AMA-Con: The Compilation

Pages: First Page

"Turning back the pages of my sweet shattered dream, I wonder if she'll ever do the same; And the thing that I call living is just being satisfied With knowing I've got no one left to blame."

—Gordon Lightfoot

"When will Papa be home, RJ?" Baste asked his older brother. His mouth was full of mashed potatoes, but RJ still heard him. He has loads of practice because Baste's mouth is always full. RJ reached out to wipe the smudges off his younger brother's cheek before he answered him.

"Papa will be home in a few minutes. But you know he goes home late at times, right?" he asked gently, just in case Baste had this idea that he could wait for their father. RJ could come across as cold to people he interacts with, but he is always gentle with Baste.

Baste jutted out his lower lip, making him look impossibly adorable. "But he promised to play with me."

RJ shook his head and turned his attention back to his own dinner. He was already immune to his brother's cuteness. "Didn't you play with Judy Ann?" Judy Ann is Baste's babysitter. "She went home late because of you."

Baste's pout deepened. "She never plays with me. Aaand... Judy Anne went home late because of you. She just stays late because she wants to see you. She has a desperate crush on you."

RJ doesn't bother denying it. He had known Judy Ann since they were kids and she had always been obvious. However, RJ has never really seen her as more than a friend. Heck, they're not even friends.

"It's not polite to talk about people when they're not here," he said, slightly reprimanding Baste. "Just finish eating, okay? And you can wait for Papa as long as it's not past your bed time."

Baste pulled out his one last desperate attempt at being extra cute by puffing his cheeks, but it didn't work. However, he didn't exactly look disappointed as he went back to eating.

RJ secretly smiled, his brother is so adorable. He glanced at his watch to check the time. It was almost eight. Baste's bed time is at nine.

He sighed in slight annoyance. It would seem like Baste would have to resort to playing with his miniature robots again. When Eduardo Faulkerson isn't at the house by seven, it only means one thing—overtime. And his overtime usually means he would be home by midmorning.

Eduardo Faulkerson is one of the genius engineers of MC Enterprises, the only Simule maker in Novellis. Eduardo has been working in the company for twenty five years, and despite him being underpaid, he doesn't have plans of leaving. Engineering Simules is a part of his life, and it's helping him cope with his biggest heartbreak.

Their father was a widower. Eduardo's wife, Tiffany, died after giving birth to Sebastian or Baste.

Making Simules somehow gives Eduardo peace of mind, that RJ knows. Creating new lives out of preserved organs and synthetic human body is a healing method for a man who had witnessed the death of someone he had considered as his life.

There are times when RJ thinks their father is obsessed. Even when he's at home, all he thinks about are his Simules. But then Eduardo is not a bad father. He genuinely cares for his children. And if he's a little bit attached to his artificial children, then RJ can't begrudge him that.

RJ turned back to finishing his food. He was almost done when he heard the front door open and the familiar voice saying, I'm home.

Baste immediately abandoned his food and ran towards the direction of the front door. RJ shook his head and stood up to follow his overly enthusiastic brother.