The Disparate One

Chapter 41 - Talk

The three entered a restaurant which has vacant seats and that serves seafood, unlike the other restaurants, it doesn't serve breakfast. Oxford sat in front of Fier, which is next to the glass pane while Ray sat next to Fier, thinking that he could comfort him for some reason. They stared at the menu for a moment, Fier also stared down at the menu to blend in. After a few minutes, a waiter arrived to get their orders. When they told the waiter their orders and has finally left their area, Fier let out a question when he was staring at the vast sea.

"Do I have a floating device or something that makes me float?"

"Yes.", Ray answered since he is the only one who read every blueprint. Even though Oxford owns him, he never has the energy to read it or even take a glimpse of it.

"I can't seem to forget that you said his name.", Oxford said to Ray with a quick point to the robot.

"It's ok, I understand his curiosity.", Fier commented with a glance at the man next to him.

"So... it is now ok for you to be called by your real name?", Oxford questioned the robot.

"Slight.", answered the robot when he looked down at the table, taking a good look at the objects, like the pitcher and silverware, placed in front of them organized

"Well... I guess now is the right time to talk about it.", Oxford announced at the exact moment when their orders have arrived.

Fier watched the tao waiters when they were placing the dishes on the table carefully and efficiently.

"What do you mean?", Ray questioned when he grabbed his fork and spoon.

"If you have a question, I will answer it, no exceptions.", replied Oxford when he grabbed a few clams and placed it on his plate.

"Are you sure about it?", Ray continued.

"You have my word.", replied Oxford after swallowing.

"Is it true that you are quitting?", Ray let out a question, an interesting one that made Fier jerked his head.

Oxford paused for a moment when he was staring at Fier who was also staring back at him.

"Y-Yes.", stated Oxford looking straight to his white eyes.

"Why?", Ray continued to keep the conversation going.

"I've been working starting at the age of six and remained there for four decades straight, this will be my last month.", answered Oxford.

"I am your last...", Ray murmured.

"That is correct.", said Oxford.

"Then I will try my best to be your unforgettable test subject.", Ray told Oxford before looking away from him to finish his expensive breakfast.

"Believe me, but you've already done.", Oxford replied after swallowing some shrimps.

Fier was listening to their short talk since he has nothing to do but to look around and wait for them to eat their orders. He also started to have feelings for Ray, love, not romantic love, but like a best friend in shortswords. After they have eaten their foods, they paid and then left the place and decided to go stroll around the ship for a while. They walked in a slightly straight line, Oxford is at the front, Ray is in the middle and Fier behind him who is still listening to their conversation, this time with a different topic. They are talking about Oxford's past.

"I got to witness other test subjects die.", said Oxford with a quick glance to Ray.

"Died from what?", Ray questioned.

"Possessed objects, unknown life forms, anything that we found.", answered Oxford.

Ray glanced at him and then to the robot with a weird look, guessing that Oxford is just joking, but after a few minutes of talking, he found that Oxford was really telling the truth. They continued to talk even when they arrived back at Ray's and Fier's cabin. They went straight to the balcony to get some fresh air and to enjoy nothing but the ocean.

"How did you start at the age of just six?", Ray questioned when he took a seat.

"I... was abducted.", Oxford answered.

"I see...", Ray replied when he glanced at Fier who is sitting next to Oxford.

Oxford voluntarily changed the topic of their discussion after a moment of silence. Ray leaned closer to the man as he continued to listen to what he is saying. Oxford started to talk about his previous test subjects and his experiences with them. Ray discovered that Oxford had a ghost test subject before him, a monster and even an alien. Oxford said that it is his first time having a test subject that is a mutant-ish and that also has immense knowledge. When Oxford has finally told his story, Fier took over.

"I always wanted to have a family.", Fier talked.

Ray and Oxford turned their heads to the robot.

"Don't worry...F-Fier, we're already a family.", said Oxford when he rested his right hand on Fier's left shoulder gently. Fier looked at him with a small smile and then nodded at him slightly.

"This is something new.", Ray commented all of sudden while watching the two.

"Don't worry Ray, we will help you remember your past.", Oxford said to Ray who was scratching his head for a moment.

"I'll keep that in mind.", replied Ray.

After just a few seconds, they heard a knock on the door, Oxford decided to stand up to see who it is. When he opened the door, he found Zinnia standing in the hallway. He opened the door wide for Ray and Fier to see Oxford's wife. Ray and Fier started another conversation right after they watched Oxford and Zinnia left their sight. Ray transferred himself next to the robot.

"How does it feel like to be a robot?", Ray questioned after glancing at them.

"Robust, it feels like you are invincible, but at the same time, I'm being left out.", answered Fier.

"I understand.", replied Ray whilst he stares at the ocean.