3. Thank You, Luxist Monk #3
We looked at each other again. During our time of reprieve, I spotted her looking into Reef but didn’t bother her.
I figured she was doing some reminiscing or wondering why they continued to succeed without her.
Once again, I was proved wrong by how much there was to her.
She was more than I had ever imagined, each day becoming increasingly complex.
Denji nodded.
“You knew?” Boyband added, spite in his tone.
She glanced at him, fighting to keep her composure but I could tell that it bothered her.
She had seemed off on occasion, but there were so many problems that we were dealing with that I never thought it had anything to do with her career.
I was sure she enjoyed the break from stardom, but part of her ego had never left.
She craved love as we all did. As nations fed her love, she had grown used to it in an unhealthy abundance.
“You might have thought that Reef died with Anton, but it was so much more. Did you expect me to ignore what the world was saying about me?” she said.
“What, that you were doing children’s music now?”
“That I had become a sellout? That Reef was ready to move on from me? No matter how much of a pawn I was, it still hurts to hear. Not all of my pride was programmed.”
“So you want to go back?” I asked.
“Zeg, no. I won’t allow that to repeat.”
“But the world has to be missing you, right?” Ralia asked.
Naoma scoffed. “The public is quick to move onto their next fix. Most people’s attention spans died with their ancestors in the Virtual Era. I’m sure I still have some loyal followers out there, but making a public appearance right now will put a dolphin-shaped target on my head.”
I looked at her, “Is that why that thing attacked you?”
“What?” Ralia gasped.
Naoma waved it off. “It’s a problem for later, and no.”
“Then who is Reef’s new tool?” Boyband asked. “If they’re shooting for the presidency, they’ve got to have a big name like you, right?”
“3Rochi.”
“That bubbly trio of girls?” Abbas asked.
“Oh my Light, I love them!” Ralia said.
Boyband scoffed. “You can’t anymore.”
Ralia smirked. “Your neurospace shows that you were enjoying Nichley mindshows on the way back to the Republic. You can enjoy an enemy and I can’t?”
“Mine are nostalgic! It’s different.”
“So memtabs are fine, too?”
“Enough,” Abbas groaned. “It’s all propaganda.”
“Sorry, Nay,” Ralia said. “I still think you’re better.”
“Who is 3Rochi?” Kuni asked. His voice was quiet but more confident than it had been.
Naoma’s tested patience became sincere as she looked at Kuni.
The only child among us, his innocence was sure to expire.
“A trio of girls from far-east Arabasia who worked under me when I was at Reef. They’re vile, like a hydra…
literally. They are three girls, but they speak and act as one, despite their distinct personalities.
Something isn’t right with them, but it doesn’t matter. If we steer clear, we’ll be fine.”
“We can’t just ignore them,” Boyband said. “You said they’re running for zegging presidency!”
“The presidency isn’t our focus anymore,” Abbas said.
“Yes, we need our hand in power somewhere, but that doesn’t mean winning the election is our priority.
You’re not working for Osteolyte anymore.
Yeah, sure, they’re still a threat, but something we need to stay away from while we focus on the bigger problem.
If that wins, there won’t be a Republic to worry about. ”
“Which brings us back to the education system!” Denji said with a smile and outstretched arms, though I could tell he had been waiting for a long while to make himself relevant again.
“Hold up,” Boyband said with a hand facing Denji but his attention on Naoma. “You were attacked?
Naoma glanced at Denji, eyebrows tented.
“Just get on with it,” the monk said.
She nodded. “A continuous war in the east, continuous political strife here, continuous propaganda forcing the world against us, we have a lot to deal with. We all know that the Gongtide is our main focus. This probably has something to do with that, too. What I mean to say is sorry. We’re a lot to deal with–”
“Speak for yourself,” Boyband said.
Naoma pointed at him. “That one most of all. We’ll give you the floor, but we all needed some time to get everything out of our system.”
“I thought a week apart would have been good,” I said, “but it looks like we might just have to stick with each other and push through until the end.”
Denji sighed. “I understand.”
“Do you?” Boyband asked. “I don’t see anyone around.”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t get around.”
“I was attacked by a therapist,” Naoma said.
Abbas laughed. “That’s one way to cut off a conversation.”
“You’re in therapy?” Ralia whispered, though it was obvious that we could all hear her. “If you ever need to talk with anyone, I’m–”
“No, it’s not like that. I know I’ve told Petya–”
“Of course you have,” Boyband said, earning a glare from everyone and an electrocution from Kuni that left him unconscious.
“I will catch him up later,” Kuni said as his hand shifted from eel back into human skin.
“Bless you,” Ralia kissed his forehead. “Continue, Nay.”
Naoma nodded, her furrowed brow made me wonder if the nickname used only by Ralia had bothered her. “I told Petya after you all freed me from Reef that I can’t recall anything before my employment there. The memories are gone.”
“Did you have to relearn how to read?” Kuni asked.