfast." They walked out and closed the door behind them. Thus, leaving the two alone.
Adam then moved from his spot on the chair to sit beside her on the bed. She likewise sat up to meet him. He noticed her mangled hand still bandaged and the bruise around her neck remained. A feeling of guilt in his metal chest coiled at the sight.
"How are you... really?" He asked again, now that the twins left the room.
Her hazel-green eyes looked at her hand and they softened. "I... dunno. I'll live but... we'll have to see how this will affect me. Dunno how well I'll cope with it but... I am better."
The machine nodded in acceptance. "OK... I believe you." He said before turning his attention toward his gift. "I brought you your things and... something else. I hope you like it."
Lilia looked at him, curiousness in her eyes, as he reached for the vase that held the flowers he brought and handed it to her. She gasped at the sight of the delicate flowers.
Nerves fluttered in his abdomen as he said while bowing his head. "I—well, they reminded me of you... you know... lilies for Lilia. So, I thought—you're crying! I'm sorry!"
Panicking he had done something wrong or didn't follow the right societal procedure and now she became upset at him. He reached for the vase of flowers intending to leave before she stopped him. Her hands grasping for the metal vase.
"No! No... they're wonderful. They're happy tears." She explained as she took the vase and its flowers it contained from him and pressed it to her chest. Her nose sniffing the fragrant petals.
Her explanation and facial expression confused him. She had tears falling from her gentle hazel-green eyes, but she had a delicate smile on her face. What were 'happy tears'?
Confounded, Adam asked, "Happy... tears?"
"Yeah. Happy tears for a happy memory." She responded cryptically.
"Oh. Then, good. I thought..."
She shook her head, her curly hair bouncing. "No, you did nothin' wrong. I'm glad you brought me these. They're my grandma's flowers."
"Your... grandmother? You mean your mother's mother?"
"Yeah." Adam saw a broad smile come to her face. "She loved these flowers. She'd have pots of them around her apartment and their fragrance seeped into the apartments next to her's. And she'd say, 'Look I have lilies for my Little Lily'." A chuckle escaped her throat from her reminiscing.
At least she likes them. He thought relieved. Human families are strongly knitted, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised by her reaction to something associated with one. Especially a member who seems important. Strange how I thought the same thing when I saw them. No matter, as long as she's happy.
Then she asked, "Adam, what possessed you to get me these? I'm grateful, but why?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "I acknowledge it was a common practice to give flowers. For affection, for those who were sick, amends, or other such things. I saw them while I was with Eve... I don't know why I stopped to look at them. But, I searched through the network and found the name and it stuck. I didn't realize that your grandmother liked them as well."
She let out a solemn breath before she replied, "No... you couldn't have known. It's just—never mind—thank you, for bringin' me these." Lilia wiped the tear streaks away from her bronzed cheeks. "They're beautiful."
Adam gave a cocky smile and retorted, "Like you."
Lilia snorted and laughed while putting the vase on the bedside table. Her brow perked at his attempt at flirting. At least, he hoped she liked his practice at flirtation. Even though he felt it was a silly thing to say.
Is what I said good? He thought critical at his actions. I learned potential mates or "couples" do that sort of thing. Flirting and teasing of the like to each other to signify a bond.
Her uninjured hand found itself wrapped around a lock of his silver hair as she coaxed him to lean towards her. Silver brows rose at what she was doing. There was a twinkle in her soft hazel-green eyes and an impish grin. Then, his own smile crooked on his mouth as she placed a kiss on them. Of which, he reciprocated, eager to participate in the affectionate activity.
It didn't take long for the kiss to deepen and that fluttering sensation to start in his chest and travel from his spine to his toes. It was pleasant as the electrical tingles enthralled him. Their tongues met in a dance as she lay flat on the bed. Her hands tangled in his hair to press further. A throaty moan escaped his chest, which caused her to whine. It only excited him further.
Here he was, touching and caressing her. Only days prior he could have lost her. Now he didn't want the end of the moment to come. The emotions fueled his desire to hold her closer to him. Compelled by a mysterious code within his circuitry, he kissed her neck. He kissed and lapped at the skin below her ear and sucked on the point where the shoulder met her neck. Earning him a delectable moan from her. A tangy, salty flavor collected on his palate. His research had him conclude being in proximity to the neck as a sign of trust. After all, the delicate anatomical structure housed the trachea, cervical vertebrae, and both the jugular veins and carotid arteries. Any damage to either structures death followed in minutes. Pride welled within him she deemed him worthy of being so close. Her life—her existence—lay beneath his hand and lips. It was as obvious as the dark bruise as a reminder her life came close to ending two days ago. Delicate kisses pressed at the tender skin, a wish from him for their disappearance.
Adam's olfactory sensors heightened and picked up a musky fragrance coming from her. Unsure of what it was but its presence registered within his internal synapses as a good sign. Her hardened nipples poked his chest, only the blanket serving as a barrier. Petite hands caressing his bare shoulders and nails running along the skin. The delicate blush on her cheeks reddened further, and she bit her bottom lip.
The excited machine continued his ministrations on her neck, going from one side to the other. She gasped his name, further emboldening him. Movements of her neck muscles and pumping of her blood thrummed across his tongue and lips, entranced by the life and heat of Lilia's body.
Her right hand stroked the base of his neck and made a tingling trail to his hairline. Causing him to shiver. The roaming digit made it to his ear where the tip of the forefinger teased the rim. Then, it went in a sensual trail to the lobe before circling back. A mix of a gasp and a moan escaped his lips as his body shivered from the tickling sensation. Lilia had a twinkle in her eye and a playful smile on her lips. Gentle fingers continued their sensual fondling on the rim of his ear.
Why should he not be surprised she knew where to touch him? She was old enough to have experience with intimate interactions. Not only that, he swore a tingling sensation circled between his legs. The implication is weird considering he had no human genitalia. Maybe it was a strange code written in his data to produce the sensation?
His pondering thoughts were interrupted as she leaned up and her warm, moist tongue replaced her roaming fingers. She licked a trail from the lobe to the outside of the rim and gave a gentle blow. A guttural moan escaped his lips and his hands clenched at her sides. Mischievous lips sucked the lobe and her tongue licked the part in her mouth. Then, she pulled back to let the dangling flesh pop out of her mouth. Trapped toes in his shoes curled.
The sensitized machine pulled back. An animalistic groan vibrated in his chest.
As his heated red eyes stared at Lilia, she still had the same playful smile on her full lips, his glowing pupils reflected within her eyes. She laid back on the pillow and her facial expression softened. The blanket she used to cover herself had lowered itself too low, the dark areola peaking above the sheet. Delicate shadows formed from where her hardened nipples poked the soft material. Her torso contracted from the pants of breath. The fingers she used to tease his ear, formed a path across his chest and rest at his left side of his waist in a sensual trail.
Tiny bruises formed around her neck where he sucked on the delicate flesh. A stark antithesis in their creation compared to the long dark one of near-death. An utter fascinating sight, and one he couldn't help but be enthralled by, so very human. Tenderness and callousness. Creation and destruction. Light and dark.
He wanted to fuck her so bad.
He wanted her loud, singing moans to echo in this world devoid of humanity. So that the earth, the empty buildings, and the creatures remembered the cries of passion that only a human could make.
He wanted to experience it.
A loud knock at the door broke the sensual spell they had weaved.
—xxx—
On the third day of being at the Resistance camp, the twins allowed her to walk. If by "walk," it was within the confines of the recovery room for brief moments. She needed support from her staff, but the effects if her sprained ankle were minimal. Only a slight limp when she walked and minor discomfort. Popola even started on physical therapy on her ankle to test out the strained muscles. With the risk of infection on her hand gone, the twins were absent for most of the day and night. Thus, returning to their regular duties around the Resistance camp. Along with leaving her very bored.
Anemone came by to give her new clothes to replace the ruined ones. Lilia put on the new set, eager and uncaring the Resistance commander watched. She gave a scarf to hide the bruising around her neck. Afterwards, she showed her a gift in the form of an improvised backpack that the resourceful commander had procured. The backpack material is thick, dark leather; coarse thread that was a discolored yellow color; and tarnished steel buckles. Lilia thanked her, dripping with graciousness, knowing the backpack is much better suited than her oversized purse.
"Look inside, I have another surprise for you." She said with a smile on her face. "I had meant for one of our members to drop it off at Pascal's village since a scheduled to patrol is due that way, but since you're here."
Lilia did as the Resistance commander suggested, and from then on, she will be forever in her good graces. Anemone had obtained a makeshift hair product sealed in a twelve-ounce glass jar with a bail closure. It wasn't similar to the shampoo of her time, the goo had a fine grit to it, was thicker, and had a medium beige color. Despite those differences it smelled of lavender. The fragrance strong when she popped the lid.
"Us androids rarely need to use hair products or bathe in general." She explained. "It took time to gather the ingredients, and I extracted the lavender scent myself. You can use it like normal and it won't take much."
Lilia became speechless before she blurted, "Thank you! Oh God—you don't know how much I've wanted to wash my hair. Feels like a grease trap on my head."
Anemone smiled and accepted her gratitude. Then, the two of them chatted before she brought in the guys from the tech division who were eager to see her since it had been months. She kept the facade of being on a mission from Anemone and became hurt on the job. And it didn't surprise her they asked about the android who brought her into camp. Lilia gave the same excuse as she did the twins. And just like them, they were too curious. It took Anemone to dismiss the guys back to work to pry them away. Although she suspected that—like elderly grandmothers after Sunday service—they'll gossip the day away. Even if it were true in the technical sense.
The next day she walked around the camp with Adam and her staff as her support. The androids didn't say much to him, but they stared. She didn't get out so easily, each android wanting long conversations with her or asked assistance with a software repair. Lilia didn't complain, better than being cooped up like the last few days. When her ankle started to cause discomfort, she made an excuse and sat on a chair or stool. Adam, ever vigil, assisted her when needed. He wasn't the only one who stood guard, Lilia spotted a certain android shirking behind tents at the corner of her eye.
On the fifth day, 2B and a repaired 9S came. The two androids dismissing the twins to speak to her in private. Lilia deduced what was coming and the impending head-butting in a few minutes.
However, Lilia could tell something was off in 9S's demeanor towards her. His teen body shifted from one foot to the other in an uneasy fashion. She couldn't place why he'd have a nervous reaction towards her. Sure he wasn't as headstrong as his female counterpart, but regardless his whole presence radiated uneasy tension. Once the twins left, it didn't take long for their attempts to convince her to stop seeing Adam. 9S being the most vocal of the two. Lilia stood firm in her decision and told them to go fuck themselves and their Commander. Said Commander even graced her with a phone-call. Which Lilia was too happy to tell her to go fuck herself to her face.
What transpired was long and tense between YoRHa Commander and the human woman. The thick walls of the room muffled the sting of the conversation between the two. 2B and 9S couldn't interfere with their verbal dispute. It ranged from the aliens, the Council, the war, and finally Adam and his brother.
It drew to a peak when Commander White spoke an ultimatum, authorized by the highest members of the Council of Humanity.
Once uttered, for at least ten seconds the only sound heard was the buzzing of the Pods and the muffled noise from the camp beyond the room.
Lilia's voice turned harsh and quiet. Giving her answer through gritted teeth.
The only human in the room, distraught and filled with anger, grabbed her staff and swung at the support Pod. The strike violent and hard made. It caused the Pod to hit the wall and shatter the projected screen. The impact wasn't enough to destroy the well-built Pod, but it whirred and zipped back to 2B. So much for 'not killing the messenger'.
Her petite body shook and trembled from the whirlwind of emotions she tried to contain in desperation. The heart within her chest drummed in a fierce beat. A dreaded knot twisted in her gut. She faced the two YoRHa androids who stood just as shocked as her.
"Well? You heard her." The angry human spat out.
2B shook her head visibly upset. "The... order isn't official yet."
"Then get goin'. Don't want you around when it does."
9S cut in, "Lilia—".
"I don't wanna hear it. I've made my choice."
9S's plea was thick in his voice, "Lilia please... I... I have to tell you something—"
"Save it 9S!" She shook her head. "I don't wanna hear it! Just..." She swallowed the hard knot in her throat and continued to fight the tears that threatened to fall. The awkward grip she had on her staff tightened, the knuckles turning white. "Just say your peace, wish me luck, and hope our paths don't cross until this stupid war is over."
"This—this isn't right!" Exclaimed 2B. "Why would the Commander—! The Council—!"
Lilia waved 2B's denial off, "Dunno. Don't care. Just—just leave! Please... I... I want to remember you two as friends... so just... leave." Her voice thick with emotion as the weight of her new plight pressed harder on her shoulders.
"We'll find a way to change the Council's mind." Promised 2B. "The Commander wasn't too happy about the order either. I'm sure she'll help."
The desperate human woman shook her head. Her thoughts racing and twisting into an ugly mass in her mind. "I don't know anymore..." She whispered. "Go... please..."
The two androids backed out of the room, slow and hesitant, not wanting the inevitable to occur. Her fate sealed as the door clicked shut. Lilia limped to her bed and slumped on it. Full lips quivering. The soft breeze from the open window caused the flowers Adam brought her to rustle. It was enough to gain her attention to look at them.
In the back of her mind, in a deep buried memory she heard her grandmother say to a small, confused child of only six. She could still smell her heady perfume of the lilies she loved.
"Remember my Little Lily, God made all the beauty in the world when He created the Garden of Eden. Including this wonderful flower and it's just as beautiful as you because you're a child of God. Don't worry about your momma anymore my sweet grandbaby, she is with Him. And every time she sees these flowers in Heaven's Garden, she'll be thinkin' of you and how much she loves you. If you be good just like mommy, you'll see her in Heaven. And Remember God has a plan for you and He loves you."
Lilia didn't realize her cheeks shined from tears.
She didn't know if her brain conjured that memory for comfort, but all it did was make her angrier at the world she couldn't fathom of understanding.
A/N: Five more chapters left!