Story Reader / Affection / No. 21: Feral / Story
No. 21: Feral VI
You look down from higher ground at a river that has been completely transformed.
The serene, clear water has turned dark and murky, carrying loads of sand and mud.
The aggressive flood decimates everything in its path. Only a few sturdy old trees sway gruelingly in the gushing waves.
The tranquility of the forest is replaced by thundering sounds echoing in the moist air.
Nature is finally revealing its violent side. Witnessing the full force of Mother Nature, you can't help but shiver in fear even though you know that you are at a safe location.
While you were collecting samples from the river bank, No. 21, having heard rumblings up in the mountain, suddenly gave you a warning call.
It was thanks to her that you didn't get washed away by the flood.
But the sudden flood has blocked your path down the mountain.
You check the map on your terminal again. It would take five times longer to get back to your parked vehicle from this side of the river.
Never expecting there to be a flood, you came without a tent and mattress, and it doesn't help that the majority of the space in your bags is dedicated to carrying the glass instruments needed to hold the samples you collect.
I can sleep right here.
No. 21 points at the ground.
You usually have no trouble sleeping on the ground, except it's probably better to build a temporary shelter, given a high chance of rain.
Why do we need two?
Constructs won't catch a cold or get sick, but you can't bring yourself to leave No. 21 out in the cold, wet night while you're tucked away safely in a shelter.
She might even get rained on—and that's not something anyone would let happen in good conscience.
?
A confused expression flashes over No. 21's face.
What do I need to do?
No. 21 launches off without a moment's break. Seconds later, branches of different shapes and sizes fall to the ground.
You call off the task as you watch the pile of twigs grow quickly into a large heap.
No. 21 lands softly on the ground and puts away her weapon, dusting her hands clean of sawdust.
What should we do next?
No. 21 looks at you curiously.
You make a small clearing and pick up a twig before sharpening it to use as a peg. You dig out a few deep holes in the clearing.
You then pick out a few long, flexible yet sturdy branches with leaves to stick into the holes you just dug, intertwining them to form a dome.
Finally, you lay down armfuls of twigs and leaves around the dome and scatter dry leaves inside the clearing to finish up your makeshift bush shelter.
It took you over an hour to finish your tree hut, but you feel accomplished.
I... want to try it, too.
After watching the entire process with the same expressionless face, No. 21 says with a rare excitement in her voice.
She sounds as though she's come across a new prey and is determined to catch it.
No. 21 accepts your help with a nod.
Four hours later.
Um... it looks a little different from yours.
Her slanted hut looks like half a goose egg lying on its side.
Some branches are sticking out, making it look like a green sea urchin with spines.
No. 21 looks intently at the huts, as if comparing the two.
No, I want mine.
No. 21 quickly slips into her crooked hut.
This is my territory.
The sky darkens. After starting a fire with the flint with the back of your dagger, you duck into your makeshift shelter.
Crackling noises from the flickering fire seem to be making the dark night stretch on indefinitely.
[player name]...
The voice of a little girl slips into your tree hut.
You know a lot of things I don't know, and you know how to do a lot more things.
Do you know how to do those things because you found them necessary?
Which means they're not necessary, then?
No. 21 stays silent for a moment and asks in a puzzled tone.
I don't get it.
And I never know if I'll ever be able to use what I've learned.
So let's do our best while we can.
What happened with the pup didn't exactly turn out the way we'd hoped it would...
Does that mean regret... would become sorrow in the end?
...
A long stretch of silence ensues. Just when you thought she fell asleep, you hear shuffling noises coming from outside your hut.
A little hole opens on the wall next to No. 21's hut. A small, white hand feels around the entrance before retracting.
A snowflake-patterned pupil appears on the other side. When it meets your eyes, it flickers briefly and withdraws a little, but eventually gazes into your eyes.
Now we're connected.
Our territories. Yours and mine.
I barged into your territory before.
I was hoping you would come into my territory one day, but you never did.
So I thought you probably didn't want to come to my territory.
I didn't want to drag you into my territory.
Then I wasn't sure if I really wanted you to come into my territory.
I was scared—scared of rejection.
But I just realized that I would regret it more if I never asked.
"Only do what's needed and nothing more." For me, this is needed...
The flickering flame dances in No. 21's snowflake eye, slowly melting away the icicles.
At that moment, the sound of dripping raindrops on the leaves and into the fire travels into your ear.
The firelight dims, leaving only the lights from two pairs of gazing eyes.
Before you can finish your sentence, the fire fizzles out, drowned in the rainwater, and the world returns once again to silent darkness.
A little girl's voice sounds the moment the fire goes out.
I want you to be in my territory.
Something wiggles in from the opening and snuggles up against your chest.
And people in the same territory take care of one another.
I will lend you what you are missing.
In the drizzling sound of the rain, warmth spreads from your chest to your entire body.
You know that you will sleep soundly tonight.
Do you know how scared I was? I totally thought I'd lost the ace of the Task Force...
You've changed.
Don't look at me like that. I'm trying my best to understand you!
We are working together after all... Oh my, look at all the samples you got here!
You finally made it back to the greenhouse at noon the next day. When the manager sees all the samples you've brought back, she forgets how nervous she was and talks with excitement.
I can't believe you got trapped up in the mountain. I was only thinking about collecting samples and didn't plan for difficult weather.
How about you take some flowers with you as a gift? I don't have anything else to give out here.
What about you, No. 21?
No. 21 looks around her before putting her attention on a white flower bud.
She moves in for a good sniff and nods her head.
I want this one.
This, are you sure? This is an experimental plant cut from a tung tree as a test to see if it could survive away from its mother plant and go through its usual life cycle.
It might never flower. There are plenty of other choices.
It smells like me.
Well, if you like it, I'll put it into the growth medium for you. I do hope it'll flower someday.
By the way, there's going to be a small welcome party today. Will you... join us?
It's fine if you don't want to... Uh... but I am really hoping you could.
Relationships are constantly changing.
Every encounter, every expression from the heart alters our paths ever so slightly.
I will go, too.
What's important is taking that first step, or reaching out your hand for the first time. Do what you will not regret.
On the transport craft bound for Babylonia, No. 21 is carefully holding her pot with a flower bud.
No. 21 tilts her head as if trying to compare it with something.
I don't know what it will be like when it flowers.
But I like how it smells right now.
She lifts the growth medium just high enough for the sunlight to shine in from the pothole to illuminate the plant, stretching its shadow.
A yawn escapes you as you remember how tiring it was to receive the enthusiastic researchers.
You doze off to the side just as something soft moves in to catch you as if it could read your mind.
I'll let you lean on my shoulder this time.
Your shadows may still be separated by a distinct line...
But your hearts are connected no matter how far apart you may be.
