AU! ⢠Chernobylite (Tutorial)
While being something that walked the border between a sneer and candy-coated words, the approach which Lily took in her reply slid off IA completely. Another time and perhaps the gynoid would have a reaction of sorts, yet today she was completely apathetic towards it. Her attentiveness had been halved, one part taken away to dart across the graying landscape, the other faithfully remaining so as to keep herself within conscious control. Attribute it to the allurement of winter if you will, but there too flowed an underlying cause elsewhere.
Moving forwards, the newly fallen snow gave way easily under her foot. Even so, her shoes sank no more than slightly, the weeks-old layer below being so thoroughly compacted. The movement was repeated with the other leg, and with that, IA fell into one of her two usual strides. Just half a step short of being shoulder to shoulder with Lilyâit was a reserved gait for when she did the following. The soft crunching underfoot was disruptive, in the same way the incessant tapping of a pen during exams would be. It was a barrier against sinking into her own thoughts, so instead her eyes wandered, breathing in the world transformed by white.
Of course her assumption would be that her housemate was currently leading the way to the nearest airfield. With the android already knowing its location by rote, it meant little reason for her to keep by the blondeâs side, save the possibility that it was not, in fact, the base that they were heading towards. Still, words of âbetter safe than sorryâ resonate, with the very atmosphere calling for ease and leisure. Her steps remained as they were, and it was unlikely it would change for anything.
Perhaps the season impressed its cold upon her, for IA remained silent for the most part. It was a contented quietude, however, for the gynoid enjoyed the frost that froze her very breath. With every step, she continued to seemingly have forgotten her companion (though there was no doubting that she was always, to some degree, alert of her surroundings), and left Lily to brew in the silence as they continued their way.
Silence was golden.
Or so her silencer implied.
Her reply were the last words that the two exchanged, for the time being. It was good- or so she thought. The tranquility of silence had always gave her a sense of comfort, a direct contrast to the stinging lonely feelings that used to strike her mind during it's fledging stages.
It was even more enjoyable in winter, where the only sounds heard were mainly the crunching sounds their footwear made when they treaded the snowy ground. Crunch, crunch, crunch. It formed a perfect melody in her head, one that synchronized with the otherwise soundless atmosphere, which intensified as the distance they were from housing areas increased.
Her mind then made a quick calculation. They were nearing the airfield. A small one, it was, meant for the landing of small craft and helicopters, mainly used by the wealthy who could afford such luxurious private transport means. Or the military. Which was good for her, as that was her main form of transport to the capital or the headquarters. She had no intention of riding her bike all the way from her home to the capital, not anytime soon.
As they reached the base, she noted the lack of variation in the arrangement in general. Two armed guards at the front, guards patrolling the interior in pairs, watchtowers...the security in it was as high as any government building, due to the fact that the military used it.
"ĐĐ°Ń ĐżŃОпŃŃĐş пОМаНŃĐšŃŃĐ°, ĐżŃОпŃŃŃиŃĐľ". "ĐОд ĐĄĐĐРШ". "ĐŻŃнО. Đ ĐşŃĐž ŃŃĐž?"
"Đна ŃĐž ПнОК". "ĐОнŃĐť".
Turning to her friend, who was still following her, she nodded. "Come on." she said, as she strode in, past the guard, who turned back to the front, scanning the perimetre. She was already clear on which chopper would be her ride.
