The Yuan Family (袁家) - A Yu Jing Story

Thank you! If I had a painted CSU she could have a very different story indeed... I appreciate your constant feedback and hope to hear from other readers as well. It helps me see if this approach in story works for a game world like Infinity.

 

12 - The Toymaker

The rays were getting weaker each passing day as the seasons started shifting in Dawn. The winds were gradually ramping up whilst the temperature was getting colder.

Yan was dressed in the set of Yue Minerals overalls given to her by Unit 3-8. Digging both hands into the deep pockets flanking the bright yellow jacket she wore over her jade green sweater, she found warmth and comfort from the cold that had crept into the apartment.

Her attention shifted from the immediate discomfort to a thought more distant, going beyond the reaches of Dawn.

Should I call the girls? It's been a while since we talked. I wonder if Ling would… Yan closed her eyes tight before heaving a huge sigh.

She felt a weighty but warm sensation near her neck. Turning her head, she saw three digits resting on her shoulder. "With the weather like this, the heat I produce actually turns me into an effective radiator." Unit 3-8 looked at her and sparkled his sensors. "Does this feel better?"

"This is really nice, thanks." Yan smiled at Unit 3-8.

"Now that you are nice and warm, tell me what's up, hmm? You seem distant, a lot," Unit 3-8 said.

"To be honest… I'm really bored." Yan yawned. "Is there anything to do at all in Yaochi City?" she asked, hiding her initial thoughts with another equally important question. It lit up Unit 3-8, who was worried about her mood earlier. "Suddenly, I feel like exploring…"

"Have you finished your lessons for the day?" Unit 3-8 tried defying her wishes with a question.

"Yes…" Yan dragged her reply. "You're killing me here, can't you put more focus on the 'care' as a 'care-taker' please?" Yan pleaded, with a remotely sarcastic tone in her voice.

Unit 3-8 stared at his ward for a few seconds and walked towards the door.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"What are you waiting for?" the remote gestured to her as he walked out of the apartment. "Let me show you something that should cheer you up."


***


Soft, tinkling sounds erupted from the chimes as the door creaked open, revealing an empty reception lobby. A lone Yaozao remote stood perfectly still at the end of the hallway. Alerted to the foreign presence at the door, the little robot sprang to life. Its joints creaked as they actuated, breaking into a slow jog once the motor went into full swing. It stopped before Yan and started scanning her like a curious goblin, then turned to Unit 3-8. The Yaozao made some rapid-fire exchanges with him before scurrying down the hallway.

Yan looked around as she followed the Yaozao, observing rows upon rows of remote parts, batteries, unfamiliar thingamajigs, all stacked away in dusty boxes. Each piece of hardware looked as if it was carelessly tossed in at random, but together they looked almost categorically relevant. As she reached the end, Yan thought she had stepped into a heaven made of toys. Clicks and grinds could be heard throughout the room as little remotes mulled about, bumping into each other, communicating in a language too mechanical and too complex for her to comprehend. None of the remotes looked stock. Every piece was a conglomeration of different parts from the Human Sphere, singing together in harmony, clearly the hallmark achievement of whoever was their creator.

Behind a glass counter in the centre of it all sat an elderly man, hunched over his station. Smoke rose from the light in front of his wrinkled face as he applied pressure with his soldering tool. He stirred and broke his concentration on his work, focusing his eyes on his unexpected guests.

"Ah, Unit 3-8, what's this, a surprise?" the old man asked, folding his dusty goggles.

"Mao Cong, this is Yan. Yan, Mao Cong. He is our resident… Toymaker," Unit 3-8 said.

"Ooh, do I see parts from at least three different places? Haqqislam, Pan Oc-no, Yu Jing, and Nomad? How does it all come together?" Yan asked, her gaze struggling to match the movements of a nimble remote that caught her attention.

"A kid! Interested in robotics no less… Well that's pretty rare around here these days," Mao Cong said.

"Yan's here because home school is boring." Unit 3-8 looked at her as the annoyed girl punched his arm, sounding off with a light bang.

"You know, I don't get a lot of customers at all… Not as if I needed any of course – but say, young lady, which one of these toys tickles your fancy?" Mao Cong giggled.

"All of them! They are so unique and wonderful, if I could, I want them all!" Yan couldn't contain the excitement in her voice.

"Haha… but that's not possible. Take one, as a gift from me! So, what do you say?" Mao Cong asked.

Yan took a moment and started walking around, window shopping with her eyes. Mao Cong let her indulge in his creations, continuing the work on the electronic mess that sat on his bench. His concentration overlooked the faint breathing he felt on his face. As he looked up, he saw Yan staring at him. "Whoa! Were you waiting?" Mao Cong gasped. "So how…?"

"Yeah," Yan replied. "I have decided…not to take any."

"Oh? Why not? Everything here, you won't find anywhere else in the Human Sphere!" Mao Cong laughed.

"I want… to build one!" Yan replied. "Can you teach me?"

"Oh…oh really?" Mao Cong turned off his work light and focused his attention on the young girl whose answer greatly intrigued him.

"I wish to create something that I can call my own," Yan replied. "I used to ask Ma for toys, but most of the time she said no. I don't want to take something from anyone without her permission."

"You mean something like a custom… Geist-in-a-shell? Oh Yan, you're speaking my language here." Mao Cong grinned.

"Well…" Yan dragged her voice. "I will need your help, Mr. Mao. I have nothing to work with except my energy!"

"Just call me Mao Cong!" the Toymaker laughed, giving in to Yan's puppy eyes. "I like your enthusiasm. Come by whenever and we'll see what we can do, yeah?" Mao Cong said.


***


Unit 3-8 quietly observed Yan as they walked. Just moments ago, she was so cheerful and excited in front of Mao Cong. Now, it was as if the liveliness had drained from her completely.

Maybe this is her true self, which she didn't hide from me when we first met. Something isn't right…

Unit 3-8 also noticed the temperature and the time; it was getting cold quickly, and the sun had already dipped below the horizon. He moved a little closer to Yan and adjusted his micro heat-vents to keep his ward warm, and chose to break the ice.

"So Yan, why do you really want to make your own remote? You said you didn't want to 'take something without permission.' What was that about?"

Yan wanted to remain silent, but she knew this conversation wouldn't end with her staying that way. She took a deep breath and turned to Unit 3-8.

"Don't tell this to anyone else, okay?!" Yan demanded with a raised voice. Unit 3-8 sparkled his sensors in agreement.

"Back home in Shentang… I took a baby Fenghuang from its mother… That was the worst decision I've ever made in my life. My best friend ended up getting hurt, and I forced Ma to —" Yan started sobbing, her voice choked.

Unit 3-8 moved closer to Yan. "It's alright, you don't have to continue." She grabbed his arm and matched her pace to his.

"Sometimes I do truly feel alone," Yan said. "Ma has been gone for quite a while and… I do miss her."

"I understand. I'm sure your mother misses you too."

"That is why I want to build my very own. It will become part of my family," Yan said. "But I'll need help, of course."

"Well, Mao Cong said you could visit any time you wanted —" Unit 3-8 was about to finish, but Yan was too excited and had to cut in.

"Yeah! I can't wait to go back tomorrow!"

"AFTER you are done with your lessons!" Unit 3-8 finished what he wanted to say.

"Gah, that is putting way too much focus on the 'care' as a 'care-taker'," Yan pouted.


***


Yue stared at the comlog as it continued trying to reach Yan, but to no avail. "I guess she isn't ready to talk to me yet," Yue spoke to herself before giving up.

Hitting the simulators again tomorrow. I wonder if I'll get the chance to call again…