My mother was many things but a liar she was not. So while she sat there with her mouth closed for far too fucking long, I couldn’t help but wonder if she was remaining silent to save herself or to save Barbie?
I knew I would hate the answer either way.
“Mom.”
“I’m thinking.” I pursed my lips.
“Thinking? All I asked you was where is everyone else? It’s really not that deep.” Her jaw clicked at my annoyed tone. Any other time, I’d get in trouble for speaking to her this way. Never thought I’d be happy for the world to have ended.
“I can’t tell you.” She finally answered. I hate it when I’m right.
“Why?”
“Because if I tell you then you’ll go look for them.” Her mouth barely opened to get the forced words out.
“Mm, is that what it's all about?” Silence again but her eyes flicked towards me just once. “No…there’s more to it. Barbies involved. Does she still have them?”
“Of course not.”
My pulse quickened when she closed her eyes and tapped the bed twice with her finger.
“So they’re all fine then?” She barked out the fakest laugh I’ve ever heard.
“Of course they’re fine. I’m fine, you’re fine—everyone is fine.” Another two taps on the bed. Mother opened her eyes and looked up at me. Her pupils were dilated but that wasn’t the scary part, a tiny bit of red encircled them. They reminded me of cameras and cameras mean someone is watching.
My goddess. Is Barbie watching us right now?
“Right. Everyone’s fine…okay then I’ll stop asking about them for now.” I gently squeezed her wrist twice. Her mouth ticked up for just a moment, settling back into a hard line after. I smile for the camera and pull her head to my chest, letting her hear my familiar heartbeat.
She doesn’t have to say anything. She used to do this for me all the time when I was a kid, it calmed me down almost instantly. Figure it was time I return the favor.
“You know I’m always going to be out there to help everyone, right?” Another wrist squeeze.
She nodded. “Always. That's just who you are, babygirl.”
“Nah, that’s how you raised me to be. Not just by teaching me but by example.” She glanced up at me and beamed brightly with pride.
“Which is why,” I sucked in a breath, knowing I was ruining the mood, “I have to get back out there to help the people of Cyran City.”
“And here I thought you would insist on going after Wyatt.” She pursed her lips and sat up, putting her hands on her hips. “I suppose it could be worse. And I do miss how our home used to look.”
“It probably won’t be a one to one anymore, especially since System has gone quiet on me—”
[All you had to do was call my name. I swear, it’s like you forget I exist sometimes.]
My mother jumped slightly at hearing her voice out of nowhere.
Bitch. I grinned a bit but frowned when my menu refused to show up.
“There you are. Nice to see you too but um, why can’t I access any of my class stuff.”
You know it's gonna be a bad day when an AI sighs in frustration at you.
[Idiot. You’re the one who broke me to unleash your dragon side and save the day. The cost of it is losing access to the prior H.R system you had before.]
“Then tell me how to get it back!” It can’t be that difficult.
[You can’t.]
I wanted to sink into the earth’s molten core and just stay there because anything is easier than dealing with this. But I’m a big girl, I could do this.
“Okay so I don’t have the H.R system anymore. Fine. But as a [Genesis Dragon] I still had my prior [Battlefield Janitor] abilities. Vacuum, refurbish, etc.” I concentrated, trying to make my menu emerge once more. When the blue holographic screen pulled up, the only thing there were materials, blueprints and customization.
“What is this?”
[It’s exactly what it looks like. Didn’t you pass first grade? Or did they implement no dragons left behind?]
“Do not speak to my daughter that way.” My mother narrowed her eyes at the menu. If I didn’t know any better I’d swear the rectangle shivered.
[Sorry mama.]
“That’s alright baby.”
“Mom! Don’t be sweet on my bratty AI. She’s a jerk.”
[Because you wanted me to be! The personality I had before the break is what you’re stuck with now. Deal with it.]
Rolling my eyes, I waited for her to continue.
[Anyway, to answer your question, without the guardrails in place you’re basically free to build how you like. Think of it like this: everything up until now was the tutorial on how to rebuild with your abilities. Tutorial over, time for the real world.]
“Okay so what, I don’t have to use any of the blueprints I have?”
[Nope. You can throw those away, change them to your liking or ask other people what they’d like and build from their descriptions.]
“Oh thank the goddess for that.” My mom raised a brow, wondering why I said that. “Mom, you know me. I’m absolutely terrible at decorating anything.”
She chuckled though she looked towards the walls. “What? You? No way.”
I gave her a side-eye and snorted, “mama…”
“You have an eccentric taste! That’s all.”
“Uh huh. So let me build you a house then.” My mouth tore into a devious grin as she broke out into a cold sweat.
“S-sure honey. It doesn’t matter because I’ll love anything you make me.” She was forcing her smile as she met my gaze again. I know it’s typical of moms to lie so the kid feels better but I don’t think I can be that kind of mom. I’ll absolutely tell my baby their stuff is awful…just in a really nice way.
But then again, I made a pickle birthday cake for her three years in a row. What do I know about creativity?
I tried not to glance at my mothers hand around my wrist as she squeezed it three times and stood up. She used to do that when I was little and couldn’t sit still in church. Each squeeze meant something.
Be careful. Pay attention. I love you.
That’s right. Barbie is still using her as a camera. She doesn't want me asking her about our family but that doesn’t mean I can’t ask someone else.
The only question is who?
“Well, I’ll let you get some more rest honey. You’ll need it if you’re going to rebuild a city for Wyatt to come home to.”
Wyatt, dammit. My heart began aching all over again. It’s not that I forgot him but I really needed this distraction.
“Oh and if you see the mayor, maybe ask him some tips about building.” Mom called out to me over her shoulder as her hand paused on the door handle. “After all, he’s the one I ran into when I first arrived here.”
My tail stood straight up as the idea shot through me like lightning. Thanks mom. Even under surveillance, she’s still amazing.
Now I know exactly who to ask about where the hell the rest of my family is.
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