With her guard now up, Ataraxia's eyes darted around their surroundings every few moments as they made their way to the General Sector. Having bought a pack of cigarettes for Ataraxia, some new clothes for Mumei and a new cellphone for the two Assistants, the group decided to finish their shopping trip and head back to the General Sector to log out.
Ataraxia was tense despite having not experienced any attacks. The feeling she had earlier had yet to disappear, but with no attack on the group thus far, she now wondered if she was overthinking things. Despite this, the group progressed in their journey, with Orion and Sally seemingly unaware of how anxious their companions were.
Eventually, the group arrived at the General Sector unscathed and prepared to either log out or rest. Unbeknownst to the group, an androgynous silhouette quickly leapt across rooftops, seemingly to report to someone, after watching the group enter the General Sector.
??? PoV
"And where are they now?"
"In the General Sector, sir. I did not tail them in, as it would seem too suspicious for a non-contractor that isn't an outnder walking in there." I expined to my boss's son. "Requests are now done online, so non-contractors walking into the building are more likely to garner suspicion than seem normal unless they're there to join."
"Then walk in there and pretend you're there to join."
"I'm afraid I can't do that. I am Null, both in name and literally. No one but you and your father know who I am; no traces of me exist. So joining the Contractors, which requires background checks among other things, would put me, you and your father at risk of being exposed." I expin in a monotone voice. It's not the first time I've given this expnation to Sir and his son. "While I am currently working under you, my current allegiance lies with your father, not you. So I advise you to think carefully about any pns that may endanger him and his reputation."
"Fine. You're dismissed." My boss's son said with an annoyed tone. He must be annoyed that he lost that girl he's been eyeing.
Hah, I can't wait to leave this shit-hole of a job. Sleeping in the trees, stalking innocent civilians for the sole purpose of my employer's fun, assassinating rival politicians, stealing from the rich to give to the richer. I can't wait to be able to leave all of this behind. Not until that bastard gives me back my sister though. Fucker just had to have some sort of reassurance I wouldn't betray him. That's the only reason why I haven't driven a knife in his back yet.
Reminds me of that girl I was stalking before. They'd do almost anything to achieve their goals, though working under that girl seems to be more alluring than that bastard. No clue why though, not when he still has my sister under him. He must have done something to her for her to be so resolute in staying with him.
I still can't forget when I earned the privilege to visit her, only to be met with a thousand-yard stare. Cold and unnerving. She didn't seem to recognise me. Then Harold came in. As the door opened, sister turned her head to gaze at the new guest. Suddenly, her thousand-yard stare turned into a loving gaze, akin to that of a wife's affectionate gaze welcoming her husband home, showing such adoration that it bordered on crazy.
Can't wait to stab the bastard for kidnapping my sister as a form of insurance.
Hartford Estate...
"Hah, hah, hah" Sydney gasped for air as she colpsed onto the ground. Having just woken up from IVR, Sydney was getting up to stretch before being smmed with a panic attack. Distress and anger welled in her heart as she realised she was back in her real body. Struggling to get up, her thoughts spiralled out of control. The two pieces of flesh on her chest that had caused her to have more than one close dance with death. The long hair that often got tangled up the moment she shifted her attention. The feminine voice that made her subordinates disregard her orders during her time as Police Chief, causing countless deaths. She hated all of it. But she couldn't end it yet. Her friend needed her. Not Orion, but Sydney. While she couldn't be sure if Aiko would accept her as Orion, she knew that Aiko needed Sydney right now and not Orion. Aiko needed the woman who had been her friend in the real world for over 7 years, not the man she only knew in video games.
'A panic attack?' Aiko thought as she subtly peeked over her bed to gnce at the panicked woman lying on the mattress beside her. 'Maybe gender dysphoria? She always enjoyed pying as males in games, although that doesn't directly link with dysphoria, I'm pretty sure this counts as a symptom. As hypocritical as this sounds, I need to somehow force her to open up to me about what's going on and help her deal with whatever's happening. Although, it could very well just be some trauma kicking in after leaving the game. I have no way of knowing whether her escort mission was as uneventful as she said after all.'
