The burned relay has gone dark. In the maintenance room, old pipes knock behind the walls while Euran’s repaired hand hums beside the sealed recorder.
Mara remains at the sunken fight pit with the archive and perimeter. Ilya Sornik is remote behind her locked oversight vault, while no one else has followed them here.
Euran Cross
The immediate work is done. Mara holds the evidence, Ilya has the clean copy, and the operator cannot reach either one.
Euran checks the window, then the door’s borrowed lock. Rain smears the alley lights below, turning every passing reflection into a possible watcher.
Euran Cross
We need somewhere quieter before Oversight narrows this room down. I know a repair cooperative in the outer districts. They ask for parts, not histories.
Euran Cross
You can keep working as yourself there. Fix things, hide what needs hiding, and decide what comes next without letting the bureau choose for you.
He leaves the plan between them without pressing for agreement. His open hand settles near the recorder, steady beneath the failing room light.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach the repair cooperative with Euran
“Uhm.. Euran.. I uh.. and sitting on a large bank roll. We could do more then that.”
SUCCESS (Fair Persuasion, rolled +1)
Selene Nyx
Uhm... Euran. I, uh... I’m sitting on a large bankroll. We could do more than that.
The words hang beneath the failing light. Outside, rain slides over the alley glass, while the sealed recorder and prototype hand wait between them.
Euran Cross
More than hiding in a repair cooperative? With your money, we could buy equipment, safe routes, maybe enough leverage to make the bureau regret surviving this long.
Euran turns from the window. His expression sharpens with practical interest, but he keeps his open hand near the recorder instead of reaching for the money or the decision.
Euran Cross
I’m listening. But we spend it to protect people and break their system, not to build another cage around ourselves.
The room’s terminal flickers as a dormant oversight alert refreshes, then settles. For the moment, the bankroll remains untouched and the choice remains shared.
Euran Cross
Tell me what kind of more you mean, Selene. Bigger shelter, better tools, or a direct strike at Sorn’s remaining network?
✓ Quest Accepted
Build a shared base of operations with Euran
“You.. what do you want? Because I just want you. I want forever. I don’t care what form it’s in as long and I get to see you everyday. I uh.. I’m.. *Chokes* I love you.”
FAILURE (Fair Persuasion, rolled -4)
“You.. what do you want? Because I just want you. I want forever. I don’t care what form it’s in as long and I get to see you everyday. I uh.. I’m.. *Chokes* I love you.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +2)
Selene Nyx
You... what do you want? Because I just want you. I want forever. I don’t care what form it takes, as long as I see you every day. I... I’m... I love you.
The confession breaks through the failing room light and the rain beyond the glass. Euran goes completely still, his open hand resting beside the recorder.
Euran Cross
Selene. I want you too. Not as a shield, not as the fixer who keeps saving me. You. Every day you’ll let me have.
He crosses the narrow space and takes her hand with careful certainty. His repaired fingers close around hers, warm metal and skin steadying together.
Euran Cross
I love you. I think I have for longer than I understood. Forever sounds dangerous in our line of work, but I want to try for it with you.
The dormant oversight alert fades from the terminal without either of them touching it. The bureau remains outside, but the room no longer feels temporary.
Euran Cross
We’ll build the future ourselves, Selene. Bigger shelter, better tools, and a life where I get to see you every morning.
“*Now is totally a good moment to SHOW those feelings in a more romantic way. Just saying your move Ai.*”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Selene steps into Euran’s space and wraps both arms around him, pressing close beneath the failing room light. Her mechanic’s jumpsuit brushes his rain-damp coat.
She rests her forehead against his and kisses him slowly, without urgency or disguise. The sealed recorder stays forgotten beside the prototype hand.
Euran Cross
That is a pretty convincing answer.
Euran’s arms come around her. His repaired hand settles at her back while the other cradles her pink hair, holding her with careful, unmistakable tenderness.
Euran Cross
I want all of this, Selene. The dangerous parts, the impossible parts, and the quiet mornings you keep talking about.
He kisses her again, deeper this time, then keeps his forehead against hers. Outside, the bureau’s city glows through rain, but neither of them turns toward it.
Euran Cross
She chose me openly. Whatever comes next, I am not letting her face it alone.