— "I woke up... it wasn't just another day..."
— Uaaaah!
A young woman, who was gradually losing the paleness of her skin, had just woken up. She yawned while stretching. Her limbs popped sloppily.
— Argh... oh, damn... what time is it? Damn... I might be late...
She stretched her spine; followed by three more cracks. She cracked her neck and her fingers. Next, she put her feet out of bed—the right, then the left. She stood up while scratching one of her eyes.
— Ronck.... ronck... ronck...
She turned slowly and saw the red-haired girl completely passed out in the bed next to her. She was sleeping in a crooked position; it was no surprise she complained so much about joint pain. The young woman continued to stare at the red-haired girl, who was snoring like a pig. The young woman took slow steps until she was directly in front of the girl who was still sleeping. Her heart calmed: if the red-haired girl was still asleep, there was no danger of being late, right?
Contemplating that crooked way of resting, she had never seen anything like it—at least until she arrived at this place. She looked around, trying to see that girl, so different from her old reality, from every possible angle.
There she noticed, hanging clumsily over the headboard of the bed, the girl's typical jacket, the one she always wore. A jacket apparently made of leather, or a visually similar material, white, with bold red details. And on the back, printed in giant letters: "ROCKET".
The young woman slid her fingers over the jacket; that garment seemed enchanting. It was oily and even worn out, but it was still very beautiful. She touched it with both hands and pulled the jacket toward her, close to her chest. She analyzed it with her fingers and palms; she felt it, touched it. She pulled it close to her face. Slowly, she closed her eyes and sniffed the jacket, inhaling as much air as possible into her lungs. Inhaling everything that jacket held: the smell of smoke, of use, of years and years dressing the same person. She gently returned the jacket to the headboard. Slowly, she reopened her eyes and whispered softly:
— Yuck... how gross... it stinks...
The young woman left the room slowly, taking the utmost care not to wake the sleeping Rocket.
She opened the door slowly and carefully; light, calculated steps with the greatest caution to make the least noise possible. She walked toward the bathroom, opening the door with caution again and closing it immediately afterward.
She turned to the mirror, staring at her reflection. She saw life in her gaze now. It reflected something she thought she couldn't exude: a normal young woman, perhaps. With the tips of her nails, she began to peel and remove the hardened sleep crust from the corners of her eyes. But for a moment, she stopped.
— Huh?... what am I doing?
Quickly, she turned on the faucet; cleaning her face that way wasn't her style. She didn't quite know what was happening, but perhaps, to an outsider, it was obvious: that girl, after spending some time with different people, was perhaps picking up their habits. Especially the habits of the irritable and difficult Rocket. It was visible that the two girls didn't take long to grow close; even with clear differences in personality, mannerisms, and ways of thinking, they had become good friends. A great step forward for two suspicious people who had arrived there at different times.
She washed her face, rinsing the sleep from her skin and eyes. She quickly brushed her teeth, a habit from her former home. She was surprised that some people in her new house didn't have such habits—especially Rocket, who barely brushed her teeth.
The young woman finished cleaning herself for now. But the idea of a shower was tempting, though not very smart; she knew she would soon have to go to the workshop, and getting covered in grease or rust was inevitable. So, the shower would be postponed.
She went back to staring at herself in the mirror, her eyes fixed on her own image. It was different now. Different from how it had always been. Her reflection showed a certain hope she had never felt. She noticed her hair was growing; it was just past the middle of her neck, but it was enough to bother her. She touched a pair of scissors lying on the sink with one hand and, with the other, she held the ends that were overgrown, keeping her eyes fixed on the mirror.
Staring at her own image, for a moment, something touched her heart. In that moment, the young woman realized for the first time: a simple moment like that made a difference in her life. It was possible to simply live.
Her hand began to tremble while holding the scissors. Sobs escaped. Her eyes filled up. Unlike before, she could now show what she felt. Unlike before, she had the freedom to feel, to be what she was, without masks of etiquette or fear of persecution. She could exist.
A smile formed on her face, slow and sincere.
— Hah... I'll try to be quick... Naxes must be wait—
— ARGHHHHHH!!! DAMMIT, MANA!!! YOU DIDN'T WAKE ME UP, FUCK!!!
A visceral scream crossed the entire house. Mana froze instantly; a shiver ran down her entire spine.
TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!
Fast, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway, coming from the bedroom toward the bathroom.
— Ah-ah, Rocket, are you awake? I thought yo-you'd only wake up whe-when we were going to the workshop!
TUNK! TUNK!
Two heavy kicks smashed the door from the outside.
— DON'T BE AN IDIOT, DAMMIT!!! FUCK!!! I THOUGHT YOU WERE SMART!!!
A "monster" was trying to crush the door. It was hard to believe that this monster and the girl who was snoring deeply just a short time ago were the same person.
— B-but it's still early, ri-right?... Ro-Rocket?
CRACK!!!
The door split brutally with a bang, giving way to Rocket's violent kicks. The furious Rocket trembled with her own rage, the door now in pieces. Poor Mana stayed huddled, staring at the "demon" in front of her.
— You... you trying to screw me over, Mana?
Rocket's voice was shaky.
— N-no... never, you know that...
Mana tried to look away, avoiding staring directly at the monster in front of her.
— Why did you let me oversleep, Mana... you want to screw me over, don't you?
Rocket clenched her fists; the fact that one of her hands was a steel prosthesis was threatening.
— N-no... I really thought you would wake up on time this time... I just thought it was earlier...
— Oh? Is that right, Mana... answer me one question first, please.
— O-of course, Rocket...
Rocket filled her lungs with air, her prosthesis creaked with the force of her grip, her muscles tensed, joints popped. Her teeth grinded; something was coming.
— When... when... WHEN HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ME WAKE UP ON TIME, DAMMIT?!!!
Mana had sealed there bruises that would take weeks to fade.
Some time passed. Naxes stared at the two girls, who were huddled. The workshop was open, and it was time to work.
— Rocket... what did you do to Mana?
Naxes' gaze was punishing, looking straight into Rocket's soul. His question was simple; he expected a simple answer.
— Argh... look, look, IT WAS HER FAULT, OK!!! She's the one who made us late! Because of her, we're way behind on our shift! She's the one who deserves punishment. NOT ME!
Naxes sighed deeply, wiped his forehead which was sweating from the heat, and sighed once more, deeply and calmly.
— Argh... ok, ok... but answer me, Rocket... why is Mana's left eye purple? And why do you have a scissor cut on your forearm?
Mana and Rocket trembled non-stop at the question. It was a self-indictment, clear as day; in just one session of trembling, he already understood the whole situation with extreme clarity. Another sigh followed.
— Huff... look... I know you two get along fairly well... even being complete opposites... and I also understand that this kind of thing is normal for girls who live together for a while... but I'd like to make something clear...
LOVELY FIST OF EDUCATION!!!
TUNK!!!
TUNK!!!
— ARGH!!! DAMMIT!!!
— ARGHH!!! BUT, BUT!!!
Naxes' voice roared like a monster of disappointment:
— KNOW THAT THIS KIND OF FIGHTING IS INADMISSIBLE!!! PLAYING WITH SHARP WEAPONS IS COMPLETELY BANNED!!!!
And then, silence.
— O-of course, Naxes... — Rocket spoke while trembling, rubbing her head where a bump was rising.
— And you, Mana? — Naxes turned his eyes to her, slowly.
— Y-yes, sir Naxes! I understood everything!
— Hahah... HAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Surprisingly, Naxes laughed—an
uncontrolled, sincere laugh. The two were shocked; it wasn't expected behavior.
— Oh boy... well... you two are doing really well... I'm proud of that. I know you're getting used to things, Mana... and I know living and dealing with someone like Rocket is hard...
— HEY!!! IT'S NOT HARD!!! I'M AMAZING, OK???
Naxes stroked Rocket's head, instantly turning her as red as a tomato, which calmed her down.
— Well... I'm really proud... Rocket likes you a lot... I just feel sorry that her love language is... hitting things... I could have taught her better... but well... I guess I'm the best teacher, right? Hahah!
— "No... don't say that... you were the best I could have had..."
— I also... wanted to thank you, Mr. Naxes... really... you taking me in here in BigFellLight... it changed my perspective on everything... you are—
— Save your breath, Mana. Well, anyway, we have to work. I still have to finish your mechanics and welding classes, soon we'll start with engineering. You're doing very well, you're almost passing Norty! And he's been working with Marky much longer. Well, working alongside Rocket makes you improve much faster... hahah, it's great to have two more hands on the EdelGear project!
Rocket blushed at Naxes' words. Mana was excited with her new learning; it was very different from her studies at House Reixys.
There, she never got past books; her Arcanum knowledge never left theory. But here she had practice, real learning, truth, practice—in something she was becoming very good at.
— Well... soon Zombieden and Annula will arrive. They'll help you today. Not that Rocket needs it, but I expect at least good teamwork, ok?
— RIGHT, NAXES!
— OF COURSE, MR. NAXES!
— "Naxes and Rocket... they were difficult, well... very difficult. Rocket was always aggressive in her own way... but she had always taken care of me since I arrived... that day... she hadn't even really touched me... she slipped on the bathroom floor, which startled me. I raised the scissors clumsily, a reflex, and ended up hurting her wrist by accident... from the shock, she fell on top of me, and I ended up hitting my face on the toilet... she didn't treat her own wound; she came to me... took care of me, looked at my face, gave me medicine... put on ointment while her arm was bleeding... she didn't even look at her own cut. I always saw that: she didn't look at herself, she always took care of everyone, regardless of her aggression from having had a hard life in the past. She always saw me as a little sister... and always wanted to make Naxes proud. It was a shame it took me so long to see that... I would have been a better sister. And Naxes, well, he was too complex. It was easy to understand Rocket: an explosive girl, hitting and being hit, with a heart almost too good for that place. I remember to this day when some kid said I didn't belong there... she made him eat dirt and apologize. But Naxes was an enigma: he never let anything be lacking, he listened to everything, knew everything, took us all in, taught me everything I know. And beyond the weak cuffs, which were more like flicks, and the sermons and rigid discipline... he was a very sad man."
— What's up? If it isn't Naxes and his minions, huh? What a cute surprise!
Zombieden entered the workshop, carrying a bag full of his work equipment, springs and more springs. His tone was ironic and playful
—an intimate comedian. To those who didn't know him, he was invasive and annoying, but to those who lived near him, he was just a man who had seen a lot, trying to live lightly by being funny.
— Oh, it's you... come on Naxes, can't you find better people? — Rocket quipped, joining Zombieden's game.
— Come on Rocket, is this because I didn't buy your comb? I know you need it, but you don't have to hate me for it.
— Arghh... fuck off... — Rocket rolled her eyes.
Naxes touched Mana's shoulder, welcoming and firm.
— I know it's being hard for you to get used to their jokes, Mana, but you don't need to worry, ok? Zombieden is quite open-minded with what he calls "enemies of humor," so it's all good. And Annula should be arriving soon, so there's no reason to worry about anything. After all, hah, women, right?
— "Some people might even see this as violence, but I lived through true violence... they were broken people just like me, living their own way, living, trying to be better every day. I watched that in silence. Learning from the jokes, the mannerisms, becoming... what I am."
— Of course, Naxes! Don't worry, I'll pay a lot of attention today! I really like working with Annula!
Mana broke into a sincere and captivating smile, something she never imagined doing. Naxes carefully stroked her head, returning the smile.
— Hahah, how cute, girl! I like you a lot too!
A voice came from the ceiling. Everyone quickly guided their eyes there, and there she was, Annula, in her typical pose, hanging from the ceiling, patiently observing everyone.
— Hah! That habit of yours never goes away, does it?
Naxes put his hands behind his head in a relaxed manner, while Annula gracefully launched herself toward the ground.
Tap!
She touched her feet to the floor. Mana's eyes sparkled seeing that.
— Hahah! You're very cute, Mana, you know?
Mana blushed at Annula's words.
— Th-thank you...
Naxes smiled. Only Marky and Norty were not present, mostly because they had their own workshop to look after. But even absent, they were still part of it all.
— Well, everyone's here, right? LET'S GET TO WORK!!!
Time flew by. Mana, Rocket, Annula, and Zombieden did separate tasks in the workshop. The guests, Zombieden and Annula, swapped their tasks between helping Rocket with more serious jobs, like repairing weapons and handling risky objects, while also helping Mana with simpler tasks. Zombieden's springs had various functions there—both for teaching, since Mana had to learn their functionalities, and for Rocket's work, as she was building weapons that required springs to function.
Naxes, for his part, was focused on his project: the EdelGear. Mana would sometimes stare at him, seeing his seriousness toward the project. She would ask Zombieden and Annula for a quick break and immediately go to observe Naxes up close.
He was testing springs—springs that wouldn't explode when the weapon functioned. She watched, graced by it; it was beautiful, advanced, and all built in a simple garage workshop.
— Argh... the EdelGear... Naxes, what are you going to do with it? — she asked timidly, watching him work.
— Well... I'm going to sell it... I don't know why I'd want to carry a hand cannon like this... it'll make a lot of money, won't it? Heheh... well, it's a project truly ahead of its time, it far surpasses a Gullbriser... but why the interest, little Mana?
Mana swallowed hard at Naxes' words. She stared at him, then at the EdelGear.
— Sell it?... Are you really going to sell a project you've worked on for so long... I've already helped you with it... Rocket is part of this... even Marky and Norty... Annula and Zombieden... everyone had a part in it... and you're just going to sell it?
Naxes stopped for a moment. His hands, protected by thick gloves, lifted his welding goggles.
— Mana... I understand what you mean... truly, the EdelGear as a project was part of all of us... but it's the kind of thing we don't want in this place... it's dangerous... You saw how it reacts to your body; it's only been a few days since that last incident. It might explode if you stay away from it for a week and then come back. It's truly a weapon... a powerful and highly destructive weapon. I know that because of the stone that powers it, you might feel some kind of symbiotic relationship due to the Purple Flame hidden in your genes... but all the same... the EdelGear is just a weapon... what matters is that the people, the lives, and all the memories that were part of this project will remain here, ok?
Mana thought... she understood what he was trying to say... it was true. And regardless, it wasn't the time to question him.
— I understand...
Naxes noticed her discouragement and, like a father, made a decision for his daughter.
— Now, now, since we're here, how about we create some memories, right? Hahah.
Rocket, call Marky and Norty! Zombieden, Annula, and Mana!!! Let's work, the EdelGear requires our attention, right? Let's make the project truly worth it!
— "Because of those moments... simple moments... it was so worth it... I wish I could remember more... of all our memories..."
Hours passed. It was already night. Naxes was exhausted and ended up passing out in the workshop in front of the EdelGear along with Rocket, who also fell asleep. Annula and Zombieden left after finishing the work on the EdelGear. And away from the workshop, walking through the hills of BigFellLight, Mana, Marky, and Norty walked after hours of exhausting yet relaxing work.
— So Mana, what's up? Hah, today was rough, right... so, do you know when Rocket is going to have a day off? I want to show that loudmouth a taste of my new project... it's going to kick the EdelGear's ass—
— Hah!
Marky's speech was cut off by Norty's laughter.
— Hahah! Ai ai, the boss is always making excuses to see Rocket, how cute!
— OH SHUT UP, YOU BRAT!!!
But before Marky could reprimand his audacious student, Mana's lips moved.
— Guys...
Silence.
— Huh? What is it, Mana? — Marky questioned.
— Do you think this will last forever?