Chapter Text
There are times for a society when it doesn’t matter anymore if you are getting children. Or when you are getting children. There are an awful lot of people on the planet anyway. A lot of them also struggling. So it didn’t matter if the birth rate would go down. Actually, in the past month, they had advertised that it would be better if the rate would be sinking. So, no shame in not getting any kids at all.
But not getting children had never been an option. There had to be a child. The only possibility was to delay it. When you could grow so old and stay young forever with enough money in the banks, it actually doesn’t matter when you’re getting offspring. You could be one hundred years old and be not too old. They didn’t want to wait that long, but they also didn’t want a child in their twenties or thirties. Or forties. You get it. They both had been busy with their careers and only when the moment came that they were highly successful, they had agreed that it was time for the planning of the next generation. Both their families were influential in Night City and in high positions within Arasaka for generations.
Their own marriage was planned very early in both of their lives. It had been more of a contract between both families than a mutual understanding of him and her. The marriage was set before they had even met. But of course, they wouldn’t object. They knew their role. And so it was their duty to start the next generation and the adequate upbringing.
It was a necessity. Definitely, not a child of love. But that was not too ordinary anyways. This kid had to be born, for they had to carry the family's name. Their name and reputation had to survive for more generations. They had to keep the work for Arasaka alive. They had to get children and carry on. It was easy. That was the only purpose of this child. It was as easy as that. Pretty pragmatic. Nevertheless, they were somewhat excited for the child. It was only natural after you carried an unborn inside of you for several months. And in regards to the awaiting father: if you spend so much money for making sure that the kid would be healthy. That was what counted anyways. Gender didn’t matter, they had no preference. It mostly didn’t matter in this world anyways anymore. Sexism wasn’t dead yet but it was not impossible to be successful and influential no matter the sex or gender. And that was enough for them. The child had to be healthy and ready to be formed to an adequate heir of the family.
Their hopes were high, expectations pretty low as you can form children as you want. But little did they know what disappointment would wait for them in the future.
V was shoving some sushi down, combined with some freshly brewed and steaming hot coffee. You’d be right to say it was a disgusting combination. But V liked it. Their breakfast had been out of the ordinary as long as they could think and as much as they were aware their parents didn’t bother at all. As long as they got all the nutrients they needed they couldn’t care less. The teen clicked the chopsticks against the counter they were sitting at. Right before the wide-open windows. A full glass wall that you could open on days like these letting in a warm breeze. One of the few days without disgusting rain. The view was breathtaking when the weather was nice. With sandstorms, rain (or even acid rain), or too many clouds it wasn’t as nice anymore. It made Night City ugly to look at. Well … uglier as it was anyways compared to the houses in North Oak that were high tech, the best architects could offer these years while Night City was … well, you mostly could see who was living in the districts. It showed.
The crystal blue infinity pool was laying before them, fitting perfectly into the unblocked view down the city and V wondered if they should go for a swim later. If they had time. Probably not. The song changed. With a groan, they muttered: »Next.« And the house intern AI recognized their voice, playing the next song. It was some rock song. V wasn’t sure what its name was exactly, but they knew it was old. Basically too old to listen to anyways, but they couldn’t deny that it had some charm. Now and then you could listen to it. V's head was nodding to the rhythm of the song. Until the song stopped. Confused they looked around.
Steady, clear steps echoed from the expensive walls with the even more expensive artworks. On high heels, their mother walked into the room. Her voice clear, determining, even sharper now that she hadn’t to talk against the music. She had this weird presence that always urged V not to argue with her at all. Her voice alone was enough to simply nod and be on your way. »No, Arthur«, she said. »I do not care why you didn’t manage to do what I asked of you.«
Well, poor guy on the line, V thought. They wouldn’t want to swap with them. The teen knew too well what would be coming next and they decided that they didn’t want to hear how their mother was ripping the guy apart. Probably someone younger, just started their career, working their way up in the business. But well… there was a good chance that their career was already over now. Depending on how big their mistake had been. V’s sympathy for them was only that big, they had learned pretty early that you don’t have to pity those that don’t do what you are asking of them. If they were under you they had to do everything and beyond to get you what you wanted. So… too bad for Arthur. Perhaps he would figure it out somehow.
Quickly, V gulped down some vitamin pills, laid their finger on the scanner that was built in the corner. Their daily nutrition data so far showed up. Not enough iron. V rolled their eyes. Yeah, as always. They had to get some supplements later again. Was it actually weird that their family monitored their health that meticulously? V didn’t know it any differently than that. With one hand they straightened their expensive clothes, slipped into their shoes, and left. Nowadays they didn’t bother anymore to tell anyone in the house when they were leaving and where to. No one would listen anyway. And as long as V was wearing this fancy wristband their parents would know anyway. A short smile crept on V’s face. Well, too bad, today was the day for some secrets. They took the wristband off and threw it in one of the many vases on their way to the main door. They left without a single word. Yeah, V could already hear what their parents would say regarding their behaviour, but they wouldn’t have to know and as long V was back and okay they would never know. So the teen wasn’t too bothered at all.
They walked across the clean walkway next to precisely cut bright green grass (almost didn’t look real with that vibrant colour) towards the dark, metallic gate. Cameras from different angles swayed their way, focusing on them as they walked towards a black Delamain car and got in. »Good morning«, they were greeted by the well-known AI voice. The pale face with the blue lip colour appeared on the small screen in front of V.
»Morning, Del«, they said, scooting a little moreover.
»I hope, you have a delightful day.«
»Yeah, sure. It’s gonna get better now.« The AI only nodded. V actually enjoyed talking to Del. They used the automatic driving service often. The teen didn‘t want their own designated driver as they felt like they couldn’t go to places as they wanted without their parents knowing. And as their parents strictly forbid them to drive on their own the expensive service had been the only option. Granted, their parents would know where V was going this way as well but it at least had a different feel to it. And V could lie to themselves that their parents didn’t know. And after all these years with the AI … they kind of felt like a friend so V was almost sure that Del would hide some information from V’s parents if the teen asked them to.
»Where are we heading to today?«, the AI asked.
»To the Cherry Blossom Market, in Japantown.«
»As you wish.«
Soft music started playing and V’s gaze drifted outside the window as the car started moving off the family property.