Chapter nine, how is this a chapter

[therealkaichan]

Chapter Nine
Nanael


Somehow the nice conversation the previous day had helped Celine relax a little. She was still carrying the strange knife, and she was still wondering what would happen next, but at least now she could pretend to be normal. She could go to class and take her notes, she could go to work and not have her two coworkers and her supervisor realize that she had done something that was considered one of the highest sins.

And she was okay with that. Before all of this, Celine had been a terrible liar. Everyone could easily realize she was lying by just looking at her, but not now. She wondered if this was also an after effect of dropping the treatments. Maybe she would ask Elimiel when she saw him again.

Feeling more calm also meant she could go and report her findings on Elena’s angel to the Mother without dying of embarrassment. Maybe the Mother would know. Maybe her Investigators could find something where she couldn’t. It was their work after all, and they knew the other angels far better than Celine did. She could tell about what Elena said, and she could tell how the knife looked. That was good enough.

Imriel smiled when he saw her approach, and she smiled back.
“Good afternoon, miss Celine.” The angel was as polite as ever.
“Good afternoon, Imriel. I hope you are well today.”
“I am, thank you. There is plenty of work to do, so I can't complain. How about you?”
“I’m great, thanks! I needed to report something to the Mother, she told me that I should come directly to her...”
“Of course, do you want something to drink?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Then go it, the Mother is available right now.”
“All right, thanks.”

Celine walked to the door in the back and went in. The Mother was in the usual situation of reading and drinking coffee, but Celine noticed that this time she seemed to be reading some kind of paperwork instead of the news.
“Excuse me.” Celine called from the door.
“Please come in, miss Celine, take a seat.” The Mother smiled, leaving her papers on the side. “Someday you should accept Imriel’s coffee. He has a good hand for it.”
“I’ll remember that.” Celine smiled as well, taking a seat in the usual place. “I wanted to report on some things regarding the investigation... Like we agreed.”
“Of course. I’m listening.”
“The girl said she had spoken to the Angel recently. She also said she had told the angel she would keep the promise she made to me.”
“I understand.”
“I... Saw her knife. It must be the one she used to hurt me, because she called it a ‘knife that hurts’. It was about twenty centimeters long, and silver... The handle was really strange... It looked a bit like a person with wings.”
“Good. Is there anything else you remember?”
“No. That is all.”
“I will analyze the evidence, then. Remember to report anything else you find... We may be able to find the information we need in the smallest things.”
“I understand that.”
“Good.” There was a pause, in which the Mother picked the papers she was reading up. “Cassiel is very happy with your performance, miss Celine. I thought you would like to know that.”
“I’m glad...”
“Has your Guardian given you any trouble?”
“Not at all. Nanael always comes over immediately after I call her, and she’s really nice and fun to talk with.”
“Good. Is there anything else you need to mention or report?”
“No. I think that’s all.”
“Good.”
“Excuse me, then.” Celine smiled, standing from her chair.
“Miss Celine?” The Mother stood as well, looking at her.
“Yes...?”
“Playing with things we do not know is as dangerous as it is exciting, especially for children like you. I will not stop you from doing so, but I do recommend that when the time comes, you think twice before making a choice in the name of others.”
Celine stood in a stunned silence for a few seconds. Did the Mother already know? And in that case, what exactly did she know? Why wasn’t she going to try to stop her? The higest Angel smiled, sitting back to read her papers, and Celine’s shock turned into confusion and then into a bit of indignation.
“Isn't that what you are doing as well? Choosing for others?” The words slipped from her mouth before she could even notice them, and Celine gasped, putting her hands over her mouth. The Mother looked away from her papers, to take a quiet look at Celine. Unlike what Celine had expected, she didn’t really look angry.
“I have given them bliss, and then offered them a way out. Any one who wants to find a way out, can do it. Children like you, who don't find bliss as fulfilling have been given the chance to stop their treatments and live the life they wish. You will offer them pain, and try to call it ‘freedom’. And you won't be able to give them bliss if they want it back.”
“Then why aren't you stopping me? If I’m that horrible, that dangerous... Why?”
“Because a Mother must let their children learn by themselves, Celine. I will warn you to be careful, and I will ask you to carefully consider your choices, but unless you truly become a menace to the Order of this world, I will not act against you.”
“Do you... Think I’m not dangerous?”
“It’s not that, child. Many like you have found their way here, and after walking a path like yours, they gave us the chance to change things, to improve the Order. You cannot call someone a menace if they have harmed nobody.”
“I... No. This is not fine.”
“Then change the world, dear girl. Right now Orer and Bliss are one and the same... So go out there and make a true change, one that will make humans happier than my Bliss. One that will bring a smile to every face, health to every person, and a lunch to every table. Show me that there can be Order without Bliss. And when you do that, I will step back and give the world to the humans.”
“Do you... Do you really mean that? Will you step back for real?”
“Absolutely. Just show that change to me, and I will.”
“Then... Then I will find a way. Somehow, even if I don’t know the answer now. I will live to make a world where you can step back and let humans choose their own path.”
“I look forward to it, Celine.” The Mother smiled, and turned her eyes back to her papers again. This time Celine left the room in silence, all the calm she had managed to achieve long gone.

What was going trough the Mother’s head? What did she really want? She had been told by rebel angels that she meant to do what she thought was best, but this... Did she really let people like her walk away? Even after all the things she said?

This wasn't right, it just wasn’t.

“Miss Celine, are you feeling well?” Imriel’s voice brought her back to reality, and she turned to look at him.
“I’m sorry, I didn't notice you were calling me...” She smiled, a little embarrased.
“It’s fine, I was wondering if you were feeling well. You look a little shaken.”
“Oh... No, I’m okay, thank you. I just... Have lots of things to think about.”
“I understand. Do you want some water to drink?”
“I’m fine, really.” Celine smiled, politely as she shook her head. “There is no need to worry.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am, I am.”
“Perhaps you may want to take the rest of the day off to think?”
“No, I still have some work to do, and I want to complete it.”
“I understand. Please be careful, your health is very important, miss Celine.”
“I will, thank you.”

Celine felt a little bad about lying to the angel when he was so kind to her, but it would be a little messy to explain that she wanted to work in order to stop thinking about the things she was thinking. It wouldn’t solve things at all, but she couldn’t think of what to do next in an intelligent way without a cool head.

So she worked, and worked, and worked a bit of overtime for good measure. And then got ready to go home. And as she was going out, she found Imriel also on his way out. She smiled and waved, and the angel waved back.
“It’s really late, miss Celine, shouldn’t you have left a while ago?”
“I wanted to finish up some things...”
“I see. Your office does get quite a bit of daily paperwork, I thank you for your hard work.”
“That’s a little too much...”
“Why? There is nothing wrong about thanking someone for their good work.”
“I know it’s not wrong, but it’s a job, you are supposed to do it right.”
“But not everyone is ready to go the extra mile.”
“It’s not that important, really...” Said Celine with a small smile. She felt pretty terrible about getting praised for something she had done for purely selfish reasons, but it was best not to mention it.
“Are you going to your home? Do you mind if I walk a little with you, miss Celine?”
“Not at all. It’s always nice to have company.” Celine smiled and started walking. Imriel started walking as well, quickly catching up with her.
“You look much better than during the afternoon. I’m sorry for insisting so much.”
“Don’t mind it, you were just worried.”
“The Mother... Can be a little too blunt sometimes. She doesn't mean to be cruel, but she may sound like that. I wanted to make sure she hadn’t made you feel uncomfortable.”
“She’s... A little strange. She’s not like the other Angels I’ve met.” Celine admitted, frowning a little. “One moment she is nice and understanding, and the next she isn’t open to listening to others at all.”
“She will listen to things, but she will only act upon actions or proof. That is just the kind of person she is, which is good, or she would be overreacting all the time.”
“Does she get many strange visits?”
“Plenty, both from angels and from humans. And many of them come with big words and small actions.”
“So she waits until they do something?”
“Correct. Many give up and end up doing nothing... Or even helping out. Imagine if we had done something to stop them...”
“They wouldn’t have learned whatever they did, right? And you would have hurt an innocent.”
“That is correct. Because of that one must wait before acting. And think of all the possible developments.”
“It sounds complicated...”
“It is. So I thank you for your patience.”
“It wasn’t that bad, really. I was left with a lot of things to think, but I’m not angry or feeling bad or anything.”
“I’m glad.”
“Though I may have been a bit upset...”
“Discussing is always upsetting, miss Celine. What’s important is to try to get over the feeling.”
“That’s right, it’s what Saelel always says.”
“Maybe I should ask the Mother to give him a raise.” Imriel chuckled and so did Celine.
“Just don't tell him I had anything to do, or he’ll feel bad.”
“I will remember that. I’m taking a left in the next block.”
“Oh, I have a right in the one after that, so I guess this is as far as we make it?” Celine smiled. “It was nice chatting with you. Thanks for your kind words.”
“Don’t mind it, miss Celine. Please be careful on your way back.”
“I will, you as well Imriel.”


Celine walked the rest of the way home on her own, her thoughts racing once more. She couldn’t help but think the Mother was right. Not on the part of this being the best for all the people, she still disagreed with that, but it was true that if they stopped the machines she wouldn’t be able to offer Bliss to the people who wanted it back. She hadn’t intended to be selfish, not like this.

There had to be some way, somehow, to stop the machines and still be able to let people go back if they wished to... But that would mean the machines would have to work, right? But would the Mother even let her do something that crazy? How could she even stop some machines and others not and still show the humans a different world?

Her head was starting to hurt, and this wasn’t really solving anything. So she reached for the button, and pushed it
“Nerdy Nanael doesn’t have time for this crap!” Nanael didn’t sound as angry as her words said she should.
“Then you shouldn’t have come.” Celine rolled her eyes. “You aren’t even in Guardian duty anymore.”
“Well, nerdy Nanael is not impolite, if you call, she appears.”
“Then you can leave and we can talk later...?”
“Are you kidding me? I need to have some rest right now, it was just playful drama.” Nanael sighed. “That thing is hell to crack.”
“The Mother Code, you mean...?”
“Exactly.”
“What is that anyway?”
“Hmm... I shouldn’t tell, really. But I guess that by now telling won’t make anything worse.”
“I’m listening.”
“Angels all have a special code. When we are created, we get a concept, and a name, and a few other things... Those determine our abilities, and which things make us tick and stuff... It's a bit like your DNA, I guess? So we get our codes from decoding that information, and then there is this fun formula that someone invented I don’t know when. And well, usually the best method to lock something is to use your code as the password.”
“You are really terrible at explaining those things.”
“If you want a good explanation go ask one of your Investigator friends, science is totally not my thing okay?”
“All right, all right. So... How can you get someone’s code with a thing brought from the other side?”
“Well, there is a trick. The code is written all over our bodies, that’s why I made a comparison with the DNA thingie you humans have going. So if you can get a part of an angel's body and you know their name, you can get most of the code from there.”
“A part of their body...?” Celine furrowed her nose, and Nanael couldn’t stop laughing.
“A hair is fine you know! No need to be scared.”
“But... Angels are different than humans right? Your hair doesn’t fall off or things like that...”
“Correct. An angel can’t have a hair taken or stuff like that without them knowing it right away.”
“So...?”
“The thing is that the Mother has this special thing... She was created at the same time as another being. So they are something like twins, I guess?”
“What? Wait, wait. You mean there is another person like her around?”
“Not really. Like the Mother is the boss in this side of the door, her brother is sitting in the tall seat in the other side of the door.”
“So... They live in different worlds...?”
“Yes.”
“And there I was thinking that my sister moving out of home was depressing... It must be really weird.”
“They... Had a few problems here and there. They are in better terms now, but sometimes relationships are still a little strained.”
“That sounds really sad.”
“Sad? That’s a way to put it, I guess. Personally I think she’s better off without him anyway.”
“But the code, Nanael.”
“Isn’t it obvious? I managed to get my hands on a part of the brother’s body. And so, here I am. Decoding what I can from his code so I can get the Mother’s code.” Nanael grinned, and Celine sighed.
“So you got me to cross the door just to get you a hair?”
“Yep. Wasn’t it fun?”
“More like weird and scary, but I guess it was a little fun too...”
“See? I had it all planned all along.” Nanael nodded. “So, decoding is a little harder than you think. That’s why I was being really horrible to you today.”
“I just... I had a question. It’s important.”
“Oh... Well, you should have said that right away and I’d have listened.”
“You were too busy complaining a lot.”
“Point! So, what is it? Tell auntie Nanael.”
“Creepy.” Celine sighed. “I’ve been thinking. What if people want the Bliss? Is it really fine to take it from them?”
“Oh... She already got to you, huh?”
“She...?”
“The Mother. She got to you with that conversation of hers about the bliss being good because people can get out of it.”
“Ah... Yes. She mentioned it, and I think she’s right that stopping the Chambers like that is not a good idea.”
“She didn’t ask anyone before getting them in those. She never tells anyone they can get out. Children get the treatments done since they are babies, do you really think they will risk doing something that could make them unhappy? They are scared, Celine. Scared and blinded.”
“But is it good to just do this?”
“Look. It’s not as final as you think, okay? Destroying the machines would require a lot of effort. I will disable them, ruin the program, and they will have to fix it. It will take months so people will taste plenty of real life. Then the chambers will be up again, and there, solved.”
“But even then...”
“You can’t win anything if you don't risk a bit. Pain brings change.”
“I’ll... I’ll have to think about it a little more.”
“Hmpf. She always does this. Goes to the ones that are thinking of making changes and gives them that schpiel of hers about them not being good. And scares them into becoming a part of the system. That’s how her game really works, Celine. Humans will be forever there, sitting, happily swimming in their fake bliss, laughing and not knowing anything at all about what they truly could feel.”
“Just a little more time, please...! While you work on that Code...!”
“It won't take me long. A few days at most. I will come back and ask you to make a choice then, Celine. I hope you will make the correct one.”

And with no further word, Nanael left.


Celine had never seen her like that. She looked so serious, so angry... As if this were something more important than anything else for her. It made her think twice if this was fine or not, if Nanael was somehow doing this for any personal reasons that she couldn’t understand...

She frowned, starting to walk the rest of the way back to her house slowly, and wondering what to do next.

“Well, to begin with, maybe you should consider just going with it.” Celine knew that voice well, so she turned around, frowning a but.
“Elimiel... You have been spying on me, haven’t you?”
“Caught.” The angel chuckled. “I worry about you, child. Soon dear Nanael will have to show her cards. And then we will know exactly what she is thinking of.”
“But how is waiting until after she is done any good?”
“Why not? As a scientist and the one who came up with the Bliss formula, I’d love to see what happens if you deprive humanity of it for a while.”
“Can she actually destroy the machines? Or is she limited to breaking the program down?”
“The only way to destroy the machines would be to actually go and physically break them down. So in that sense there is no danger.”
“Do you think doing this is a good idea...?”
“I can’t tell. I do know that as long as I’m around we can probably come up with something.”
“Then...”
“Let me tell you a secret. Nanael said she would need you, and it’s true. She will need you to get me to collaborate with this thing. So why not play along? It sounds like something useful, and if we happen to dislike her trick, then we stop her.”
“You say it as if it were an easy thing. I can't do anything to stop anyone.”
“You are more important in this little game than you think. You are the only one who has the whole picture of what’s happening. And unlike us angels, you can’t lie to the Mother or she will know. You have proof that this was all Nanael’s doing right here.” Elimiel touched Celine’s forehead with a finger. “And as long as we play along, you won't be in danger, because Nanael will be happy thinking she got you brainwashed.”
“That’s really weird... It’s a bit scary knowing that my memories are that important.”
“That is why we will play along, Celine. And if she is really doing this out of selflesness, then we will apologize for being horrible scumbags who can’t trust others.”
“I see... Though that is a pretty mean way to put it.”
“Well, I’m a pretty mean guy for an angel who dedicates his life to making formulas that make people happy.”
“I fully agree...”
“Well, I hope that makes you feel better?”
“A little, I think...”
“Then I’m done here. Go and get plenty of rest. The next time Nanael comes, just be nice and play along. I can’t wait to see what she’s aiming for.”
“Got it.”
“And take care, all right? You are one of my children, and I wouldn’t like to see you get hurt.”
“I will. You take care too, weirdo.”

Celine never expected her way back home to be so complicated. Usually it was just walking the bunch of blocks she had to walk and there it was, and yet today she had met three different angels with different ideas and she had been pretty close to getting her brain fried by contradictory thoughts and opinions.

And yet, for the time being... She preferred to trust Elimiel. She wasn’t sure why, since the angel wasn’t exactly a shining example of correctness, but at the time he seemed to be the most safe bet. And Celine was all for playing it safe right now.

And so, she decided to play it low for the next few days, go to work and classes, and pretend nothing was happening at all. There was no point in catching more attention than she already had.


By the fourth day Celine was getting a little too tired of playing it low. It was much easier said than done, that was for certain, and she was about to offer to crack that so called Mother Code herself. Even if she didn't have the slightest idea of how to do that.

Fortunately, she never got to do something silly, as that day Nanael appeared in front of her when she was on her way home. Unfortunately, the angel's smile meant it was time to make a choice.
“Sooooo?”
“So what.”
“Have you decided?”
“I... I guess I’ll stick by this plan. No matter how much I think of it, leaving things as they are is much worse.”
“Oh, that’s good news all right! It would’ve been so messy to have to remake the whole plan from scratch.”
“I bet it would, huh?”
“I’m a little horrible for making plans on the go, okay.”
“You seem to be a little horrible for a lot of things.”
“Woooow, rude.”
“I get better and better at being rude.”
“You sure do.”
“So, what do you want me to do?”
“I need you to talk to sour face, okay? Turns out the door to the computer room has two authentication levels, and the bastard has the trick to one of them. I never expected that from the Mother, considering how much she likes doing things herself, but I guess it makes sense.”
“So... You want me to talk to him and get him to open the door for you?”
“Yep! I mean by now he most likely knows exactly what we are doing, so I bet you’ll find a way to get him to collaborate. Opening the door is less dangerous than letting people go to the other side of the Gate, so I don’t see why he would need to worry.”
“I’ll talk to him...” Celine made a thoughtful pause. “Is there anything else you need? Or is that it?”
“It should be it, yep. And once the door is open, then it’s just success.”
“All right. Do I just sit back, or do I get to do something?”
“Once the door is open it’s just about doing the manual override with the Mother Code and then messing things up a bit. Nothing too weird.”
“All right... I’d like to go, anyway.”
“Oh?” Nanael lifted an eyebrow, looking at Celine.
“I just... Want to make sure.”
“Aaahh! Is this part of your ‘not sure if trust’ thing?”
“A bit, yes. Even if I can't do much, I’d like to see what you do.”
“Okay, you got it, all three of us can go, it will be fun.”
“I’ll call you when Elimiel is ready, then. You’ll be ready, right?”
“Yep. Call away!” Nanael smiled, disappearing, and Celine sighed.

Keeping that calm front was a lot more difficult than she thought it would be, but in the end it had come out just fine.
“You are such a potential actress, Celine.” Elimiel sounded pretty amused.
“Don't say that... I don’t like this.”
“Of course, but still. You did a great job.”
“So... Are we doing this?”
“Absolutely. We call Nanael over, and we hit the computer room. But I need you to pay attention, I have one small job for you.”
“I’m listening.”
“There is a hard backup for the system. Nanael probably knows about it but she hasn’t said a word about it. If I know her, and hell I do, she’ll try to hit the backup at the same time as she hits the computer room and the soft backup.”
“And what can I do?”
“It’s a safe bet to assume she will send a human to get it. Any angel crossing the door will be easy to notice.”
“So... You need me to stop that human?”
“Yes. And once you are done, you should trigger a warning.”
“But if we keep a backup...”
“We can still bring the system back. Of course they would need me to do so, as that one is locked with my code.” Elimiel smiled. “So I can give humans all they time they want, and bring the chambers back if it is needed.”
“You... You really think of everything, don’t you?”
“Of course, that was my job.”
“Got it... So I just need to slip out and do that.”
“Exactly. Then you would do well on getting back as fast as possible, because there is a chance that things will become quite fun.”
“Understood. So where is this backup?”
“Go to the closest automated reception. Ask for office 7597. When you are told there is no such office, answer ‘bake a potato’. You’ll get the instructions right there.”
“Really.” Celine stared at him, and Elimiel laughed.
“The best passwords are the ones that make no sense, Celine.”
“Then how did Nanael find the room?”
“Probably some of the idiots I used to work with told her. That’s why I don’t work with others anymore.”
“Then we are ready?”
“Ready.”

Celine took out the panic button and took a deep breath.

It was time.


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Notes:

Incoming D: