The Equilateral

Chapter 1 [Ceiling Fan & Courtesy]

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"This is royalty around here, 'twas courtesy enough for you."

Sonya's Klinic – Aste Slums

23rd December 2048 – 0802 hrs

81#$9jf*#@ the &*()#&$|"

A ceiling fan.

A barely spinning ceiling fan with a questionably placed light above the blades was the first thing she saw opening her eyes. The constant interchanging shadow and light glared into her eyes. She winces before coming to a realisation.

??????: How in the...? I'm...

?????: Enjoyed your beauty sleep young lass?

A white-robed figure stood before her bed, his face looking smug before putting his finger on his ear.

?????: Quanta Leyard has come to.

Quanta: Where on earth am I?

Quanta questions before instinctively attempting to back up further on the bed, only to be met with a sharp pain coursing through her body. She tries her damnedest to hold in her cries, staying exactly where she is. The figure laughs as he pushes up his glasses.

?????: Kh he he he oh young lass can't you tell from the smell? You're in the Slllllluuuuuums, your limbs came off so I put them back on you kh heh heh.

Quanta: Limbs?

?????: Yeeeeeeessssss liiiiiiiimmmmmbssssss with an "sssssssssssssss". KAH HAH HAH HAH HAH.

Before Quanta could say any more, the rusty door behind the white-robed maniac bust open, knocking him down to the damp ground.

Mariul: You are still annoying as hell. I could hear your squabbling down the corridor.

Mariul sighs, before pulling up the dazed maniac.

Mariul: Sonya, I told you not to interact with the whelp.

The no longer white-robed maniac adjusts his attire.

Sonya: Aeough my coat! I just washed it you bonobo! You know how expensive cleaning agents are???

Mariul: You're the doctor, not mine-self.

Before the pair could continue bantering, a kidney tray was flung towards their direction. Mariul catches it before reaching his face.

Quanta: You bastard! You left me to be mangled by those fucks in the forest!

Mariul flings back the kidney tray, hitting Quanta square in the forehead with a resonating clang. Quanta whines in pain, covering her forehead.

Mariul: You are pathetic and a whelp, for you have been bested by Behemoths. What good wouldst you be for---

Mariul pauses, before turning towards Sonya.

Mariul: Forget it. Sonya, friend, here is your due payment.

He hands over an envelope with a white seal containing five dots, with a thickness that would almost classify the envelope as a "package". Sonya gleefully reaches out to it, but swiftly retracts and waves both hands.

Sonya: No no no friend, I cannot possibly accept payment from a Fifth, courtesy or not.

Sonya: Kh heh, besides, if my dear patients see a Fifth like you walking out satisfied ooh hooh...

Mariul: You are fooling no one friend, at least use it to fix this absurd fan and light. How could you not be pissed off looking at this?

The ceiling fan continues to creak.

Mariul forcibly shoves the envelope into Sonya's coat pocket. Sonya grins.

Sonya: They're the patient, not mine-self.

Sonya: I'll leave you two big shots to it, this young lass can only leave after the weekend. I'm a busy busy man ke he he.

The rusty door slams shut, leaving echoes around the ward, followed by the subtle creaking of the ceiling fan.

Mariul stares at the girl, with her back facing him, her white hair still impure with remnants of her own blood. He opens his tattered book.

Mariul: Woe is me... for—

Quanta: For you can go fuck yourself.

Mariul: Bitch.

Quanta: Why did you leave me to die before you dealt with the Behemoths huh?

Mariul: Because you were assigned to the deed, mine interjection followed only when you failed spectacularly. The Equilateral takes credit very seriously.

Quanta: Damned Equilateral slave only in it for yourself.

Mariul: What good would culling three Behemoths do for mine records? *grunts* Why the hell would The One want a whelp like you to....

Quanta: My fucking thoughts exactly asswipe, you just follow the words of this "One" you piece of shit Fiver.

Mariul stays deep in thought, conjuring up a response before...

Quanta: Also why are we in the freaking Slllllluuuuuums huh? Didn't we depart cityside?

Mariul decides to not answer a question that leads to questions and stands up.

Mariul: The deed was a failure, by right the Four would hath imposed a penalty on your pitiful self.

Quanta: Fuck you, The Five, The Four, The Three, The Two and The One. Fuck all of you.

Quanta covers herself with the blanket, no longer wishing to speak. Mariul turns around and lets out a silent sigh and heads towards the door.

Mariul: Thou ought to be grateful.

Mariul: Tch. This is royalty around here, 'twas courtesy enough for you.

Quanta: [whispers] Asshole. Drop the pretentiousness.

Mariul shuts the door, leaving Quanta in the company of the creaking ceiling fan.