Chapter eight, in which nothing really happens xD

[therealkaichan]

Chapter 8
Understanding


When Celine came out of the gate room, she saw Elimiel comfortably sitting in the grass across the street.
“I didn’t expect you of all people.” Celine said as she walked closer to the angel.
“Why not? Haven't I shown enough creepy interest in Nanael’s little pet project by now?”
“I suppose... But it’s still a little weird...”
“Well, maybe you should have called Nanael faster.”
“I... I didn’t think about that.”
“And I had to be here, or you could’ve gotten into trouble with the higher ups.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“Them finding out to begin with.”
“I get it... This is a bit illegal even with the paperwork done, right?”
“Correct. So, you got whatever you needed?”
“Yes, here.” Celine showed Elimiel the little bag. “Whatever Nanael wants should be here.”
“So.... Do I get to take a look?”
“I guess. As long as you don't steal it from me.”
“Deal.” Elimiel got up from where he was sitting, and closed the distance between them to look at the little bag. Celine offered it to him, and he took it, carefully undoing the rope and looking inside.
Celine wasn’t exactly sure why it was, but Elimiel started laughing.
“What happened?”
“That woman, I swear!” He couldn't stop chuckling, as he carefully closed the bag. “I’m not sure what she plans to do with this... But it is true that she can get the Mother Code from here.”
“Really...?”
“Yes, absolutely. But even then she will need time to work on it... And then, believe me she will need one other thing.”
“So there is still a lot of time to go, right?”
“Absolutely. Though to her credit, the idea is actually quite good. She may be able to succeed.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Wow... That sounds really great! If we can stop the machines we can free those who want to live a real life...!”
“You sure are eager, Celine...”
“I... I like this life. I like it a lot more than my old one, even if this one is so full of worries and problems... And I've seen that other humans feel the same way. It’s wonderful to think how many of the ones still under the treatments could be like us.”
“Of course... And those who are not fine with this?”
“I... I will talk to Nanael. We’ll find a way.”
“Bliss, Celine, can be highly addictive. Not because of the substances, but because of the feelings. It’s a risky game.”
“I understand that... But it’s worth a shot.”
“I agree. Do you want me to take you back?”
“No, I’ll call Nanael.”
“So are you giving her that?”
“It’s fine right? You said she would need another thing, so giving her this is not dangerous, isn’t it?”
“Correct. Make her day, Celine.”

Elimiel faded into thin air and Celine smiled, looking for the panic button in her pocket. She pushed it and waited.

“Free stuff!” Was Nanael’s first comment upon arriving, and Celine sighed.
“Really. That was the best you could come up with?”
“I don’t know what you expected. I never tried to set any high expectations or anything.”
“But I think even your worst introductions were less awful that this one.”
“Wow, are you done being mean to me? I swear you keep on getting worse, you are hurting my already fragile heart, Celine.”
“Then I think I have exactly the thing you need to feel better, huh?”
“Yep, you do. Absolutely.”
“Here you are.” Celine showed the bag to Nanael and the angel’s smile widened.
“At last!” She laughed, taking the little bag from Celine’s hands. “This is going to be awesome, Celine, awesome! Can you imagine it? With the Mother Code I can do miracles!”
“So, what is next then?”
“I have to actually decode it. It’s not as easy as getting this, this is just the most awesome and biggest hint I could get. It gives me a point to start working in.”
“I see... And then?”
“Then I’ll have to check which authentication processes are running on the way to the computer that controls the chambers.”
“And then?”
“And then I’m going in and turning them off. And presto.”
“You... Make it sound easy.”
“Oh it won't be, it will surely be hell. Do you think I can ask you for a hand when the time comes?”
“Sure, I guess... Though I’d like details before you ask me to do something really stupid.”
“I can do that.”
“Excellent.”
“Well, I’ll take you back home and get on my way to doing my job. This little bastard is not decoding itself.”
“Thanks, and good luck.”

Nanael grinned, putting a hand on Celine’s shoulder and quickly taking her back. Celine looked at her house’s door, and sighed. Today had managed to be the strangest day in her life. Stranger than the day she first felt pain, stranger than getting to work with the angels, and even stranger than that constant annoyance feeling she couldn’t stop... But that was a good thing, all in all. She had grown to love this crazy life after all, and she had learned more things about how her world worked in the last few days than in several years of university. She had seen a paralell world and helped start what surely would be a revolution, and so far everything was working out great.

But above all she was really curious about the little black bag. She didn't even know what was in it. Maybe she should have taken a look inside? That thought, however, had a bit of a dangerous ring to it. It sounded like the kind of things that she would be safer not knowing.

A yawn interrupted her thoughts, and she ckuckled. She needed some rest, and that came before thinking more, and definitely before going out to have fun or distract herself, so she went in, and took what she would forever remember as the best nap in her life.



Getting sleep had helped ease her thoughts a bit. It was a good thing, she thought on her way to the meeting place, her brain had been racing ever since her chat with Elimiel, and it was full of questions she really couldn’t get answers for, at least not right now. She wondered what would come after this, what Nanael’s plan was, and if her intentions were sincere, and what was inside that bag. She was dying to know for how long the angels had known about the Gate and the other world, and how that other world was. Were the humans there like the ones here? Or were they more like the Guardian of the other Gate?

At least she didn’t have to work today, or she would have gone crazy trying to pay attention instead of drifting off into thought over and over again.

The already familiar meeting place looked like usual. There were lots of people, minding their business, chatting in groups and drinking, and of course in the bar there was Haziel, talking to the customers and serving drinks. Sometimes Celine wondered how a lady like her had ended up in a place like this, but then again one couldn’t really control their need for a different world. Not without a weird treatment, at least.

She took a seat in the bar and waited for Haziel to be available. It was a little strange to be sitting like this after all the things that had happened, but it was fine. She really didn’t want her life to get more sudden changes for a little, the perspective of a different world was really exciting, and she had more than enough excitement with it. She wasn't sure how she was supposed to try and fit in her normal life when she couldn't stop smiling at the idea of the changes to come.
“You are smiling a lot, stop it or people will think you are in love.” Came a voice from behind her. As she turned to see the owner, Celine realized she wasn't really startled, was she getting used to it?
“It’s Mysterious Jerk again, huh?” She said, somehow managing to make her voice sound annoyed even if she was still smiling.
“Mysterious Jerk at your service.” Josiah smiled, sitting on the stool next to hers. “You look the funniest mix of happy and worried.”
“Did you study psychology or something?”
“I’m just that perceptive.”
“Of course, of course.” Celine rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure how I managed to miss that.”
“It’s because you weren’t born as perceptive. It’s not your fault.”
“You're being more insufferable than usual.”
“That is also something I was born with.” He smiled. “But let’s not talk so much about me, I get easily bored of that. We were talking about your mix of happy and frowny faces.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m just excited about some things and worried about others, nothing more.”
“Oh... Just usual human conflict, huh?”
“Yes, nothing more.”
“Then tell me, did you find that answer you were looking for?”
“I think I did. At least for the time being. I’m not sure if it really is fitting for a permanent answer, however.”
“A temporary answer is better than no answer at all. And it’s good that you are keeping open to change, you never know when the world wants to turn the tables on you and play some tricks.”
“That is true... The world has been doing that a lot to me lately.”
“That’s how the world works. It’s the way it has to keep us growing...”
“I don't remember having as many surprises before... Do you think that maybe the treatments also stop those things from happening...?”
“A person who is satisfied doesn’t strive for more. And they grow complacent and easy to control.”
“But they stop growing, right? Because they don't have to adapt.” Said Celine, her smile replaced by a thoughtful frown.
“Correct. We owe progress to the ones who aren’t fine with just sitting and accepting having everything handed to them.”
“Then...”
“But don’t you think that a person who is never satisfied is also really dangerous?”
“Yes. A person like that could get himself or others in trouble... Or even grow to want to take things from other people.”
“That is human nature. The treatments calm our ambition, but on the bad side they stunt our growth. And we eventually become dependant on the angels to guide us.”
“Human nature...”
“A human is not made of just good things or just bad things. Both live inside of each soul, heart and mind... And even the kindest human may sometimes act selfishly.”
“That’s sad... It was that selfishness what caused the wars our books talk about.”
“Then tell me, Celine. Are you certain that stopping this machine is a good idea? Won’t it end up bringing back that agression, that selfishness?”
“But this isn’t good either... These people aren't truly happy... They just think they are. Because they don’t know anything else, and we are told that it is happiness.”
“Isn’t it fun? I love it when there are absolutely no easy solutions.”
“That’s horrible.” Celine frowned. “What if there is no solution at all?”
“There isnt such a thing as a problen with no solution. Just solutions we are not ready to understand. So give it time.”
“Time...” She sighed now. “I’ll try.”
“You are nice, Celine. Things are far more difficult than you think, and sometimes being nice is simply not the best way, no matter what we have been taught.”
“I understand that. But there is no point on not being nice right now. Even if you are a little annoying from time to time.”
“Of course. It was just advice. For the future you know? You will need it someday, and then you’ll look back and say, ‘wow, Josiah sure saved me with his wise words’.”
“I’m pretty sure that one is not happening. At least not like that, though I may say ‘good thing I learned to be patient with idiots, I owe it all to mysterious jerk’. I’m not sure if that one is as good.”
“I can compromise a bit and imagine that is a thank you.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Start compromising then.”
“Doing so!” Josiah smiled and Celine rolled her eyes with a chuckle. “So, I suppose things are okay?”
“Yes, pretty okay... Hopefully they will keep on like this.”
“Well, hoping is pretty cool.” Josiah chuckled and pointed to the entrance door. “Look who’s here. Your creepy friend the one with the weird angel dreams.”
“Her name is Elena.” Celine sighed, waving at the girl. “Really, there is no need to be gratuitously mean.”
“I’m not mean. It’s the truth.” Josiah shrugged, getting up from his stool. “I’m leaving, that angel of hers will be the death of us all, and I have no interest in making that death come any faster.”
“Go, then, I’m not keeping you here.”
“Wow, mean.” Josiah laughed, and waved at Celine before quickly making his way to the stairs. He went up exactly when Elena was arriving to the bar.
“Celine!” She greeted with a smile. “You look less worried.”
“You are the third person to comment on that, is it that obvious?”
“Yep. Totally.”
“I see... I should work on that, shouldn't I?”
“Absolutely.” Elena grinned at her, and Celine sighed. “But it’s nice because your friends can know when you are no longer worried.”
“That’s true... But they can ask anytime. I don't mind answering.”
“Oh... But still. My Angel always said that a smile is a good thing to have.”
“Well, on that I agree...”

Their conversation fell silent while Elena ordered her usual drink from Haziel. It was a short pause, but it gave Celine enough time to think a bit.

Today she had received yet another warning about Elena’s so-called angel, and she was worried. Worried because it was rare for so many people to agree in a warning, and she was by now pretty sure that Elena’s Angel would come into play sooner than she expected it. With such a dangerous thought, Celine preferred to try and see what she could find before it was too late.

Elena...?”
“Yes?” The girl smiled, sitting on the stool where Josiah had been sitting before.
“I... I’ve been thinking.”
“About what?”
“About your Angel...”
“Ah. I don’t want to talk about that.”
“But this is important, Elena... We don't have much time.”
“Why?”
“Your investigation is only on hold... I know I have been a little busy lately, but I still worry that they will start it again, and that you will end up in trouble because of this.”
“If I do, I will. I don’t care.”
“And how about the rest of us...? The other people that could end up getting in trouble?”
“That’s a lie. You won't get in trouble because I’m the only one who can see my Angel.”

Celine sighed. Was there really no way to make her talk? She needed to understand how dangerous this was, how many people she could end up harming with this... But Elena seemed perfectly fine with things as they were. It wasn’t right, it just wasn’t... But there was nothing she could do about it, was there?

“I don’t like this... But I remember your promise, that you wouldn't hurt anyone. Is that promise still standing?”
“Of course. I’m being super careful and I told my Angel that I wouldn’t hurt people anymore.”
“That’s good...”
“Oh... That reminds me.” Elena reached for her right pocket, looking for something, and Celine waited in silence. “Here it is!”
“What is it?”
“It’s my knife that hurts. My Angel said I should give it to you, so I won't want to use it.”
“Your angel did that?”
“Yep. So I won't be able to hurt anyone, because you have the knife.”
“It is a good idea...” Celine nodded taking the knife in her hand and looking at it for the first time. It was a nice knife, with an ornate leather cover, and surprisingly light too. There was something very weird about holding the weapon that changed your life, but Celine could put up with it as long as it meant she wouldn’t be getting stabbed with it ever again.
“You worry a lot, Celine. And worrying too much is as bad as not worrying at all.” Elena smiled.
“So... You are telling me to relax.”
“Yep. You will go crazy if you try to do all the things. People aren’t made for that.”
“I’ll remember that...”
“Okay. Then be super careful you too, okay?”
“I will...”

With a smile Elena took her glass and walked upstairs. Celine wasn’t particularly sure what to do next. She had this strange knife, which apparently could cause pain to people even when they had their treatments up to date, but she had no information on the angel, and she wasn't really sure if telling anyone about the knife was a good idea.

She carefully placed the knife in her boot, a thing she had seen on television a few times, and sighed. She had come here to get distracted, and here she was. Worrying a lot anyway.

“Haziel?”
“Yes?” The bartender smiled at her.
“Is Elimiel upstairs?”
“Yes. He has been with a customer for a while, are you planning on ambushing him again?”
“I don’t think so... I wanted to ask him a question, but I guess I can ask later.”
“It’s rare for people to go to him for things that are not business. So he usually just sits in his room and waits for the next customer.”
“He’s strange... I didn’t know he had a hand in developing the Chambers...”
“Nobody really expects a rebel among the oldest ones... And yet there he is.”
“Why is that?”
“The oldest ones tend to be closer to the Mother... They work with her and keep this world calm. You probably heard of them, there’s Healer Raphael, head of our medics, Interrogator Uriel, head of research and Teacher Gabriel, who oversees education.”
“Yes, of course I remember them... I just didn’t know they were that old.”
“They have been around the Mother ever since this world was created.”
“That’s amazing... I had never heard of that.”
“Well, it’s not something that gets taught at school... Many things aren’t taught at school.”
“I know that much. But what’s the point of not making it known?”
“If you let too many things be known, humans start to worry. They wonder if the organization of the angels will affect their daily lives, or they want to get special treatment because they know one of the big three.”
“That sounds strange...”
“I know, but it has happened before. I used to work at the Central Office back when this world was young, and things were much more messy than now. I may disagree with many of the things the Mother is doing, but I do recognize that she is doing what she believes is best for the lives of the humans.”
“I understand that much... I feel a bit like that myself. I agree with her intentions, and I can't deny that the results of her order are good... But I don’t like the idea of living in a lie. Even if it is a kind lie.”
“The more time passes, the more thoughtful you become, isn’t that right?”
“That’s true. I've found myself thinking about things a lot more than I used to... It does make sense. I talked about that before with Josiah... He also thinks that the treatments dampen our capacity to have thoughts that will end up in big changes.”
“He’s right. I used to be an Investigator before this, and I remember we saw a lot of that... Elimiel tried to find a solution, but he found it’s impossible to remove ambition without removing at least a bit of creativity. It’s truly sad in a way... Humans can make incredible things when they are moved by the right goals.”
“Is that why you left them, Haziel?”
“Yes. I wasn’t comfortable with all of that, I always loved human art and literature... Maybe someday the Investigators will find a new way, and then I’ll be glad to go back.”
“It sounds nice... I’m sure there is a way. They just haven’t figured it out yet.”
“Let’s hope for that.”

Celine smiled, taking a look around the meeting place. There were so many different people there, and each had their own reasons for being where they were. It was amazing to think about it. In the end, it was exactly as the teachings always said.

Everyone was special.

Unique.



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Notas:

No se como carajo esto se volvio un capitulo.

3500 palabras de filler.

Michael, dude.