The diner was frigid. Cold air sputtered from above, and there was an older song playing on the large steel radio. Ivalin shifted, and the seat moved along with her. Jaizya and Ivalin were alone at a bar that faced the kitchen which for the most part was empty. There was a young server doing homework by the coffee machine, and the chef singing along with the song in a croaky voice that cracked at the high notes.
Jaizya didn't look at the menu, but Ivalin took a long time, savouring all of the options. It didn't matter though because no one came over to ask what they wanted. Jaizya didn't seem too concerned. Her gaze wandered about the diner, her shoulders were relaxed. She almost looked at home in the ruddy mess.
"I know, it's overwhelming, they have a lot of options, but I swear all of them are amazing." Jaizya set their head on their hand, in a very unprofessional manner. Ivalin shrugged, not really reading the descriptions below the titles, but trying to avoid any part of the situation she had managed to make.
"The croissants here are the best on the planet." The commentary didn't help, but Ivalin knew Jaizya knew Ivalin's discomfort. They had felt it once before: the millions of options that one could now control would overwhelm any Runner. Even if those options were picking out what type of greasy diner food she wanted. Choices were everything.
Ivalin clenched her jaw. She slowly placed the menu on the counter so she wouldn't rip it.
Jaizya swung her lower body in the chair, and stared ahead, and then she cackled as the chair stopped halfway and slammed them back in the other direction. Ivalin bit the inside of her cheek, anger pulsated under her skin.
The girl at the counter looked up from her homework, and Ivalin dropped her head, careful not to make eye contact. Jaizya waved. The counter was rough under Ivalin's fingers. It was grimy and cold, and every scratch held a million stories. Ivalin didn't dare to ask.
The girl looked back down and continued to work, and Jaizya started to spin again. Ivalin grabbed her arm, stopping them from moving. "What the Afhanger do youe want from me?"
Jaizya shrugged, her lips twitching into a smile. "You got to the highest rank you could get in there, you're stronger, you're better than everyone else. And I think we all know that total power totally corrupts." Ivalin let go of Jaizya, letting their hand fall. Her heart raced, her mouth was dry. Jaizya finally made eye contact with her, the childish glee that was there seconds ago had vanished. "What made youe leave?"
Ivalin leaned away, and looked down at the menu. She didn't answer. Their silence was broken by the server standing up, and grabbing something from the chef. She set a plate of croissants in front of them.
"I forgot to ask, you're not allergic to ham or cheese, right?" Jaizya took a bite of one and moaned. Blush curled around Ivalin's cheeks. They set it down after an uncomfortable pause, and turned back to Ivalin. "What was your breaking point?"
Ivalin stared at the food in front of her. "Why are we here?"
"I was hungry. Now answer my question." Jaizya took another bite of the sandwich, simply melting as soon as they closed her mouth.
Ivalin moved her gaze to the silverware. "Does it matter?"
Jaizya scoffed, their mouth full, "Of course it matters." They swallowed, "Motive means everything. Sometimes people do horrible things and we forgive them because of their motive." Jaizya took another bite.
"Does it look like Iy'm looking for forgiveness?" Ivalin snapped, locking eyes with Jaizya whose gaze wandered from the makeup to the ratty sweatshirt.
Jaizya smirked, "But we're all looking for forgiveness. That's what makes us human."
"And if Iy'm not human?"
"Then you wouldn't be here." Jaizya picked up the croissant and pointed it at her. "Now try the sandwich."
Ivalin took a bite, and flavor and warmth melted on her tongue. Jaizya smirked as Ivalin struggled not to react to the food.
"So, what made you run away? What made you tick? What made you betray everything you ever knew?" They leaned closer to Ivalin, their eyes sharpening. "What made you go boom?"
Ivalin paused for just a second, and then hummed, letting the taste of real food take over. Jaizya raised an eyebrow.
"Thei question wasn't thee test, was it?" Ivalin glanced at Jaizya who was grinning, and Ivalin almost dropped the food at the realisation. "Thee food was."
Jaizya's smile grew. "I knew you were smart. That's the ticket, if you like Addy's food, there is no way that you could be evil."
Ivalin paused in horror, and Jaizya raised an eyebrow. Shrinking down, she mumbled in English, "That's a terrible way to test someone's morals."
Jaizya's grin grew at the switch in language. "I haven't been wrong yet." Ivalin shared their smile, and finished their plates in silence.
YOU ARE READING
Target To Save
Science FictionNo one breathed. No one blinked. The only thing Ileia could hear was the sound of death. It was going to happen, There was nothing she could do except keep Kallen safe. -------- Feelings are useless, they get in the way of her job, in the way of the...
