Chapter 85: Phone
*yippe, alive somehow. Finally out and away from Penacony. Time to cook. Peace out and Deus Vult.*
Himeko's demeanor was strong, letting out no traces of vulnerability, especially with the negotiations coming in. It was the IPC's plan to offer 5% of Penacony's shares to the Astral Express, but their plan must be something deeper. Still, Himeko decided to play along, considering the offer a decent one. Thus, she followed Topaz into the room where Jade and Oti Alfalfa were discussing their agreements. It was a quick discussion, but soon the topic shifted to her current weak point.
"Miss Himeko," said Oti, a curious glint sparkling in his eyes. "May I ask if the young Nameless is alright? I've no information about his current state, but it's a shame that the Saviour of the Dream can't be here with us. I would have loved to discuss with him."
Himeko nodded, trying her best to hide the traces of regret and guilt that hid in her eyes, yet the worst serpent possible, Jade, happened to catch sight of the weak point. She said nothing, however, focusing instead on their bigger plan with Penacony at its center.
"I'm afraid he is in a delicate state, one where resting is of the utmost priority. We hope that he'll recover."
Jade nodded, taking upon herself a sad expression, showing compassion—which was clearly a trick, real as it felt.
"I'm sorry to hear that. He's a rather interesting character from what Aventurine told us. It's quite a shame, but please do tell us if the IPC can help in any way. Just say the word, and we'll have the best doctors in the universe at his side."
Himeko shook her head, aware of Mark's rather negative view of the IPC. In his eyes, he would probably choose death over their aid.
"You have my gratitude, Miss Jade, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time until he's back in full health."
Topaz, who was watching the exchange, spoke up.
"I'm really curious about him too, Miss Himeko. As far as I know, he's the main reason behind Jarilo-VI's current state, right? That's what I've managed to piece together. The missing Stellaron, the effects it had being reverted..."
Himeko didn't know exactly what to say, but the cat was out of the bag. Rather than attempting to lie and failing, she went along with a partial truth.
"He is a rather mysterious individual. He didn't say much, but he did take credit for the exploit. You'd have to discuss it with him in person, something I'm afraid is currently impossible."
Topaz nodded, and Jade simply bit back a smirk, a truly satisfied one, the information being of value in the grand scheme of things. There they had someone with enough knowledge on how to seal a Stellaron—little did they know about HOW he went about it. His secrets were his, with the others playing along, deciding to put their trust in him once and forever.
"I understand. Well, if possible, please tell him to contact us upon waking up. We wish him a quick recovery, and remember... the IPC is offering their aid should it be needed."
Himeko smiled softly, keeping up her strong persona to the best of her abilities while heading to the exit.
"Thank you once again, Miss Jade."
With that, she made her way outside, leaving the room behind. Thus, the rest of the events unfolded in the same manner, with a bitter aftertaste left in everyone's mouth—for those who had been by Mark's side in those moments that might be his last. However, he's not one to let go of life that easily.
On board of the Express, the cube was pulsing softly, with him inside of it, struggling to come out, unsure of what's going on. He was trapped, sleeping, but his mind was active, aware of the world outside and of the events taking place. Acheron's words did reach him, even if she didn't think they would. He struggled with them, feeling his heart die out as tears couldn't even flow out in the moment. In vain did he struggle to break out. He was imprisoned there. The thoughts of Acheron being there, at the graves of the past Nameless, were his only pointer. If he could break out of there, he'd rush to that place in a heartbeat, but he was too weak to. Slave to his own weakness, he simply cried internally, cursing himself in that moment.
The ice flowers he had made were there for all to see, including Acheron, who looked at them with bitterness and a crushing warmth in her heart. She kneeled down to touch them, feeling their smooth surface. Someone else had put flowers there before her, and all she could do was speak softly.
"You sure do know more than you ought to... it's like you knew that I wished to do this, and here they are... not melting thanks to the dream, so they're eternally there, flowers for the dead..."
The rest of the Nameless appeared as well to say their goodbyes, and she gave them space, taking a few steps back. Unlike the ending Mark knew, things were different. Gallagher's hound statue wasn't there, since he was very much alive, part of the Land of Dreams and now the real world too. It was a beautiful gift, one would say, to be freed from the bounds of a world.
Again, the cube pulsed and rattled inside the Express, the lonely Parlor having no witness. Pom-Pom was doing something else in a different place in the train, and thus Mark's futile struggles had no witness—except for a specific group who was watching from afar thanks to a skilled hacker. Thus, the images did reach a pair of tantalizing eyes, which simply waited for their time to strike and meet that self-proclaimed 'rival' of hers once more.
Memories of March's words, of the bitter feelings shared, of everything flowed in his mind, firing off in his dreams. He was nothing but a spectator to the show, the voices in his mind gone, or rather, slumbering. It was the dawn of a new age for him, from many different points of view. The future held something known and unknown, mingling his knowledge with things that he himself had added by existing there.
Such was the conversation between Stelle and Acheron that carried a touch more words now that he was there.
"Before you go, I would like to request something of you," said Acheron, her voice soft and a bit hesitant.
Stelle nodded, trying to figure out what she wished to ask.
"Sure, Acheron. I'll do my best to help if possible."
She took a deep breath, preparing herself to speak, the words heavy on her lips.
"Please watch over Mark."
A moment of silence followed, during which none said a thing. Stelle tried to understand the situation, combining it with her tiny observations—the things she's seen and heard. Deep down, the idea that maybe those two had something develop between them didn't seem so strange, and yet she didn't think much of it before.
"I will," she answered, determined and understanding. "Is there something you wish to tell him?"
Acheron pursed her lips. Most of the words that she had desired to speak had been used; alas, it wouldn't hurt to leave him a message that would be sure to get to him.
"Tell him that... I'm sorry for leaving like this, but I don't wish to see him destroy himself for me. That's all..."
Strong words, and they did leave Stelle baffled for a good few moments. What exactly had formed between those two? She did know of Acheron's Nihility, so the logical answer was that Mark, in his classic fashion, wished to help her get rid of it, to save her from that Path of a Self-Annihilator.
"I will make sure to tell him that, but... won't he be sad?"
"I think he will, but it's better than seeing him suffer at his own hand."
Thus, the farewells have ended, and they boarded the Express once more, discussing future plans. They would sit around for a few more days, most probably, but then they'd have to depart and see it to their next destination.
In the parlor, Pom-Pom was crying his tiny heart out as the news of the Nameless' fate was brought to him. The white cube simply sat idly by them all, its movements long since ceased. The sounds of the heavy, pained wails filled the room, and no one but Himeko could calm him down. Thus, the Crew, aside from Himeko, walked out of the room, discussing their next stop.
March put a hand in her pocket and remembered having Mark's phone on her person. She looked at it, fiddling with it as she contemplated something.
"Is that Mark's phone?" asked Dan Heng, a touch of curiosity hitting him too.
"Yeah, he gave it to me before... you know. I'm just thinking about it, since... I'm tempted to try and open it. I know his password since I caught sight of him typing it in, but... I know I shouldn't..."
Black Swan appeared out of nowhere, this time lured out by the words about Mark's phone. It was, in itself, home to many memories of his.
"Well, I think it would be a shame not to look inside of it, you know?"
Everyone took a step back, and Stelle nearly pulled her bat out.
"What are you doing here?"
March was even more revolted, crossing her arms.
"In my room of all places?"
Black Swan mused, smiling to herself.
"It's a cute room, March, just like you."
Dan Heng looked at her seriously, his gaze unwavering.
"I suggest you tell us your true motive for being here, since we could easily have you disembark in this moment."
She smiled, moving her fingers along her chin.
"Well, I watch over Mark, and I also happen to have overheard the way the Express gets fuel, and my suggestion would also happen to be of help to you. It's about reaching a world not even Akivili had reached, where you could set down silver rails yourself. It can also help with fuel, but first... let's have a look in that phone, all of us. It might hold many answers to things unknown to us."
Welt fixed his glasses, the idea tempting. It was a breach of privacy, but the sweet allure of unknown knowledge being a possibility was too much. After Himeko managed to calm down Pom-Pom, everyone gathered in the parlor, with Mark's phone placed on a table before them all.
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