"A2, I'd like to ask you a favor."
Lifting her head in surprise, A2, who was currently seated on the ground, whetstone stopped in mid draw across the edge of her blade, blinked curiously at Anemone's sudden appearance, the resistance leader approaching her with a concerned look marring her usually stern and reserved features. Placing her sword to the side, the finely crafted blade glinting brilliantly in the ever-present sun, A2 lifted herself to her feet in one fluid motion, the maintenance on her weapons able to wait a little while longer.
While her NFCS kept her weapons in fairly good condition during storage, her lack of access to YoRHa's weapons and R&D division left all the maintenance work to herself, the constant battles with machines and hunting animals for Leah's meals enough to wear them out rather quickly. A blade, no matter how expertly crafted with the greatest technology and materials to be found, will degrade with use.
"Anemone. What do you need?" Dusting her hands off on the side of her newest shirt, one more fitting for her build, the black garment more in line with her own tastes, free from any restrictions in movement and comfort. Leah, ever the thoughtful one, had gone out with the twins to retrieve some clothes for the combat android several days ago, using her own sensibilities and the twin's knowledge of android preferences to pick up a large number of shirts for A2. Partially for her and partially for her own enjoyment.
The human girl enjoyed picking out an outfit for her a little too much, A2 thought.
"We have noticed strange signals coming from the Amusement Park." Anemone's face was set in a fierce grimace, her fingers idly playing with the holstered pistol at her side, a sure sign of the nervous worry currently besetting the resistance leader.
"We can't quite tell what they are, only that they seem alien in nature, possibly being sent out to the machines. If it's some kind of code or a relay for commands we can not tell. I was hoping you could go check it out for us. You are the one I trust the most to handle a situation like this."
A2 nodded in understanding as she took in what her old friend told her, a small kernel of worry burrowing itself into her chest as she contemplated the mission Anemone had requested of her. The implications of what the signal could be, what it could possibly do to both machines and androids alike, causing some disturbing memories to resurface in her mind. Memories of crazed comrades and feral machines.
Of a virus that you had no hope of surviving.
"Very well. I'll go." Picking up her sword off of the dusty ground, the familiar golden light sending it back to storage for safekeeping, A2 was preparing to head out, mentally planning out a route and any possible info she might need from Anemone when an errant thought passed her mind. Turning to her old companion with a thoughtful expression, the taller woman quirking an eyebrow quizzically at the former YoRHa soldier.
"Would it be alright if Leah accompanied me for this mission?"
"Good work Leah! Only 15 more!"
A low grunt of affirmation rolled out from deep within the brown-haired girl's chest, a bead of sweat rolling down the side of her face as she continued to perform a series of push-ups, Devola enthusiastically cheering her on from the sidelines, the wild-haired sister grinning madly at the human girls seemingly endless reserves of determination. Despite the burn in her arms causing her to wince slightly in pain, each move up and down harder than the last, Leah pressed on tirelessly, giving up far from her mind.
It was this scene, with Leah slowly lifting to her knees after finishing her last round of push-ups, that A2 walked in to, her steel-blue eyes absently tracing the human girl's figure with a studious gaze. As Leah moved a strand of sweat-soaked hair out of her face, A2 registered the noticeable rise in the human girl's bicep, a faint hint of muscle toning her once more soft body.
The muscles were not just for show as Leah's overall stamina and strength had increased over the course of her training, the human girl more than capable in fending for herself during a battle, her sparring sessions now being performed with A2 herself. One Leah had yet to win, but the brown-haired girl was more than determined to keep trying.
The change in the human's physical appearance was an interesting phenomenon for the former YoRHa soldier to witness, gaining muscle not being something an android was capable of, no matter how much they might try. Everything they had, the way they looked, was given to them during creation, any modification coming from internal readjustments or from R&D and usually only with commands blessing or when in-field changes were deemed necessary.
So to see Leah so different, and changing every day, was intriguing to the combat model, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why. The former soldier had learned the basics of human physiology during her time up in the bunker, how they were soft and vulnerable, how they would age with time, their entire system altering over the course of their lives.
But, seeing her right now, a soft chuckle passing silver-haired androids lips as Devola playfully threw a towel into the human girls face, Leah pouting cutely before bursting out in a series of joyful laughter, A2 wondered what the strange flutter in her stomach was whenever she gazed upon the woman she loved. The combat android knew she loved her, that she adored this girl with everything she had, but the warmth that would pool within her stomach whenever she saw more of her body, when she would kiss her so passionately, hold her so tight, confused and scared her greatly.
And yet, A2 couldn't say that it was an entirely unpleasant feeling.
"Ah! A2!" Pulled out of her reverie by Leah's shout, the combat android turned her head to see her girlfriend rushing over to her side, a brilliant smile plastered upon the human girl's face as she came up to the silver-haired woman, immediately grabbing one of A2's hands in hers. "What's up?"
"Anemone is sending me out on a mission." A small smile pulled at the corner of A2's lips as she lightly squeezed the brown-haired girl's hand, that familiar warmth spreading to her chest, her black box beating joyfully within her breast. "I was wondering if you'd like to come along."
"Of course!" The time-traveling girl's reaction was immediate, not a single hint of hesitation to be found as she quickly ruffled her hair with the towel before rushing off to grab her sword that was resting against a nearby crate, attaching it securely to her hip. "Where are we going?"
"The Amusement Park. Apparently, there is a strange signal emanating from there that is worrying Anemone." Smiling brightly at the human's enthusiasm, the sight of her with a sword, scars crisscrossing along every inch of her exposed skin, was something A2 still had trouble getting used to sometimes. She was so different from the girl she met in that laboratory so long ago.
But looking into her emerald eyes, hearing her excited giggles as she smiled brightly, reminded her that this was still Leah. The woman she loved.
"Ooh yay! I've wanted to go back there ever since we went there to help out Emil." Bouncing slightly on her heels, the grin on her face only growing wider, Leah quickly packed up a bag of assorted necessities before slinging it over her shoulder with a playful flourish, clearly eager to get going after learning their destination. "I used to go there all the time back in high school."
"Thanks for leaving me with all the work, Devola!" A small shiver of fear ran down the wild-haired twins' spine as she quickly jumped behind the pair of girlfriends, peeking out from behind the combat androids shoulder at her enraged sister, who was currently stomping up to them with a deep scowl marring her features. She knew she was forgetting something when she agreed to help Leah with her training.
"Sorry, Popola. I asked her for help." Leah apologized softly, wincing slightly when the straight-haired twin turned her withering glare toward her, green eyes smoldering with barely restrained anger. While Popola was usually more reserved than her sister, there slumbered a raging fire within her that nobody really wanted to see light up.
"It's fine. It wasn't much anyway." Sighing heavily, shoulders sagging slightly, Popola let the issue go for now, but not before sending one last glare her sister's way, the wild-haired twin sheepishly smiling back at her incensed sibling. "By the way, Leah. What was school like? I heard it was mainly a place for learning and studying, but the way you speak of it, it seems to have had other uses?"
"Oh…hmm…" Caught off guard by the question, one that seemed so terribly simple to someone from her time, Leah had to remember that the androids probably didn't receive their education, for a lack of a better word, quite like she did.
"Well, it was a place for humans to go and learn about various subjects and interests, that is true. It was mainly for younger people, such as kids and teens, but there is an option for you to get a more specific education after finishing your mandatory schooling. It was really quite useful for our development but most kids would hate it because all they wanted to do was play."
The trio of androids nodded in understanding, faces lit up with curious interest after the human girl's explanation as Leah softly giggled to herself, remembering just how much of a brat she used to be in high school. She was always running off to go hang out at the amusement park, more often than not on her own, losing herself within the dazzling lights and raucous noise. To escape her boring and mundane high school life for merely a moment.
To drown herself within the overloading of her senses, to forget, but for a moment, about her suffering mother locked away at home. It was an escape for her throughout her life, both from the mundane and the painful, letting the nostalgia of younger days wash over her as she looked upon the magnificent castle looming above the park, everything seeming much happier and magical for a fleeting moment. It was a safety net, keeping her from falling into despair, a place where cheer and excitement never disappeared.
Can the machines living there really hope to keep that spirit alive?
"Let's go, A2!"
"Urgh, we sure use the sewers a lot, don't we?" Leah's grumbling echoed down the vast tunnel, the human girl wildly shaking her foot as she accidentally stepped into the shallow pool of water again, sticking her tongue out in disgust at the murky substance sticking to her feet. "At least it's better than it used to be."
"What do you mean?" A2 asked from slightly further ahead, the combat android keeping an eye out for potential enemies, her eyesight much clearer than the human girls within the darkened interiors of the sewage pipe.
"You don't want to know." Leah said with a note of disgust in her voice, the combat android quirking her eyebrow quizzically toward the time-traveling human, a gesture she could barely make out from the darkness surrounding them. "Trust me."
Shrugging her shoulders, A2 lightly shook her head as she chuckled absently at the human girl's strange behavior before continuing on, the smallest hint of light becoming visible up ahead. Guiding the time-traveling through the last part of the debris-ridden sewer, the pair climbed out of the darkness and into the shaded clearing leading toward the park's entrance, flecks of light shining down from between the canopy of leaves overhead.
Approaching the gates with careful strides, the pair remaining cautious despite their last trip showing that the machines living in the park seemed to be docile in nature, A2 lightly fiddled with a radio Anemone had given her, the device tuned to the strange signal supposedly emanating from within the park. It was an older model, signs of wear and tear evident upon its exterior casing, but it was the most reliable method the resistance had with their meager means.
Passing through the entry plaza, machines dancing and throwing confetti with unbridled enthusiasm, each one happily belting out a merry tune, Leah couldn't help but smile at their attempts to keep the spirit of merriment alive. While their reasoning behind the park's existence may be not 100% correct, a sense of corporate greed always overshadowing its exuberant veneer, the human girl couldn't fault them for their intent. Spreading happiness and joy can never be a bad thing.
Walking around the large statue at the plaza's center, one Leah could swear hadn't been there before, the pair made their way up the main steps leading to the castle, the brown-haired girl surprised at just how much of the park had survived over the years. The bright lights and noise may have been gone, the park a shell of what it once was, but Leah could still feel the warmth emanating from its manufactured facade. Years of joyful youth couldn't be erased from within its walls.
As they wandered through the twists and turns of its many back alleys and side streets, broken down rides sitting lifeless where they once stood bathing in bright lights with the excited screams of children rising above the din of noise, Leah would occasionally be roped into a conversation with one of the machines dressed as jesters as A2 tried to figure out where to go next. The robots were terribly excited to finally spread cheer to an actual human, each one wanting to know how they were doing, desperately seeking any praise or help they could get from the brown-haired girl.
"The signal is coming from within this building." Bidding farewell to the large machine holding balloons, Leah politely refusing the one being offered to her, the human girl quickly rushed to the androids side, her eyes lighting up as soon as she laid eyes upon the domed structure before them.
"Oh! I always loved coming here! The plays they would perform here were always so exciting!" Leah gushed excitedly as she looked over at her girlfriend, a joyful grin threatening to split her face in half as she remembered all the wonderful times she spent in this place. "They would change it every month and I'd always be there on the first day! I loved it!"
A2 couldn't help but smile as she looked at the excited girl, Leah currently pushing the large doors open with a grunt of exertion, pieces of rubble and debris partially blocking it from the other side, but with her newly gained strength, the time-traveling human managed to create a big enough opening for them to slip through all on her own. The combat android felt a small swell of pride within her chest as she squeezed her way through the opening and into the grand reception hall, Leah looking at her surroundings in awe, a faraway look in her green eyes as she no doubt was remembering some cherished moments from her past.
She had grown so much in such a short time, A2 remembering how hard it had been for Leah when she first woke up, an aura of fear and worry always hovering over the human girl, how painfully out of place she felt. She was by no means helpless, the brown-haired girl being quite adept once push came to shove, but the confidence with which she carried herself now, how quickly she took the initiative, sparked prideful joy within the combat android's chest.
The past seemed to have begun releasing its hold on her, her emerald eyes shining with only fond memories and happiness as she danced merrily up the stairs, fingers tracing imaginary patterns upon the worn railing, bright laughter echoing through the empty hall. A2 knew the pain was still there, that losing so much of her life to time something that will always rest heavily upon the human girl's shoulders. But, hopefully soon, the present will become as much a treasured place to her as her past.
"A2, c'mon! Something is going on through here!" Perking up at Leah's shout, the brown-haired girl calling down to her from atop the stairs, A2 quickly rushed to her side, the faint sound of synthesized murmuring emanating from within the entrance the human was standing next to. Looking at each other in wonder, the pair silently nodded to each other before making their way through the set of double doors and entering a large concert hall, a couple of robots staring fixedly at the main stage.
"What are they-" Leah's question died on her lips as the torn and frayed curtain covering the stage swung open with rusty creaks and squeals, three spotlights illuminating the barren stage, strangely decorated with bent and broken rebar's. Without much fanfare, a single, stubby machine ran onto the stage, placing itself beneath the leftmost spotlight, hand raising up to gesture dramatically to the sky.
"O Romeo, Romeo, where art thou, Romeo?" Leah nearly cried out in surprise as the robot's metallic voice spoke its first words, her eyes practically bugging out of her skull as A2 simply watched the proceedings with an air of confusion, unsure of what the hell was going on. As a second robot ran onto the stage, placing itself at the rightmost spotlight, Leah placed her head in her hands in embarrassment
They couldn't be?
"Ah, Juliet, Juliet, wherefore art thou, Juliet?"
They are.
Leah couldn't believe what she was experiencing right now. Machines, 9000 years into the future, were doing a rendition of Romeo and Juliet, in front of a small crowd of their brethren, that she and her android girlfriend just so happened to bear witness to. Her life truly had gone in an interesting direction.
"O Romeo, Romeo, which one of thou art, Romeo?"
Whipping her head up in surprise, Leah had to take a double, then a triple take, unable to fully comprehend what was going on. There, standing next to its similarly colored twin, was a second Juliet.
"Ah, Juliet, Juliet, I am not wholly sure!"
'What the hell is going on?!' Leah's mind screamed as another robot entered from off-screen, the dialogue not even close to the original anymore as a second Romeo joined the group. What are they doing? This was going off the rails fast. Why would they even want to make this play to begin with?
"O, Romeo, Romeo, then let us cull thy numbers!"
Oh…this was going down a route Leah wasn't sure she was going to like. As the third Juliet rushed onto the stage, and made her declaration, the brown-haired girl knew that what was to come was not going to be pretty.
"Ah, Juliet, Juliet, then I shall take thy life!"
The following events would be something that would stick with Leah for a long time, sadly imprinting itself onto her brain with all the beautiful plays she saw back in her childhood. The machines, once pining so desperately for each other, were now engaged in a vicious battle to the death, swinging wild fists and slinging, let's say, 'interesting' insults at each other. Leah could even have sworn she heard one of them scream for them to 'Pisseth off'.
One by one, the machines fell, exploding in a bright explosion of light, their destroyed limbs being flung in every direction until a solitary Juliet remained standing. Looking over the carnage strewn out before them, the, Leah wants to say second, Juliet walked to the front of the stage, raising her hands up into the air before giving her final soliloquy.
"My Romeos are no more, I have slain them each and all. I must join them anon!"
And, somehow, this play managed to surprise the already dumbfounded human girl once again as the last surviving Juliet exploded in a shower of metal and bolts as she seemingly committed suicide, the curtains closing upon the play in an almost comical fashion. The small crowd of machines broke out in raucous applause as A2 and Leah merely stood there in stunned silence, both of their minds unable to comprehend just what they had just seen.
Slowly, almost stiffly, the pair turned to head out of the grand theatre, the claps and cheers from the machines fading softly into the background as they stepped out into the main foyer. Heading down the stairs, their footsteps echoing loudly within the vast hall, Leah desperately tried to find something to say after the train wreck of a performance she had just witnessed.
"Is that really how it goes?" Surprisingly, A2 was the first one to speak, her voice sounding like its usually soft yet strong way, the slightest twinge of confusion evident within her words. "The play, I mean."
"No. No, not at all." Shaking her head vehemently, the thought of that abomination being considered a classic in the theatre world making her whole body bristle with disgust, Leah felt she had to clear the story up. For A2's sake.
"Romeo and Juliet is still a tragedy, but it's a lot more nuanced than what they did with it. Romeo and Juliet were lovers, divided by their warring families, their love blooming despite the odds. A tragic misunderstanding leads to their demise, both of them reunited in death, a love that was lost much too soon. It can be seen as quite beautiful in a melancholic way. A love so strong was destined to burn out quickly."
A2 remained silent after Leah's explanation, her fingers idly playing with the device in her hand, her eyes cast to the dusty ground beneath her feet, little clouds of dirt being kicked up with her every step. Something about that story, of the tragedy of two lovers, sitting heavily within her stomach.
"I hope that doesn't happen to us." A2 whispered softly as she tightened her grip upon the device, the thought of losing Leah, of leaving her alone in this world, causing a painful spike to shoot through her black box. Was that how all romances were destined to end? With sadness and heartbreak?
The soft warmth of Leah's hand slipping into her own shook the combat android out of her depressive spiral, her steel-blue eyes lifting to stare into Leah's emerald gaze, a loving smile curling on her lips as she pressed herself into the androids side.
"I know it won't." Leah's breath lightly tickled the androids ear as she nuzzled herself into the crook of A2's neck, pressing a gentle kiss upon the android's skin before pulling away, a gentle smile spread on her lips, her emerald eyes shining with unshakable confidence. Returning the girl's smile with one of her own, A2 slowly slipped out of Leah's embrace, giving her hand one last grateful squeeze before letting go.
"The signal seems to be coming from further down below. There might be an elevator near here." Nodding her head, Leah followed after the combat android as they rounded the stairs into a small hallway to the side, a set of steel doors proving the androids hypothesis correct. Pressing the button, the doors slid open with surprising ease, the pair stepping into the ancient contraption with wary steps, the doors ominously closing behind them with nary a sound.
With a great lurch that caused Leah to stumble slightly, the elevator started its descent, a gentle whirring permeating the metallic interior as the pair patiently awaited their arrival at their destination. What was to be found there they didn't know, but, with A2 by her side, Leah knew she was going to be ok. Acting on a whim, the brown-haired girl launched herself at the unsuspecting android, A2's steel-blue eyes widening slightly in surprise as Leah pressed her lips upon hers in a brief kiss before pulling away just as quickly, the warmth from her skin and her taste lingering long after she was done.
"Why did you do that?" The former YoRHa soldier asked, her usually stoic voice warbling slightly, the time-traveling human having caught her completely off guard, something she seemed scarily adept at doing. Leah simply shrugged her shoulders as she grinned lovingly at the confused android, her hands clasped playfully behind her back.
"Hmm, I love you and felt like it. Do I need any other reason?" Blinking owlishly at the brown-haired girl's reply, surprised by the simplicity of her motivation, A2 couldn't help but laugh. A laugh that was full of joy and light.
"No," A2 whispered softly as she averted her gaze, the barest hint of a smile curling on her lips as she played with some loose strands of hair. "I guess you don't."
Smiling with satisfaction, proud of her handiwork, Leah turned her gaze back to the elevator doors, patiently waiting for it to finish its descent into the unknown. Leah had no problem waiting, because any moment spent with A2 by her side was precious to the brown-haired girl.
Stepping out of the elevator into a dimly lit hallway, debris littering the floor, Leah and A2 carefully made their way through the cramped pathway, a strange sense of dread looming in the air. Their trek through the underground hallway was slow and steady, the soft glow of security lights casting dark shadows upon the wall, Leah sticking close to the androids side as the oppressive atmosphere threatened to drive the air from her lungs.
Something was very wrong down here.
"Wha-What is this?"
Coming to the end of the hallway, the narrow passageway opening up to a large room with a high ceiling, Leah's emerald eyes opened wide in shock at the strange sight before them, a small shiver of fear rolling down her spine.
A pyramid of old CRT TV's, meticulously stacked and arranged, stood at the center of the room, the hum of static buzzing incessantly from several lit up monitors, nothing to be seen from within its snowy depths. Leah could feel the hair on her arms stand on end as she looked at this strange monstrosity of old technology, its placement, so far beneath the cheerful streets of the Amusement Park making her stomach roll uncomfortably.
Who had built this? And for what purpose?
"This seems to be what is causing the strange signal." A2 proclaimed as she approached the tower of TV's, Leah mind screaming at her to pull the android away, to protect her from some unseen force, one she wasn't even sure existed. All she knew was that this wasn't right, that something about this array of TVs and antennas was meant to hurt the former YoRHa soldier.
Before Leah could act, her hand stretched out helplessly toward her silver-haired lover, A2 leapt into the air, arm reared back as her sword appeared in her hand at the same moment she swung at the array of antenna's, severing their connection to the tower. Twisting in midair, using the momentum of her previous motion, A2 gracefully landed in front of her, the last flecks of light from her sword dematerializing floating out from between her fingers.
Pulling her arm back, a shuddering sigh of relief passing her lips, Leah placed her hand over her chest, feeling the nervous beating of her heart beneath her palm. What was that? Where did that feeling come from? And why wasn't it going away?
"The signal is gone. That seems to have done it." Checking her device, A2 gave a satisfied nod when she noticed no more signs of activity, glad this mission was completed without any incident. Traumatizing play notwithstanding.
"C'mon, let's go." Making her way back toward the elevator, her heels clacking loudly within the cavernous room, A2 softly brushed her hand across Leah's shoulder, giving the time-traveling girl a gentle smile before exiting the room. Following A2's movements, the former YoRHa soldier's gait steady and sure, very much like the trained warrior she is, Leah felt a small bit of relief wash over her, smiling softly before following after the retreating android. She was ok. A2 was ok.
"Huh?" Stopping dead in her tracks, her hand placed upon the doorway leading out of the room, Leah slowly turned her head back to the tower of TV's, a strange sound coming from where she and A2 had stood mere moments ago. A light tone, that sounded almost human, rose above the monotone sound of static coming from the TV's.
The sound of laughter.
Looking over her shoulder, emerald eyes beset with fear and curiosity, Leah spotted two raven-haired girls, dressed all in red, standing before the tower of monitors, the glow of the TV's casting dark shadows over their faces, obscuring them from view. Turning fully to face them, the girls not moving an inch, Leah took a tentative step forward, her body feeling like it was moving all on its own.
"Leah? Something wrong?" Leah felt her mind snap back into place, the human girl looking over her shoulder at the silver-haired woman standing a couple of feet away from her, a look of worry on her beautiful face. Blinking a couple of times in confusion, Leah quickly glanced back at the tower of TV's, finding no trace of the strange girls in red, only the white and gray static flickering on the screens.
Did she just imagine them?
"Um, it's nothing. I'm coming!" Rushing back to the combat androids side, Leah tried to give her a reassuring smile when A2 looked at her with worry in her steel-blue eyes, the pair making their way back to the waiting elevator. Stepping into the metal contraption, the steel doors sliding shut in front of her eyes, the view of the dimly lit hallway slowly being replaced with its silver sheen, Leah couldn't help but think about the strange raven-haired girls she had seen.
'I wonder who they were.'
As the elevator doors slid shut with a metallic clang, the whirring of the engine fading into the distance as the car was pulled back to the surface, the soft crackle coming from the TV's fell silent as they all began blinking out one by one until there was nothing left but darkness.
A/N: Beware the girls in red.
A simple chapter with major implications for future chapters. Many of you will know who these mysterious girls are and what trouble lies ahead for our couple.
We get another chapter of A2 and Leah having an adventure together, it having been a while since the last time the two of them had spent time alone out in the world and the first time Leah has been out on a mission since her kidnapping. There are surely more of these moments to come in the future.
This chapter gave us another glimpse into Leah's past and the tribulations she had to go through before being frozen and how she found comfort at the Amusement Park. We also get to see how Leah is more comfortable with remembering her past, something A2 happily noticed.
Next chapter: Three deserters.
Thank you all for your ongoing support! Writing this story has been such a wonderful experience, especially during such a hard year. Building this story, with these characters, has been an immense pleasure and I am looking forward to next year and what more is to come with A2 and Leah. I hope you will continue joining me on this ride.
Have a wonderful day and I love you all!