'Tis a morning as ordinary as any other. You're about to open your eyes like you always do...
When someone yanks the blindfold off your face and starts speaking in a bizarre tone.
Well, well, guess a lot of people are starting to panic now with you kidnapped, hahaha... Welcome to "hell," Commandant! I'm the evil Boss here!
Knowing that you've been "kidnapped," you start assessing your surroundings.
It's still dark out, probably early morning before daybreak, with birds chirping in the sky. You believe you're probably somewhere high up, on some rooftop... Constellia, perhaps?
Seeing the windmills slowly turning in the distance, you know you're right on the money.
Aargh—
Less than a minute after the "kidnapper" finished their opening lines, they suddenly let out a scream. A red strip of shade flashes in from the edge of the rooftop and quickly knocks them to the ground.
Your kidnapper's name escapes your lips the moment you see the red strip of shade.
Hello, "Beautiful." I hope you've wrapped your head around the situation and know that I wasn't the one kidnapping you this time.
Vera steps closer and removes the ropes binding your arms and legs.
Don't ask stupid questions. I intercepted your message yesterday—and don't ask me why I intercepted it. I came across this childish warning letter and, as much as it seemed like something a kid wrote when they were just fooling around, I thought I probably shouldn't get the Gray Ravens involved so there won't be a scene.
Last time something like this happened, remember how you ended up with three Constructs tagging along everywhere you went? Today is a special day, so I thought you deserved some "freedom."
Why are you staring at me like that again? Things turned out fine, right? The evil Boss is gone, and you're now free again even when yet another beautiful hasn't even started... Not to mention you're completely free this time, with no one tagging along, and you're free to go anywhere you want to.
Vera opens her mouth ready to say something, when noises come from the edge of the rooftop. It sounds like something is trying to make their way up. A split second later, a group of "evil henchmen" pop their heads up and start charging this way.
Grab those two! Don't lose them!
We gotta avenge Boss!
Well, looks like you're gonna have to wait for a bit to enjoy your freedom.
Let's go and hide ourselves for now. The last thing we want to do on such a beautiful day is start a fight before the sun is even out.
Vera yanks the rope in her hand, quickly ties a knot around your waist, kicks open the rooftop door with one foot, and drags you down the stairs.
You've spotted an open emergency exit, but right before you push through the door, Vera suddenly covers your mouth and pulls you into a narrow, dark space.
Vera keeps your mouth and nose covered as she kills the lights of every single component on her that gives off light.
With it, Vera's internal systems all quiet down, making the sound of breathing the only thing audible in the darkness.
Meanwhile, the henchmen thunder down the stairs, all oblivious to the door into the maintenance room.
Well, I have bad news for you—I'm actually the mastermind behind this kidnapping, and you're now about to meet the Boss face to face, unfortunately.
Pfft, I'm just messing with you. You didn't actually believe me, did you?
C'mon, you should have played along.
The maintenance room is extremely cramped, forcing the two of you to be right up against each other physically.
Holding Vera's hand, you can feel a comforting warmth coming through her bionic skin. It feels no different from that of a human.
...Alright, time to go. It's safe now and you're free.
You, however, make no movement.
Well?
None of your business. I'm under no obligation to share my schedule with you.
Nah.
She clicks her tongue as she opens the door. With a creak from the door, she pushes you out.
Just go. Go and hang out with the other Gray Ravens if you want to. I'm not about to waste time watching some stupid sunrise. What's the point? We see the sun all the time when we're out on missions, no?
You point at the rope that's tying you and Vera together by the waist.
As the rope sways gently, Vera takes a small step forward in the shades.
I did it only because I didn't want to lose you to those mechanoid wannabes, you idiot...
...
...You're such a child.
The two of you make your way back to the rooftop.
The sun slowly rises over the horizon, painting half the clouds with the same crimson hue as Vera's hair, while the other half of the sky still sleeps in the soothing embrace of the deep blue night.
Vera sits in silence on the steps at the edge of the rooftop, gazing at the sky. The two of you are now all alone by yourselves, completely undisturbed.
"...My gaze meets the azure vault... And I see the beautiful sapphire blue of the eastern sky, with clear, cool air reaching straight to the heavens."
...Never mind. Don't you think the sun looks like the yolk of a hot spring egg? A cosmic-sized, gigantic hot spring egg.
Vera suddenly looks into your eyes as she clutches the rope between the two of you. It remains untied.
I was going to say something like... "Our paths will cross again, in a better place."
But I had a change of mind—I think we should stay tied together like this.
Satisfied with your response, Vera throws her head back in laughter, revealing her little canines.
Unfortunately for you, though, you'll be stuck with me for a little while longer as we make our "escape," hahaha...
We'll walk above this city for the entire day where no one can see us! And no, you're not allowed to back out now!
