"Yes...as strange as it may sound, life doesn't seem as dark anymore. It was only a matter of time before I crashed. Sorry about that, I've been through a lot."
"Crashed? I see. Maybe you should tell me what happened?"
"I can't talk about it. I mean, I want to, but they won't allow it."
"Seriously? Who told you that lie?"
"The eh....Healer did and someone from BETA."
"Shhh...." she whispered. "BETA, huh? What did you do to raise the ire of those folks?"
"Nothing, I swear! I got involved in an accident and that's why I can't walk. My legs should heal in a few days, though. But......I can't go home."
"They're keeping you on Earth?" She sounded surprised.
"Um....yeah. My parents are here too, but they are keeping me away from them. Someone called the Hierarchy is deciding about my fate right now."
"Ahh.....another name you don't want to say out loud. Remember that."
"I will."
"Good, but don't expect an answer anytime soon. The Hierarchy is meticulous when deciding things. They don't like to make mistakes, if you know what I mean."
More saliva formed in my mouth from being nervous, making me swallow again."No, but I'll be careful....thanks for telling me."
"Now tell me why you are so....different, girl."
Huh? Didn't I already expin that I couldn't tell her? On the other hand, why do I even care at this point? It's not like they'll let me go home anyway, right?"Em....I was raised by humans, and now I'm not allowed to see them anymore. At least not for a looong time. Oh.....and please, for the love of god, please don't tell anyone or they'll kill me."
"You are serious, aren't you? May the tenth Stone of Nadal take pity on you. Raised by humans. Well, that expins it all. Alright, I promise to keep quiet. Thank you for trusting me. Don't you feel better already?"
"Um...I guess so, yes. Are you really a shopkeeper, or do you work for....you knohem?"
"The Hierarchy? No, I'm a straightforward person. I demand the truth and share the truth, but I can't stand lies. I'm exactly who I say I am, I give you my word."
"That's more than enough. There's something....different...about you too. I would never tell anyone about...you know...my personal life and such. But there's something about you that makes me instantly trust you."
She grins. "Maybe it's the Sukufa? Ha ha ha...no, thank you, I appreciate that remark. To be honest, I feel like I can trust you as well. Alright, here we are...two poor condemned souls in the middle of nowhere. Now let me share my story, so we can both cry." She waited for me to nod.
"Until about a year ago I had a nice real estate business. The details are not important, but the Hierarchy.." she whispered that word again "....closed my business. I swear, I did nothing illegal, but something must have happened. A competitor perhaps....I will never know. They decided to get rid of me in the most disgusting way possible. They sent me here...as far away from their precious little Hierarchy as they could. As you can see, I'm no longer in the real estate business, but instead have to survive doing something...I never even considered doing."
"Wow....tough luck. I didn't know they were so evil?"
"Evil? Yes, that describes them perfectly. But remember....speak nothing but good things about them to others, or strange things will start happening around you. Like they did to me. I have learned to keep my lips sealed since that day. And still....here we are...talking as if we're best friends."
"I know what you mean, strange, huh? Well....I don't have any friends here....so....just saying." I smiled, hoping that we could be friends, because I sure as hell can use them.
"Funny thing is that I believe you. You have to pick your own friends, but at least come in and say hi now and then."
"Sure, I'd love to. I mean...if they let me. I'm supposed to stay in my quarters as much as possible. But this area is apparently the only safe pce for me now."
"Safe?"
"Yeah.....I can't tell you more, just that people probably want to harm me. I really don't know why. It's making me feel uneasy all the time. You know? Looking around all the time for signs of danger?"
"I see. Is it job reted?"
"No, and that's what makes it so frustrating. I just don't know who or why. There are only a few facts that I'm aware of, but I can't tell you more because I don't want you to get hurt as well."
"I appreciate that. But rest assured, I can take care of myself."
"Oh..okay. Do you think anybody will compin if we'd talk more often?"
"So let them compin! You will always be welcome here. Having said that.....my business is on the verge of colpsing. They gave me a three month stable credit flow to set things up, but starting next week....I'm on my own. And I can't survive from a handful of people a day who only come in for a drink and perhaps a meal. It's the other stuff that's profitable but nobody cares about."
"Em....what other stuff do you mean? Isn't this just a restaurant?" I look around, and again don't see anything out of the ordinary.
"Are you serious?" She tilts her head, and gres at me for a moment.
"Yes, absolutely! I'm not trying to be rude, I swear!" I'm gesturing wildly that I don't mean to insult her.
She sighs a few times, probably trying to find the courage to expin the situation. "Kaya...girl....this is the entertainment district. You will find all sorts of entertainment here. They made me responsible for....physical entertainment if you know what I mean."
"Wait...you mean.....oh no...no no no...this pce is for.....you know....people who want to.....?"
"Exactly. For people who are looking for some....corporeal entertainment."
"Maybe I should leave?"
"Why should you? There's nobody else here and even if there were, nobody will y a finger on you, trust me. Besides, I don't run a business here without proper protection, you know? And no, I don't mean what you're probably thinking right now. I'm talking about an actual repulsor gun. Nobody, and I really mean..nobody...will harm me ever again. And you as my guest are under my protection as well."
"Um....I feel a bit unsafe here, Anisa."
"Yes, and the other guests feel the same way. That's why I'll be going out of business soon. I know that's what some people are hoping will happen. The people who forced me to move here. They want me to beg...to live in poverty."
"Um....how many staff do you have working here?" Let's try to help her stay positive. I think she needs help even more than I do.
"Staff? Ha ha ha, you're looking at her right now."
"No....you mean...they forced you to....you know?"
"No! Of course not! I'm the only real staff member here. The ones you meant are 3 drones."
"Oh....drones? I met a few of those. They were scary, but didn't seem to be that smart."
"Ha! The understatement of the century! It's all I have, and it's not enough! Anyway....that's my story. Why don't we make a toast? A toast to shared grievances!" She raised her mug.
"To new beginnings!" I said, still hoping to put her in a better mood.
A smile forms on her lips again. "Amazing. The depressed looking girl from earlier is gone, repced by a hopeful one. If you can smile after hearing that depressing story of mine, you are strong enough to have a future."
"Yeah....anyway, I was thinking, Anisa. Maybe I can help you? It's just that a teacher asked me to talk to new arrivals about human culture and such, otherwise I have absolutely nothing to do while they decide my fate. So....maybe we can help each other?"
"Mmm.....not wanting to sound ungrateful....but how could you possibly help me?"
"Well....I know how they run pces like this on Earth? And before you get the wrong idea, I only meant to say that I saw them in documentaries and such."
"Sounds interesting. I have zero understanding of these businesses. I always thought that they were shady underworld businesses run by crime lords. Well....turns out I was wrong. Seems like this is a legit business like the rest of them. But as a real estate agent....I'm absolutely unfit for this line of work. And yet....I need this pce to survive."
"Please don't expect any miracles from me, but at least I could try to help? In return...please teach me about...being a Lantosian?" Not that I want to become one, but acting like a Lantosian might be in my best interest.
She smiles and hugs me out of the blue, something which seems to be normal in their society. And before I could prepare, she rubbed her cheek against mine. I did the same, and saw her kind smile again. A real, genuine smile, showing promise of her life developing into a positive future.
"It's a deal," she said. "I'll do my best and if we make a profit, you'll share in the spoils of war."
"Sounds fair." I returned a smile. Maybe life here isn't as bad as I had expected it to be? I already found some real nice people.
"I was right about you. Well....you wanna see 'em?"
"Who? Ah....the drones, you mean?"
"Yes, of course!" She rolled her eyes.
"Alright...why not?"
"Woooow...your enthusiasm is incredible." She put her hands on her hips, gring at me, pretending to be disappointed.
"Ooooooh, I'm sooooo sorry. Please, I can hardly wait, please show me your precious drones." I said in a fake cynical way.
She shook her head while smiling and then pushed a button on her watch. Only a few seconds ter 3 drones appeared before us.
"Drone zero-zero-one ready for action.""Drone zero-zero-two ready for action.""Drone zero-zero-three ready for action."
All three drones look identical. They are probably supposed to resemble Lantosian women, but their faces are unnatural and so are their movements. The arm joints are clearly mechanical bolts and their furry ears..not lifelike or fluffy at all. Even my plushies back home look more lifelike than these three drones do.
Yes, I know, they are supposed to be Lantosian love dolls, but in reality they are more like anthropomorphized industrial robots which are forced to wear a waitress uniform. Well...not that bad, but still light years away from 'pretty.'
I have an unspoken appreciation for beautiful women, but these things are....not-women. They are simply bags filled with electronics requiring a remote control. No...every fiber in my new alien body is filled with disgust, not even wanting to talk to one....let alone pretend that it can flirt. Yuck...no.
Seriously, these drones are bad. They even use numbers to introduce themselves, need I say more?
I look at their owner and say "are you being serious? That's how they are supposed to attract some....you know...action as they called it?"
She closes her eyelids for a moment and nods a few times. "See what I mean? I'm as good as dead."
"Yeah...not gonna lie, it looks bad alright. But maybe there's still hope? Can't you change their programming or something?"
"No, these are obsolete models and I don't have the credits to pay for more than basic maintenance. Right now only the food and drinks are profitable. And that's only because I get the food and drinks for free and get a slight commission for taking care of our residents."
"Wow....I think you have every reason to be so pessimistic."
"Didn't I tell you? Ha ha ha...and here you walked in...no sorry, fell into my fine establishment, thinking that life couldn't possibly get any worse. Ha ha ha ha."
"Very true. Soo....are you ready to hear my constructive criticism? Things this establishment is doing wrong?"
"Are you serious? You have ideas already?"
"Well....I promised to help, didn't I? It's not much, but it might still help. Just listen and then decide for yourself if you want to change things, okay?"
"I'll take anything at this point, so go ahead. You, drone 3, man the bar. Drone 1 and 2, go...recharge or something."
"Affirmative... "
Two drones left us and the third one took position behind the counter as ordered.
Anisa helps me sit down behind the counter, on my request, next to the drone. The drone will keep me safe so I won't fall down from the bar stool.
"Now watch and learn," I said smiling. "First the obvious. Your drones are boring as hell. You need a host or hostess at the bar. A smiling person, male or female doesn't matter. Important is that you feel welcome the moment you see their infectious smile."
"Mmm....sounds like you know what you are talking about. I can picture it in my mind already. Go on."
"Um...what else? Ah, right. Your girls, and I mean those three drones, all should have names. Refer to them as your girls or as love dolls to others. Calling them drones sounds like they are filthy boring stupid machines. Which they basically are, but that's besides the point."
"Love dolls....interesting. Go on. Maybe you should take over? Ha ha ha...that face...no, continue please. You have a keen eye. Any more ideas?"
"Yes, I'm only warming up."
Memories of home and my parents suddenly made me feel homesick. And no, those memories were unreted to this conversation.
"Kaya? Are you okay?"
"Sorry.....just feeling homesick for a moment. Okay, let's continue. Next...the lights in here are totally wrong."
She looks around. "Seriously? It's normal to have this level of brightness in these shops, though?"
I shake my head to show her just how much I disagree with her. "No no no.....trust me..it's bad. This is not a shop. This is supposed to be a paradise of rexation."
"A paradise of......alright, I see you are serious. Then tell me, what's wrong with the lights?"
"It's far too bright and the wrong color temperature too. It should be a lot dimmer and warmer in color. You should feel welcomed... drawn in. The only bright light decorations, like the name of this establishment, should be on the wall there." I pointed at the wall behind me, something the guests would notice.
"I have to admit, it sure is...different."
"Well...you asked?"
"Yes, please continue."
"Trust me.... you want to set the right mood. Next thing I noticed....this pce looks like a restaurant from the outside. There's not even a name above the entrance. No pictures, nothing. How do people even know about...you know?"
"They use the directory?"
"Ah....okay...but that's a no. They have to see it, and people will spread the word. The shop's name should be something in a bright font and must sound like an invitation. Something like 'Anisa's paradise, where we know what you need.' Well something like that, but better."
"Interesting. Go on. There's even more right?" She noticed me nodding. "C'mon...is there anything good?"
"Sure, the owner is amazing!"
"Ah ha ha ha, showering me with compliments won't work. Alright tell me."
"There's no music either."
"Why would.....alright... that might work around here. No....still more?"
"Yeah, why not employ real people?"
"Because I can't afford them with my current css points, Kaya. My business is too small and insignificant for society. So this is all I have."
"Mmmm.... and what can we do to raise those points?" I wasn't about to ask what those points even mean.
"I need many more customers and the pce must be quite profitable. When my business grows, we pay more taxes, more taxes means a happy Hierarchy. And happy Hierarchy....well, you get the point."
"Okay....like that. Anyway, that's it for now. But please....please try to do something about those drones. Can't you sell one and upgrade the other 2?"
"Afraid not. They are obsolete models. I'll try your suggestions first and hope it will convince people to visit this pce. Truth be told, other drones aren't much better, Kaya."
"Wait....wait. Do you mean to say...that these things are supposed to be..normal...for this kind of business?"
"Exactly." She nods, obviously surprised to see my reaction.
"Wow....everything about them sucks, even their outfits."
"They don't do that." Anisa is grinning.
"Huh?
"Warning....power failure," the drone next to me said out of the blue, and then simply shut down on the spot.
"What the heck? Is that normal?" I asked while keeping an eye on the thing.
"No, Kaya, it means that its power supply is broken....again. Can you remove it from its left arm for me? Just pull...yes, that's it."
While I listened to Anisa summarizing my findings, I studied the power supply. It reminds me of a dog colr, one that's filled with bright red LEDs so people notice the dog on the sidewalk in the dark. But this drone uses it as a firmly connected bracelet. This particur bracelet however is no longer showing any bright LEDs...meaning it's dead. And the same applies to the drone.
While I was studying the markings and charging ports, we noticed a potential customer looking at us. I could almost hear Anisa pray to the gods for help....and her prayers must have been answered because the dy in question decided to pay this fine establishment a visit.
"Please py along....I beg of you." Anisa said, but I didn't have the time to object.
The dy walks to the counter and takes a seat opposite of me and Anisa."Em....good morning?" The visitor said, sounding somewhat nervous.
"Good morning, miss. Welcome to Anisa's paradise." I said while putting on my fake well-practiced Customer Service smile.
"Good morning, I'm Anisa. Welcome to my shop. Would you like something to drink?"
After our warm greetings, the customer felt more at ease and ordered a drink..after which she kept staring at me for some reason.
Her staring feels really uncomfortable but I can't even walk away due to my disability.
"You're cute. What's your name?" The dy said. She's a bit taller than me and her ears and hair are of a lighter shade of brown than Anisa's. I'm giving her 8 out of 10 points for cuteness, as far as aliens go of course. Wait....what did she just say?
"Eh?" I gnced at Anisa, and noticed that she was surprised as well.
"Don't you like compliments?" The dy said, making me focus on her again.
"Em....sure I do. It's just rather... unexpected. I'm Kaya. May I have your name?"
"Sure. I'm called Asta. They were right."
"About what, Asta?"
She smiles. "Didn't you hear the news? I mean...you should know, right? Drone AIs have gotten better since st year's 12th generation TechCon Numa-chip. I couldn't resist and chat with one of you. You really are smart...and incredibly real looking. Even your voice."
"Ehhhh.... I think you...."
She however doesn't waste any time and won't allow me to finish my sentence. She puts her hands on my cheeks, pulls me closer to her so she can rub my cheek. "And your abnormally white hair....incredible! You're even warm!"
When I gnced at Anisa again, I noticed that her confusion had changed into a full out grinning. Okay, so no help there. At least I found the reason why she thought that I was a drone.....my white hair.
Asta continues her conversation. "Wow... you are so real. You're even blushing. How about you show me more of your.....abilities?"
"Wait. Please....I think..."
"Awwww... so cute! Kaya, don't you like women?"
"Eh....I do actually...it's just..."
"Then you have no need to worry, same here."
Alright....that's it! I simply have to wipe that grin off of Anisa's face. I take a deep breath to rex and then try to flirt with this dy. "Soo...you would never... accept men?"
"No, never." She replied with a smile...alternatingly focusing on my lips and eyes.
"That's what I wanted to hear. But....I'm not really comfortable here. You know, flirting in public....in front of Anisa here. It's...not my style."
"Yeah...I know what you mean, and I wouldn't ever visit a pce like this. But your eyes called to me."
"Ehehe...go on."
"Having no body to warm up against at night... in a far away alien world....I sought some happiness here. I was hoping to find a listening ear at the very least, nothing more if you know what I mean. But my oh my, you are amazing. So lifelike. I never do this stuff..you know? But...I'd love some attention, so maybe we should try? Yes... let's indulge. Show me what you got."
"Wait, Asta. You are very sweet and all...and...I'd love to rub your cheeks again...but..but.."
"Awww.......pying hard to get? No worries, I love a challenge! I can't believe that you're a drone. Maybe I'll even buy one of you."
"Eh...I'm not a drone, Asta."
"Huh? Ha ha ha. Good one, I almost believed you!"
"No, seriously."
Her smile disappears like snow in Death Valley. "But..that thing in your hands! Isn't that the ring which drones always need to show people? As proof that they are drones? And it started glowing when I sat down!"
"Wait...it did? Wow...Anisa, I guess it works now." I looked at Anisa for a moment.
Anisa however looks serious and simply nods a few times, so no help there. I therefore put the battery pack back onto the drone's arm without her consent.
"Drone zero-zero-three....startup sequence initiated. Synchronizing time...scanning for updates...none found. Ready for action."
I then look at Asta again, and she seems more than a bit disappointed and also embarrassed."Asta, really...I'm not a drone. This battery thing here needed fixing and.....yeah...I think it must have looked like I was one. Sorry....guess I'm not as smart as you thought I was."
She blushes...severely. "I'm....I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!" She bowed to me and was about to leave.
"Asta! Please wait, and stay, okay?"
"Ummm......forgive me. Maybe another day? I feel so embarrassed!"
"No need to feel like that. I actually liked where you were going.... but I would never lie to anyone, or take advantage of your feelings."
"So... you're a real person, huh?"
"Yes, but one very far from home."
"Yes, aren't we all?" She took a deep breath, after which her smile reappeared. "No, sorry, I need to go now." She waved us goodbye and left us.
All of this flirting caused me to blush considerably and it wouldn't surprise me if clouds of steam were leaving my ears at that exact moment.
Two completely fbbergasted Lantosians, Anisa and I, were blinking and staring at each other for at least a minute, until Anisa rebooted.
"What...what was that what you did?! Flirting is definitely your thing, Kaya!!!!! Drone 3, learn from her! That's how you should act!"
"Invalid command, please rephrase." Is all it replied, making Anisa park her head on the counter for a moment.
"Please someone...put me out of my misery! And what did you do to that battery pack? It costs a small fortune to repair!"
"Nothing! I only held it in my hands when she talked to me. Maybe it wasn't broken after all?"
"Or perhaps you are my good luck charm? I definitely want to hire you! Can't we work out a deal?"
"Em....I thought you said that you weren't allowed to hire staff?"
"No, ...well...yes, but I won't officially hire you. You will volunteer and I might somehow find a way to compensate you. Indirectly....somehow."
"Ahhhh....like that. Well....I had lots of fun here...so don't worry. I'll be back, but not for flirting...unless it's beneficial to me."
"Ha ha ha.....agreed. I'd wish that my drones were only 10% as likable as you are!"
Another blush formed on my cheeks. "Now stop it... it's the first time anyone did that to me. It just...happened and I just pyed along. I'm feeling so embarrassed."
"No need to feel embarrassed, it's perfectly normal."
"Oh...okay then. I'll see what I can do about your drone problem. I'll ask questions here and there and see if I can find someone willing to upgrade your drones or something. I can't believe that these drones are all your people have as love dolls."
Her expression turned serious...very serious. "YOUR people? Who are you? Like really?"
"Oops. I can't tell you that. But I'm not involved in anything evil, I promise. I'm only a victim and that's the full truth. I have no hidden agenda....I only want to go home."
"Alright...I trust you. Do you trust me?"
"Yeah?"
She moves closer and further up towards my ears which are now on top of my head, and whispers "are you....a.....human?"
I swallowed once more and whispered into her ears without nodding. "Not anymore. Accident. They are listening. Shhhh...."
She gave me an understanding look, appreciating that I had shared my secret.
With Anisa's help I carefully returned to my wheelchair. And when she basically ordered me to return soon, I could see pity in her eyes. Pity for my situation.
"Bright day, Kaya."
"Bright day, Anisa." I said with a smile. Even these greetings sound weird. "And sorry for the misunderstanding...you know...about being a drone?"
"I'm not." Anisa grinned. "They call this the entertainment district after all. And your visit was very....entertaining for me. Now go."
I waved goodbye and headed towards the residential area, hoping to find my quarters.
Sheesh, I can't believe that I just flirted with an alien. What's wrong with me? Somebody help me!