2024-07-27: The Threads of Fate

• Log: 2024-07-27: The Threads of Fate
• Cast: Chloe, Coco Coconoe, Professor Julie
• Where: Augmented Shibuya
• Date: U.C. 0099 07 27
• Summary: Chloe has another dream of Coco, which is no surprise given it's the anniversary of her death. Though something strange is going on... And then a Meteora appears!

---

As I walk into the sunroom, I hear something. A girl's voice. It fills the room.

~ Life
The life I live, it's so pain in the way ~

She is singing.

~ But I stand another day 'cause there's someone I can lean on ~

I... Think that, anyway.

~ A thousand stars, you see?
Shining so bright to tell the world ~

I've never seen someone sing before, so I can't make the call.

~ The nights, don't be afraid I'm the one to walk the dark road ~

I don't know if I should say anything to her, so I just stand there in a daze. But, I listen to her.

~ To fly away, somewhere we belong to spread our wings
So no more cry... ~

She trails off into silence, turning her head just ever slightly in my direction. With a soft voice she inquires, "Is someone there?"

I stay silent, unsure of how to respond since I have neglected to announce myself and subsequently been caught intruding on what is clearly a private moment.

She turns her wheelchair around, facing me properly and slowly rolling forward across the distance to me. Her eyes remain closed, yet she lets out a thoughtful sound, as if she is aware of my presence, "Hmm..."

She leans far forward in the chair, getting close to me now. The wheelchair suddenly rolls backwards in response to the shifting weight, the girl letting out a surprised cry as she falls forward. I quickly reach out, managing to catch her in my arms as her own wrap around me for support.

Staring down at the girl in my arms, I let out a quiet gasp of surprise at the situation, before asking, "Are... Are you alright?"

Her face, turned up towards me as if she is studying me sightlessly, seems pensive for a moment. But it quickly turns happy, a smile on her face as she teases, "Caught you."

Thinking it is actually I that caught her, I reply in confusion, "Huh?"

She doesn't seem to elaborate though as she remains silent for a few moments, still in my arms. She then wonders, "Hey... Don't you think we sound the same?"

Even more confused, I ask, "Sound?"

She explains, "Our pulses, they sound similar. Can't you hear it? Listen to my heart."

Now that I understand, I do so. This close to her, I can easily both hear and feel her heartbeat. And sure enough, it seems to be eerily similar to my own.

She muses, "They're singing the same song, with the same rhythm, like a resonance."

Finally she moves to push away from me and I help her back into her wheelchair. Once she is settled again, she clasps her hands in front of her. With a smile on her face she says, "This feels so strange. I feel like I've known you for so long."

Once again I have no idea how to respond. To me, this girl is the strange one. She's not like any other person I've met in my life, surrounded by the soldiers of Prometheus and my fellow cadets as I am. Yet again I simply ask, "Huh?"

Finally the girl becomes a little more formal, placing her hands in her lap and turning her head up towards me once more, "My name's Coco. What's your name?"

Formal is something I'm a little more used to, so with a bit more confidence I introduce myself, "I'm Chloe. I'm in Prometheus. A cadet of the 1st Regiment." Standing at attention I report, "Coco Coconoe. I've been assigned to be your guard."

Coco tilts her head a little, continuing to smile, "Chloe. I see. Nice to meet you."

Her eyes then open. Although I am aware, I am nonetheless shocked by what I see. Her golden eyes seem flawless. But the most curious thing is her pupils, not circular, but rather in the shape of a four pointed star. From what I'm told, this strange mutation of her eyes is a result of something that happened shortly after her birth. Though I don't know the details.

What's even more shocking is what she says next, "I think I've fallen for you at first sight."

Once more surprised and out of my depth, I can only give what is becoming my standard reply, "Huh?"

But Coco giggles for a moment, closing her eyes again and saying, "Just kidding."

So it was just a joke. Though I don't laugh, simply replying in an uncomfortable tone, "Ummm..."

I simply stare at her.

This strange girl before me.

As darkness covers my sight.

And as wakefulness begins to claw at the edge of my dream.

I hear an ethereal, yet familiar voice calling out...

"Come... to... me..."

---

Chloe opens her eyes. The strange dream, almost a one for one recollection of her first meeting with Coco, quickly fades from her consciousness. Though she's not surprised that she dreamed of Coco once more. Given today...

Today is exactly one year since she died.

Chloe sits up on the couch in the living room of the apartment that was once Coco's. Ever since that day, Chloe has been staying there. She convinced Coco's parents to let her do so, saying she wanted to look after the place... Look after the sunroom that Coco loved. And the plants inside it that she raised and cared for.

Of course, the truth is Chloe couldn't let go. Nor could she bring herself to sleep in the bedroom. The apartment hasn't changed a single bit since Coco's death. Not one item out of place.

Chloe sits on the couch, feeling very much like not doing anything today. Not taking a shower. Not eating breakfast. Not going to work. She doesn't even want to get up off the couch. Not today...

An AR window then appears in her view:

< Sphere system reboot complete >
< New feature unlocked: 'Ariadne' system now accessible from main menu >

Chloe blinks in confusion. She's never heard of the Ariadne function before. Recalling the times in the past when she would read for Coco, Chloe muses out loud, "Ariadne... The tale of a beautiful girl who used thread to escape a labyrinth..."

Chloe raises her hand, calling up the main menu of her Sphere. The augmented reality platform that all the residents of Augmented Shibuya use. And sure enough, one of the options listed is 'Ariadne'. Having no idea of its purpose, Chloe selects the option.

The lounge room around Chloe vanishes, replaced by an augmented reality bubble showing the neverending void of space all around her. Countless stars shine, while constellations and galaxies of brilliant colours make up the background of this fake view.

But what draws Chloe's attention the most is the collection of bright stars in front of her that are so much larger than the others. Between them, glowing lines seem to pulse, forming a tree-like structure. Instinctively she reaches out towards one of those stars. As her hand touches it, there is a flash of light and she witnesses...

---

Chloe leans back on the couch, staring up once more at the lounge room ceiling. She wonders in confusion, "What... Was that?"

She wasn't expecting an answer from the empty room. But she nonetheless seems to get a response. Another AR window appears in her view, this time accompanied by a ringing sound. It shows an incoming call, the ID labeled as 'Julie'. Chloe considers ignoring it, but ultimately decides that it'd probably cause more trouble than it's worth. So she accepts the call.

The voice of Professor Julie echoes in Chloe's ears, "Hello, Chloe!" She sounds excited, almost giddy. Chloe knows there are few things that get Julie excited. And if she's calling Chloe about it, that means!

Chloe sits up quickly, asking in anticipation, "A Meteora?"

Julie's enthusiasm continues to shine through her voice as she says, "Yep, we've got a big ole Meteora on our hands! A huge one's shown up! A real motherlode! Cause for joyous celebration!"

Chloe tightens her jaw, a little annoyed at the tone Julie seems to be taking towards their-Chloe's in particular-mortal enemy. Though even for Julie, this seems a bit much.

Julie continues, "I think you'll be just as pleased, Chloe. You might finally get what you wished for."

What she wished for? There's very little Chloe wishes for... So she asks, "I might?"

Julie doesn't explain, remaining quite amused as she says, "I'll give you the details later, so hurry up and get over here. If you're late, I'm throwing you into molten steel--and you won't be back, let me tell you."

Chloe blinks in confusion, "Huh?"

Julie lets out a laugh, "Ahaha, a joke about an old movie, y'see. It's such a shame that we've lost all the classics to wars over the years. Annnnnyway. Get a move on, would you? You're not going to want to miss this show!"

The call ends abruptly. Chloe's fists clench... Today, of all days, a Meteora decides to show up? Fine. She'll blast the thing to hell. Chloe rises to her feet, quickly leaving the apartment.