& in the war I find...

(text-style:"bold")[(align: "==><==")[(text-style:"expand")[& in the war I find you]] (align: "==><==")[(text-style:"subscript")[from me to you]] (align: "==><==")[ [[start game]] ]]

“I’m sorry Courier, I can’t let you through. ” you’re clutching to your silver messenger bag like it’s a lifeline. All the while you bite your bottom lip. Your green eyes keep trained to the armored man. An armored man you knew, an armored man you thought you could rely on. “Governor's orders. Access to the roads are on lock down.” the man you know as Elias says with bags under his three eyes arranged like an upside down triangle. You don’t even want to think about how long he’s gone without proper sleep, how long any of the city guards have gone without sleep. “Nobody gets in or out of the city. Please understand.” he says, rubbing the jaw of his long rectangular face. You wish you could understand. But you need this. You hold up your wrist for the holographic display of time to show itself: $gameTime on the dot. She leaves at $timeEnd. She’ll get on that ship and you’ll never see her again. Every second counts. [["Elias, please I need this. This package has to get delivered."]] [["I'm aware Elias but this package is important. It's an order from the top."]]

“Packages don’t take precedence over any possible sieges from the enemies. You know that.” “I know they don’t, but I just have to get to a settlement hundreds of kilometers away. And it's just me! You won't even know I'm gone. ” “Rules are rules Courier…” the man hesitates, and leans in, you can see the lines on his human skin, take notice of the way his tougher facade drops, the serious tone leaves. “Fjora,” he breathes, “seriously don’t make this harder than it has to be. And don’t make me lose this job. Not now.” A position in the military is secured, it’s safe - as safe as it can be. (set:$gameTime to it + 0.01)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) You look around. Your time reads $gameTime. You still have a lot of time. You need to [[ convince him ]] or [[ find another way ]].

You’re lying. That’s fine. You can lie now. Even if you ever rarely do, you could lie a thousand times if it means you get this package where it has to go. “Important packages have a seal of approval, not to mention we get the clearance beforehand. You aren’t going to fool me with a really shitty lie.” a heavy breath of frustration.(set: $gameTime to it + 0.01)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “That's just how it has to go Courier...” the man hesitates, and leans in, you can see the lines on his skin, take notice of the way his tougher facade drops, the serious tone leaves. “Fjora,” he breathes, “seriously don’t make this harder than it has to be. And don’t make me lose this job. Not now.” A position in the military is secured, it’s safe - as safe as it can be. You look around. Your time reads $gameTime. You still have a lot of time. You need to [[ convince him ]] or [[ find another way ]].

“Elias.” you hold the package up to him pinning it to his chest. “This. Package. Is. Important.” you’re insisting, your eyes squint and your black-spotted green ears lower. “If I don’t take this road I can’t get to the settlement quickly enough. And the tundra is too dangerous, you have to let me use the road.” “Fjor -” “Elias.” you cut him off. And there’s waiting. You with a determined glare and he with a hesitant whimper all before he lets out what you can believe is a genuine sigh of defeat. “Fine, wait here.” he pulls away from you but your grip on the bag is still tight. Anxiety becomes a constantly building skyscraper with each passing second. A skyscraper that reaches the stations in space. A skyscraper that’s piercing your heart. [[“Where is he...”]]

“Okay, okay, Elias.” you say quickly turning in place. You hear a sigh of relief from him. He’s selfish, and it occurs to you he might have always been. He’s not like her. He can never be like her.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.06)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) As you start to walk away in defeat, planning your next route Elias stops you, grabbing you by the shoulder. You tense immediately, with your ears perking upwards. You turn around to meet his steady eyes. “If you’re going to go out there, the tundra is your best bet.” “What? But the tundra is dangerous.” “But at least you'll be out there. And if you're out there and you're fast you can make it. But don’t take your speeder.” you let his words sit, it's your best bet. He's right. And even if there's danger, this is important. “Government licensed speeders are tracked. If they catch you out there. They’ll send people after you. They’ll think you’re a traitor or a renegade or something. Either way. Just don’t take your speeder.” you look at your trusty //Bring it To Ya’// bike the thing you’ve been riding for ten years now. Always there for you when you needed it. Except now. Now it’s junk sitting next to other speeders. [[ Other speeders. ]]

(set: $gameTime to 13.01) (set: $timeEnd to 18.00)

You mutter your worries to = yourself, bouncing anxiously on your feet. He’s taken too long. Longer than you wanted. Longer than you hoped. The waiting is causing you to pace back and forth. Your footsteps crunch against the snow. Eventually you hear the crunching of snow getting closer to you. Your eyes raise from the ground to see the armored Elias running to you. He stops in front of you catching his breath - some military man he is - before finally opening his mouth.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.19)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “You’ve got five minutes, but you need to go. //Now.// And by the stars Fjora I mean now. Take the road nobody is watching.” your heart soars, the wait was worth it even if you lost a lot of time. Taking the road would be better than taking the tundra. You hope. “Elias-” you start, wanting to thank him at the least, but he cuts you off with a raised hand. “Go. Deliver your package.” he looks behind him. “Go.” you give a quick nod and waste no more time. You quickly run back to your speeder-bike tapping in your login key to the holographic interface causing the system to recognize you. Once it starts up you’re on your way down the road at [[ record speed. ]] 1102. Your passcode. Her birthday.

<div class="thepast">“Would you like to come in for some coffee?” the human woman asked you, and you were stunned. It was in the middle of an intense snow, the first of many on this planet with it’s long winters and it’s three moons. She stepped out of her cozy and warm home wearing a long sleeved sweater to wave you down. You, the mailman who seconds prior had left a package at her place with the lightest knock. You almost had a hard time believing it. “What?” you shout back, just to make sure you heard her. “Coffee! Would you like to come in for some coffee?” she shouts back to you, cupping her hands around her mouth to make sure you can hear her over the sharp winds. You look at your bike and back to her, and you see a smile on her dark brown skin. You don’t know why you accepted, but you know that it was either [[ her smile ]] or [[ her voice ]]. </div>

“Thank you Elias,” you say quickly and truthfully just to hurry along. Jogging over to the parked speeders, your black ponytail bouncing behind you. There’s nobody around the speeders, you could take one. You could take one and it’d be so easy. You take green fingers and rub them along the handlebars of a nearby speeder, it’s the same model so you can drive it with ease that’s the easy part. The hard part… is getting it without causing trouble. You look around, wondering if you’re going to see the owner of the speeder. Waiting second, for second, before mounting the bike. The holographic interface turns on and a digital face appears on the small dashboard before you. “(color: red)[UNRECOGNIZED -]” you tap against the dashboard opening up the control panel. Placing in the emergency-worker code your job had you memorized, a code that lets you commandeer any vehicle in the face of an emergency. You’re begging as you tap against it. Hoping that you remembered the right sequence of numbers to override the system. There’s silence before an eventual beep as the engine starts up. “Yes!” you whisper to yourself as a cold breeze of the planet’s arctic comes in. it’s time to get going. You’ll have to race across the tundra. But you can make it. You have to make it. You look at the bike and guilt creeps on your skin like a bug trying to find a nest. You’ve never stolen anything in your life, and she’s teased you for it. Not even candy from a store, you’re just too pure. She would tease you for it. You look at the bike again. This is someone’s. //This is someone’s.// [[>Leave something. For them.]] [[>Go. Now. ]]

You look at your wrist-watch again and bring out another holographic interface. You pick the option to leave a “NOTE” and write down the passcode-key for your bike. Hopefully the owner of it sees it and decides to take it as compensation. Hopefully.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.07)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) You turn the speeder around in place, kicking up snow from the ground, with another swift movement you smack your goggles on covering your dark eyes. You don’t have a road and that’s fine. That won’t stop you. It won’t. Before long you're speeding down the tundra at [[ record speed. ]]

You shake and shake the guilt from you. And as the wind picks up smacking cold air in your face. You realize you don’t have time for guilt. Not now.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.04)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) You only have time for… You turn the speeder around in place, kicking up snow from the ground, with another swift movement you smack your goggles on covering your dark eyes. You don’t have a road. That’s fine. That won’t stop you. It won’t. Before long you're speeding down the tundra at [[ record speed. ]]

<div class="thepast">It's one of those things you don't forget. And every other smile you see looks lacking in comparison. She showed no teeth with ease, you learn later it's an insecurity you wish to wipe away, but it looks inviting - looks welcoming. The coffee was bitter because she likes it black and she laughed at the way your face turned as you took your first sip of the bitter drink. And she was shocked when you discovered this was your first time with coffee. You were used to tea. “Coffee is so much better, it’s all I drink.” she told you. “I don’t know if that’s good for you,” you replied honestly, entranced on her perfectly trimmed nails attatched to delicate fingers that wrap around her flask and then the way her hair looks pefect on her with two buns and curls that hang at the side of her face. But more importantly you’re entranced by her. You’ve seen a lot of humans before, so many humans, but she is the most beautiful one you’ve ever met. She’s the most beautiful living thing you’ve ever met. [[ And she remains that way for your entire life. ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">It's haunting in some way in the mere fact that its unforgettable. Smoky with the hint of a drawl to it. It stayed in your dreams. And you heard it in so many ways. The coffee was bitter because she likes it black and she laughed at the way your face turned as you took your first sip of the bitter drink. And she was shocked when you discovered this was your first time with coffee. You were used to tea. “Coffee is so much better, it’s all I drink.” she told you. “I don’t know if that’s good for you,” you replied honestly, entranced on her perfectly trimmed nails attatched to delicate fingers that wrap around her flask and then the way her hair looks pefect on her with two buns and curls that hang at the side of her face. But more importantly you’re entranced by her. You’ve seen a lot of humans before, so many humans, but she is the most beautiful one you’ve ever met. She’s the most beautiful living thing you’ve ever met. [[ And she remains that way for your entire life. ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">“Oh it’ll be fine, it keeps me awake. That’s all that matters. Not to mention how cold it is on Jill-ia I need something warm. You on the other hand are the one playing it dangerously.” “Me?” you blink, your riding goggles rest on your lap. “Yes, delivering packages in this cold. That’s why I invited you in! You might have frozen to death without a cup of my wonderful coffee!” “Oh, no, the cold - it doesn’t bother me.” you tap against your skin, it’s harder than most not rock-like but scaly. “My kind are resistant to intense temperatures of heat or of cold.” “Oh? Wow, they didn’t teach us that back in the university.” she says with a curious expression, tapping against her chin, “I guess that’s why you’re perfect for this kind of work isn’t it?” [[“It’s the only thing I’m good at.” ]] [[“Perfect for this and nothing else.” ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">“Well you have to give yourself more credit than that. I bet there are tons of things you’re good at.” She stands and goes to the package she left on a brown table, her home was cozy and ancient. The AI programming kept it at a nice toasty temperature to combat the cold. “No… I’m good at this.” you reply honestly, again, because you’re honest. That’s what you’re praised for. She leans back in her chair, her curls bouncing. “Well you’ve delivered all my packages to me in the past, so I’m not going to argue that.” She rips open the package to take out a thick item, stacks of paper in between. You’ve taken things here before but you’ve never looked inside the packages. She comes back standing next to you as you sit, and you realize you’re taller than her and you realize she’s even more beautiful up close. “What is it?” you ask, you’ve brought packages to her before but you’ve never asked. It’s not your job to ask. But you want to hear her speak. “A book, a more physical one. Not one we'd get through our wrist devices. Do you read?” you shake your head. [[“I listen to podcasts.”]] [[“Do you?”]]</div>

<div class="thepast">“Well you have to give yourself more credit than that. I bet there are tons of things you’re good at.” She stands and goes to the package she left on a brown table, her home was cozy and ancient. The AI programming kept it at a nice toasty temperature to combat the cold. “No… I’m good at this.” you reply honestly, again, because you’re honest. That’s what you’re praised for. She leans back in her chair, her curls bouncing. “Well you’ve delivered all my packages to me in the past, so I’m not going to argue that.” She rips open the package to take out a thick item, stacks of paper in between. You’ve taken things here before but you’ve never looked inside the packages. She comes back standing next to you as you sit, and you realize you’re taller than her and you realize she’s even more beautiful up close. “What is it?” you ask, you’ve brought packages to her before but you’ve never asked. It’s not your job to ask. But you want to hear her speak. “A book, a more physical one. Do you read?” you shake your head. [[“I listen to podcasts.”]] [[“Do you?”]]</div>

<div class="thepast">“Oh as you drive?” you nod, podcasts are easy, mind-numbing things. “They aren't distracting. That helps. Makes it easy to watch my surroundings.” “Well I love reading, I use these as inspiration.” “Inspiration?” “Yes. I’m trying to...write something. It’s taking longer than I thought.” she looks to a desk and looks back to you, all before holding out a hand. “I never introduced myself, I’m Kia.” Kia. It’s a simple name. A simple human name that sinks in your heart. You take her hand and the feeling of it wrapped in your own sends shivers down your spine. You want to hold onto it forever. You want it pressed against you. “Fjora.” “Well Fjora, would you like another cup?” [[ Why did you say no? ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">“No, I collect these books for fun.” you blink, and she chuckles. “Of course I do. I love reading, my grandmother was big on physical books and she’s passed them all to me. So I spend a pretty penny on these as I use them as inspiration.” “Inspiration?” “Yes. I’m trying to...write something. It’s taking longer than I thought.” she looks to a desk and looks back to you, all before holding out a hand. “I never introduced myself, I’m Kia.” Kia. It’s a simple name. A simple human name that sinks in your heart. You take her hand and the feeling of it wrapped in your own sends shivers down your spine. You want to hold onto it forever. You want it pressed against you. “Fjora.” “Well Fjora, would you like another cup?” [[ Why did you say no? ]]</div>

You’re speeding, with the cold winter air smacking against your goggles. You grip onto the bike's handlebars as a beast roars behind you. It’s a predator, and you’re the prey. With all the guards pulling out the area wasn’t safe, the wildlife of this planet could inhabit any area they please. And you managed to race past one that deemed you worthy of a hunt. You swivel your head behind you, the beast runs at you on all fours kicking up snow behind it. It has no trouble running through the snow like it’s nothing. It’s rough white fur is coated red with what you can assume is blood from it’s last meal. Teeth bared, fangs on display, spiked tongue hanging out and eyes large and beady. It’s catching up and with each second you see that it’s bigger than you thought, bigger than you imagined. You remember Kia showing you an Earth - bear once. It’s bigger than that. [[> Swerve around, try to lose it.]] [[> Keep going. Speed-up as fast as possible]]

You zigzag through the snow, keeping your hands gripped on the handles of the speeder as you attempt to lose the beast. Your handling on a speeder is average at best, and though at times you swerve too hard you manage to make sure you don’t turn too hard, tumble and fall.(set:$gameTime to it + 1.5)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) But even in your attempt to lose it you don’t. You can’t. It still remains on you. In fact all you did was tire yourself out in turning the bike. No matter what you do you can’t outrun it. //SMACK!// You’re flung from your speeder, a small hill of snow in your path unseen, and roll until your face is eating snow. You groan in pain clutching your side and checking your body, nothing’s broken thank the Stars, but you’ve been launched from your speeder. You quickly get up as snow shakes off your clothes, you look around to see if the creature is nearby, but you see nothing. Nothing but the whiteness of snow. You instinctively clutch for your messenger bag only to find that the space it occupied against you is empty. Panic overtakes you. It starts to become difficult to breathe and your two hearts start beating much faster than you're used to. “No, no, no.” you mutter, as you frantically throw yourself down into the snow to look for it. Searching. And searching. Until finally the color of the bag contrasts heavily against the white of the snow. Thanking the Stars you lunge for it and take hold of it, checking the contents to make sure nothing was damaged. This was all you had left. This had to be[[ delivered. ]]

Keeping your head lowered you increase the speed of the speeder. The sound of wind pushing past you starts to drown out the beast.(set:$gameTime to it + 1.1) (set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “(color: red)[WARNING - SPEED IS TOO HIGH ADVISE SLOWING DOWN. //Bring it To Ya’// is not responsible for any damages that can occur through reckless driving.]” the AI of the speeder warns you. You ignore it’s warnings and continue your acceleration. You don’t care for the warnings. You need to escape the hungry beast. You turn your head back again peering into the white hoping you’ll see any sign of you losing the beast. Any sign at all. //SMACK!// You’re flung from your speeder, a small hill of snow in your path unseen, and roll until your face is eating snow. You groan in pain clutching your side and checking your body, nothing’s broken thank the Stars, but you’ve been launched from your speeder. You quickly get up as snow shakes off your clothes, you look around to see if the creature is nearby, but you see nothing. Nothing but the whiteness of snow. You instinctively clutch for your messenger bag only to find that the space it occupied against you is empty. Panic overtakes you. It starts to become difficult to breathe and your two hearts start beating much faster than you're used to. “No, no, no.” you mutter, as you frantically throw yourself down into the snow to look for it. Searching. And searching. Until finally the color of the bag contrasts heavily against the white of the snow. Thanking the Stars you lunge for it and take hold of it, checking the contents to make sure nothing was damaged. This was all you had left. This had to be[[ delivered. ]]

<div class="thepast">“It’s really good,” you reply honestly, because of course you do. Her writing is fantastic, it radiates a personality that you’ve never seen. Your mother would call it “breathtaking” if she was alive to read it. You look at Kia, her hair is down in a side pony-tail, she changes her hair every time you visit her. You’ve kept your hair in a shorter ponytail for a majority of your adult life. And you find that she’s looking at you. Your eyes meet and hold for the briefest of seconds before you turn away. “You really think so Fjora, you don’t have to be kind you know.” “I do, I’ve never read a book like this before but it’s really good. It’s very poetic, is that the right way to look at it?” “It’s more poetry than anything else. So yes that’s a really good way to look at it.” “I’m impressed, really Kia I am.” she smiles, such a warm smile. “Thank you Fjora, getting your praise, it’s confidence boosting for sure but I know it can be better. I came out here to write something perfect.” “Really? I still don't understand, you came all the way out here to this frozen place to write?” Kia laughs at your question, all before taking your hand again and pulling you from the chair, since your first visit you’ve stopped at her place each and every time. She’s taken your hand each and every time. She brings you out to the front porch where the snowstorm has died down. “Of course, look at it, Fjora, isn’t it beautiful?” she says, indicating the nothingness. [[“It’s nothing.”]] [[“What do you mean?” ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">Kia is still holding your hand and resting it against the railing. “I’m not a city person, never was, it was always too noisy. The quiet, the simple. It’s charming. I feel like I can breathe. I enjoy the simple nothing.” She’s poetic , almost every word out of her mouth has been like some sort of song. It’s all those books she’s read. You wonder if you spent all that time reading if you’d be the same. Speaking poetic wax like it’s always in your mind. “Well it’s a good thing you came here, this settlement is nothing but quiet.” “Very, and it’s even better since I got you as my delivery person.” you blink unused to such compliments.”You’ve been such a helpful critic and...such a helpful friend.” you realize the space between you has shortened. Your green hand rests comfortably beneath hers. “A friend?” You blink. “Wouldn’t you say so? Unless I,” she pauses and smiles, ”overstepped?” Friend. She’s your friend. You love the way she says it. “No, you didn't...”[[ she's your friend. ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">Kia is still holding your hand, resting it against the railing. “I’m not a city person, never was, it was always too noisy. The quiet, the simple. It’s charming. I feel like I can breathe. I enjoy the simple nothing.” She’s poetic, every word out of her mouth has been like some sort of song. It’s all those books she’s read. You wonder if you spent all that time reading if you’d be the same. Speaking poetic wax like it’s always in your mind. “Well it’s a good thing you came here, this settlement is nothing but quiet.” “Very, and it’s even better since I got you as my delivery person.” you blink unused to such compliments.”You’ve been such a helpful critic and...such a helpful friend.” you realize the space between you has shortened. Your green hand rests comfortably beneath hers. “A friend?” You blink. “Wouldn’t you say so? Unless I,” she pauses and smiles, ”overstepped?” Friend. She’s your friend. You love the way she says it. “No, you didn't...”[[ she's your friend. ]]</div>

[[> The speeder has to be here somewhere. ]] [[> Forget the speeder just start running. ]]

It’s got to be here somewhere you have to find the speeder. You have to. You’ve wrapped the messenger bag tighter around you to not lose it and start trudging through the snow.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.06)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “How in the galaxy do I lose a speeder because of one crash.” You say to yourself, cursing the very actions that brought you here. You look to your clock: $gameTime. You still have time. You still have time. You’re stopped by a low growl. Low enough to send a shiver down your spine. Turning back you see the same large beast running down the hill you thought you evaded it on. Even after all of that it still hunts you relentlessly. It’s commitment to making you it’s meal [[> Run. Run as fast as you can.]] [[> Dive and hide into the snow. ]]

Forget the speeder just start running. You don’t need the speeder. You just need your legs. And so with a clutched messenger bag you start sprinting. Or as much sprinting as you can with several feet of snow beneath you.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.03)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “Come on Fjora,” you say as your lungs start to react to this extreme version of exercise. You still aren’t used to the beat of two hearts but you know this is too important to simply stop and catch your breath. You’re stopped by a low growl. Low enough to send a shiver down your spine. Turning back you see the same large beast running down the hill you thought you evaded it on. Even after all of that it still hunts you relentlessly. It’s commitment to making you it’s meal [[> Run. Run as fast as you can.]] [[> Dive and hide into the snow. ]]

You waste no more time, taking whatever remaining energy to start a sprint. You’ve got distance between you and the beast so far and with just a bit more you can keep it going. You have to keep it going. You can hear the kicking up of snow behind you as the beast gets closer, and your lungs are starting to give in. And the beast knows that. The beast knows you are tiring out. And before you know it, you’re pushed further along by the creature, flinging you from your feet and down into the snow. You grimace holding in your pain but before you can check yourself for blood the beast is on top of you. You hold your hands above you holding the beast's face in place in a desperate attempt to have it not gnaw into you. Saliva drops onto your face. [[> Smack it in the eye with your fists! As hard as possible!]] [[> See if you can reach your wrist-device, use your flash to distract it!]]

You fling yourself into the cold, shoveling enough of it over you as possible in hopes to evade your hunter. Your Courier uniform clashes against the white snow but perhaps digging yourself in deep enough would conceal that. You have to hope it will conceal it. The temperature of the snow is almost non-existent to you. Your people don’t react to temperatures like others do. A fact you’re grateful for as you’ve dug yourself in snow. The beast is closer now, you can hear it’s heavy breathing through the pile you’ve buried yourself in. It’s getting closer and closer, sniffing at the ground. You don’t bother to smell yourself now but you’d father you smell like sweat. [[> Stay. Very. Still. Slow your breathing. It will pass. ]] [[> Wait for it to come close and then flash it with your wrist-device.]]

You ball your fists and desperately swing into the beast’s eye with all your might. You smack and the creature winces and flings itself back. Roaring in place, you don’t take this chance to act bewildered that it worked. Instead you climb up in an attempt to make more distance. Starting another sprint before your legs give out causing you to fall back into the snow. (set:$gameTime to it + 0.02)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “Get up - get up.” you plead with your body, begging it to just listen to once. But why would it listen now, it never listened to you. It pulled away and now it's stopping you again. You hear the movement of the beast again. It’s coming. Again. But that’s not all you hear. You hear the sound of a speeder. [[ A sound you’d recognize. ]]

You reach for your wrist and access the flashlight, knowing that at any wrong move the sharp teeth of the beast will tear into you, drawing blood. (set:$gameTime to it + 0.05)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) Tap. Tap. //**BING.//** The flash of your device snaps on and with a quick motion you direct it into the beast’s face. It’s bright enough to cause you to squint but the beast barely recognizes it. It’s eyes must be used to such intense light all it does is instead irritate the creature. It makes another attempt to bite at you but it doesn’t reach even if it was desperately close, you’re expecting it to do it again but instead the beast pushes it’s head off of you and pins you with it’s claws. You’re defenseless. You’re dead. And the last thing you’ll hear is the snarl of the creature. No - that’s not right. You hear the sound of a speeder. [[ A sound you’d recognize. ]]

It will pass. You have to believe it. You have to believe it will pass. Because if it doesn’t you’ll die. You’ll be dead. It will tear you into pieces. (set:$gameTime to it + 0.03)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) You slow your worried mind, attempt to control your shattered breaths. Step. You hear it closer. Step. You hear it growl. Step. Through the cover of your hill you see it’s fangs. Step. Step. Then you see nothing. Nothing at all. But you hear something. You hear the sound of a speeder. [[ A sound you’d recognize. ]]

You slowly lay a hand against your wrist, turning it to the flashlight function. Just one quick flash and in its confusion you’ll sprint. You’ll move. You have to. As the creature gets closer and closer you ready yourself. (set:$gameTime to it + 0.06)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) ***BING***. You turn on the light and smack it into the eye of the beast, who instead of doing the anticipated wince turns to you with a growl. “No,no -” you scream as the beast rushes you, charging right into you and flinging you further. You’ve landed on your stomach and it hurts, but the adrenaline of this chase at least causes you to get up just a bit. Just with enough time to see the beast charging at you again. You look around desperate for an answer to your dilemma, but instead all you hear is the sound of a speeder. [[ A sound you’d recognize. ]]

You turn your vision to face the direction of the sound and see three speeders coming along to you. The beast notices them too and before it has a chance to react a blaster bolt scorches it’s side causing it to roar in pain. More and more bolts smack into the beast before finally a perfect shot finds its way into the beast’s head causing it’s roar to silence and the beast to fall. The predator became the prey in just one quick turn. And you’re thanking the Stars that the military finally made its way to you.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.1)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) But that’s not the military, they don’t wear the obsidian-colored armor of the army. They’re attire is more made of fur and steel. Their faces are covered by helmets with visors and they are racing towards you. They aren’t friends. They aren’t allies. You clutch to your messenger back instinctively as they circle you. “The Sakai’s got a Courier uniform,” one of the masked individuals says. You don’t know who they are, are they criminals or are they spies - spies on their way to this planet’s capital to get their defenses. You don’t care either way right now you just hope they leave. “Noted, which means the bag is loot.” the other masked one says, you catch a woman’s voice behind the voice modulator. No they can’t know, they can’t look into this bag. It’s not for them. It’s for her. It’s all for her. “This can go the easy way or the hard way. You decide.” each one has a blaster pointed at you. Circling you with their bikes. You don’t have time for this. You just keep losing time. [[> Surrender. ]] [[> Plead.]] [[> Explain.]]

You raise your hands. The galactic sign of surrender. In seconds they killed the animal that was hunting you for too long. They would turn you into ash if they pleased.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.05)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) One of the masked individuals grasps at your messenger bag and tears it off of you. You feel your heart sink. They try to open it, but the latch catches on itself locking. The masked woman comes up behind you. “Code now.” “I can’t…” you say as a whisper. You can’t. You can’t have them see what’s inside. It’s not theirs. “Fine. We’ve got ways of making you talk.” you feel the blaster against you. It’s a threat. “This way.” the woman commands. And you have no choice but to follow. [[...]]

“Please, I need you to let me go. I need to deliver this.” (set:$gameTime to it + 0.1)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “Need to?” the shortest of the trio says, he’s got tentacles resting at his side. A lisp to his tone. “Makesss you wonder what’s in this.” “It’s --- it’s nothing. It won’t help you. Please you have to let me deliver this!” “Please? The Sakai’s begging is she?” one of the masked individuals says. They and the tentacled one snicker to themselves before being silenced by the masked woman with a snap. She walks over to you after parking her speeder. You could use this moment to escape but - “We would need a code for this. Right?” “Yes but I won’t -” a sharp pain smacks into your gut, she’s jammed the holster of the heavy blaster into you and before you get another word in. Darkness. [[...]]

“This package is nothing. It’s not useful to you.”(set:$gameTime to it + 0.09)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “What makessss you say that?” the tentacled masked one says. He seems to be enjoying the taunt. Much more than you’d like. “I know what’s in it. And it wouldn’t do anything to you. Help or hurt. So you should just - let me go. Let me go on my way.” the masked people circle you a few more times. All before stopping. That could give you the chance. The chance to escape. [[> Escape.]] [[> Stay still.]]

You start to move, a mad dash between the space the speeders left for you. But it’s all to not. A blaster bolt aimed perfectly in front of you stops you in your tracks.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.12)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “Wrong move.” the masked woman says as she’s back on her speeder. And before you get the chance to respond she drives right past you smacking her fist in your face. And all you see is nothing. [[...]]

“We need a code for your bag don’t we?” the woman says to you. You gulp and nod.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.1)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “Give it to us.” “I can’t…” you tell her, you can’t. You need it. You can’t have them ruin it. “Give it to us. Now.” she aims her gun at you causing you to shake. The other masked people do the same. But you stay steadfast. You stay silent. You’re great at not saying words. “Fine.” the masked woman says. She gets off her speeder and walks over to you you tremble fearing the worst as she gets closer and closer. You can see it just in the way that she walks she's built for battle. Built to hurt, but instead of smashing your face open or something graphic she pulls your lithe arm forward and clasps cuffs on it. “Follow. Now.” her companions aim their blasters at you. And you realize that you don't have a choice. [[...]]

<div class="thepast">The curfew covered all planets. With the simultaneous attacks on the Republic and Imperium, the older but fresh skirmish in the Tixonois Asteroid Belt, the entire galaxy was holding their breaths as tensions between the three powers of known space grew more and more bloodthirsty with each other. Everyone was waiting - who would fire the first official shot or launch the true squadron of mechas. Who would be the government that started the war. You didn’t care about any of that. [[ The war was of no concern to you. ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">What concerned you was the woman whose house you found yourself trapped in. The official order for the curfew went into effect during one of her charming attempts to turn you into a dedicated coffee drinker. Warnings flared as the AI in the house's voice was replaced with the sound of the governor of the capital city. Commanding everyone to stay in their houses for the next 24 hours. Nobody in and nobody out. It terrified you and Kia when you first heard it but then terrified you for a different reason. You’d be in her house alone with her for the next 24 hours and you don’t know if your heart can handle it. You remember meeting her worried eyes when the declaration came in, you remember how she took your hand. “It’s going to be okay Fjora.” She wasn’t saying it entirely for you. She was saying it for herself. In the reflection she sees in your eyes. You don’t know if it was the reassurance she needed or the fact that you wanted to hold her hand but you took hers as well, and for the first time your hand was on top. [[“It’ll be okay.”]] [[“I’m here for you.”]]</div>

<div class="thepast">She tells you that you're reassuring, she tells you that she's glad you're here. And she says it all with a smile your other hand has your fingers interlock. Her delicate writing hands against your speeder marked hands. Contrasting and yet - fits perfectly. Kia tried to be a generous host. Though she clearly didn’t have a stocking of food for two peoples breakfast and dinner she still swore to cook something for you. She even had a collection of movies she wanted to binge through but never had the time for. You told her that you’re a huge movie fan and she almost didn’t believe you. But it’s true - your mother was obsessed with movies and the obsession transferred to you in some way. She kept telling you about the first Sakai to get into movies. She was an idol for your mother. You wonder if you’ve disappointed her. You rested against her couch and for the first time in Kia’s home you’ve taken off your courier coat revealing more of yourself. Kia’s let her hair down and free. It’s long enough to go past her neck. Kia comes by with a bowl of blue chips placing them on the rest table in front of you, small cups of some light green juice is presented to you as well. You take it with a genuine smile and Kia takes a seat at a distance you’d wish could shorten in some way. The first movie is some flashy action remake, eye catching and nonsensical and immensely inappropriate for the times as a hero is able to prevent an all out war. The entire time there were unspoken words in the air. “Well that was awkward.” She said not missing a beat once the credits rolled. You followed with a small chuckle. “Don’t even know why I picked that one first. It was just in my queue.” she adjusts herself leaning closer to you, before directing to her systems to load the next one. But it was so difficult to focus on the movie when she was just in the corner of your sight, you wanted to focus on her. And you wanted her to focus on you. [[> Keep your focus on the movie.]] [[> Keep your focus on her.]]</div>

<div class="thepast"> She smiles when you say it, and tells you that she's here for you too. Even though you don't need it you're grateful that she's here. You're grateful that you could be close to her. She says thank you for making her feel safe. Kia tried to be a generous host. Though she clearly didn’t have a stocking of food for two peoples breakfast and dinner she still swore to cook something for you. She even had a collection of movies she wanted to binge through but never had the time for. You told her that you’re a huge movie fan and she almost didn’t believe you. But it’s true - your mother was obsessed with movies and the obsession transferred to you in some way. She kept telling you about the first Sakai to get into movies. She was an idol for your mother. You wonder if you’ve disappointed her. You rested against her couch and for the first time in Kia’s home you’ve taken off your courier coat revealing more of yourself. Kia’s let her hair down and free. It’s long enough to go past her neck. Kia comes by with a bowl of blue chips placing them on the rest table in front of you, small cups of some light green juice is presented to you as well. You take it with a genuine smile and Kia takes a seat at a distance you’d wish could shorten in some way. The first movie is some flashy action remake, eye catching and nonsensical and immensely inappropriate for the times as a hero is able to prevent an all out war. The entire time there were unspoken words in the air. “Well that was awkward.” She said not missing a beat once the credits rolled. You followed with a small chuckle. “Don’t even know why I picked that one first. It was just in my queue.” she adjusts herself leaning closer to you, before directing to her systems to load the next one. But it was so difficult to focus on the movie when she was just in the corner of your sight, you wanted to focus on her. And you wanted her to focus on you. [[> Keep your focus on the movie.]] [[> Keep your focus on her.]]</div>

<div class="thepast">Impossible. Impossible. She’s the most eye-catching person you’ve ever seen. looking away from her feels like some sort of crime. The judges are your hearts. And it’s not long before she’s looking at you. She pauses the movie and you’re scared, like you have to apologize for staring but what she says instead she says with a blush. “I’m cold, do you want to share a blanket?”, she holds up the blanket pulling it from the armchair of her couch. You don’t need the blanket. You don’t get cold. “Of course.” [[ One movie. ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">You feign interest in the film as you watch her breath. As you watch her be. Her slow breaths, the reflection of the cheesy drama in her eyes, the marks and blemishes on her face. The outline of the perfect of your affection. By the stars. By the actual stars. And it’s not long before she’s looking at you. She pauses the movie and you’re scared, like you have to apologize for staring but what she says instead she says with a blush. “I’m cold, do you want to share a blanket?”, she holds up the blanket pulling it from the armchair of her couch. You don’t need the blanket. You don’t get cold. “Of course.” [[ One movie. ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">One movie. [[ Two movies. ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">One movie. Two movies. [[ Three movies. ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">One movie. Two movies. Three movies. [[ Four. ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">One movie. Two movies. Three movies. Four. You go scene after scene, credits to opening, each with her resting against you. The boring blanket that doesn’t seem like her covering you from head to toe. Her arms are wrapped around you and you’re sharing laughs as you spill chips on each other. Kia’s put on much more charming movies, more light-hearted, which causes the laughs to come easier. Lets you be gentle, be soft. Be easy. [[> You want this moment to last forever.]] [[> You want to hold her longer.]]</div>

<div class="thepast">You can’t tell what it is. Either the movies, or the softness of the night, the comfort of her skin against yours. But you want it to last forever. Even in this bleak state you want it to last. But the mornings come. And the curfews close. And she looks at you like she’s expecting something. [[ And you give nothing. ]]</div>

<div class="thepast">The feeling of her breathing matches yours, her heart smacks and you can feel it against her chest. She smells like the paper she’s obsessed over and coffee that sat for too long and you adore it. You adore it and you want to tell her how you adore her. But the mornings come. And you say nothing. And you leave when the curfew is close. And she looks at you like she’s expecting something. [[ And you give nothing. ]]</div>

You don’t know how much time has passed as you sit in the snow. Your captors are in a debate as they decide on what to do with you and their apparent loot. An unopenable messenger bag sealed with your code and you unwilling to give it to them. You can’t have the package ruined not even for a moment. You need it to be perfect to make up for everything you did.(set:$gameTime to it + 1.1)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) Or didn’t do. The leader of the pack talks down the tentacled member from taking a blaster and blasting away at the bag to your great blessings. You’ve deduced so far they aren’t military, instead just regular thugs hoping to make money off of the pulling back of major military forces. An action you don’t approve of but you can’t blame. You’re breaking the law in some way right now after all. The three thugs walk over to you all before tossing the messenger bag before you. Seeing it slump against the snow worries you of the contents inside. “Alright, give us the codes to unlock this thing. Now.” [[“No.”]] [[> Shake your head.]]

“Ssssstubborn one ain’t she?” the tentacled one says. You keep your vision squared even if your hands tremble in their shackles. “Her stubbornness only shows how important it is.” the other says with his gravelly voice. The voiced-woman looks to her companions again before leaning down, getting eye to mask level with you. You can see her eyes behind the glass. “You’re making this difficult, too difficult. Ain’t ever met a Courier that was so caring about the package over their life.” she pokes her blaster to your side, and you wince. She notices it too. “Why are you making this difficult. I just don’t get it. What could be in that package that’s so important?” [[> Say nothing.]] [[“What time is it?”]]

“Quiet one ain’t she?” the tentacled one says. You keep your vision squared even if your hands tremble in their shackles. A tentacle of the man smacks next to you in an attempt to shock you. “Oh don't worry we'll find a way to make her talk.” the other says with his gravelly voice. The voiced-woman looks to her companions again before leaning down, getting eye to mask level with you. You can see her eyes behind the glass. “You’re making this difficult, too difficult. Ain’t ever met a Courier that was so caring about the package over their life.” she pokes her blaster to your side, and you wince. She notices it too. “Why are you making this difficult. I just don’t get it. What could be in that package that’s so important?” [[> Say nothing.]] [[“What time is it?”]]

“Ssssilent? It musst be money.” “No! Not money, it’s got to be military plans! Or weapons! Something we can sell for money!” the two men behind her look to each other in an excited manner. The woman still looks at you. “It’s important to you.” she says, holding up the package in front of your face. “That’s why you won’t open it for us.” she stands and holds her blaster to the package. “Which means it’s either sentimental riches or worthless trash.” [[> Keep saying nothing.]] [[“Wait! Please!” ]]

There’s silence all before the woman looks to her wrist bringing up a yellow holographic interface. It shows the time and your biggest worry is eliminated. It's $gameTime, you still have time. You still have time. Not a lot but still enough time. “The time… there’s someone you have to get this to. Someone time sensitive?” “It’s important to you.” she says, holding up the package in front of your face. “That’s why you won’t open it for us.” she stands and holds her blaster to the package. “Which means it’s either sentimental riches or worthless trash.” [[> Say nothing.]] [[“Wait! Please!” ]]

“Oh?” that causes each of them to look at you. Your worried expression says it all. It gives you away. “So I was right.” you cast your head down in a sense of defeat. “That’ssss the bosssss for ya!” “Always right haha!” the two masked men high five behind their leader. And you can't help but feel hate at their joy. [[“So. The code.”]] she says. No. Commands.

You grit yourself, you can’t let them have power over you. Even if your hearts tear at themselves, when you see the woman’s trigger finger get closer.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.05)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) She can do it. She’s a criminal. There are no morals, no nothing. She can do it. She can ruin everything with a simple press of the trigger. [[> Keep Saying absolutely nothing.]] [[“Wait!”]]

You’re being foolish. If you lose this you lose everything. You can’t say silent here. (set:$gameTime to it + 0.08)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) You didn’t have a choice here. [[“Wait!”]]

“Please!” you mutter defeated. This was the most you can do. All you’ve done is waste time. “Alright then.” the masked leader says with what you can assume is a smile. (set:$gameTime to it + 0.01)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) [[“So. The code.”]] she says. No. Commands.

<div class="thepast">“When’s your birthday Fjora?” she asked you when you sat staring at the cup of water she’s poured for you. Your memories of your night here are still sitting heavy in your chest. You don’t know how you’re supposed to feel. “Mine?” “Yes, yours, that’s what I asked.” she said sitting on the table, she’s a terrible obsession with sitting places that aren’t chairs, near you. She’s on another cup of coffee even if it’s gone cold at this point. “The thirtieth day of the fourteenth month.” “Ah perfect, I still have tons of time.” “You do?” “I have to make sure I get you a great gift.” [[“I don’t really need a gift Kia.” ]] [[“Oh? What - what are you going to get me?”]]</div>

<div class="thepast">“Nonsense! Everyone needs a birthday gift. After all you’re ---” the hesitation, “important to me.” “Well,” you hesitate too,“thank you, even if I feel as if it's unneeded.” “I want to Fjora, I desperatly want to.” she comes closer to you, leaning forward and you lean in as well. Finding ever a reason to knock down those lasts few walls. “I want to make it [[memorable]] just for you.”</div>

<div class="thepast">“Not sure. But I’m thinking a trip.” “A trip?” “Mmh, just the two of us. We can go on a cross planet cruise or something like that. It'll be memorable.” “Really? Can you afford it?” “Once my book sells like hotcakes I can afford anything. And I'll use it ot treat you.” you smile, and nervously run your hand on your thigh. “Well thank you.” “Of course Fjora, after all it has to be [[memorable]].”</div>

“//1430//,” the woman taps into the bag’s interface. It claps open. “What is that?”(set:$gameTime to it + 0.01)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “A date I was looking forward to.” you reply. The first time you’d be actively looking forward to your birthday. The masked woman shrugs and finally looks into the bag that has had her and her team enraptured. You feel dirty, like someone is looking into your private affairs, seeing you bare. “What in the fuck is this?” the gravelly voice says. “Thisssss is ridiculousss!” the tentacled man says. And before you know it a bag of coffee is thrown before you. A rather large bag. Big enough to lasts the average coffee drinker a few months. But her it would last a few weeks. “This is what you were so secretive about?” you're worried that the bag was ruined. It’s contents spilled out. The woman scoffs again. “Must be expensive coffee.” and she’s before you again tipping your head to face her with her gun. She’s about to say something but she’s stopped by: [[> Your saddened tears. ]] [[> Your angered expression.]]

The tears feel strange on your face. And it’s most likely due to the cold air. “What are you so upset for?” the woman asks. And she looks at you. Before undoing her mask, to reveal blue skin and a square jaw. A scarred lip and sharp red eyes. [[“Your other heart… does it beat?”]]

It’s been ruined, sullied, your only chance. Gone just like this. How could you have avoided this? “What are you so upset for?” the woman asks. And she looks at you. Before undoing her mask, to reveal blue skin and a square jaw. A scarred lip and sharp red eyes. [[“Your other heart… does it beat?”]]

<div class="thepast">War’s been declared. Three ruling powers each equipped with a sizable force are putting every asset on the line. The protests didn’t matter, the peace talks amounted to nothing. War across the galaxy. Death on every side. Heartbreak everywhere. And she is looking at you from the porch, a pained expression, a tearful gaze. You are standing in the calm snow. “My father is coming to pick me up. He’s worried that by staying here I can remain a casualty. I leave tomorrow.” “When?” “$timeEnd, that’s when he’ll get here.” “But - it doesn’t matter where you are, you could still…” you don’t want her to leave. You need her to stay. “I told him that but he’s insistent. I’ve finished writing so I don’t have any real reason to stay. I need a reason to stay...” you could be the reason you want to say. But you don’t. She walks over to you instead closing the gap, the distance and she takes your hand. “Fjora, stop me if I’m overstepping, but I have to see something.” she moves closer, much closer, your walls are shattering. [[> Don’t stop.]] [[“Don’t stop.”]]</div>

<div class="thepast">Your lips meet hers, in a moment you’ve been dreaming for. Without you even knowing you’ve dreamt for it. Her arms wrap around you and you kiss back. You’ve kissed people before but you’ve never kissed her before. She’s less experienced just in the subtle ways she hesitates but she goes all in. Because that’s who Kia is. She’s someone who goes all in. The fall has no ending for her. And you want to reach that lack of an ending with her. You - want - ***Her.*** ***Ba-dump*** And you know it’s true because for the first time, the stillborn heart inside of you bursts to life, you feel it in all its power in all it’s grace and the wonders of the stories you’ve been told growing up. And your emotions are overtaking you as you respond in earnest. You want to be with her. You need to be with her and she feels the same. [[> So why did you pull away?]]</div>

<div class="thepast">Because you were scared. Because you have nothing to offer but your love. Because you’re a Courier and that’s all you know how to do best. And that’s always what you’ve known to do. You don't know how to wake up next to someone, how to give your all to someone. You don't know how to hold someone gentle or how to expose yourself and all your vulnerabilites to them. You’ve never been a good friend or a good daughter. And all you'll do is hurt her. You can’t be a good lover. You don't know how to be a lover. “Fjora,” she says heartbroken, choked in tears when you back away. “I’m sorry I-” “It’s not-” “No I am I - I just thought,” “No Kia it’s not you.” it could never be her. She means everything to you but all you’ll do is hold her back. Kia deserves better, she deserves to be safe. She deserves to be with someone who will let her fly or at least when she soars you can follow. You back away again, bumping against your speeder causing your messenger bag to fall. You couldn't follow, because you're you. Your ears are begging for silence as your hearts smack and smack. “Kia I’m sorry.” is all you can say. You can’t tell how hard you cried on [[ your way back to the city. ]], but you know how hard your hearts ***hurt***.</div>

You’re here now. In the snow before three bandits, the two men confused why their leader just revealed herself to you. You are staring at the coffee and all your mistakes all your cowardice. “Is it beating?” She's demanding an answer. [[“Yes.” of course it is. You should have told her you loved her.]] [[“No.” you’ll lie, because you don’t want them to know.]]

“Yes, yes yes,” you say, admitting it, finally admitting it. “It’s loud, it’s so loud.” it's loud because you need her. You need Kia. “Bosss what the hell isss-” she cuts him off. Immediately. “Sakai biology. Two hearts. But the second only beats when they find their heart-beater. Their soulmate.” “What in the world are you talking about?” the woman walks behind you and unclasps your shackles. “Wha-” you say choking on your own emotions as your hands are back in front of you. The woman is back before you and takes the coffee. “My best friend told me what it’s like. To have two hearts. One beating for one person. The feelings are overbearing, they’re so strong. This coffee is for them isn’t it?” You blink. [[ Nod. ]]

“Don’t lie to me Courier. I know it’s true.” she comes down to your level again and places her hand against your chest. “Let me feel it. That second heart.” “Bosss what the hell-” “It’s Sakai biology. They’ve got two hearts, but one is silent for a majority of life until a Sakai meets their heart-beater. Their soulmate.” she knows. She knows the story. Advance science has tried to quantify the reasons for it. But have come up with nothing. “Let me feel your second heart Courier.” You have no control over it. Your second heart. Your heart that beats for Kia. But you squirm and try to back away, try and deny it in your head. You’re worried what the bandits will do if they learn about her. But when her hand comes against your ribs she can feel it. Two pulses, beating in tandem. “I knew it. Why are you hiding it.” [[“Why do you care?” ]]

You stand alongside her and while her men are confused they clearly know better than to ask questions. She walks you over to the speeders and sits on top of one.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.07)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “Come on. Tell me where you need to go. I’ll take you. The tundra’s dangerous if you’re unequipped. I’ll take you where you have to go.” “Boss…” the gravelly one says, you turn around to them. The other two masked men are staring at you and before long they walk beside you getting onto their speeder. “This is stupid but - we’re in this together so.” “If the bossss thinks its important. Then it’s important. Besidesss a soulmate hm? Thatssss got to be sssuuuper romantic.” you have no words. No feasible words. All you can do is get on the back of the speeder and clutch onto the Boss, whose shaved head turns to you. [[“Where to?”]]

The ride is quick and thank goodness for that. Because you genuinely have no idea where in the world you are in relative to Kia’s place. Your escorts of bandits help in getting where you need to go. And while their Boss has to keep pace with everyone else you’re still making good time. You can make it. You really can. (set:$gameTime to it + 1)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “We’ve got a problem!” one of the bandits says, pointing his speeder to three winged creatures that have come into view. Shining crystals gleam from their body. “Damn, itsssssss Vii-Ons, they mussssst be hungry!” “Evade them!” the boss shouts and the three speeders begin swerving to avoid the enclosing Vii-On’s attacks, they’re trying to snatch you up with their claws. You keep your grip on the Boss ducking your head to avoid the creatures. Her allies start blasting away at the creatures hoping to hit them to no avail. [[“Keep going!”]] [[“You have to stop!”]]

You shout and the Boss nods, before looking to her allies.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.2)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “We’re going to get you there Courier! No matter what!” The two other bandits speed ahead of you before coming to a swerving stop. Now fully stationary they start to make more accurate shots at the Vii-Ons. You speed past them and the Boss looks back. She looks worried. Too worried. And you wonder if she had a second heart if it would beat for her allies. “Stay.” you say to her, and she blinks. “What but -” “Stay. I’ll be fine. Go back to them.” the Boss blinks one more time and chuckles before bringing the speeder to a stop. You two exchange a nod before separating, you hear her shout a cry of motivation to her allies. “Let's take these fucking birds down!” "You got it boss!" "Lettsss do it!" You smile to yourself as the bond of the bandits fuels you with the motivation to get to your most valued bond, your hearts beating as you race [[off.]]

“What?!”(set:$gameTime to it + 0.3)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “You can’t hit them at this speed! You’re going to get killed!” “But what about-?” she’s cut off by a talon getting too close. All before kissing her teeth. “Tch, everyone stop!” the Boss says as you all come to a swerving stop. She gets off her speeder and takes out her blaster. You’re about to get off to as the Vii-Ons circle you, but the Boss stops you. “No. You go ahead. We’ll distract them.” “What?” “I’m not going to get in the way of love. Not again. Go.” she turns around before firing more shots at the Vii-Ons, her men follow suit going to her side. You look at them before looking at your messenger bag. “Fellas let's take tehse fucks out so we can get some proper dinner tonight!” “//Good// dinner! No rations tonight?!” one of them says with a laugh. “I'll treat you all to something absolutely fucking amazing!” You don’t have time. You have to get going, the bond of the bandits acts as motivation for you and you give them a silent thank you before speeding [[off.]]

(if:$gameTime < $timeEnd)[You cut the speeder off when you’re in front of her place. And your fears come to you all at once. Your hearts are pounding. Because the lights are off. And the lights are never off. You quickly run up the stairs refusing to check the time because you don’t want to believe it. You don’t want to believe it. You open the door and see nobody. Nobody is home. She’s not here. “No, no…” you mutter to yourself as you feel wild emotions start to come over you. Did you fail? Did you mess this up? “No…” you run a hand across the counter of her kitchen unsure of what to do. Unsure of what to think - was it all not worth it in the end. The journey’s destination had left already. You can feel tears coming but then you smell it. Coffee. And the door opens. “Whoever is in here I just want you to know I’m -” you turn to see her, wrapped in a tight coat and a hat that covers most of her hair. She’s holding a book as her makeshift weapon and when she sees you she drops it. “Fjora-?” she’s confused but you waste no time. Running over to her you embrace her causing her to jump in surprise. But she doesn’t back away, instead her arms naturally wrap around you too. “Fjora I thought -” you interrupt her by placing the messenger bag in her hands. She blinks in surprise and with every emotion, fear- hurt - comfort - security - love so much ***LOVE*** - in your two hearts you say: “I want to have coffee with you!” you shout pouring every bit of your soul into it. And there’s silence. Before Kia comes to a smile. “You came all the way here to tell me that?” “Yes,” you confeess, she presses herself to you and you’re the first one to kiss her. “I thought you hated coffee,” she whispers before kissing you again, you see the start of tears in her eyes. “I'll learn to love it. I'll learn.” you whisper back. You kiss her again. You see the start of tears in her eyes, and you kiss her again. And you kiss her as the coffee brews. And you'll kiss her as the galaxy goes on & on. ] (else:)[You cut the speeder off when you’re in front of her place. And your fears come to you all at once.. Your hearts are pounding. Because the lights are off. And the lights are never off. You quickly run up the stairs refusing to check the time because you don’t want to believe it. You don’t want to believe it. But when you open the door it’s true. The house looks empty, it lacks that smell. There’s nobody here. Kia is gone. And you didn’t get to tell her. You clutch to your messenger bag as you slowly make your way to the couch. The furniture remained but the person who would sit on it like it’s nothing is gone, the woman who kissed you right outside is gone. You weren’t fast enough, despite all your efforts you weren’t fast enough. You clutch to the messenger bag. Alone. You finally check your time: $gameTime] [[Thank you For Playing!]]

“Because. I had a friend once. A Sakai. They told me what the second heart is like. If you feel that strongly about someone that’s why you were so protective about the package. “ she unclasps the locks behind you and helps you stand up. Before you can get another word in the messenger bag is placed in your hands again.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.09)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “I’m not going to stand in the way of something like that.” you blink again. “Come on.” she says. “Boss wait!” “You two stay here. I’ll be back before long.” “We don’t know even what’s going on! She could be lying or something! She didn’t even admit it! If she’s leading you to a trap!” “She’s not. I can feel it.” “Stars Bosssss, you want us to just stay here?” “Yes.” “Jeeez, fine fine we’ll stay. But you better be back quickly.” “I will. [[So where we going Courier?”]]

The ride is quick and thank goodness for that. Because you genuinely have no idea where in the world you are in relative to Kia’s place. Your escorts of a single lady bandit helps in getting where you need to go. From what she’s told you it’s a straight shot from where you are. Just a single straight shot. You feel yourself knocking away those buildings of anxiety that have made root. Until suddenly you hear a sharp screech. You look up to see three winged creatures that have come into view. Shining crystals gleam from their body.(set:$gameTime to it + 1.2)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “Vii-ons!” you shout to the Boss, she looks up and sees the creatures. “Shit they must have been hungry! Everything on this planet wants to eat you. Hold on!” you do so and she ups the speed going as fast as the speeder can take her all while dodging the pecks and scratches from the beasts. But it’s getting increasingly difficult as the three Vii-Ons keep pace with ease. “This isn’t working! We need a plan!” she shouts and you look around desperate for some sort of idea before suddenly the Boss starts to speak again. “It’s a straight shot from here. So you just keep going and you’ll be fine!” “What?” “I said it’s a straight shot! So keep going and you’ll be fine!” and before you get another word in the Boss brings the speeder to a stop quickly unclasping her belt and taking out her blaster. You know what she’s going to do. [[“No! You can’t!” ]] [[“Thank you...”]]

“Don’t worry about me Courier. I’ve fought bigger. And badder.”(set:$gameTime to it + 0.6)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “But why would you?” is she really willing to die for you, is she going to be okay!? “I’m not getting in the way of love again. And I don't plan on dying and leaving my boys behind. Now go! Go!” you blink before accepting that there’s no winning here. You don’t have time. You have to move. You hesitate at first before kicking the speeder past the approaching Vii-Ons. When you turn around you see them circling Boss. She's firing shots and shouting what you can assume is a proper war cry. She's really giving it her all. But despite it you can’t see if she’s winning before speeding [[off.]] You just hope she is.

“Please, don’t die.” you say to her and the Boss of the bandits who held you hostage for a while winks.(set:$gameTime to it + 0.04)(set: $gameTime to it * 100)(set: $gameTime to (round: $gameTime))(set: $gameTime to it / 100) “I’ll be fine, I've got people waiting for me just like you do right?” “Right.” “That's what I thought. Now go!” you nod and turn the bike around, shooting past the Vii-Ons who are too distracted by Boss’s shots to care for you. You give one more silent thank you before speeding [[off.]]

You cut the speeder off when you’re in front of her place. And your fears come to you all at once. Your hearts are pounding. Because the lights are off. And the lights are never off. You quickly run up the stairs refusing to check the time because you don’t want to believe it. You don’t want to believe it. You open the door and see nobody. Nobody is home. She’s not here. “No, no…” you mutter to yourself as you feel wild emotions start to come over you. Did you fail? Did you mess this up? “No…” you run a hand across the counter of her kitchen unsure of what to do. Unsure of what to think - was it all not worth it in the end. The journey’s destination had left already. You can feel tears coming but then you smell it. Coffee. And the door opens. “Whoever is in here I just want you to know I’m -” you turn to see her, wrapped in a tight coat and a hat that covers most of her hair. She’s holding a book as her makeshift weapon and when she sees you she drops it. “Fjora-?” she’s confused but you waste no time. Running over to her you embrace her causing her to jump in surprise. But she doesn’t back away, instead her arms naturally wrap around you too. “Fjora I thought -” you interrupt her by placing the messenger bag in her hands. She blinks in surprise and with every emotion, fear- hurt - comfort - security - love so much LOVE - in your two hearts you say: “I want to have coffee with you!” you shout puring every bit of your soul into it. And there’s silence. Before Kia comes to a smile. “Okay, okay, we’ll have a cup.” “And then another?” you ask, she presses herself to you and you’re the first one to kiss her.. “And another,” she whispers. “And more,” you whisper back. You kiss her again. You see the start of tears in her eyes, and you kiss her again. And even if there’s war outside you’re kissing her. And no matter what you’ll always be kissing her.

[ bad ending stuff ] You cut the speeder off when you’re in front of her place. And your fears come to you all at once.. Your hearts are pounding. Because the lights are off. And the lights are never off. You quickly run up the stairs refusing to check the time because you don’t want to believe it. You don’t want to believe it. But when you open the door it’s true. The house looks empty, it lacks that smell. There’s nobody here. Kia is gone. And you didn’t get to tell her. You clutch to your messenger bag as you slowly make your way to the couch. The furniture remained but the person who would sit on it like it’s nothing is gone, the woman who kissed you right outside is gone. You weren’t fast enough, despite all your efforts you weren’t fast enough. You clutch to the messenger bag. Alone. You finally check your time: $gameTime

(align: "=><==")[Credits: Lawrence Marable ( writer / designer ) Rahul Yerramneedi ( logo and page art ) ] (align: "=><==")[Thank you so much for playing! Remember that you are loved!]