Dancing with Fate ~ Uzi x N (Murder Drones AU)

Chapter Two: We Need to Go, Now

"Why not?!"

Uzi's voice echoed throughout the Doorman mansion, her frustration palpable. She stood before her father, Khan, fists clenched at her sides. The railgun lay on the table between them, a silent testament to her earlier presentation.

"Uzi, we've been over this," Khan replied, his voice tinged with weariness.

Uzi crossed her arms as she retreated to comfort within herself, "Ugh, but I still don't get why you won't let me talk to him!"

Standing before her father like this was hardly uncommon; having done it many times before. The father-daughter duo had a tense relationship as of late. If Uzi was being completely honest with herself, it had been tense for as long as she could remember. Or at least since her mother had passed away, but she couldn't even remember her face so same-same.

However, these kinds of arguments were different. After all, Uzi wasn't a snot-drooling kid anymore; at least not in her eyes. She had matured past the mindless daydreaming of escaping to the surface, and now attempting to put some evidence behind her words. She was done with the cowardice and submission of her upbringing, sick and tired of being treated like a second-class citizen. Hell, she wasn't even treated like a citizen at all.

But Uzi believed that an audience of Mr. Rosera would grant her an opportunity to make some actual change. The Mayor held power and influence behind his words, with the surface and especially with the people of the Underground.

She had spent countless hours scourging through scrap metal and debris all in the name of perfecting her railgun design. Pouring her heart and soul into a weapon that could level the playing field. If only her father could see the potential, the possibility for change that lay within her grasp. But Khan remained unmoved, his eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and... disappointment.

Uzi's posture stiffened at that look. God, she detested that look.

Khan sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. "Uzi, you have to understand-"

"Forget about it," Uzi snapped, cutting off her father mid-sentence. She turned on her heel and grabbed her railgun from the table as she went to storm out of the room.

However, she stopped as Khan's voice called out behind her, a hint of desperation creeping in. "Uzi, wait! You don't understand the consequences of what you're proposing."

The girl held her stance as she heard her father's voice ring out for the last time.

"The surface isn't what you think it is, it's not made for people like us."

Uzi's grip tightened on her railgun as she processed her father's words. A mixture of anger and determination flashed in her eyes. Without turning back, she spoke, her voice low and resolute,

"I understand that you're too much of a coward."

With those final words, Uzi stormed out of the room, leaving Khan to stare after her. If she had just bothered to turn back, she would've witnessed the pure sorrow etched on his face.

The sound of her footsteps echoed through the halls, fading as she distanced herself from her father and his perceived cowardice. She had heard it all before - the warnings, the excuses, the placating promises of 'someday.' Well, 'Someday' wasn't good enough anymore.

✿

Uzi once again found herself maneuvering through the winding streets of the Underground, destination: school.

She took extra care to leave early in the morning, avoiding seeing that distasteful look in her fathers eye's again. Their argument from the previous night had left a bitter taste in her mouth. She would never admit it but she felt horrible.