Volume 2: Episode 5 - New Savea
ToCar Hospital, 3 months later
Through all the physical therapy, all the treatments, all the adjustments to Mikado's new limbs, they both awaited any new news of the missing Shadowdancer. Over the last three months, none came. All either of them could do was stick to the routine.
Therapy ended for the day and it was time for Darius to go. First, Darius brought up a video from when Mikado graduated from a walker to a cane and called Mikado over. He complied, strolling over almost normally, but still using a cane for support.
Mikado: Maybe it's time to go home. I've been on this cane for weeks now.
Darius: That's why I take videos! Look here. This is the first time you got the cane. Remember that I had to hold you every time you walked.
Darius turned his phone and showed Mikado with his cane from several weeks ago, struggling to simply shuffle across the room.
Mikado: Point taken. So, you have a day off tomorrow. Any plans?
Darius: I need some time to think about what I want to do next, so I'm just going to go out for a wander by myself. Clear my head, you know.
Mikado: Something I'm going to have to start thinking about too. I don't know if I'm up for the Exploration Force anymore. Since I have nothing scheduled tomorrow, I might do the same.
Darius: Give it time. At this rate, you'll be back to feeling like your old self in a month or two.
Darius's ear fluttered, detecting the faint sound of an elevator ding through the door.
Darius: That must be Hopper. I'll get the door.
As expected, Hopper was right at the door as soon as Darius opened it, but Darius looked behind him and caught sight of Lapin just as the elevator doors were closing. They exchanged cheery waves as he let Hopper inside.
Hopper: Looking good today, Mikado! We're all impressed by your progress. Lianne thought it would probably take you six months to get to this level.
Mikado: Thanks. I suppose I am getting better.
Darius slipped his phone inside his satchel and slung it over his shoulder, then walked to Mikado, arms outstretched, to give him a hug and kiss on the cheek.
Darius: Well, I'm off. See you in a couple of days.
New Savea Enclave, The Next Day
Mikado didn't really know where he would end up when he told Darius that he would also go for a walk somewhere. That "somewhere" turned out to be the New Savea Enclave, the area that Kit carved out of the original and made into a haven for monotype tokki. Something told him that he had to see it for himself. Though the conflict between Kit and his father happened before he joined the Shadowdancer, it was impossible not to hear of it. Kit was still missing, along with the rest of the crew. Maybe dead. Maybe alive. Not only with this enclave, but many other achievements, Kit established for himself a legacy that would outstrip nearly every living being.
But beyond all of that, Kit was a dear friend, and that alone was enough to compel Mikado to pay a visit to the New Savea Enclave. Walking through the streets with chattering crowds and tall buildings, he wasn't sure how he felt. In one way, it was just like walking through any Tokkastran enclave. On the other hand, just knowing that this was once a place where Rhalma Savea prowled the streets and schemed his various policies to espouse his "Tokkastra First" principles, contrasted with how it is now made him feel emotional, almost a spiritual sensation.
Crowded as it was, Mikado was so lost in his own thoughts that he took little notice of any of the chatter going on around him. Conversations, street vendors, and shop music all blended together in an amorphous blob of background noise, to which he paid no mind. That was, until, one voice cut through the crowd, clearly aimed directly at him and somehow precisely cut through everything to target his ears directly.
???: Whoa, hey there little robo-dude!
Mikado froze, for only he matched that description. Turning, he found a tanned man with bleach-blonde hair and wearing an open silk shirt rushing towards him.
Mikado: Do I know you?
Tan man: I don't think so, but you were about to wander straight into the fountain.
Mikado's ears shifted and then he looked down. Indeed, he was just one more step away from tumbling into a fountain he hadn't even noticed up until that moment.
Tan man: Don't think I've seen you around. Lucky you didn't trip over one of the benches. Shall we sit?
Mikado: Yeah, I'm a little tired.
Tan man: New around here, or just visiting?
Mikado: Just visiting. I guess I should mention I'm not monotype. I don't want to give the wrong impression.
Tan man: Not a problem! I know we have a reputation, but truth is that this place attracts all types. My name is Jang, by the way.
Mikado: I'm Mikado. I came because... well, I guess I just had to see this place for myself.
The answer was too vague, Mikado thought, but he wasn't sure how much he should say, at least, not without feeling an intense wave of emotion. It may not have mattered anyway, for he was already feeling a lump in his throat. Jang, unaware of Mikado's struggle, smiled at his answer.
Jang: Oh, come to see the freaks, eh?
It was a joke. At least, Mikado thought it was, but, just to be safe, he decided to elaborate.
Mikado: Not like that. Kit Savea was my shipmate until I got half my limbs shot off, and he was a good friend. One of the reasons I joined the CEF was to meet new and interesting people. I didn't expect that one of the most interesting would be a fellow tokki.
Mikado sniffled, fighting back tears.
Jang: Aw, man, I'm sorry little robo-dude. I wouldn't have made jokes if I knew. We're all grateful to Kit and what he's done here. I hope he's safe somewhere.
Mikado: No apologies necessary. I hope he's safe too. Believe me when I say that he's a lot tougher than he looks.
Jang: Wait... You wouldn't be Mikado Skeyes, would you?
Mikado's ears straightened tall on his head.
Mikado: I am! How did you know?
Jang: You're a legend around here! Kit used to send some of his journal entries to us to let us know what he was doing. One of the last ones he sent was all about you! Shoulda guessed who you were with all the robo parts.
Again with the mention of his robot parts, but this time, it hit harder than before and he looked away.
Mikado: Yeah... I used to be so... capable. Wrestling. Scythe practice. Skiff racing. I can't do any of those things now.
As he spoke, Mikado looked up occasionally and he couldn't help but notice that Jang listened. Really listened. His eyes focused squarely on him with marks of concern etched on his face. This wasn't new to him. Darius, Hopper, Lianne, even Lapin all listened, but somehow, being heard by a perfect stranger just hit differently.
Jang: Man, that's tough, dude. But you're alive, aren't ya? I know there are a lot of people who are probably glad that you are. Someone like you... even if you can't see your future path yet, I'm sure you will find one.
Mikado smiled, possibly for the first time in weeks. It's not that he hadn't heard the words before, but to hear them from a stranger with such sincerity made him feel good.
Mikado: You'll make a good partner to someone someday. You seem to be good at making people feel comfortable.
Jang: Think so? I only got here a few months ago myself, so I'm still looking.
Mikado: Ha! Well, that sounds tough too. I'm sure you'll find someone.
Jang: Right back at me, then? Fair, fair. Now that you've visited us, what's next for you?
Mikado: Not sure. I haven't been back to my home enclave yet. You said that there are a lot of people who are glad I'm alive. I wish my dad was one of them. He only sees me as an embarrassment.
Jang: Dude, you've come to the right place. Most of us know what it's like to be a disappointment. If you wanna go back, I'll go with you for support. I can pretend like I'm not mono if you want.
Mikado gave a vigorous shake of his head.
Mikado: I couldn't ask you to do that! I mean, I won't object if you go with me, but I won't have you pretend anything. I've been through too much to give a shit about what people think about my friends.
Jang's face lit up, as though Mikado had just given him an expensive gift.
Jang: Friend? Already? I've never had a friend outside of this enclave before.
Mikado: You're a nice guy. Also, you seem smart enough. You know who I am and you would also know if that if you're planning something nefarious against me, you'll have a Carpathian spaceship rammed up your ass before you know it.
Jang smiled, at first, a smile that got wider and wider until he broke out into a laugh.
Jang: Ha ha! I dig what you're saying. Sounds like you've made a lot of friends out there! No worries. If you wanna go right now, I got nothing to do. We can get a shuttle.
Mikado leaned on his cane and grunted his way to a stand.
Mikado: Sounds good to me. I don't know if I'll run into my dad, but it will be nice to see my old place again.
Jang: I'll show you the way to the nearest station. You need any help?
Mikado: Once I'm on my feet, I'm fine. Lead the way.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
Zelbunnii
Avareonart
Less_end
