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Pit stop at the Isle
The trip home was not easy for me. The journey to the north had been by an airship, with surprisingly good company. Now I had to travel by any other means necessary, alone. Retrostacja is indeed my best friend, but there are certain things that he cannot do for me. Sitting in the bed of a truck with only a light blanket to keep the rain and cold out, he could not love me like I needed. Huddling under the thin stained fabric with him curled up in my lap, Retrostacja could not hold my trembling hand, could not kiss my forehead and tell me everything would work itself out. Even if it wouldn't, I wanted to hear that right then more than ever.

Various ways of hitchiking took place in that week. I traveled in various amounts of vehicles including a boat, but for the most part I was on my feet. There was nowhere safe to sleep, because I feared someone could deactivate my body in my sleep. If you hadn't heard those types of stories before...while I craved a warm body, I did not want it to be forced upon me while my mind was unable to control it. Rape is not a foreign concept in the robotic world. And I wanted nothing to do with it.

When I arrived in Isle de Gambino, I had almost forgotten about the tragic murder of the wealthiest man on Gaia. A large golden statue, perfect in his likeness, stood tall and proud in guard of the urn. Dirty, exhausted and already emotionally unsteady, I stood and stared blankly. Around me mourners came and left, leaving golden roses at Johnny's feet. Their muffled sobs took hold of the wind and wrapped around me without mercy. Every wail struck me as if were a physical blow. It had been quite some time since I had heard such pain. My gaze absently drifted towards the Gambino mansion, where in the fading light of the day stood a candle light vigil. The last time had been when the tower had fallen.

"Ms. Gadsby?" Pulling myself out of my mind, I turned to see who had addressed me. In the dim light, Becky's pristine uniform almost seemed to glow. Her tie was loosened around her neck, which was the only sign of being off the clock that I could see. The young woman's green eyes widened as I turned towards her, but I didn't mind. On the Isle, there were only a handful of mechanical children. I always forgot how different I was. Once Becky said something to me, I could see those there to visit Gambino's statue finally seem to take note of me. Mothers held their children just a little tighter, and those children's eyes...I was a stranger. "I had thought you were here to see Cardbot but you look worse for wear."

Behind the static, I smiled. It was one of many emotions, humor being at the end of that list. A flood of the past few days threatened to break the damns I had built up deep inside my mind. "Returning from a business trip," I finally replied, my voice obviously catching those around me off guard. I almost had a normal voice, but the slight sound of static that clung to every word was always a surprise for people. "Came to pay my respects and find a place to turn in."

The girl was smarter than she looked, her expression shifting from nervous curiosity to concern. I had never stayed the night on the Isle before, not in this body. Although she wasn't aware of my human history, Becky knew that I was not one to stay on the Isle. She has seen me at the Black Jack tables, and we make small talk when I buy rubber duckies for Retrostacja to play with, but she knew more. Cardbot must have mentioned me in a way that was not about my profession directly.

"If you'd like, you could stay at Gold Mountain," Becky said, it now being my turn to be caught off guard. "Cardbot would enjoy the company in the staff room." And you'll be safe there. She didn't have to say it, but it was implied. A stranger staying so soon to Gambino's death was not very acceptable. I had always thought the Gambinians to be laid back, but they were in pain. They were suffering, and scapegoats, especially ones that were not human, might look tempting.

It rained that night. Sheets of water assaulted the roof of Gold Mountain, each clap of thunder a threatening boom overhead. While I was not laying with a warm body, I was in warm clean clothes and under comfortable blankets. Gold Mountain staff room was plush enough that I did not need a bed; the rug was thick and almost as comfortable as I remember my own bed being. Sleep was something I enjoyed that night; the feeling of safety cannot be replicated anywhere. Curled up against Cardbot, for the first time in a long time, I felt as if nobody could touch me. It felt nice, despite the situation, to be the one being watched over.


PQ and Retrostacja
Community Member
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  • User Comments: [1]
    Gerakabatta
    Community Member





    Sat Mar 20, 2010 @ 09:12am


    Good ol' Cardbot....I figured he'd help you out in your time of need. He always helped me out whenever I visited the Isle....

    Listen, if you're heading back to Aekea sometime soon, you can always make a pit stop at the lab. You know where it is, right? If you don't, I can send you the directions. 3nodding

    I gotta get Cardbot something nice for doing such a good deed. Sure, it was you he helped, but I still show that I'm glad he did that for you. Good deeds should go rewarded, after all. 3nodding

    Zestrel-kun, the kids (Hakobe, Geratenchi, Umbra, and Timmy), and everybody else at the lab wishes you well~ heart

    ~ Your ol' pal, Gera


    User Comments: [1]
     
     
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