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Red Evening Song
919a92
Empire says nothing, but her face shifts from barely concealed mirth to a far more somber expression. She opens her mouth to say something, but pauses before continuing. "Yes. If finding, helping."
"Also, there was this red synthetic I didn't see much in the same room as me. Not Rename, uh, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that one? Didn't talk much, or, well, at all, I guess."
"Not sounding familiar. Hm."
"So, what next? I don't know this place as w-well as you do, and I'm not intent on wandering off in the middle of a f-fucking warzone. I'm pretty sure you want me to do something in exchange for the help you've given me."
Empire makes some strange clicking noise with her tongue. "Skills?"
"I, uh, I'm pretty handy with machines. Not all of this plant gunk."
"Anything else?"
"I, hm. Shit, this is depressing. All the stuff I can th-think of I'd need tools for or something. I can carry stuff around, maybe? Ugh."
"Thinking synthetic better adapted to task. Not seeing so much muscle."
"Well, thanks."
"Is being welcome." Empire's response is so automatic that Culya isn't sure she even noticed her sarcasm. "Not having any task yet, seeming."
Empire idly drums her hands on her stomach.
Suddenly, Culya notices movement. Something blue, at least as large as her. It slithers from behind her.
Empire looks mildly surprised. "Not expecting return so soon, Doctor."
"Is this a prisoner? Weren't all of them--"
"No, Doctor. No, Culya, which is being name, is not being prisoner. Culya new member of whatever we calling nation when finally deciding."
"Aha. I understand. My apologies, ahem, Culya."
Culya backs away a few steps. The creature identifed as Doctor moves in front of her, and she thinks it's examining her. She isn't sure.
"Well, that would explain the XV immunity. Hm. Fascinating. So, your name is Culya, areeni?"
"Uh, um, yeah, Culya, yeah. Hi. D-doctor, I think?"
"Doctor will suffice, yes. My old serial number is hardly much of a name, and I'm still contemplating on something a little less... juvenile. I could have sworn..."
"Doctor. Needing talk. In private."
"Well, that is going to be a little difficult to do in the middle of a large open space. Should we step into one of these dormant pods?"
"Yes."
"Okay then. Stay there, Culya. We'll be right back."
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