Crimson Azure
Chapter 11
PREVIOUSLY... The Crimson staff and their associate, Susano Aka, were going over a list of names of people who are supporting Lincoln, in hopes of formulating an effective plan to counter him.
It’s six in the morning, and Aphrodite enters Azure’s office. Her boss is already there, early bird that he is, and he’s busy with some schematics for his latest project. He looks up briefly before his eyes return to his work.
- AZURE:
Ah, good morning, Aphrodite. How’s everything?
- APHRODITE:
Everything is well, Mister Azure...
- AZURE:
Is something wrong?
- APHRODITE:
...I’ve noticed something, a common topic among the humans and their conversations, but it confuses me...
- AZURE:
Well, what is it that you want to to know?
- APHRODITE:
What is it like to love?
- AZURE:
Uhm... depends... what context are you looking for?
- APHRODITE:
I understand that it is necessary for humans to procreate, but is it natural for them to fall in love before they do so?
- AZURE:
Uhm... I guess, in the ideal relationship, yes...
- APHRODITE:
Mister Azure... Can you teach me how to love?
- AZURE:
....Where did THAT come from?
- APHRODITE:
You are responsible for my existence. I am eternally in your debt. I am worried that Lincoln may attempt to kill you... And from the beginning, I knew that that is a loss I cannot bear.
- AZURE:
...So you... love me?
- APHRODITE:
...Yes.
- AZURE:
...I’m glad.
- AZURE:
...Aphrodite... Even though you were only my first project, I knew... I knew that somehow, you would be more human than anyone I’ve ever known...
- AZURE:
I know the world is difficult for you to understand... but you possess a level of inner strength I never would have thought possible in such an early model... It’s because of that, that I haved always loved you... from the moment I created you.
- AZURE:
...If it wasn’t for you... I wouldn’t have known love, either...
- APHRODITE:
...So this is love? When two people are willingly indebted to one another?
- AZURE:
Yeah... It’s... pretty hard to describe the feeling, isn’t it?
- APHRODITE:
...I like it.
- APHRODITE:
Mister Azure?
- AZURE:
...Yes?
- APHRODITE:
When we get the chance... could you upgrade me with... “those” parts?
- AZURE:
You sure you want me to do that?
- APHRODITE:
Yes...I want to know what it’s like... doing... that.
- AZURE:
...I’ll see what I can do.
- AZURE:
Ah, damnit... Just a minute...
- AZURE:
Good Morning, This is Azure Industries. Morpheus speaking.
- CRIMSON:
Hey, Morpheus. Sorry to bother you so early...
- AZURE:
Oh, no, not at all. What’s up?
- CRIMSON:
You’ve got to come over to my office today. There’s some info we’ve got that you need to hear.
- AZURE:
...You have a specific time I should be there?
- CRIMSON:
11:30. We can discuss it over lunch.
- AZURE:
Alright. I’ll be there.
- APHRODITE:
Was that Mister Crimson again?
- AZURE:
Yes. He says he needs me over there by 11:30.
- APHRODITE:
Can I come with you?
- AZURE:
Yeah, you probably should, just in case I forget.
- APHRODITE:
Thank you, Mister Azure.
- AZURE:
Please... Call me Morpheus.