[FFML] [FIC][BGC] Frozen Butterfly Arc 2 Chapter 4 Draft

[skychan]

Previous chapters can be found here

http://www.fanfiction.net/~skywiseskychan


Here's another chapter, one I had more trouble with than the others because
it is mostly exposition, background, time passage and trying to make sure
that I've developed the relationships I want to have developed before going
back into action again.  Please feel free to offer any sugestions on how to
better write this type of interlude and your opinions on if the
relationships I've put together are any good.  It feels rougher to me than
earlier chapters at this point.

Thank you for reading,
Skywise, Skychan


Frozen Butterfly 2 a story of Bubblegum Crisis

Chapter 4.0 – Building a nest/spinning silk/ Indian Summer

The next morning I slept in.  It just took a little bit of creative
thinking to manage it.  A delay set to keep my processor speed down,
combined with a bit of fiddling with my accelerated time operating mode, in
reverse, and I should have enjoyed a nice, languid rise from slumber.
Unfortunately,
it still needs some work…

But enough of that, I have mail!  Nene must have been hard at work last
night.  I had a job!  I also had a fine little file to use for faking up
the paperwork to rent my apartment.  It would fall apart if he asked to see
my MPI card in person but I wasn't that worried about it.  I think he would
be happy enough to take my deposit and run.  It didn't seem like very many
people were clamoring for a family apartment that came with an unstated
expiration date.

Checking the schedule she'd given me I had two days before starting work at
the prefectural offices. So I had plenty of time to study up before then.  I
was just about to check out when I realized one little problem with my
plans.  To study I would need to be online, and my 'new' apartment didn't
come with internet connectivity.

Resigning myself to a few more days of hotel bills wasn't quite the
hardship I originally expected, especially after meeting with the apartment
manager and letting him know I would take it.  He was eager and quite
willing to help make the arrangements to hook up all the utilities,
including internet connectivity and promised everything would be ready in
just a few days.

So I passed the hours learning about and how to be a certified clerk and
recorder in the prefectural offices.  Despite the two day's devoted study,
with a little time off for fun with Nene at a rather retro-thrash music
club I never would have learned everything necessary if it hadn't been for
the inside track my redheaded coconspirator gave me.  Along with an Id
printed with official government equipment Nene managed to get me the
complete operations manual for my department.

My first day was as ordinary as expected.  Meeting everyone, matching names
with faces and jobs, and trying to get used to the rather dry and trying
atmosphere of the office.  At times it seemed almost as though a literal
pall was cast overhead making everything drag, and each individual action
just a little bit harder.

The rest of the week was similar.  Although I wasn't technically a 'new
hire' I still had a partner to watch over and guide me through orientation.
Fuji san wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but other than that I
couldn't find anything objectionable about him.  Punctual, neat, tidy,
quiet and nice he didn't give me any trouble, unlike the majority of the
office, without lust or jealousy clouding our interactions.  I might also
mention he was gay as a kite.

It wasn't off putting, rather the reverse and I quickly found him to be a
fine friend though not as close as Nene.  Our relationship was casual, and
ended at the office doors each evening at five.  His tutelage was enough,
with my reading that I actually could perform all the duties expected of me.
Abandoned to my own devices the following week I managed to work quietly
through the day.  Each lunch hour spent filling in those niggling little
details that would make my MPI card legitimate.  The hardest parts were
finding the time to discretely put myself through the biometric scan and
recording tests without alerting my co-workers to what I was about.  When I
was finished however the trouble and contortions of truth I had to go
through were well worth it.

I was real.  Holding up my MPI card as I headed to meet up with Nene I
recalled the surprise I had felt upon another discovery. I was also
officially just shy of being a boomeroid in truth as well as fiction.  If I
didn't know the truth I might even have fallen for the deception myself.

The 33-S had been built on an artificial endoskeleton certainly, but once
they had the frame in place it seemed that Genom had 'cheated' with much of
the rest, using artificial organs, bio-musculature, and numerous other well
documented medical grade prosthesis and replacements to finish off their
product.

As a result as far as government tests were concerned my body was almost
32% natural.  It probably wouldn't stand up in a court of law if I were to
be examined by a doctor, and that tenuous rating would fall quickly if I
ever did get a properly synthetic blood supply.  In fact that was the only
remaining hurdle I saw coming down the pipe.

My fluidics systems continued their steady decline.  With my improved diet,
and no longer needing to 'push' myself in healing I had reduced the
degradation to a little less than 2% a day.  Unfortunately I also had to
use the last 'fresh' blood I had before leaving the hotel and although I
could improve the longevity of my remaining supply with the dialysis
machine it was far from a long term solution.  *Fluidics at 82.3% current
rate of decline will result in lack of operational levels in 30.31 days.*

I could stretch that if I was careful, the estimate not taking into account
the dialysis but it was a gnawing growing concern and a question for which
I still didn't have an answer.

Perhaps then it was lucky that I was distracted from those distressing
thoughts by the almost cheerful seeming beep of a car horn.  Looking up my
heart skipped a beat, recognition of a cop car, even the cuter box like
affair before me causing a rush towards accelerated time before I
recognized the driver.

Smile blooming on my face I tucked the card away in my purse and skipped
over to the curb.  Nene already had the door open when I got there,
reaching across the small economy sized car to do so.  "Kari hurry up, you
said you had cheesecake!"

I couldn't help but laugh as I quickened my steps, hopping lightly up into
the passenger seat.  "Wow Ne-chan, moving up in the world are we?  What did
you do to deserve the 'luxury' ride?"  I asked in a mercilessly teasing
tone using my new pet name for her.  One I especially liked because it
played off of her name, her handle and had the additional meaning of older
sister.

Nene gave me a little swat on the head that I accepted with good grace.  "I
got stuck helping the traffic police this week.  They're even more
shorthanded than we are, but the chief doesn't mind giving us a little
bonus for helping out and, I get to see your new apartment today."

"Yah yah, sure, I bet it's really just the thought of the promised
housewarming snacks that have you hurrying so."  I answered settling in and
clicking my belt into place.  Leaning back I took a deep breath and relaxed.
The slight sweet smell of machine oil mixed with exhaust and Nene's own
distinct scent helping clear my head from another long day spent working in
the dreary overbearing atmosphere of the office.

She didn't dignify my response with anything more than a laugh, checking
the mirrors and pulling out into traffic.  We spent the rest of the ride
chatting, talking about work or in Nene's case friends.  She had met an
Aerobics' instructor named Lina.  Despite listening carefully I wasn't
quite sure how they had met, Nene's litany a mixture of complaints about
the teasing she received and admiration for how good Lina looked.  "Not as
good as you of course Kari, but it's not fair that you both look so good."  Her
tone whining at the indignity of fate.

"Look Nene, it just takes some dedication… maybe you should join Lina's
club.  Or better yet we could join together.  I know I would enjoy company
for a workout, it's hard to keep up the motivation to exercise alone and if
I don't I'll just turn into a marshmallow."  I admit to an ulterior motive
here as it really is boring and if I was going to have to work out each
week already it would be more fun to do so with a friend.  Besides, Nene
was a classic computer geek and she was too pretty to let slide into the
trap of inactivity.

Despite the enthusiasm I had tried to put into my offer Nene wasn't
impressed, her tone clearly conveying her feelings.  "I've seen you eat,
it's depressing, the last thing you need is more exercise."

"Come on Ne-Chan, just think, each time I went to the gym I could have
another piece of guilt free cake, and you can't tell me that's not a good
deal.  You do want to help me have more cake don't you?" I'm not sure but I
think it was the self-deprecating tone that earned her laugh and by the
time we arrived at my home I had convinced her to at least join me once.

Her car drew a few stares and her uniform a few more from the kids playing
stickball in on the green in front of the apartments but seeing a lack of
big guns and rampaging boomers they quickly lost interest.  Showing her
upstairs and after the nickel tour of my apartment we got straight on to
the important things.  At least as far as Nene was concerned.  Cheesecake.

In all honesty I wasn't that much of a connoisseur, before or after my
change in, circumstances, but having seen Nene dissolve into bliss once
before I knew it was going to have to become a staple of my small
refrigerator.  This time was no different and I let myself enjoy the flavor
vicariously through her reactions.  To tell the truth to me it tasted
rather bland, like celery only loaded with calories instead of empty of
them.  From the look on Nene's face she obviously felt differently.

Watching her enviously I suddenly had an idea.  A surreptitious visit to
the kitchen to disguise taking out my small bottle of lubricating oil, a
few sprinkles across the top, and I joined her in honest little cries of
ecstasy at the flavor.  This I would have to remember… and make sure to
never mix up our pieces.

Thus satiated we sat back in the bare bones of my home.  The relative size
of the place, large for a single Japanese to live in made my lack of
belongings even more obvious.  One missing item in particular coming to my
guests attention.

"Kari, where's your computer?"  she asked, looking at me with those
discerning green eyes making me squirm under her gaze.

The question reminded me of just how bright she could be when she felt like
it.  We had gone out exploring the web together several times in the last
week but only now did I realize what a … glaring error I had made in not
buying a computer to explain my presence.  Of course being a true otaku
even that might not have let me slip past her attention.

"Would you believe I get by with just my phone?" I asked proffering the
device for her perusal.  Somehow knowing in my gut that although she
wouldn't catch my Get Smart impersonation I had about as much hope of
pulling off an excuse as agent 86.

Seeing a blank look of non-recognition at my attempted humor I just let out
a sigh.  "It really is just my phone… it has Bluetooth, and uh, connects
through the wireless router."  I gestured to the small black box situated
up against the wall by the data line.

For a moment she looked angry.  It was easy enough to read her thoughts as
they played out across her expressive face.  The seconds she thought I was
trying to blow her off, the angry betrayal as I 'jerked' her chain and then
just before she opened her mouth to yell, scream, say something the light
seeming to spark behind her wide emerald-jade eyes as she guessed at the
truth.

Speaking up before she could I nodded.  "That’s right, I ah, have a pretty
sophisticated computer in my head now.  I was some kind of prototype, a
test subject.  It seems to have worked pretty well.  Before you ask I don't
really know any more than that.  But it's how I've been able to get onto
the web, both before my escape and since then but now I go through my
phone… it helps to filter out some of the background fuzziness in the
net..."

A brief look of worry crossed her face then, and I could imagine the fears
rushing through her head, about how I was dangerous, and unstable, and she
was trapped alone in a room with me.  But then to my absolute surprise and
relief her expression changed, to one of sympathy and support.

"That's terrible!  And kind of cool, but it's awful that they could do
something like that to you.  We can't let them get away with it!"  Bolting
to her feet she started to pace, a small redheaded dynamo of justice and
indignation.

Before she could work herself up any further I inched forward and caught
her hand as she passed.  Her skin cool beneath my fingers but soft, her
tirade cut short as I gently pulled her around to face me.

"Nene, they did get away with it, but it's alright, I'm alright, you helped
get me out of there and I'm never going back.  I'm Free now, and that's all
that's important.  What happened doesn't matter anymore."  I met her dark
green eyes with my light ones trying to silently will her to understand.

The tableau was broken before she could respond by a beeping from her watch.
Tearing her eyes from mine she had a slight blush on her cheeks.  I had
trouble interpreting just why that was, *subject responses indications of
attraction 24% likely*, as she stepped back.  "I'm sorry Kari, but there's
an emergency I, I have to go." Biting her lip Nene watched me as she
stepped quickly back to the entry and into her shoes.

Caught in confusion I stood there watching her hurry to leave, feeling the
loss of her warmth beneath my fingertips.  I wanted to ask her what kind,
if she had to go, if we were alright, if she would return, if we were still
friends.  My pulse began to ramp up in reaction to the growing need to
know, to do something before she was gone, before it was too late.   Thankfully
I didn't have to.

The apologetic smile on her face as she opened the door said enough.  "I'll
see you tomorrow okay, give you a call after work but, I have to go."  And
with that she vanished out the door, the quick patter of her feet echoing
down the stairs as she ran for the car.  I wasn't sure if I should praise
or curse whatever boomer emergency had occurred to interrupt at just that
moment.  Seeing her climb into the patrol car all I could do was whisper to
the echoing walls of my room "Stay safe."

After our talk I didn't feel like going net diving again, at least not
tonight.  Instead I used my phone to tune into the local radio and listened
to the news of a boomer rampage.  It was a combat model, the exact
specifications unimportant, only the casualties it was causing and the ADP
response.  That night was the first time hearing about the Knight Sabers
killing another boomer filled me with relief.

Instead of their being out there to kill, they were out protecting the
police, and my friend.  It wasn't until I got an IM in response to my
worried messages half an hour later letting me know Nene was fine that I
crawled into bed and collapsed for the evening my 'sleep' troubled by
simulations of just how helpless we would be if ever caught in the middle
of a firefight.

The next day when we met up before going to the gym I couldn't believe just
how… unconcerned Nene was when I brought up the possibility.  She just
laughed it off and pointed out she was an analyst, she wouldn't ever be on
the front lines in the first place.  Instead of talking about it that she
tried to talk me out of dragging her the rest of the way to the gym.

One bargaining session later and we both felt like we had gotten the worse
side of the deal.  She had finally and with great reluctance agreed to go
through with her promise of attending aerobics class with me, but I had to
give in and accompany her to Hot Legs.  It sounded to me like a seedy
crowded filthy dance club and out of character for her.  Why she liked
something like that was inexplicable to me.

Still that was a worry for later.  First we had class.  Nene continued to
drag her feet, all the way to the front desk.  Waiting for her was a tall,
athletically slim woman with coal black hair held back by a green sweatband.
But that wasn't what really caught my attention.  Nor was it the grey
tights and green leotard combo, that at least went with the headband and
didn’t clash.  The shocking thing was the leg warmers.  Honest to god 80's
style leg warmers.

I was actually distracted for the first few seconds of conversation before
my name caught me back up to the conversation between the two friends as
Nene went on.  "-Kari, Kari this is Linna, she's the friend I've told you
about."  And then pulling a face mock whispered.  "The bully who's fault it
is we're here."

That drew a laugh from both of us and broke the slightly nervous tension in
the air.  Offering Linna a polite bow I spoke up.  "It's nice to meet you
Linna sensei.  I hope that my joining Nene for her invitation to your class
doesn't cause any problems."

She shook her head and smiling began to lead the way back to the changing
rooms.  "Not at all there's still room and I think I can manage to comp you
a class or two.  You did get Nene to come in after all and that effort
deserves a reward."  I tried not to smile, too much, but the look of
betrayal on Nene's face was too good to resist.

"You two go on, I'll catch up, I just need to get something to wear…" I
waved her on as we passed through the apparel section of the gym.  It was
obviously outfitted for those on the go but I was grateful even at the
inflated prices.  Somehow I hadn't quite worked a leotard into my wardrobe
yet.

To my surprise Linna waved Nene on as well, and watched me quietly a moment
as I picked through the displays trying to find something I wouldn't be too
embarrassed to wear in public.  After a moment she picked out an almost
terrifyingly neon orange bodysuit that went from elbows to thigh and royal
blue sleeveless leotard to go over it.  I winced at the clashing colors
but… when in Rome, I accepted it without protest but drew the line at
matching leg warmers.

Ringing up the sale I could see a more serious subject coming up even
before she spoke.  There was something in the depths of Linna's blue eyes
that gave it away.  "I heard from Nene that you have some cyberware?"  At
my slight nod I could feel those eyes roaming over my figure for any
obvious signs.  "It's really very good but, I need to know if you have any
limitations for movement or activity before class."

"No, nothing like that."  I bit my lip and worried it between my teeth
before taking a breath to give her a more complete answer.  "When I was
hurt, they had to replace a lot, but I was lucky and got TrueNature
reconstruction."  It wasn't, quite, the most expensive brand out there but
I had done my homework and one of TruNature's taglines was 'even god
wouldn't know the difference.'

That brought the smile back to her face with a nod.  "I've had a few
patients with TruNature go through physical therapy in my class before.  How
long has it been? You move very well."  I hesitated a moment, and she
quickly stepped back with a deep bow.  "Please excuse me, I shouldn't have
asked.  I'll let you get dressed."

Our conversation, short as it was put me behind the rest of the class.  Most
already done changing as I got to the lockers, even Nene was just pulling
on predictably eye searingly pink leg warmers over purple tights and an
equally pink leotard.  Cute as a button but oh the horror!

I exchanged polite introductions with the only other woman still changing,
her name was Irene and talking with her about her fiancé helped keep my
mind out of the gutter and focused on getting dressed rather than watching
the others.

My resolve lasted all of five minutes.  Once in the class itself I couldn't
quite help looking.  It felt strange, hiding in the back Nene to my right
and Irene to my left.  To be honest they weren't in the best of shape even
if both were quite shapely.  Linna however leading the class was a machine.
Not literally, as far as I could tell, but she was easily working twice as
hard as anyone else and ending up half as tired.

A fact that was brutally and depressingly underscored when three quarters
of a way though the hour I started getting fluidic oxygen supply and energy
transmission warnings.  My body, state of the art, cutting edge in design
and function, and I couldn't even keep up the pace.  Movements becoming a
bit choppy I was relieved when we switched from high impact to low for the
next five minutes.

At one point during the ensuing stretches I looked up and Linna caught my
eyes before offing a small smile.  I hardly knew her yet somehow she hadn't
just realized I was flagging but almost seamlessly adjusted the pace of her
class to compensate.  I returned her smile giving her the okay sign with
one hand.  She really is an impressive instructor.

As the class ended she called my name, holding me back a moment.  "Nene,
Irene, please go ahead, I'll follow in just a minute."  To be honest I was
a little relieved at the excuse to delay following them in.  While I had
every right to do so, it still just felt weird, not to mention the amount
of pheromones in the air.  Most would probably just wrinkle their nose at
the sweat and hurry to the showers, but for me it was like breathing
Louisiana air after living at the top of the Rockies for a year.  Less
breathing and more drinking in the complex scents around me and like the
subway before the bouquet such a thick jumbled mess I couldn't help my
bodies reaction.

So it was slightly swaying that I approached Linna to see what she had to
say, just hoping she wouldn't notice anything else.  "Hey Kari san, good
first workout, are you feeling alright, can I get you something to drink or
some juice?"  She took my hand and led me gently over to a vending machine,
punching in some kind of code.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner but you're looking a little pale.   You
need to pace yourself a bit better…"  I could feel her watching me closely
for physical symptoms.  "It can be tricky to realize your pushing too hard
for people in your condition, but that just means you need to be extra
vigilant.  Dehydration and Hypoglycemia are often exacerbated in those with
implants so your susceptible to them.  I'm not saying you should stop,
just, make sure to drink lots of water, or juice before a workout okay?  You’re
a new friend and I'd like to keep you."

A supportive hug and she was leading me back to the lockers, now with juice
in hand.  I was surprised at how accurately she had diagnosed the problem,
even without all the facts she realized that I was effectively a diabetic
due to my blood supply breaking down and I promised I would be good and
look after myself better before we split apart to shower.  Mine
intentionally a bit long, I felt enough like a peeping tom already.

Freshly showered, scrubbed, dried and dressed I stepped out of the club to
see Nene waiting with Linna and Irene for me.  The extra time in the shower
had given enough time for my compromised blood supply to finish refreshing
me and I felt almost as good as new walking out to meet them.

"Now I suppose that I'm going to have to pay up and actually come clubbing
aren’t I?"  my tone wry as I looked at the other three, only well ingrained
instincts keeping my posture natural and the nervous worry in my mind from
projecting to the others.

"Yup!" Nene chirped in response, her glee at finally getting me to come out
with her showing in the wide smile crossing her lips.  "To Hot Legs!"

If anything the name of the club made it worse.  Still I couldn't really
back out now.  I had promised and maybe it wouldn't be too bad.  I was
wearing a rather conservative skirt, a long sleeved blouse and had it
buttoned all the way up.  Add flats to my already towering stature and a
dark club and I might manage to go overlooked… I hoped.

When we arrived it was both much worse and better than I had expected.  Some
of the music was alright, in a retro 80's kind of way, but it was just to
crowded.  Predictably my companions loved it, but the crowd put a serious
strain on my self-control.

As the first live music began to play, a warm-up band according to Nene,
they dragged me out onto the dance floor.  The deep pulsing beats
reverberating through my slight frame and lights flashing in the darkness
making it seem an almost out of body experience.

That sensation was only heightened as the pheromones of the crowd began to
hit me.  It felt like I was high, floating on a wave of sensation, my body
moving without conscious thought to dance.  I barely had the presence of
mind to stick near my friends as men started to move in, like moths to a
flame.

Only in this case I was the one who would have been burned if they reached
their goal.  I wanted to respond, their needs and desires so obvious so
clear.  Only with monumental effort was I able to tear my attention away
from them, focusing instead on Nene, giving her my full attention and
concentration.

It worked to an extent; she was my rock in the storm tossed sea that was
the rest of the club.  As the song ended I grabbed her hand and fled from
the floor abandoning Linna and Irene to the sharks.  Only once we were in a
dark corner near the bar, with a cool breeze from the air conditioning
blowing fresh, un-hormone laden air across my face did I stop tugging.

"Ne-Chan, I need a break, I'm sorry."  I could feel my heart racing, blood
pumping madly in my veins a tingling running across my skin only now
starting to subside as the scents of sex and drugs slowly cleared from my
system.

I must have looked as flushed and unsteady as I felt because I saw her
expression go from petulant annoyance at having her fun interrupted to
concern in a flash.  "Are you alright?" Hovering by my side like a
hummingbird he hands brushing along my arms and her bright green eyes
scanning me as though she could see what was wrong with a simple glance.

Leaning back against the wall, cool air brushing across my face I let out
another deep breath.  "Yes, I mean, I will be just, please give me a
moment."  Thoughts scrambling for an excuse I finally decided on one close
enough to the truth to pass muster.  "I'm just a little anemic- too much
exercise in one day, but really I'll be fine go on have some fun."  I said
trying to shoo her back into the forming mosh pit of a dance floor.

But Nene's loyalty wasn't so easily deterred and we spend much of the rest
of the night sequestered in the shadows of our little hideaway.  Myself
resting from the mental strain and Nene just resting.  She did get me out a
few more times, once when the cover band, Priss and the Replicants cam on-
an ironic title considering my situation if ever I heard one, and again for
the final song of the night.

Crowded into Linna's little subcompact on the ride home all four of us were
worn out and although a few overtures about, "doing this again" were made I
think the others and I were on the same page, each of us staggering inside
to sleep like the dead.

end of chapter 4

Please R&R
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