20:59

And in the end, they still end up in a bar, even if they wanted or not. The bars aren't so crowed at the start of the day, and LUK3 doesn't really like to go in closed area of the city like the Great Leader does, so it was pretty much the only place they thought of which will please IZUK1's request. They took a drink and gave a small and soft one to little IZUK1 as well. It isn't something that should get her drunk or anything, it's something easy, enjoyable, just for her to calm down and relax. Perfect for a child.

[LUK3]-Okaayy... So, what do you like to do in general, Iz?

This time, she tries to mime. She seems to indicate something by holding either a pen or a pencil and doing some moves around the table.

[LUK3]-Write?

She nods negatively.

[LUK3]-Oh, draw?

And now affirmatively. It is a bit hard for her to communicate with anybody in general after all. She still has to learn how to write and not everyone knows Sign Language.

[LUK3]-Oh, oh! Then, how about you draw me?? Can you draw me??

[C0NNER]-Nobody wants to draw you, LUK3. Give up.

[LUK3]-Shut up, kiddo! At least I'm trying to be friendly to her! I don't see you trying!

[C0NNER]-That's because I do not care. Do whatever you want to do, but don't forget that I'm being forced to stay with you.

[LUK3]-Yeah, forced... N04H, can you believe this guy?

[N04H]-I mean you do kind of beg everyone until they give up and do as you wish...

[LUK3]-THAT'S NOT TRUE!

[C0NNER]-Oh, but it is.

[LUK3]-Why are you guys such bullies!? I didn't do anything wrong! You know what? Fuck you both! Izu, show me how you draw!! You can show me, right??

The girl nods affirmatively a bit unsure, maybe scared of this man's overexcited attitude.

[LUK3]-Nice!! Then can you draw me a... Oh, a book! Draw a book! Let's do something simple first.

So, she takes gently some pencils from her backpack and starts drawing for a while. She isn't... the best drawer. But she is just a small child. At this age, it is normal to like drawing, and pretty common as well. It is something normal for kids in our world too after all, isn't it? It's just that in this world, drawings aren't such an appreciated work when it comes to payment. You really have to be talented and be able to draw realistic images with very few art supplies in your hands to make them look like photos if you want to be appreciated and get paid decently, since they barely have things that help you make art. Some of our arts would be very strange to these beings. But there are a few who try and succeed in doing something unique, that differs from those normal drawings.

The drawing of the girl itself doesn't seem to represent a book at all though. There are just doodles on a paper. It's hard to say it represents something in general. Still, if you look very closely for a few minutes, you can see the pages and the cover of the so-called "book". It is just a kid as I said. No need of us to go harsh on her now.

[N04H]-That's a... very interesting book, IZUK1.

She looks a bit unsure again from the response, until the tall guy starts speaking again.

[LUK3]-Mhm! Mhm! It's good, Izu! Okay, let's change the difficulty now! Can you draw me? Pretty pleaseee??

[C0NNER]-Don't obligate her, idiot. She's already uncomfortable since she doesn't know us. Let her do whatever she wants.

[LUK3]-Shut the fuck up already, man! Nobody asked you anything!

[C0NNER]-Just saying...

The girl starts drawing again what the man commanded. Yet again, the drawing isn't something extraordinary. It's a simple drawing that every kid does when it comes to people. Still, the body is a bit... deformed. The head is small, the arms and body are very round and the legs are thin. Still, she made his golden C colour on his messy black hair, a scarf that he wears for such a long time that we even witnessed it the first time we met him and his scar on the nose. Those things that she thinks they represent him for short.

LUK3 was excited to see it though. But the excitement faded away when IZUK1 showed him the final drawing. N04H and C0NNER were a bit giggling in the background, silently though, so little IZUK1 won't hear them and feel bad.

[LUK3]-...That's me?

The girl nods affirmatively.

[LUK3]-Why do I look so fat though?

The girl raises her small hands and does a few moves in the air as a negative response, then showing the arms, the biceps to be more specific. She kind of wants to say that she tried to draw his muscles.

[LUK3]-Yeah, but it doesn't really look like that...

[C0NNER]-Oh, but I'd say it looks exactly like you. Isn't this what you wished for? For her to draw you? What exactly did you even expect? I would say that it is a good interpretation though. That's how I would've made you too. You drew him well, IZUK1.

[LUK3]-BUT I DON'T LOOK LIKE THAT, DICKHEAD! I'M NOT FAT! WHAT DO YOU EVEN MEAN??

So of course IZUK1 got a bit sad now, almost starting to cry from the words of the man. LUK3 does notice that, so he feels bad about the situation and tries to cheer her up again, failing, of course.

[LUK3]-Oh, no, no, no, no, no! D-Don't cry, please! T-That's not what I mean! I-I like it! Really! It made me more... umm... stronger! Yeah! I'm stronger in your drawing than I am in reality!

[C0NNER]-You are just an idiot, LUK3.

[LUK3]-You really don't know how to shut your mouth, do you!? Oh, fuck it... Hey, Izu! I'm going to make up with you for this mistake of mine, alright? How about I buy you a small gift, hm?

She nods as a yes, but this respond isn't so joyful at all.

[LUK3]-Alright! C0NNER, can I borrow some money from you?

[C0NNER]-Are you fu... No! You are already in debts at me!

[LUK3]-Little b... N04H, can I borrow some from you?

[N04H]-Um... I don't think I have that much money left with me now if you think to go somewhere else from here too. Maybe we can return at the base and get some quickly?

[LUK3]-Okay, good! Stay with her then, C0NNER! We will be quick!

[C0NNER]-You are not leaving me alone with the kid, are y--

[LUK3]- --Byeeee~

Of course LUK3 gets up from his chair and starts dragging N04H after him, both of the guys leaving in a rush because of this action, while C0NNER is left alone to look after the little girl. Probably the last thing he wished to happen since he doesn't like to be left alone with other people that he doesn't know much about.

[C0NNER]-*sigh*...He is annoying, isn't he?

The girl doesn't say a word though. She just looks at him awkwardly. C0NNER is not really used to talking with people he doesn't know as said, so right now, it's a pretty shitty situation for them both. And it doesn't help that the girl doesn't speak at all either.

[C0NNER]-So... um... I've heard that you are about to join a school, right?

The girl nods as a yes, not so lively.

[C0NNER]-Good, good... Are you ready to do so?

But now she is unsure. She stands a few minutes to think, before she nods as a no, simply scared of the future.

[C0NNER]-...No? Why not?

She then starts making weird moves again with her hands, which C0NNER doesn't understand at all. She remembers in the end that none of these three guys speak this language, so she just gives up. Of course C0NNER finds it weird.

[C0NNER]-Why don't you speak? Are you afraid to do so?

As he asks this question, she starts looking around and notices that they are all alone. She seems unsure again, maybe because, as I said, this is a person she doesn't know, but she can give it a try after all. So, she tries to speak.

[IZUK1]-...Peepaw.

[C0NNER]-Hm? People?

[IZUK1]-Mhm...

[C0NNER]-Are you afraid of other people?

She nods as a yes.

So, C0NNER takes a deep breath at this point. He kind of avoids to speak to the others as well, but not because he is afraid. Simply because he doesn't like to speak to other people rather than his master or occasionally Miss MY4. Maybe that's why he didn't want to enter school when he was younger too. But knowing he has troubles now because he chose this path, he would feel bad if he gave her an advice of following his mistakes. A survivor of the above.

[C0NNER]-...You are from the above, right? Is it because of this reason?

She nods affirmatively, a bit sad.

[C0NNER]-Well, you know... You are not the only one from the above. There are some kids like you in schools as well. People like you get saved every day, so it is unlikely to not meet someone from your kind at all... If you do not feel comfortable around people like us, maybe you feel better around those like you. And this way, you can make a few friends, if you wish...

But now he got her attention. She is a bit curious this time.

[IZUK1]-...How vo you mow vhaf?

[C0NNER]-...?

But of course, since she speaks so strange because of her disorder, he doesn't understand what she said at all. So, she repeats.

[IZUK1]-How. Vo. You. Mow. Vhaf. How vo you mow vhaf?

[C0NNER]-How do I... know that?

[IZUK1]-Yeah! How vo you mow vhaf?

[C0NNER]-Well, I... know that because I'm... one of them as well. Not from a school, but--

[IZUK1]- --Weawee? You awe fwom vee above?

[C0NNER]-Um... Yeah... I'm from the above as well. Just like you.

[IZUK1]-You wewe a yaive?

[C0NNER]-...If I... were a slave?

[IZUK1]-Mhm!

[C0NNER]-Oh, no... Not really... I was more hiding in the shadows of the city until they caught me and... well... convicted me. But I managed to survive, just like you did. And I guess I... was a bit the same as you were when I first arrived here. But I got older and overcame my fears in the end, and you have a small advantage in your hands unlike me since you got someone who takes care of you now. So you don't need to be afraid of this city. Nothing bad is going to happen.

The more he talks, the more comfortable she seems to be around him. Maybe it's because they were from the same city? And were the same hunted race in those lands that needed to survive? Or maybe because she thinks that they've suffered the same fate and admires him for who he has become? Who knows, but she really seem to be more curious about him and his past, though C0NNER gets a bit uncomfortable talking to her.

[C0NNER]-L-Look... I'm not really... used to talking with other people. How about you continue drawing until the others come? Draw anything you want, object or person. Doesn't matter. And as an advice... try to ignore the tall guy as much as you can. He is a bit of an asshole, trust me.

[IZUK1]-Ih he a bav pewvom?

[C0NNER]-Bad? I won't say bad... It's just that he is an idiot. You don't have to fear him, but don't stay that much with him if you don't want to take part in those moments when he gets in troubles. Trust me, you really don't want to be present when it happens...

She chuckles for a bit, then starts drawing something again. C0NNER doesn't really give her much attention from then on, as he thinks about something else while he smokes again. He seems a bit annoyed that the others left him alone with someone he doesn't know, but what can he do now? He can't just leave her alone too and get shouted at.

After a few minutes though, the girl tries to catch his attention. She moves him by his hand a bit until he finally looks at her confused. Then, she shows him a drawing of two figures. Yet again, the drawing is very strange as she doesn't really know how to draw, she is just a kid. There is a small figure and a taller figure, both probably C borns from the look of their specific colours in their eyes and hair. The small figure seems to have the grey colour, a little girl, probably representing her. But the other figure is a bit confusing to know who it is to C0NNER. So, he points at the grey figure and starts speaking.

[C0NNER]-That's you?

[IZUK1]-Mhm!

[C0NNER]-Okay... Then who is the other figure?

[IZUK1]-...?

[C0NNER]-The other figure...? The red figure next to you?

She then points at the figure and tries to say its name.

[IZUK1]-Yevem!

[C0NNER]-Um... I'm sorry but I don't... understand.

[IZUK1]-Yevem!

Then she puts the drawing down and shows seven fingers.

[IZUK1]-Yevem!!

[C0NNER]-Seven...? Oh, you mean Master Seven Two?

[IZUK1]-Yeah! Yevem!

[C0NNER]-But... Seven doesn't have the red C colour. Why did you draw Him red?

[IZUK1]-...?

IZUK1 is a bit confused. So, C0NNER tries to search from her pencils the right colour called "Voothrav" and shows it to her. But they seem to look alike, to her and even to us.

[C0NNER]-This is His colour. Are you sure you drew Seven Two?

Yet again she seems confused. She takes the pencil she used and looks at both of them.

[IZUK1]-Vhey awe va yeim....

[C0NNER]-...? They are totally different.

[IZUK1]-M-mm! Vhey awe bovh yev.

C0NNER is confused now as well, as it seems like they see the same pencil in different ways. He takes two other pencils which, yet again, seem to look alike and shows them to IZUK1.

[C0NNER]-How about these? Are they any different?

[IZUK1]-Mo... Vhey awe va yeim af wehw.

[C0NNER]-Oh? I didn't know you are colour-blinded.

[IZUK1]-...?

[C0NNER]-Never mind... Why did you draw Seven Two?

She then points at the drawing, circling the figure representing her, then pointing at the other figure that is suppose to represent the ruler, Seven Two. Then, she looks again at C0NNER.

[IZUK1]-...Hewo!

[C0NNER]-Hero?

[IZUK1]-Mhm! Hewo!

[C0NNER]-He was the one who saved you as well...?

[IZUK1]-Yeah! Yeah!!

So, he looks a bit at this young little girl, reminding him of something. Same cruel fate of these young souls, and the same broken man being the one they admire the most in this life of theirs.

"[630G]-...Thank you. For... everything that you've done for me, Man in Voothrav.

[CHE5TER]-Call me CHE5TER."

22:13

Seems like the other two returned in the end after LUK3 brought her a small toy which he gave her at the bar. It looks like she enjoys it too. But not long after, they paid for everything and went back to the city. Now they wander around for a bit, talking to each other and trying to find Mr. K3IT4RO so that little IZUK1 can return home too.

[LUK3]-So, do you like your small gift, Izu?

She nods as a yes.

[LUK3]-Isn't it right that I'm your favourite now??

[C0NNER]-Oh, dear M1NERV4...

[LUK3]-Don't you fucking dare to speak!

[N04H]-Isn't technically the man she stays with her favourite?

[LUK3]-Well, I can change that! It's not an obligation for her to have him as her favourite! I can make her like me too!

[C0NNER]-Yeah... And you had a great success in that when you tried with Officer KYR4 in these past years... Surely you will win her as well...

[LUK3]-AND WHO TOLD YOU THAT I DIDN'T WIN KYR4'S HEART?

[C0NNER]-I think it's pretty obvious from how easily she gets annoyed from your presence.

[LUK3]-That's not true!! She likes me and I know that! She doesn't get annoyed by me at all!

[C0NNER]-Wasn't she the one who is constantly complaining about how annoying you can be?

[LUK3]-Nope, nope, nope! You are lying! You are straight up lying!!

[N04H]-I think I heard Miss KYR4 complaining about you sometimes as well.

[LUK3]-NOW, WHY ARE YOU BETRAYING ME, N04H!? ARE YOU REALLY STARTING TO BULLY ME AS WELL?? I'M YOUR FUCKING MASTER, GOD DAMMIT!

[C0NNER]-You just can't accept reality, LUK3.

[LUK3]-YOU LITTLE...

From far away though, Mr. K3IT4RO is waiting for the group to arrive. He doesn't seem as he notices them, but IZUK1 sure noticed him. So, she goes towards him while the group notices her leave and starts following her. And when she arrives at her destination, she greets him silently.

[K3IT4RO]-Oh? Done already, IZUK1? Did you have fun with them?

She nods affirmatively.

[K3IT4RO]-See? You didn't have anything to fear about at them.

[LUK3]-Hi again, Mr. K3IT4RO!

[K3IT4RO]-Hahah, greetings! Sorry again if it was too sudden or anything... Did you encounter any problems?

[LUK3]-Nope! Not at all! Izu has been a good girl!

[K3IT4RO]-Did she have any breakdowns or anything like that?

[LUK3]-Um... No, I don't think so... She almost cried from something, but nothing else.

[C0NNER]-You mean that you almost made her cry.

[LUK3]-That doesn't matter, alright!? I didn't ask you to say anything!

[K3IT4RO]-Oh, so it seems you are getting better, IZUK1? Is that right?

[IZUK1]-Mhm...

[LUK3]-Huh? I don't really understand this though... Can she talk or not? She wrote us that she can't.

[K3IT4RO]-Well... she can, but she also can't at the same time. It's hard for me to explain... She chooses more to talk in Sign Language anyway. Don't think too much about it.

[LUK3]-Yeah... About that... None of us knows to speak this language at all. I'm afraid we couldn't really understand what she was doing with her hands.

[K3IT4RO]-Oh? I'm sorry then. Seems like I've forgotten to tell you.

[LUK3]-Nah, it's alright! I managed somehow to understand what she wrote in the end! I'm afraid that she needs to learn to write better though.

[K3IT4RO]-I know. That's why I'm trying to enroll her in a school. I've tried to teach her a bit so she can at least know how to write the letters, but she doesn't know grammar nor spelling. IZUK1, do you think that you are ready to join a school now? I know you don't like to stay around a lot of people, but it will help you, I promise.

She looks a bit at the man, then back at the group, as she hears this question. More exactly, she looks at C0NNER who wasn't really paying attention. And yet again she starts doing weird moves with her small hands. The group is a bit confused, of course, but the man understands her words.

[K3IT4RO]-Oh? Well, yes. There are some.

[N04H]-What did she say?

[K3IT4RO]-She just asked me a question, nothing important. But seems like she really had a good time with you guys.

[LUK3]-Aww, did she say that she enjoyed our company?

[K3IT4RO]-Not like that... But don't worry. I'm sure she did. If she didn't cry or got scared from you very easily, seems like she did get used to you guys. Isn't that right, Iz?

The girl nods again.

[K3IT4RO]-Heh, alright... Do you want to go home now?

She nods yet again.

[K3IT4RO]-Okay, I understand that you are tired since it was all of a sudden.

[LUK3]-Aw, you're leaving alreadyyy?

[K3IT4RO]-She needs to sleep, but maybe she will come with you with other occasions. Come and visit me whenever you want so you can see her if you wish. I don't mind. Come on, Iz!

So, she takes him by a hand and starts walking alongside the man that takes care of her, but not until she looks back at the group one last time. C0NNER was still not paying much attention, but he notices in the end the little girl that was looking at him from far away. She was waving at them all, a bit more lively this time, while the other two guys were waving as well. But of course it got C0NNER a bit confused when he realised that the girl is actually waving mostly at him, so he raises a bit his hand as a goodbye to her as well, though his waving isn't as lively as the others. She was smiling, maybe the first time they saw her smile like that. As for the reason for her to do that is... unknown to us.

The group now starts walking back at the base too, but C0NNER stands a bit to think since he, of course, didn't expect nor even dreamt of anything like this to happen. The other two seems to have noticed that he remained behind and began to call for him. Yet, no response. He is simply standing and thinking by himself, while LUK3 and N04H call his name from far away.

[C0NNER]-...Slave saved by you, huh? Just like you did with me? Heh... Maybe you are the strange one, Master. You put yourself in danger for the safety of other people, not even caring if you die or survive. Are you truly alive? You saved so many people in the past.

"...How come none of us can save you?"