"How was it yesterday with the girls?"
"It was okay, I apologized to Shaphira."
"For what?"
"For almost killing her."
"Ah..."
Slady and Ferinish walked through Libretanhya, with no worries to bother them. People continued their routines, while others ran toward a crowd.
He took his time, Ferinish too. He was already getting ready to go out, his hand searching for his partner's.
"Can we hold hands? It might be nice."
Slady looked at her innocently, nodding.
"Take it."
He extended his mechanical hand, and Ferinish took it, intertwining their fingers. The sensation was pleasant; it seemed like the right thing to do in Slady's mind.
"How did I end up in bed?"
"Elisa brought you, she told me you ended up falling asleep after a 'long conversation.'"
"I didn't know I was so light..."
Slady looked away slightly, closed her eyes briefly, and sighed.
"I'm happy to be here, Ferinish. I hope you can be happy too."
"Thank you."
She smiled slightly, her cheeks almost creating a small blue flame, as if she'd blushed. The two arrived in the crowd, where a stage stood in front of the Libretanhya Criminal Investigation Department.
Rinoto Kyouri, a man known for having served the justice system for decades, was about to retire. He was appointing two Special Investigators to fill his position as Captain and Chief of the department...
Rin Yuang and Roger Trager. Their "test" would be to investigate Libretanhya's biggest murder case, "The Theatrical Killer" or "Killer of the Century."
"I trust these two servants of justice can rid the streets of Libretanhya of these monsters!"
People clap and shout, some seem hesitant, as if investigating someone who eliminates criminals were somehow strangely wrong.
"Mister Kyouri!"
A young man raised his hand; the older man nodded in response.
"Tell me, young man!"
"Why would you seek out someone who eliminates criminals from the streets? Wouldn't he be helping you and the people of Libretanhya?"
The crowd fell silent, but some nodded. Rin Yuang remained silent, a little embarrassed to be in public. Roger remained strangely cool. Rinoto nodded, answering the young man's question.
"This person behind all these murders isn't a judge of right or wrong. He's just a sick man who wants to satisfy his murderous desires with the civilians of Libertãnhya..."
"And in the end, everyone deserves a second chance!"
'Until they kill their family, of course.' (Slady's thoughts)
The young man tried to argue, but remained silent...
After the lecture, the people left. Rinoto gave the two investigators a friendly, firm slap on the back.
"Anyway, good luck with this case; it will determine who will replace me in the future."
He smiled and left. Rin Yuang tried to speak to Roger, but he turned coldly and walked away. His gaze fell on Slady and Ferinish, who were sitting on a bench, and he walked over to them with a nostalgic look.
"It's been a while, Slady! What happened to you to disappear for a year?"
"A few problems, but nothing major."
He coughed. Rin Yuang looked at Ferinish, who stared back at her calmly. Despite her condition, she felt a chill on the back of her neck as she looked at him, as if she were facing someone she shouldn't provoke.
"You are...?"
"Ferinish Lawhell."
"Are you friends with Slady?"
Ferinish looked at the man beside her, as if asking for help.
"She's my partner."
Rin Yuang's eyes widened, her jaw dropping in shock.
"This beautiful- I mean, this girl is your girlfriend?"
"If you want to refer to her, yes."
If Rin Yuang could, she would have fainted. She sat down beside them, staring at Ferinish's well-built body.
"You must be very strong. Slady is lucky to have someone powerful to protect him."
"I..."
Ferinish looked embarrassed, almost lighting a blue flame on her face, but it was quickly extinguished by Slady.
"What happened in that lecture, Rin?"
Rin Yuang leaned back in her seat, tired.
"Roger and I are competing for a position; they decided to put us in charge of finding the biggest criminals in Libertãnhya..."
"But that doesn't seem right. The crime rate has dropped a lot in recent years, and it's probably not because of police efficiency. This killer is helping the police, and they still want to catch him."
Slady rested her cheek on her hand, thinking.
"I don't want to discourage her from doing her job, but I need to keep myself from getting into trouble."
"Do what you think is necessary, Rin Yuang. It's better to have a clear conscience than to get a good position and have a heavy mind."
"Thank you, Slady. I'll think about it deeply."
She stood and waved to them both, leaving. Ferinish looked at Slady curiously.
"Did you try to talk her out of the investigation?"
"Partially."
"What do you mean?"
"It depends on her interpretation. Rin Yuang is a very principled woman, but she wouldn't do something she thinks is wrong just because she's told to..."
"Even if it ends up with her starting to investigate me, I don't want to stop her from doing what she believes is right."
Ferinish was surprised by her partner's words, giving a small smile.
"Even with who you are, you can still be a good friend... and a good partner."
As a reward, Ferinish grabbed Slady's hands and pulled him close, kissing his temple. He closed his eyes.
"That's nice."
The woman wrapped her arms around Slady's shoulders, bringing him to her chest and cradling him. Her fingers stroked his hair, but suddenly, she found a white streak.
"What is it?"
"What is it?" (She asked in a muffled voice)
"Your hair is starting to get some gray."
Abruptly, Slady pulled away and stroked his hair, staring at the white streak. Then, a memory invaded his mind.
***
In his mental sanctuary, Slady sat bored.
"I need to wake up soon. I can't leave Ferinish alone in IceStorm,"
He commented. Truth, who had been mediating, turned her head toward him.
"She's a capable woman, trust her. Didn't you feel or hear her when she was caring for you after that fatal blow?"
"Yes."
He murmured, staring at the ground, feeling weak; he wasn't at all accustomed to care, especially such intimate care. Truth crossed her arms over her chest, resting her chin between her fingers.
"And don't expect to wake up any time soon; you only didn't die because you had me inside you. But you want to know the good part?"
"Tell me."
"You'll have a 'slight' acceleration in your transformation."
Slady raised an eyebrow.
"Explain to me, Truth."
"You remember that when you reach a thousand years of age, you'll literally turn into me, right?"
"Yes..."
"So, every two hundred years, you'll have a trait of mine, right?"
"Yes...?"
"Why did you hesitate?"
"Why do I still have a question: what will happen in the first part?"
"Oh yes!"
Truth floated toward Slady, running her hand over her head.
"You'll have my locks, you'll have hair just like mine! And that will allow you to regain a good portion of the emotions and sensations a human feels! Isn't that amazing?"
Slady closed her eyes.
"Yes, it's amazing."
***
After remembering, Slady looked at Ferinish.
"Can you help me with something?"