Solene crept into the libary quietly, candle in one hand, the other holding the hem of her nightgown so she wouldn't trip or fall. There. There it was. The old dusty computer sitting unused in one corner. Solene gave a grin. It was rarely used, with the exception of William and Abel at times. Tonight, she was going to be sitting in the chair.
Setting the candle next to her, Solene sat and switched it on. Her knowledge of Lost Technology was rather limited, but it was enough for her to hack into databases. Of course, one would ask what she was doing up at night, but then again, she suffered from insomnia. One of the reasons why she took night duties at times.
"Assessing database... " Solene's eyes watered as she stared at the screen, but she blinked the the tears away. "Hmm... let's check out Abel's account..." Happily, the young woman assessed the AX members' accounts, checking all their latest missions and others, just to pass the time and exhaust herself a little.
Abel seemed to owe a lot of debts to Catherina, and they were slowly being paid off ("No wonder he only gets four dinaru!"). William was also in debt, but it had been cleared away by repairs and free check-ups done on Tres ("Hmph... his inventions again.."). Hugue was still missing, and his account was filled with complains from Kate ("......") . Noelle... Solene decided to skip that. Leon was still under a jail sentence of 1,000 years, but it was all cut down to 10 remaining years. The recent missons he was doing for the AX had taken 20 years off him ("Poor Dandelion..."). Esther had a clean record ("No surprises there."). Kate as well, but her account was filled mostly with reports about the Iron Maiden ("She's a battleship, duh... Oh yeah...it's just her consiousness linked to it.") Tres surprisingly had no account.
Solene stretched and glanced at the clock. An hour had passed, and she was already bored. Maybe a walk in the garden would tire her a little. But as Queen of Heart was about to leave, something caught her eye. "Gunmetal Hound? What is this?" She assessed the link and gasped.
Pictures of the 10 killer dolls created filled the screen, giving Solene a chance to view them as they were before thay all got destroyed. HC-IIIX caught her eyes and she opened his file to find Tres's emotionless face staring at her. "HC Tres Iques... Efficient and trustworthy. Extremely loyal, able to eliminate targets on his own." There was a picture of Tres wielding his guns, and a full body picture for her to view. "Created in Gunmetal Hound, date not specified."
So.... Tres was created to bring death.... Solene thought to herself, a sad expression flitting across her face. But he seems so.... he's only......
"Sister D'Cruz." A cool, emotionless voice said behind her. "Status report."
"AAA-" Solene jumped and screamed, but a gloved hand clamped over her mouth, the scent of fire, musk, and the slightly sharp tang of gunmetal assaulting her senses. Tres. "Do not scream, Sister D'Cruz. It would only result in waking the AX, and your cover will be blown. Status report?"
Calming her hammering heart, Solene nodded and turned as Tres released her. "I'm fine... I just couldn't sleep. Tres...you can call me Solene. We're alone now."
"Affirmed." Tres nodded and his gaze wandered over to the computer screen. Solene swore that what could have been a frown flitted over his face. "What is that?"
"It's nothing." Solene hurriedly turned it off and squeaked as the room turned pitch black. The candle had gone out while she was busy with the computer, and the bright screen had lighted up the room instead of it. Sighing, she was about to activate her enhanced eyesight so she could detect Tres's body heat, but the android scooped her up in his arms and marched out, laser eye flashing. "Um... Tres?"
"Solene." Tres reached the door and set her down, looking at her. "Gunmetal Hound was where I was created along with my brother Duo Iques, who now works with Cardinal Fanssessco de Medicci and the Inquisition Bureau. It was destroyed along with eight of my brothers, but I survived. Lady Catherina Sforza, the Duchess of Milan at that time, saved me and created another body for me. That is why she never created an account for me, but rather, kept the one I had at Gunmetal Hound, transferring it into the AX link. In case you're wondering, I.... I still have memories of that place."
Solene stared at him with wide eyes. "Was it bad?"
".........." Tres closed his eyes and didn't answer for a second. "I would not answer that question, but if you insist, I will."
"Then don't." Solene hugged him, winding her arms around the android's slender but strong waist. "You're a mystery, you know that, Tres Iques. A real mystery."
Tres looked down at her and his arms went around her as well. "Solene..."
"Hey, what are you..... Gunslinger?! Queen of Heart?! What the....." a voice startled them. Solene jumped and pushed away from Tres. "Dandelion!"
A very surprised Leon Garcia de Asturias stared at them, a candle in his hand. Tres scowled, for real this time, surprising the man further. "Father Garcia de Asturias. Please do not use our codenames as you like. It is only used for missions and formality. There is hardly anything formal in our meeting now."
"Ah, of course." Leon grinned at Solene. "Nothing formal, huh? Then I wonder what Solene and you were doing just now."
"Nothing!" Solene exclaimed, face burning. "We just bumped into each other, that's all! What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Couldn't sleep." Leon shrugged his broad shoulders. "You too, kid? Huh.... let's get a hot drink then. My treat."
Solene snorted softly and rolled her eyes, but took Tres's hand and followed him. "Hey, Tres," she whispered. "You know.... if there was a chance for you to be human, would you take it?"
Tres didn't face her. "It is my greatest wish....."
Solene smiled, and ran forwards, joining Leon. That wasn't a straight answer, but I know you, Tres.... You would take the chance if you had one..... Her smile faded. But I'm sorry.... I'm selfish.... I don't want you to be human... I like you the way you are....
A hand touched her shoulder and Tres's reassuring gaze captured her eyes. It gave her a direct sentence; "As you will, Solene D'Cruz. As you will."
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