The Pale Blue Dot - 4. Chapter 4 Eyes

I ran my fingertip over the small, constantly shifting dots on the terminal, reading the words filled with ornate imagery and hidden meanings. Some seemed to reference ancient names and figures, while others were related to plants. I thought that by analyzing the recipes, places of origin, and specific terms related to the process, I might uncover something intriguing--I could almost smell the potential for a major discovery.

"Long Island Iced Tea," I said to the bartender, lest him really run out of patience.

A bar that still employs a living bartender must be rare these days, likely due to a focus on temper and customer service.

For someone like me who has never drunk alcohol before, it seemed wise to start with a non-alcoholic beverage.

I set the terminal aside, disconnecting from the bar's local network, deciding to continue my research into the stories hidden within the drink menu another time. The ancient texts I encountered while writing my thesis weren't this difficult to decipher--what an unexpected discovery.

To be honest, if it weren't for my collaborator to arrange to meet here, I probably wouldn't have stepped foot in such a place in my lifetime.

Lifting my head, I sniffed the air.

The hardwood from Gaia's temperate forests still exuded a faint fragrance even after centuries had passed. The warm, rich scent reflected the complex history layered beneath its surface. I gently brushed my hand across the table, trying to decode the secrets hidden in the fine grain.

Beyond the bar itself, the patrons contributed to the atmosphere: otters, lions, grey wolves, zebras... there were even two dragons in the corner. Before entering, I had noticed a flag by the door that signified everyone was welcome.

The unique sound produced by magnetic boots on wood--a steady yet resilient waveform--was unlike the sharpness of metal, the solidity of rock, or the tautness of polymers. I thought to myself how much I liked this feeling as I continued tracing another set of patterns on the table's surface.

Aside from that, there were some even more... subtle signals.

A maned wolf sitting near me at the bar kept nervously glancing around, seemingly unaware that his drink had long been empty, yet he still unconsciously brought the glass to his lips.

Let me guess... he's either desperately scouting for a target or extremely nervous about an upcoming meeting. The former seems more likely, though the small dotted aura surrounding him could apply to either situation.

In the corner, the two dragons were speaking in hushed tones, clearly not wanting to draw too much attention, their gazes almost exclusively fixed on each other. The mist-like aura around them moved slowly, resonating with the unique pulsation all dragons possess, creating an uneven pattern of density.

They didn't strike me as fierce pirates, probably just ordinary dragons. Though some might take issue with that assessment.

As for the reindeer sitting alone at another table, I didn't need to observe the jagged lines around him to know he was here to drown his sorrows--the clinking of empty glasses on the table made that clear. He now had his head buried in his hands, nose nearly touching the table. The frequency of the lines was steady for now, so there might not be a need to worry about a drunken outburst just yet, but if things kept going this way, it was hard to say.

I considered calming his aura but decided against it, fearing I might make things worse. The pride and dignity of cervids usually don't allow them to show such a state of despair in front of others--whatever hit him must have been severe.

Ha, am I projecting a stereotype onto a species I don't truly understand? If that guy found out, I'd probably get another lecture.

"Is all you see just another herbivore?" The memory of certain scenes flashed through my mind, making the corners of my mouth involuntarily curl up.

Speaking of herbivores... I'm still not quite sure how to interact with them.

"Open inbox, read the message from Valles Marineris University on the seventh of this month," I commanded the terminal, taking a sip of my drink.

"Dear Dr. London, Jack: After reading your work and reviewing the recent topics your research lab has focused on, I believe our collaboration could bring fresh perspectives to both parties, along with many potential opportunities in the future..."

Such a formal tone... I hadn't seen something so traditionally written in a while. I hope he's not trying to fit into a stereotype he thinks I have about herbivores--I really can't deal with the complicated social interactions of guessing and not saying things outright.

"...Regarding the Lunar, being able to see with one's own eyes and personally experience the diverse society that we've only heard about before is truly an honor... Looking forward to meeting you. Sincerely, Nara Tohru."

I recalled that in the Federation, it's customary to place the surname first, so Nara... he must come from an old family as well. I did a bit of searching; there wasn't much information about Tohru himself, typical of the privacy-conscious herbivores from the Federation, who rarely even use social media.

However, in terms of academic publications, he's made a name for himself as a scholar in historical and cultural studies, particularly prolific for a young postdoctoral researcher. His expertise lies in ancient texts, and recent conference papers indicate a growing focus on various ancient ruins.

That's probably why he reached out to us. Successfully translating ancient poems and restoring that giant, ancient bronze statue--just excavated last year from the Mare Tranquillitatis base ruins--our lab has gained interstellar renown in this field. But this will be the first time we collaborate with a Federation scholar on a long-term basis.

"You'll be in charge," the boss concluded before ending our last meeting.

"Huh, why me?" The other research team members all emitted signals of agreement, but I couldn't accept the sudden decision.

"Well, it can't be Tara or Moody, right?" the boss said matter-of-factly. The other two senior postdocs surrounded themselves with a wave of indifference, and I could practically smell the schadenfreude in the air. I really can't stand hyenas. "The other party is a small muntjac, and large carnivores would scare him."

"But I'm a wolf!" I desperately tried to make one last stand. And you're aware that you're a black-footed cat, right?

"That's irrelevant."

What are you even saying? Didn't you just worry about scaring the muntjac?

"Besides, didn't you live with a herbivore for six years as a roommate? You'll be fine." The boss signaled for everyone to leave after finishing, leaving me alone in the empty meeting room.

Reflecting on the helplessness I felt back then, I sighed again and downed some more of the liquid, trying to swallow the bitterness along with it. I ignored the glance the maned wolf threw my way, pondering how this ice tea tasted different from what I imagined. Perhaps this is the profundity of ancient cultures?

"Cognac, straight from the bottle."

The sudden voice from my right nearly made me jump. I wiped the tea I had just spit out from my mouth and calmly placed my glass back on the bar.

When did he get there? Why... why is there nothing?

If I focused very hard, I could barely make out... an outline, because all the waves that passed through that space disappeared. I could roughly infer his shape from the void.

What's going on? This has never happened before--I almost couldn't perceive his presence.

I sniffed the air, trying to distinguish his scent from the overwhelming mix in the bar or identify anything about him from the faint friction sounds of his movements.

"Did I scare you?" he asked, a playful tone in his voice. "The fur on your tail is all puffed up."

I felt the tips of my ears grow hot, and I worked to lower my tail and calm myself.

The bartender handing him the bottle was proof enough that this guy was real—not a figment of my imagination—but I still couldn't clearly sense him. I was startled, but I didn't want to admit it.

"I was just deep in thought and got a bit distracted," I said offhandedly.

He responded with a light laugh, clearly not believing me. For the first time, I found myself unable to confirm someone's thoughts or feelings by the rhythmic waves I usually relied on--this made me uneasy.

"Your expression is making me curious about what's troubling you so much. Care to share? Someone once told me that keeping too much bottled up is bad for your health." He suggested, the bubbling sound from the bottle adding a somewhat frivolous tone.

"Uh... perhaps we could start by introducing ourselves?" I deflected, wanting to learn more about him, to understand why he could hide from my perception. Any hint would do, even though I suspected his flippant tone was meant to flirt with me. Or am I just overthinking it? Damn, losing the ability to read the atmosphere is a real pain--how do others deal with this?

"Oh, sorry, where are my manners?" He paused, as if considering something. "I'm José, a coyote." He laughed lightly, as if finding his own name amusing.

What a... strange person.

"Jack London," I offered my right hand, and he shook it, indicating no ill intent. "A grey wolf, as you can clearly see." I added, even though I was still not used to the Empire's habit of always bringing up species, but as an expert in xenocultural, I had to set an example.

"From the English House?" he asked, a hint of surprise in his tone.

"Oh, no, that's not it." People from the Empire always reacted this way, and I was starting to consider printing the explanation on a business card. "My family arrived on the Lunar before the Empire was established, but if you must know, I'm part of the Nyx faction--the London House." I gestured to my fur, even though I never really understood what that actually meant.

"Oh, I see," he said flatly, the detachment in his tone unmistakable. "Black as night."

"I'm not trying to pry into your personal life, it's just..." It was hard to admit how awkward I felt. "...you don't smell like a coyote." That scent... it was much more complicated.

A brief silence followed, the only sound being the deep thud of a bottle placed on the wooden bar. I took a sip of my own drink, wondering if I had said something wrong.

"Actually, I'm a mutt," he said, still using that slightly detached tone. "It's always made me a bit self-conscious, so I don't like bringing it up."

"Oh, I'm sorry." I cleared my throat, apologizing and hoping he didn't feel too offended. "I didn't mean to." So Imperial citizens had issues like this too? I could've sworn dogs still ranked higher than all the other canines. Not being able to read the atmosphere was truly frustrating.

"No, it's nothing," he continued, but the flippancy was gone from his voice. "It's just... I have a request that might be a bit forward."

"What is it?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

So his earlier offer to listen to my troubles was just an excuse? But I didn't mind; I was more interested in understanding what made this strange mutt so unique.

"You remind me of someone..." I heard his fingernails gently tapping on the bar, a slow but deep rhythm. "Can I look into your eyes?"

"I guess that's it, then." I placed the dust collector back in its spot, tied off the last bag of trash, and tossed it into the wall's waste disposal chute.

The room hadn't really changed much, considering neither of us were the type to keep many things. Sharing a room for six years--that probably counts as some sort of achievement, doesn't it?

"My flight's in two hours," he said as he walked back to me after seeing off the moving company staff. "So, I guess this is it."

I thought I'd feel something more dramatic, or maybe a little sad, but I was actually quite calm. A lot had happened in those six years, and I'd gone through so many unexpected changes and experiences. Rather than some vague notion of "maturity," I think the real reason was the promise of seeing each other again.

I extended my right hand, intending to make it a formal farewell. Unexpectedly, he pulled me into a hug, patting me on the back. I didn't want him to think it was too weird, but because it was so sudden, I froze up, not knowing how to react.

That damn musky scent was still as strong as ever.

"Take care," he said as he stepped back, picking up his remaining luggage to leave.

"Hey," I called out to him from behind, making a decision on the spot. "Wait."

He turned around, tilting his head in a way that made him look puzzled. Ha, maybe he'd lived with me for too long--he was starting to act like a wolf. Or maybe he learned body language on purpose to communicate with me? I'd never really thought about it before.

"This might be a strange request..." I tried to suppress the awkwardness rising inside me, as well as the blood rushing to my ears. "But..." I took a small, deep breath, not wanting to drag it out any longer. "I want to see what you look like."

His response was a hearty laugh. He put down his luggage and shrugged at me.

I took another deep breath, steadying my slightly trembling hands as I removed my goggles, lifting my head to find a rough angle where I could meet his gaze. I expanded my awareness, letting my senses extend outward. The vibrations of the surrounding objects began to reveal themselves, sketching out the shape of the world.

To me, the world is made up of pure vibrations and waveforms, but only living things have a special kind of oscillation. Because these waves always pulse around the individual, I call them "aura." The aura is different from the host's own vibrations, though I'm not entirely sure why--maybe the former is the breath of life, and the latter is proof of existence?

I've never figured out the answer, but I suppose I could ponder that later--whenever I get the time to contemplate unsolvable mysteries.

His form gradually took shape in my sight, composed of the complex waveforms emanating from the red deer. That aura, pulsing steadily, was as friendly and humorous as the host himself.

"Wow, your eyes are red! I've never seen that color before," he said with a laugh, his surprise and joy spreading outward in irregular, enclosed waves. "It reminds me of the red sands of Ares," he added in a somewhat detached tone, taking a step closer, though I didn't move. He gently cupped the side of my face, leaning his head toward mine.

The strong scent of musk surrounded me.

"Huh, what?" I wasn't sure if I heard him wrong or if this was some kind of clumsy pickup line, so I wanted to confirm.

"Your eyes," he repeated, his tone detached. "I want to see your eyes."

This request was really strange. But whether it was something deep in those words, a sudden memory from the past, or just my curiosity about this odd mutt, I found myself wanting to know what kind of story leads a guy to ask a random stranger at a bar to show him their eyes.

I took off my goggles, placing them on the bar, and turned to face the mutt.

"Oh," he said softly, and I could sense a swirl of mixed emotions in that single syllable. But one thing was certain--he wasn't surprised. Instead, he seemed to relax as if he had just confirmed something.

Before I could voice my question, the vibrations in space began to change. Bit by bit, where there had been only emptiness, the waves started to reveal the mutt's appearance. A complex web of geometric lines formed an unimaginably magnificent fractal structure, extending endlessly, pulsing with a strong yet steady rhythm.

I couldn't make a sound; all my words caught in my throat, utterly overwhelmed by the sight. It was like... the embodiment of infinity itself. Not even the sun radiated such powerful waves. Was I really talking to a creature of flesh and blood?

But this perfectly unfolding symmetrical figure had something... missing, a subtle flaw, like a piece of it was absent, leaving the image forever incomplete. It was... an endless void, capable of swallowing everything in its path.

As I was pondering what all of this could mean, I felt... a knock. Not a physical one, but he... somehow, gently knocked... on the shell surrounding my soul? And with an odd politeness, as if asking for permission, he directly reached out to my consciousness.

Curiosity and awe mingled within me, my desire to know his story took the lead. I wanted to respond, to understand how he was doing all of this, but I didn't know how. It felt like there was some boundary between us, but I could almost... reach out a little, just a little...

"Damn it!" the mutt cursed under his breath, shattering the somewhat mystical atmosphere. "Sorry, duty calls." I could tell from the unique waveform of tachyon moving through space that he had just received some kind of communication. The sounds of him standing up and bumping into things were filled with agitation.

"Oh, it's fine," I waved him off, indicating I didn't mind, as I put my goggles back on and took another sip of my tea. At the same time, he somehow masked his own waveform again, creating an empty void where he stood. I couldn't see my own waves, but could I do the same thing? Though I couldn't think of any real benefit to doing so.

"Uh," his tone seemed a bit awkward as the bartender processed his credit card. "Nice to meet you, Jack the gray wolf."

"You too," I replied, my words tinged with an awkwardness that stood in stark contrast to the infinite power I had just witnessed, causing the corners of my mouth to curl up involuntarily. "José the mutt." He responded with a light chuckle.

"I know we'll meet again." He made some gestures to say goodbye; I could feel the air shifting, and I noticed he took the bottle of Cognac with him.

"I'm looking forward to it," I joked, wondering where his confidence came from with such a clumsy pick-up line. But that power... it really intrigued me. And just the fact that he could mask his own waveform made me certain he knew a lot of things I didn't--maybe he could even answer the questions I'd only been able to guess at and fumble through.

After the mutt left, I finished my drink, contemplating whether to order another round. And then it suddenly hit me--we should have exchanged contact information. His ability to mask himself would make it impossible for me to find him just by following the waves. Wait, could he, like me, identify different individuals by the variations in their waveforms?

Just then, I noticed that the attention of the bar patrons suddenly shifted toward something, a mix of confusion and amusement spreading across their expressions. Of course, the bartender remained indifferent, as if nothing was worth his attention, continuing to polish the glasses.

The scent of musk from a deer species filled the air. I've never been fond of that smell, and I didn't expect that the secretion from a muntjac's suborbital gland would be so similar. Coupled with the sluggish atmosphere that clearly hadn't fully shaken off the induced hibernation from long-distance space travel, I figured this must be Dr. Nara.

If I remember correctly, the smaller the animal, the slower the recovery. But the spaceport hotels should have had the necessary restoration facilities, so did he come here directly after disembarking? That's a mistake usually made by first-time interstellar travelers. I recall my own experience when I went to the asteroid belt to study an artifact that a dragon refused to lend. During those days of just waking from hibernation, I deeply understood what it meant for my limbs to feel like they didn't belong to me.

"Dr. London?" I hadn't even stood up yet when the muntjac, dragging a suitcase that seemed too large for him, approached and bowed to greet me.

"Please, just call me Jack, Dr. Nara." I returned the gesture, indicating the empty seat beside me. I've had to stress so often that I'm just a candidate that I've grown weary of correcting it.

"Then please, call me Tohru." He awkwardly adjusted his chair, his slightly clumsy but endearing demeanor causing my lips to curl into a slight smile.

"How did you recognize me?" I asked while signaling the bartender for a refill.

"A pure black wolf isn't something you see often," Tohru said as he seemed to be operating something on his terminal. "Do you have any recommendations?" I assumed he was referring to drinks.

"Long Island Iced Tea is pretty good." He was more interesting than I had anticipated. "Maybe you could give it a try." I raised my glass, recently handed over by the bartender, and took a sip.

Unexpectedly, a burst of dense dots and erratically bouncing sharp lines erupted around the muntjac--shock and... shyness? But in a positive way. These emotional reactions left me baffled.

Is today some kind of special day? Why is everyone reacting so strangely?

"Oh, by the way," Tohru seemed to forcefully snap himself out of some emotion, shaking his head vigorously as he spoke. "Here's my terminal's secure connection certificate, if you're okay with it." My terminal vibrated lightly.

It took me a moment to grasp what he meant.

"Of course, no problem." I fumbled with the panel near the temple of my goggles, found the power button, and pressed it, only to find it unresponsive. "Sorry, I haven't used it in so long that I didn't realize it's out of battery. We'll deal with it later." I apologized, taking another sip to moisten my throat. Is it getting a bit warm here?

"You don't use neural interface...," Tohru murmured, shock radiating from him like an explosion of jagged lines around him. "...Then how do you...?" I hadn't even swallowed my drink before a fresh wave of embarrassment surged from him, overshadowing the other emotions.

Oh, I'm not complaining, but... isn't this a bit too emotional?

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause you any trouble..." His tone was panicked, clearly unsure of what to do.

"Hey, it's alright." I smiled reassuringly, giving him a light pat on the shoulder, but the muntjac immediately tensed up, his whole-body stiffening.

"Sorry, I should've asked for your permission first..." I quickly withdrew my hand.

Oh man, could this get any more awkward? What kind of cultural misunderstanding fiasco is this? It must be that strange mutt from earlier, making me feel so unsettled that my reactions are a bit off. And why is it getting hotter?

"No, it's my fault." He hastily explained.

Just then, the bartender placed his drink on the bar, and we quietly sipped our respective beverages. The myriad of overlapping emotional waves around the muntjac made it difficult to interpret any clear information.

"I think we should stop endlessly apologizing for what we don't know and start over." He said in a calm, professional tone.

"Agreed." I raised my glass to him in response.

"So..." He hesitated, looking at me with some uncertainty. "If I may be so bold, how do you... live without a neural interface?"

"Oh," I laughed. "It's not difficult at all, I just don't need one. I've found that without it, I see things more clearly." I tapped my goggles. "But for things like manuscripts and other flat media, I do need the terminal to read or some other form of assistance."

To my explanation, Tohru nodded thoughtfully, taking another sip of his drink.

"So..." It seemed it was my turn to ask an awkward question. "Why do you turn your head away whenever I speak?"

"Huh?" The jagged lines around him flared up in sync with surprise in his voice.

"Didn't I mention that I can 'see' it?" I joked lightly, a hint of mockery in my tone as I finished off my iced tea.

"It's your teeth..." Tohru said quietly, tracing circles on the rim of his glass, producing a soft, resonant hum. "Please don't be bothered by my rude reaction; it's a personal issue..." Before I could process what that meant, he hastily added, the emotional atmosphere around the muntjac becoming so saturated that I couldn't decipher any further information.

I responded simply and asked the bartender for a refill. But we had just agreed to stop the endless apologies, so I racked my brain for a different topic.

"There aren't that many carnivores in the Ares Federation, right?" I regretted the words the moment they left my mouth.

Like most people, I tend to subconsciously ignore the big cats forced onto Pavor. I just hope this topic doesn't lead us to an even more awkward place.

"Yeah," Tohru responded rather directly. "So many different species walking side by side on the streets is really... quite shocking." The atmosphere around the muntjac began to settle down. "On Ares, even the herbivores live according to their specific families, so I don't often see faces outside of the cervids in my daily life."

Just then, the bartender placed another glass in front of him, emitting a very distinct sour aroma.

Did he just order a drink with a hand gesture? So, this small muntjac is what they call... a bar aficionado?

"I guess I'm already used to it, so I don't feel anything special." Besides, from my perspective, everyone is made up of lines and waves, so it's hard to really feel any difference. Although, there have indeed been more canines on the streets lately.

"This is real wood!" Tohru suddenly noticed the tabletop material, his voice filled with awe. "And the whole bar is made of it--so this is the first bar on the Lunar. I never imagined I'd see real wood."

"I thought you picked this place on purpose." Some sort of historical landmark, though I hadn't paid much attention to it before because it was just a bar. What a shame.

"I just picked it based on recommendations; I didn't want to be too far from the shuttle landing area." He said. "I've never seen wood before. If only I could see an actual tree." A smooth scraping sound came from the tabletop.

"We might have a chance to go to Gaia for work; you could see plenty of trees then." I smiled, imagining what it feels like to really want to see something.

"Speaking of Gaia..." Tohru placed his glass back on the bar and quickly glanced around, lowering his voice. "Doesn't it bother any of you?" The shift in air currents and atmospheric patterns hinted that he was gesturing upwards.

"Uh... a ceiling leak risk?" I didn't quite understand what he meant.

"No, much higher," he continued, still looking as though he feared being overheard. "Like, satellite orbit height."

"Oh, you mean the Canine Empire's fleet docking at the Lunar spaceport?" I ventured a guess, and Tohru nodded in confirmation. "I must say, the situation is indeed a bit delicate right now..." Especially considering my own position, which makes my stance even more delicate, so I usually don't share my thoughts on the matter. "But I think everyone knew this was inevitable. The pro-Empire factions have been growing stronger over the past few years."

"But isn't the Lunar supposed to be a neutral free zone?" Tohru asked, with a hint of resentment in his voice.

"As the humblest students of history, we should understand this best," I said, raising my glass to invite him for a toast. "There are no eternal friends, and no eternal enemies." Tohru let out a faint hum and clinked his glass against mine, producing a crisp sound.

"Hopefully this 'eternal' lasts a bit longer..." he muttered, and I wasn't entirely sure if he was referring to the "friends" or "enemies" part.

"And at least it's the Empire's Heart fleet," I said, thinking of far worse possibilities. "The Archduke of Germany is considered a more reasonable person."

The brutal reputations of the Marquis of New York and the Marquis of Canberra are well-known, even on the Lunar. Though there are rumors that the new Archduke of Germany is somewhat... eccentric, I dare not imagine the implications if it were the Empire's Claw or the Empire's Fang, flagship names synonymous with overwhelming firepower, docked at the spaceport.

"For those herbivores who lost loved ones during the Inner Planet Wars, they probably wouldn't agree with that sentiment. When the Empire's Heart tore apart the Midway Fortress and its stationed fleet with just the drones it carried, it's hard to see it as 'reasonable'," Tohru said softly. "On the day the Storm Wolf was born, countless lives began their eternal drift in the void, their dying cries unheard by anyone." The muntjac sighed, gently rubbing the side of his glass. "So for us, knowing that the Empire's Heart is docked at the Lunar spaceport feels worse than seeing the Empire's Claw bombarding the Lunar with planet-destroying weapons."

"Oh..." I wasn't sure what to say. "I deeply regret your loss." There was no need to interpret the atmosphere to know where the sadness in his voice came from.

I often forget that there are people who have personally experienced every story, and those people are more than just stories.

People often tell me that I care more about the past than the present, which makes the study of history itself seem like a backward pursuit. But I suppose Tohru doesn't know that the second scenario he imagined nearly came true. Remembering that made me unconsciously clench my fists.

"Back to the point, the Storm Wolf has been 'dead' for nearly ten years. There's no reason to be so fixated on a ship. And who knows, maybe the new Archduke of Germany is truly 'reasonable'." He added sarcastic emphasis to a few key words. The Federation never believed that the Storm Wolf would die in an "accident" and leaned more towards the idea that it was part of some complex conspiracy. "But isn't it strange that a society that prides itself on diversity and freedom is aligning itself with a dictatorial feudal empire?" Tohru downed the rest of his drink, and his atmosphere began to loosen.

"Exitus acta probat." For some reason, the oft-repeated teachings just slipped out of my mouth. "It basically means 'the outcome justifies the means'."

Why am I recalling so many past scenes today? It seems unusually sentimental, not like my usual self. I pushed my glass forward, signaling the bartender for a refill.

"What did you just say?" Tohru's tone suddenly became sharp, and the lines around him turned into sharp-angled waveforms.

Although in the somewhat noisy bar no one would notice his raised voice, I was surprised at how drastically the muntjac's attitude had changed. I thought that even if Federation citizens were a bit sensitive about the Empire, it wouldn't be to this extent. There's a vulgar proverb on the Lunar about the Ares Federation, roughly saying that before interfering in another satellite's domestic affairs, they should sort out their own two first.

"It's kind of a family motto, I suppose," I explained. "Outcome-focused, no matter what the means. As long as the final outcome adds up favorably, the process doesn't matter."

It's actually more complex than that, but I didn't feel like getting into such detail with someone I wasn't that close to. Even though there's an urge within me to pour out all the emotions pent up inside, years of reflection and struggle prevent me from doing so.

What's going on with me today?

"No, I know what utilitarianism is," Tohru replied in a tone still a bit too sharp. "What did you just recite?" He paused before asking more clearly.

"Exitus acta probat?" I repeated. "It's Latin for 'the outcome justifies the means.' It was the first complete sentence my mother taught me after I learned to speak."

"Why would your mother know... how to pronounce Latin?" Tohru asked, his tone now much calmer.

"I come from a very old family," I shrugged, thinking that with a surname like 'Nara,' he should understand what I meant. "Some ancient knowledge has been passed down, retold within our family. Maybe that's why I chose this field of study." Liar! "Seeing the handwritten manuscripts in our family library would probably give those old-timers at the university a heart attack. Though, no one in the family can actually read those texts," I laughed, taking a big gulp of my drink, swallowing back what was about to spill from my mouth.

Why did I let that slip out?

"I'm sure our collaboration will yield great results!" The high-frequency arcs radiating from Tohru indicated his excitement and anticipation. "Perhaps one day you'll let me see your collection?" The muntjac produced something that had an old scent on it, followed by a rustling sound, and... the sound of pages turning. Writing? So, he's old-fashioned like that.

"Of course, no problem." I realized after saying it that I hadn't fully considered what I had just agreed to, or the potential complications it might lead to. But I'll think of something to deflect the conversation. "Speaking of which, are you interested in checking out our restoration progress? The studio is just set up below the dormitory."

"I thought the bronze colossus was left at the excavation site in the Mare Tranquillitatis," he seemed very interested in the proposal, judging by the change in his tone.

"Oh, not the statue itself," I clarified with a wave of my hand. "The inscriptions. We believe it's part of a commemorative structure that accompanies the statue, like a set, translating into poetry."

"Sounds amazing!" Tohru said enthusiastically, his small frame is now entirely engulfed by the dense atmosphere around him. "So, what are we waiting for?" I heard him place his glass back on the bar.

How interesting, it seems that small herbivores are more easily excitable--a detail I hadn't noticed before.

"Credit payment." I unlocked the terminal, reconnecting to the bar's network, and received a "ding" as confirmation.

"If only the Lunar allowed people from other nations to use integrated terminals," Tohru complained, handing something to the bartender. "I hate having to carry so many cards around. It's the modern age, for crying out loud."

"At least you won't lose both your ID and credit credentials at once, right?" I joked, fully aware that this was an empty remark, and Tohru let out a displeased grunt.

As we left the bar, I noticed an awkward, hesitant atmosphere, but he still followed behind me without making any overt gesture. Was he thinking of opening the door for me?

I stifled a laugh and opened the door for both of us, stepping back into the bustling street.

"Sorry, can you wait for a moment?" Tohru said from behind me.

"What's up?" I turned around and leaned closer to his ear. In the noisy street, regular people would have been drowned out by the sounds around them, unable to hear anything. But the moment I noticed Tohru's body stiff, I immediately stepped back, giving him some space.

"Well..." He cleared his throat and continued as if nothing had happened. "I was just focused on finding the bar quickly, and I haven't quite recovered from the disorienting effects of stasis yet..." His behavior suggested he was trying to act normal, but the atmosphere around him became so intense that I couldn't read it. Everything mixed into a thick wave of emotions. He was clearly considering how to put his thoughts into words, and he remained silent for a while. "I know this might sound silly, and we'll have plenty of time later, but..." As Tohru continued speaking, the waves of emotion began to calm, growing gentler with each sentence. "I want to take a good look at the street."

"Oh." I chuckled and gestured towards the edge of the railing. "It's different from other places, isn't it?" I remembered how disoriented I was when I first arrived at Ceres. The streets designed by the flying dragon were completely different, but I've heard that the structures in the Federation and the Empire are nearly identical.

The main streets on the Lunar were elevated, pedestrian zones on the second floor, with each intersection connected by sky bridges to the adjacent building clusters. The ground level was reserved for entrances leading to underground stations, serving passengers commuting across long distances.

"On Ares, vehicles drive down the middle of the streets," Tohru said as he leaned on the pedestrian zone's railing. "I never imagined... it could be designed like this."

"Allowing vehicles into densely populated city areas sounds way too dangerous, doesn't it?" I asked, struggling to picture it. Tohru shrugged in response.

The ground level, in the spaces between buildings, had several bidirectional moving sidewalks operating at different speeds, allowing pedestrians to ride them directly to their destinations. Depending on the street's location, the speed and number of moving sidewalks varied based on passenger volume and connection requirements.

"Maybe it is a bit dangerous. After all, we never considered that other options existed..." Tohru said slowly. "It's not just about this difference; there's also... the diversity." He waved a hand over the heads of the people using the moving sidewalks below. "I thought it would just be more people of different kinds mixing together, something I could easily imagine. But seeing it in person... it's not like that."

I tried to figure out what he was pointing at through his actions.

"Different speeds and capacities exist side by side, catering to people with different needs--whether it's their purpose or their physical differences--this design ensures that all residents, regardless of their differences, can use public facilities." A new wave entered Tohru's atmosphere--a kind of hope. "Everyone adjusts their steps to make room for more, so they can all squeeze in together and share the limited space."

Hearing someone speak in such a tone about something I took for granted felt a bit strange. But I didn't know what to say or what this meant to him. There was something in the atmosphere that I hadn't seen before.

So, we leaned quietly against the railing, watching the ebb and flow of people without continuing our conversation, but Tohru's words simmered deep within me.

Suddenly, an idea popped into my head, and a smile crept onto my face.

I realized that not knowing what to say was normal; words were so limited, actions were much more powerful.

"Follow me." I grinned, jumping onto the railing and crouching there, deactivating my magnetic boots and adjusting my goggles. The last time I did this, I was still a young pup--it brought back memories.

"What?" He clearly didn't know what I was planning, his tone tinged with panic.

"Turn off your magnetic boots, and turn them back on when you land on the moving sidewalks." I grabbed Tohru by the collar, lifting him onto the railing. "I'm taking you on a shortcut." I hoped he wasn't afraid of heights. But who knows? We all need to push our limits.

"What?" He still sounded confused, now with a hint of despair, clearly overwhelmed by the situation.

I decided that a demonstration would be more effective, so I flashed him with a wide smile.

Then, I tensed my legs and jumped forward with all my might.

I made a rather flashy three-and-a-half-turn spin in the air before landing precisely on the slow moving sidewalks, taking a moment to adjust to the inertia. A few murmurs of discontent reached my ears, but the excited chatter quickly drowned them out.

It's been a while since anyone had seen a speed-run on a moving sidewalks, huh? Well, watch closely--let me show you some real skills.

"Now or never!" I shouted back at Tohru, cupping my hands around my mouth. At the same time, I gently nudged his aura, encouraging him. "Didn't you say you wanted to experience the real Lunar culture?"

I didn't usually do this--past incidents with unexpected outcomes had left me with some bad memories. But somehow, today I felt like I should let go and give it a try.

Whether it was because of my subtle push, or perhaps something else, like the cheers of the nearby spectators, Tohru finally jumped off the second-floor railing, cursing the whole way down.

When I saw that he wasn't going to land properly, I dashed forward, catching him and placing him on the slow moving sidewalks, activating his magnetic boots.

Thankfully, he was light.

"Are you crazy? What the hell are we doing?" he said, a little flustered, while the surrounding pedestrians laughed and clapped.

"Experiencing," I explained to Tohru. "That was just the first step; now it's time for the real deal." I stretched my body, getting ready. "Watch my moves closely."

Without waiting for his response, I dashed forward. Amid more cursing, Tohru followed.

I laughed--a genuine, heartfelt laugh.

I picked up speed, lengthening my strides as I flipped over a mountain goat's head and landed on the medium speed moving sidewalks, lowering my body to minimize the effects of inertia. I monitored Tohru's aura, confirming that he was keeping up.

As we approached an intersection, I prepared myself, flipping onto the moving sidewalks heading in a different direction. After rolling twice on the ground, I jumped up, continuing to speed forward, occasionally throwing in some flips. The wind rushed past me, carrying all the scents it held. The hem of my clothes, the tips of my ears, and the finest strands of fur all rustled in the breeze.

Then, I noticed that aside from the slightly disheveled Tohru trailing behind me, a few others had joined in.

You want to play along?

I leaped onto the central high speed moving sidewalks, doing a backflip to counter the inertia. As I landed, I bent my legs and crouched down, preparing myself. The others seemed to know what I intended, adopting the same stance behind me. As we reached the next intersection, I jumped up, landing on the side of a nearby building's exterior wall. I engaged the magnetic boots, using them to stick to the second-floor pedestrian walkway's base structure, making a sharp 90-degree turn.

Using the remaining momentum and the suction provided by the on-and-off activation of my magnetic boots, I ran along the wall for a short distance, lightly touching the wall with my right hand to adjust my balance. As my trajectory began to drop, I pushed off hard, flipping onto the high-capacity street's rapid moving sidewalks, rolling once upon landing to maintain a crouched position.

A few shadows managed to keep up, and I felt various auras of excitement erupt around me, mixed with more protests from pedestrians.

Back in the day, wall-running onto a rapid moving sidewalks was my signature move. It seems the world won't wait for you to catch up, will it? Interestingly, Tohru managed to keep up, though he didn't take as flashy a route as I did.

My heart pounded faster than it ever had, even in my peak days. I guess this is what they mean when they say the body never forgets.

Following this rapid moving sidewalks, we would soon reach the main thoroughfare of this area. Once close enough, I started running again, pointing towards the main road elevated above us. The few who had been following hesitated, clearly unsure of what to do.

Welcome to uncharted territory.

The main thoroughfare connected the spaceport, airship landing zones, and underground trains, so its design was unique: a single layer of high-capacity, low-speed moving sidewalks, with the pedestrian zone's structure completely covering the moving sidewalks's top. This sidewalk was always packed with commuters transferring between routes. For safety reasons, the streets connected to the main thoroughfare only had low-speed belts. The only rapid moving sidewalks nearby was the one underfoot, which passed vertically through this area without intersecting it, leaving a small exposed section.

So, just as I was about to pass directly under the main thoroughfare, I leaped to the side, grabbing onto a nearby lamp post. The metal pole provided a pivot point that allowed me to change my direction, and as soon as I aligned myself, I let go, minimizing the energy lost through friction with the pole. The sudden pull of centrifugal force made me feel like my heart was about to burst, but the indescribable satisfaction of soaring over a crowd of pedestrians, who had no idea what was happening above them, made it all worth it.

But the real show was just beginning. I twisted mid-air, using the sides of my chest as an axis, adjusting my angular velocity by extending my arms and tail to ensure that when I entered the main thoroughfare, completely concealed by the pedestrian zone structure, I'd land on the ceiling with my magnetic boots.

Sparks flew wildly as I landed, and the impact nearly caused me to fall, but I managed to maintain my balance, sliding upside down over the heads of the crowd below.

This time, the reactions were mostly screams--clearly, there weren't many who could appreciate this kind of stunt. I had adjusted the output of my magnetic boots, allowing me to glide along the ceiling in a near-static balance, as long as I controlled my limbs to maintain the right posture.

I laughed out loud, unsure whether I was more filled with joy or fear.

Oh my, who would have thought? I really needed this.

Perfectly coordinated movements, where the slightest imbalance could bring everything crashing down. I felt like the most skilled, yet insane, artist, performing a life-threatening masterpiece.

It was then that I noticed another waveform following me, one that hadn't been shaken off. Both surprised and delighted, I laughed even louder. Though there was a hint of tension in the atmosphere surrounding this person, a slight panic in their movements, they were doing quite well. However, I could sense a bit of disharmony--they hadn't adjusted the output of their magnetic boots. At this rate, they might end up crashing somewhere.

At the speed we were moving, a crash wouldn't just break bones.

I wanted to signal them with a hand gesture to catch their attention, but I didn't have the luxury to do so. So I tried to influence their aura, helping them adjust their posture. But to my surprise, it felt like I'd hit a wall made of gel, being blocked from the outside.

What... was that?

Today I am really testing the limits of novelty.

Then, I received a very clear "question."

Just like the waveform they emitted, it was full of curiosity and a need for an answer, with a hint of unease.

I wasn't quite sure how to respond to this--it wasn't a feeling conveyed through the aura but rather direct... communication.

Xenocultural Studies 101: What's the most viable communication strategy in a first contact situation? Imitation--communication starts with imitation.

I kept the... connection... between us open, demonstrating the alternating rhythm of my unique steps, along with how to continuously adjust the output of the magnetic boots to maintain the balance of sliding without losing control.

I think they understood, because I received... laughter in return. It reminded me of the feeling of speeding through a moving sidewalks-- that kind of thrill and release, like I could show off without holding back... freedom--the moving sidewalks don’t care who you are.

They responded to my understanding with a pulse of "freedom"--that was the skyhook orbiting the satellite, carrying all those who wanted to break free from their shackles, leading them on a journey to distant places.

I'd only read about skyhooks in books; Gaia and the Lunar space elevators covered most of the orbital space, and I was mostly unconscious during my trip to the asteroid belt, so I didn't pay much attention.

So... where was that?

They didn't want to discuss it further, I could sense that.

Beneath me was a smooth... something? Recognizing the scene, I was stunned for a moment, almost missing a step, and hurriedly coiled my tail to adjust my balance.

The scorched glassy ground--I'd only seen records of it in the historical archives, specifically from Gaia's first all-out war between herbivores and carnivores, and the catastrophic bombardment of the Mare Tranquillitatis base during the fight for independence.

Their aura showed sparse yet sharply defined, jagged lines, as if etched forcefully into space, but no emotion was expressed through our connection.

To make up for making them recall unpleasant memories, I shared with them how I used to weave between buildings in the moving sidewalks, leaving the security guards who were desperately chasing me far behind.

Interestingly, I received a knowing smile in return.

Where did they come from? I couldn't discern their species from their scent in this situation, but these memories hinted that they weren't from anywhere I was familiar with. And coupled with that terrifying scene, wherever they were from must still be experiencing that level of conflict--if not Gaia, then Ares.

But it was clear they didn't want to talk about it, and I shouldn't pry into their privacy. So for the rest of the time, we just silently enjoyed the constant shower of sparks beneath our feet, the uninterrupted screams from the crowd below, and the struggle to catch our breath as we sped through the howling wind whipping past our ears.

As Tohru found me, it wasn't exactly at the best moment. I had just fallen from what was supposed to be the final landing point used to dissipate the remaining momentum, lying flat on my back against the cold ground, next to the statue's pedestal.

My magnetic boots had latched onto the statue, dragging me around its neck in circles until they overheated and lost their magnetic charge, causing me and the statue's head to crash to the ground together.

I thought they had reinforced this thing years ago, but fortunately, there wasn't much momentum left, so I landed fairly softly.

"And what was that for?" Tohru asked after catching his breath, his tone and presence syncing up, with a mix of frustration and bewilderment spilling out.

"You were so tense, I just had this urge to let off some steam," I replied, though honestly, I didn't quite know why. I hadn't ridden the moving sidewalks since I graduated high school. The impulse hit me out of nowhere, but I wasn't in the mood to analyze it now. "Plus, I thought it'd be more fun to bring you to the plaza this way."

"Alright, that was fun. But why here?" Tohru asked, and from the way his voice moved, I guessed he was looking around the plaza.

"When I was feeling down, I used to come here," I answered. "I think this place really reflects the essence of the Lunar."

Tohru was silent for a moment, probably taking in the statues, I assumed. But I also guessed he might not fully grasp what I was trying to convey.

"It's... definitely beautiful," he said, with an emotion in his voice that I hadn't expected. "But I... I don't like the dome."

"The dome?" I asked, curious about the term Tohru mentioned.

"Uh... I thought you could..." He hesitated, his tone growing a bit awkward before he shook his head and continued. "It's the transparent shield above us, wrapping us inside." He gestured upward with his arm. "It keeps us breathing, prevents us from freezing, and serves as the only barrier between civilization and the endless void."

"I... don't see anything," I said, following the direction of his gesture. All I could perceive were the strong pulsating waves of the stars, and the occasional vibrations from passing aircraft.

What... is the dome?

"Oh." He sounded a bit detached. "No offense, but I really envy you, being unable to see the dome."

I mulled over the meaning behind his words while trying to untangle the overly complex and abundant waves surrounding Tohru.

"Please tell me you don't plan on coming out of retirement," a familiar voice reached my ears, and I couldn't help but smile. "And I really think you're too old to be doing this kind of thing."

"Sheriff William," the scent of the gemsbok was unmistakable. "Send the invoice and fines to the usual place, okay? And for both our sakes, let's pretend I've already received a verbal warning."

"It's 'Chief' now," his tone still carried that world-weary vibe. Well, I guess I'm partly to blame for that. "Thanks to you, I've been promoted at a record-breaking pace." I heard the sound of him kicking the statue's severed head beside me. "At least let me confirm this is just your midlife crisis acting up?"

"That's too harsh, I just turned twenty-eight," I replied with a laugh. "And I promise this won't happen again." I raised both hands, crossing my index and middle fingers.

William let out a snort before walking away, the magnetic boots making heavy sounds on the marble floor.

"What was that all about?" Tohru asked, clearly confused by the scene.

"I told you, this place truly reflects the essence of the Lunar." I sat up and lifted the statue's broken head, holding it in front of Tohru. "Meet my father--John London, the Lunar Princeps."

"Huh?" Tohru's presence exploded, completely enveloping him. "Your father was the Princeps?" I could almost hear the high-pitched scratching sound, perfectly expressing a muntjac's anxiety. "Why didn't I find any reports about this when I looked up your information?"

"It's not just my father." I gestured vaguely, as if I cared. "There's also my grandfather, grandmother, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather... I've honestly lost track of who's who. And our family values privacy very highly." I summed up various behaviors that were inconvenient to explain in detail with a simple explanation. "Hmph, Princeps." I laughed, letting Tohru chew on the irony. "Just mentioning him ruins my mood. Let's head back to the studio, it's just nearby."

"Oh, there's something a bit awkward..." Tohru turned to face me. "My luggage."

"Ah, sorry about that." I replied with a sheepish grin, making an apologetic gesture. "It only came back to me when I hit my head on the ground earlier," Who knew that a blow to the head could actually make someone a bit clearer. "I've already arranged for a logistics company to pick up your luggage. It should arrive by tomorrow morning at the latest. I've got a few spare toiletries you can use in the meantime." I added.

"Oh, thanks." Tohru seemed to relax a bit, but then another wave of complex emotions burst out from him. I hoped I'd eventually get used to this; I don't think I've ever met someone more emotionally expressive.

"Well then, let's go." I casually tossed the statue's head aside and pointed in the direction we needed to go.

"Uh... is this really okay?" Tohru's voice was full of uncertainty.

"Don't worry, it's a replica created from the original casting." I ran my fingertips across the bronze plate, tracing the path of the engraved inscription. "Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, with conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand. A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand. Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command. The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. 'Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp! ' cries she with silent lips. 'Those unseen, those unheard, you will stand on your own two feet, proving your worth, not as a burden!'" I recited the text in its original language, as Tohru requested.

"Judging by the content, it seems to be a poem commemorating the victory of the Lunar Independence War, paired with the statue." Tohru fell into deep thought for a while, so I continued speaking. "So it's probably at least two thousand years old, but radiocarbon dating can't be used due to fallout contamination, and there's no reliable evidence to explain why the New Colossus was buried beneath the Mare Tranquillitatis base."

"Thinking about how the Lunar launched its war of independence against the Gaia Union back then, and then looking up at the Empire's Heart docked there now, isn't it a strange feeling?" Tohru said, pacing back and forth in the studio.

"History has a weird way of repeating itself." I tried to joke, undoing a few buttons on my collar.

Was it just me, or was it getting hotter?

"...The meter is off." Tohru said something I didn't quite catch.

"What?" I fanned my shirt at the collar, trying to relieve the heat.

"When I first read it in the journal, I had this feeling." He continued. "Why are there only twelve lines*? And the meter is off." I heard some metal clinking, but I had no idea what he was doing. Why didn't I know what he was doing? "I need to see the original artifact. I have some questions."

Tohru seemed to say something else, but I couldn't make it out. Every word blurred together, and even the oscillations of his aura became hazy.

What's happening?

A wave of dizziness hit me, and suddenly my legs gave out, unable to support my weight. I collapsed onto the floor.

"Hey, are you alright?" I felt the muntjac's soft hand and his warmth. But... that's all. It was as if I had suddenly disconnected from the world, and everything plunged into nothingness.

Oh, and there it was, that faintly disgusting musk scent.

That heavy musk scent--it was almost nostalgic, like it triggered some deep-seated memory. Of course, the accompanying headache that felt like it was going to explode from inside wasn't part of the memory.

Oh my, how could it hurt this much?

I tried to recall what happened yesterday, why I was suffering like this, but I found my memory cut off after leaving the bar. It was all a blank. I had no idea how I got back to the dormitory or how I managed to crawl into bed.

And to make matters worse, I realized that my senses still hadn't fully recovered. Everything around me was a silent, empty void. I could still hear various faint sounds, of course, and smell things, even feel the vibrations transmitted from afar. But after years of living with my senses fully extended, I had grown accustomed to a world filled with oscillations, and had forgotten what it was like to rely on my neural interface alone.

I rubbed my temples, trying to sit up, and noticed that not only were my goggles not on my face, but something else was... pressing on... no, hugging my left arm. My fingertips felt short, coarse fur, warm, small, with shallow breaths.

Oh, shit.

There it was again--the heavy musk scent.