450. Graduation Party

450. Graduation Party

Enthusiastic commotion broke out at the break of dawn. Every floor of Time Reverberation’s Head Quarters brimmed with a delightful ambience. The convivial atmosphere had only grown over the last few days, for today was a special day for them all.

Moon stumbled around. Those that weren’t hauling boxes and trays of goodies found themselves wandering the floors, confused by the event. They were aware that today was the graduation of the Candidate Moons, and the beginning of Time Reverberation’s operations.

But even so they couldn’t find it in them to understand why so many people were jubilant. Serum G was still deeply embedded into their systems, though it didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy normal things.

Then, one by one, the hands of these unconfident Moons were taken by the healers. They smiled up at them, one whispering:

“Let’s go. Everyone’s waiting for us. That means you as well.”

Their hearts wrenched. It was the painful kind. And yet they embraced the sensation, smiling at the healers who tugged them along. There were few Moons, particularly those of the Hora Therapeutics, that were overjoyed, as if a switch had flipped inside of them.

The site of the celebration was within the heart of a botanical garden, where canopies hung over them as decorative light lit up the overgrowth like Christmas lights. Food and drinks were served on a large table beside a central fountain, where a statue of a giant black and white feather stood to symbolize the duality of Time Reverberation.

The hand that gave was the same one that took. Some interpreted it as the White Doves and the Black Wings. Or even the ‘Black Sheep’ that were the Moons of the Nexus.

In reality, it was just a reference to Frost and Jury.

Frost observed the celebration from an elevated balcony. She saw a part of her in the healers as they actively sought out to include the unsociable Moons. Ber strode around, enjoying the moment as she commanded a small team of Moon-chefs at an outdoor bar.

Res was also seen receiving people into the event, greeting them professionally as she took the occasion seriously. She was just like the other Moons, but small fragments of her childish self could be seen whenever a familiar face passed, or when she was thanked for something as simple as letting them come through.

Some of the Moons paused when they saw Res. A wave of guilt ate at them momentarily before they moved on. Res had been right about a lot of things, and they had dismissed her as crazy and labeled her as Jester alongside her sisters.

Res was indifferent to them. It was as if she didn’t notice their bodily behaviors at all. She never did look at people in the eye so easily now that Frost had a closer look at her. Even amongst Moons she kept her guard up.

In contrast, Cer went out dragging wandering Moon straight into the garden. Annoying wouldn’t even begin to describe her as she complained how she didn’t get a celebration when she became the Fang of the Head.

However...

“What are you gonna do, stand there absentmindedly all day? Get it together. You’re a free Moon. Who’re you orbiting besides the Amalgam?”

... Cer had a way with her words. Though it didn’t seem to get through to the Moons, Frost knew that one day they’d remember it fondly. As cheeky as the woman was, she had a good heart. At least for people brough up in unfortunate circumstances.

And that was putting it nicely.

Frost sighed.

Suddenly, Kissaria uttered something just before they turned back to Jury beneath them.

“A bird that’s been livin’ inside of a cage won’t know how to fly despite havin’ wings. Remember when I said that a machine can’t have a heart. I stand corrected.”

“But you were able to grab a piece of her heart.” Frost wondered what she meant by this, to which Kissaria responded cryptically with:

“Temper aspirations. So, when’s Jury going to let me pick her heart apart?”

“Maybe when things start to settle down.”

“That so? Remind me again on the kind of world this is? I stuck my neck out for ya by openin’ the Gates. At least let me take a look at hers.” She pointed over at Res.

“You know how those triplets react to Retrofitters. Imagine an Artificer.”

“Her loss~ She the jewel of the triplets. A bucket of seriousness no matter how you tip it. Ever wonder what she sees through those lenses?” With another tap on her goggles, she began walking away towards Nav.

“Is something the matter with Res’ Atelier Item?”

Kissaria answered without turning back.

“It’s functional. Didn’t notice anythin’ wrong from here. Atelier Items are reflections of the heart’s desires. It can also be the piece that makes you complete.” She motioned over at Nav to join her elsewhere to produce yet another cupcake now that it was already eaten. “Or becomes a chain that slowly kills you.”

“Implying that Res’ Atelier Item is killing her?” Frost didn’t see it this way. Then again, there was little she knew about Res’ Atelier Item aside from that it allowed her to amplify her electrical powers.

“Waddya want from me? Straight answers? I’m just passin’ off my observations. In short, keep an eye out for her.”

“I’m always watching.” Frost assured her, her eyes fixated on Res who noticed her gaze. She looked up, suddenly brimming with a childish smile as her ears flapped. “I’m more concerned about what happens if she falls out of my sight. Please check up on her too.”

“Give me a day or two. You’ve worn me out reparin’ all of your Corrupted Items. Still haven’t figured out how you damaged them like that again. This mechanical amalgamation right here is all wanna work on right now~!” Kissaria, now at an archway leading to another room with Nav by her side, admitted her ignorance to Frost’s Corruption.

“Yay.” Nav celebrated with a deadpan voice, her mouth stuffed with a giant loaf of bread.

It seemed that news of Frost’s Corruption had yet to spread. If it did, then she wondered how it would be taken by those outside of their inner circle.

She sighed and continued observing Res, seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

Even the color of her heart was the same. A pure, deep blue.