After Dessert

The Universe is Expanding

From the eyes of an outsider, Chihiro and Frost Flower were at odds, mortal enemies, even. Not surprising at all, considering how their enmity started.

Take the example, at every morning at the Council meeting, their opinions buttheaded.

Chihiro was in favour of the safety net, while Frost Flower wanted to annihilate the programme and all those stuck up Companions who initiated it.

As someone who made his living by organising the war against the Lawless, free money was another migraine-inducing tool to fuel the rebellion.

That scum Chihiro might not uphold the law and despise everyone else who did, but that was not a reason to even agree at the smallest catalyst for upcoming wars.

"So what Chihiro is saying here is we should obliterate the boundaries, allowing the murderous leeches swarming here under the Dome?" His trademark sneer came early in the day, baring his fang to make a snide jab at his opponent. Shooting down his proposal to relax the barrier once the uprising broke out in the north. Gosh, stupid comments, stupid people. Frost Flower couldn't even comprehend how he could still stay doing his task of monitoring Chihiro, living at the same flat as his.

To be precise, he was specifically assigned to move there once the southern Europe rebellion died down — selfish, narrow-minded Protected who didn't want to stay within their designated area, they wanted more people dead so nothing left from humanity, huh? — and he obliged. Having no other choices, honestly. With the takeover of the remaining domiciles by different nationalities who saw gleaming new territories — now relaxed, come over, we need workers ASAP — he wouldn't have secured this strategic place if his office hadn't arranged it.

With the exception: living with his detainee sucked. And Chihiro must have thought the same way: living with his captor was worse than death.

Only that Chihiro didn't have a say, lest his subjects — employees — to be executed. And Frost Flower forgot of having his right to negotiate the assignment once he saw the antique flat on a cobblestone drive.

"Frost Flower's judgment is shrouded by negative perception on the Lawless. We could accept the Protected with the pristine track record only." Chihiro's gentle yet firm voice echoed in the chamber.

The eyes of the boss of new police glittered with malicious victory. "Yeah? What about the possibility of mutations that the medical board sounded last week? We are Immune here, but once the Protected have the access to the communal areas again with us, who knows if the virus mutates to attack us now?" he struck.

~*~

Chihiro never escaped or orchestrated house-arrest break even when Frost Flower was not home for another deployment. The life of his family dangled in front of the Council after all. One word from any witnesses was enough to implicate him and end twenty-something lives.

Every other day, security walked him through the intricate layers of the Dome's power source. The building was a stone's throw away from their flat. Chihiro passed Frost Flower's locked room on the first floor, then descended the stairs to the ground floor. He noticed the overnight bag containing his flatmate's combat gear was not in its usual place next to the fireplace. His boots were gone, too. Another two or three days free of the source of annoyance.

He passed through the final security check, showing his badge and scanning his retina, before entering the meeting room. Five pairs of eyes showered him with a cold welcome.

The vice chief and his subordinates on maintaining the structural integrity of the Dome.

Sensing the hostility, he opened the meeting with his usual lines before diving into the routine check. Pressing some buttons on his handy hologram projection floating in the air, Chihiro allowed some seconds ticked away in tensed silence.