Chapter Text
Ten-Mou City was a sprawling, modern space.
Highways branched out, asphalt criss-crossing like the lines of a spiderweb. Ice-blue buildings stretched upwards, windows squares of bright light. Robloxians and androids alike roamed the space.
It was hyper-industralized; large pipes and thick wires ran across the walls of buildings. Fans whirred, adding onto the noisy hum of bullet-trains and buses speeding along tight roads.
The roads of Ten-Mou City were tiered, with two layers. The bottom was occupied by cars and buses speeding across, shadowed by the upper road, which was reserved for the traffic of trains. The trains were extremely fast, zipping across the city in mere moments.
Streetlights dotted sidewalks, casting spotlights on every block. The pallete of the city was icy; pastel blues, pristine whites, and grays. All reminiscent of winter, the staple aesthetic of Ten-Mou. Tourists were drawn into the novel look, flocking major areas.
Most importantly, the company CielCay ruled over the place. They capitalized on the city. Flyers with their logo; mass-produced androids performing tasks; all sorts of products under their name. They were pollution.
———
Eunoia had a favourite customer.
She had studied her for quite some time now; each pair of her eyes searched for her across her hivemind.
Nashatra.
Or Valencia, her alias. Had she caught onto the fact that Eunoia knew her true identity?
Nashatra was starkly different from Eunoia. Her hair was curly, often wild, strands astray. She was a tanned almond, splattered in freckles. Imperfect stretch marks streaked her hips like lightning bolts. Her body was warm and organic, skin wrapping around bone instead of metal struts.
She was human. Flawed.
Contrastingly, perfection was a key factor of Eunoia. Symmetry in synthetic hair and face; voice of an even calm. Her limbs were ball-jointed, doll-like. Eunoia's demeanour was always polite, well-mannered. Her inner-workings were made up of a network of wires and steel.
She was an android, one of many.
Eunoia was not a singular being; rather, she was a hivemind of bodies under one system. All with the same appearance, all moving independently.
She filled a void no imperfect human could. That was her key factor as CielCay's product.
I find it rather amusing, Nashatra, that you believe your identity as a Sleepwalker hasn't been caught onto. I do not need a particularly keen eye to catch onto your... rather conspicuous traits.
Eunoia leaned in, resting her forearms on the countertop. She smiled, voice inviting as she spoke.
"You must be tired after your duties, Val. Are you sure you must continue?"
"I prefer you call me Valencia," she corrected sharply before continuing. "Are you trying to insinuate I'm ill-equipped for my duties?"
I did not mean to evoke such defensiveness; I suppose it's an element of her nature, Eunoia thought.
"No," Eunoia clarified, a hint of humour lacing her tone. "I'm simply suggesting a break might offer some benefit to your performance. As well, after a brief scanning, I've noticed your heartrate is abnormally high; is something the matter?"
Her face darkened, tipping her hat. "Thank you, but I'm sure I'll be alright."
She rapped the countertop with slender fingers. "Negative emotions can manifest into deeper issues if left unresolved. Speaking to someone can be an outlet for these emotions, offering an ease to such stresses."
"May I be that someone, Valencia?" she asked.
Her blue eyes scanned her curiously, analyzing each component of her facial expression. She concluded a weary look on Nashatra's face.
"...Yes."
"Well then, what is the bother?"
"I will admit: My constant work causes strain. Even during times in which I should be relaxed, I feel I am in a constant state of craving productivity. I cannot feel sufficient unless I am moving."
"If you are constantly moving forward, you will quickly find your body will fall into exhaustion and be unable to perform properly. Thorough, regular breaks are essential to the productivity you desire. It's no good otherwise!"
"I suppose I will take this into account," Nashatra considered. "But, how can I truly rest if it does not relax me?"
"If you cannot relax your emotions, relax your body at the very least. And, again, speaking to another offers an outlet to relieve mental stresses."
"What do you gain from helping me?" Nashatra asked suspiciously.
"A satiated curiosity. But, moreso, I find purpose in fulfilling the needs of others. It is my duty as an android, after all."
"A satiated curiousity for...?"
"You," Eunoia answered simply.
Nashatra seemed both confused and somewhat perturbed. "What aspect of me?"
"All of you, but piece by piece," she explained. "Right now, I am analyzing your relationship with separating work from life. Does your work provide you with purpose, and, if so, do you believe there is nothing outside of that purpose?"
"I... that is a rather blunt way of putting things."
"Ah, sorry! I suppose I can unintentionally word things harshly. I am not interrogating you; rather, I am asking kindly as a listening ear."
Nashatra admitted, "If you are so curious, I do suppose my duties offer a higher purpose in my eyes."
"Aha! Then I am correct in my assessment, yes?" Eunoia's eyes gleamed, ready to stow away new knowledge.
"Somewhat."
"Correct me on what I've gotten wrong, so I can create a more accurate conclusion?" she asked.
Nashatra shook her head. Eunoia grew inwardly dejected at this; she sought more answers.
"I would rather some things remain private matters," Nashatra said.
"Yes," Eunoia agreed. "It's very important to not parade one's personal matters around frivolously. But do know, I have no malicious intent in learning about you. Understanding you gives me a better means to offer advice."
"I appreciate that."
"Well, I suppose you should be on your way?" Eunoia changed the topic.
"You'd like me to leave?"
"No, I most enjoy your precense. I only thought you might like to leave, considering you're so busy!"
"You're so adamant on me taking breaks, I may as well take one for a moment."
Ah. So my advice stuck with her, as stubborn as she is? Progress seems to have been had.
"I am most honoured you would like to spend time with me, Val."
She did not correct the nickname this time. Eunoia noted this.
She made a sweeping gesture over the aisles of her shop. "Feel free to take a thing or two that may aid you; I do not expect payment." She added, "Other than your company, of course." Eunoia winked.
"Thank you. I have enough time to spend a moment here; I don't have much to do in this particular city."
"Have you considered browsing the city? Ten-Mou is full of the latest fashions, you know. Cuisine as well!"
Nashatra began sifting through frost-coloured items on the shelves dividing the shop. She continued the conversation as she moved around.
"I'm not one for trends in fashion," Nashatra declined. "I prefer practicality."
Eunoia countered, "You cannot be both fashionable and practical?"
"Well, flashy clothes are of no use to me. Mine are perfectly good as is."
"The light-coloured fabric would complement you perfectly, Valencia!"
Nashatra approached the white counter with two frost-pumpkins balanced in her arms. Each were a light blue, with gray stems. They were shiny, glossy like ice. She settled them onto the counter.
"Everything's unfairly priced because of the tourism around here."
"Who is to say I cannot discount you?"
"That's rather unprofessional." Nashatra raised a brow. "Also, you're awfully set on dressing me. Is something wrong with my current style?"
"No," Eunoia denied.
"Then why are you still arguing your point?"
She attempted to slide gray studs over the counter despite Eunoia's offer. Eunoia refused them, handing them back over.
"Because you need a break," she answered.
Nashatra's face broke into surprise, then annoyance. "You think shopping qualifies as a break? That isn't rest."
"You said you need to be doing something to feel sufficient, yes? Spending time doing nothing stresses you, and of course you cannot work to relax. So, this activity may be helpful," she explained. "Try to think of it differently."
Eunoia opened a cabinet from underneath the counter. She pulled out a plastic bag, placing the small pumpkins inside. Then, Nashatra took it.
Nashatra became resigned. "Fine. I will purchase one shirt before I leave."
"And I may accompany you?"
"...Yes."
Eunoia lit up. "I know many places that you will enjoy!"