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2254-12-18

A week without classes, exams, or attempts on your life--without ætherwalks, synchronization, or any sort of meaningful decision. Here at the pond at the world’s edge, you lay on the soft green moss, your head resting on Akiko’s chest, lost in the rhythm of her breath and heartbeat and the empathic feedback loop flowing between you. The algæ-filled water reflects the half-illuminated Moon--night over Korolev City. As Luna drifts out of view, you see a bright star cross the sky, white clouds of gas expanding from it in the Sunlight as it maneuvers.

“That’s mine,” you sign. You know its designation as it appears in the local network. The autonomous shuttle vanishes from sight, approaching the docking port.

“No fair,” Akiko signs.

Suppressing your deep desire to never move from this spot for the rest of your life, you make your body sit up. You’re dressed for Lunar night--your thick leggings and your purple coat, with your arm warmers underneath. Akiko wears her grey wool skirt and her translucent coat of fungal leather. Her eyes shift from pink to blue as you stand up.

“I’ll walk you to your gate,” she signs.

You pick up your backpack, carrying the few possessions and clothes you brought with you. “Are you sure? Your shuttle isn’t for hours,” you sign.

“Of course! I need to maximize the time I have left with you in person, we’ll be apart for a month!” she signs.

“But then I’ll come visit your colony,” you sign. “A contract’s a contract!”

She hugs you tight. You turn and embrace her back as the Sun rises. You kiss her until it sets again.

“Let’s go, can’t have you miss your flight,” she signs. Taking her hand, you follow her through the narrow corridor of leaves, through the meadows and paths of the woods, through a field of blue flowers, and out onto the garden path.

As you turn antispinward toward the spaceport side, you feel something in the near-æther ahead of you, and catch sight of a little blue butterfly that seems to land in the middle of the air. Then, Synthesis appears, with their little drone resting on their shoulder.

“Had to do that to me one more time?” you sign.

They reach out and set their hand on the top of your head--one of the few enbies taller than you. “Just a reminder that you never know when someone will appear in your life again,” they sign.

“I guess I won’t be seeing you for a while, though,” you sign.

“We’re shipping out soon, wherever the company has use for us,” they sign. “For what it’s worth we hope we’ll see you again, and that it’s not on opposite sides of a battlefield.”

“I can’t imagine why Redshift would go to war with Cybernautics,” you sign.

“But you never know,” Synth signs.

“Bye Synth!” Akiko signs. “Thanks, for all the times you were there for us.”

“You’ll be on your own now. But you’re a third year now Akiko, you can take care of Aydan.” Synth looks back to you. “We’ll be busy with work, but our messages are open.”

“Thanks, Synth...”