An Engraved But Clean Slate

Minerva's question echoed in Audra's head.

How was she liking the Bygone? Did she actually like it?

The heater kicked in with a hum.

"…It's nice," Audra replied cautiously. "Definitely an interesting place. There's a surprising amount of greenery too. If I didn't know any better, I'd think we were on the mainland instead of an island of trash."

"That is good. And I agree on… the greenery. It makes the place… look nice."

Minerva's gaze loomed over Audra as she palmed her cup.

"Apologies, but do you mind me… asking something else? What brings you to our little… corner of the world, Audra?"

"You don't have to answer that if you don't want to," Zeph interjected. However, despite his words, Audra could tell he was just as curious.

"…" Perhaps it was fine if they knew just a little more. It was only fair, right?

She deflated.

"I'm here to start a new life. Stuff happened that uh, I would rather not deal with."

That was the best answer she could come up with, vague enough to not give away too much but still be somewhat accurate.

Minerva smiled at the response, and her chest bounced with a light chuckle.

"W-what's so funny?" she asked defensively.

"Nothing. It is just… that is the same reason why I… and Zephyr are here. To have a clean slate."

"Clean slate…?"

"Er, yeah. Pretty much. A new life to start over with," Zeph affirmed with nod.

"… Are you sure you weren't a criminal?"

Minerva laughed at the light-hearted quip, but it had the opposite effect on Zephyr. Emotions flashed in his eyes: surprise, sadness, then finally resignation.

"I wish. At least I would've been punished properly. But no. I was just a failure. As a husband, father, and a man."

Minerva's face hardened like stone.

"Zephyr. You are being too hard… on yourself again—"

"No, Min. I appreciate it, but it's not remotely close to enough."

He ran a hand through his hair, shoulders sunken by weight.

"I made the biggest mistake of my life back then, and now I'm trying to make up for it. Minerva, on the other hand, came to the Bygone to get a new lease on life, away from everyone who judged or discriminated against her. Our situations are not the same. She actually deserves this clean slate."

"…" Audra didn't know what to say to that. Did she deserve to have a clean slate either?

She nervously sipped her tea. The look in his eyes reminded her of her own reflection, except his looked much more weathered.

"Sorry." Zeph cleared his throat and stood. "Erm, if you ladies don't mind, I'll start work on the shudders now."

Minerva stood as well.

"Wait. Zephyr, I can help—"

"No, it's fine. You stay here. Relax. I'll let you know when I'm done. Aside from the gifts, this is the least I can do to make it up to you, especially for being a stranger outside the scrapyard."

She hesitated but slowly sat back down.

"Alright… Just go easy on yourself."

"…No promises."

A gust of wind rustled their hair before the door shut, leaving Audra and Minerva alone together.

She really hoped that he'd be okay.

For a few minutes the two sat in void left by Zephyr, draining their respective drinks. Neither moved to break the ice, so they continued to sit, exchanging glances every so often.

If there was one redeeming thing about the scenario, at least Minerva didn't seem to bothered by her bionics. It just felt like she was being stared at as a normal—albeit curious-looking—girl.

A lot.

"…"

Ugh, the silence was too much. She needed to say something.

"You think he's gonna be alright? You know, with what he said?"

"Do not worry. He'll be fine. This is… not the first time he's done that. I just wish… that he would take care of himself."

The woman's gaze shifted toward the entrance with a sigh tinged with pensiveness and longing. It was like she'd done the same thing hundreds of times, almost like a weary partner.

Well, if she said so, Audra would believe her. They must've known each other for a very long time. Instead, with her worries sated for the moment, a different topic came to mind.

"Hey, Minerva. Um… mind if I ask you a question?"

"A question…? Sure. Ask and I shall… attempt to answer."

Audra braced herself with a sip of chamomile.

"You and Zeph. What's the deal with you two?"

It took Minerva a moment to process the question, and the slightest of reds bloomed on her face.

"O-oh. Us? We are friends. Just… friends. That is all. Nothing more."

Wait, what was with that reaction?

A twinkle flashed in Audra once the subtext sunk in. Minerva blushing? Insisting just a little too hard?

She might be able to have some fun here~

"Just friends? Are you sure about that?"

The tint on Minerva's cheeks deepened, and she averted her gaze to the wall. It almost reminded her of the romcoms she'd watched with her father.

"Y-yes. I am sure."

"Mhm. That sounds convincing. Come on, drop the act."

"Really. We are just… good friends. Do not read too much… into it."

The way the tall woman squirmed was divine. Tension melted away like butter with each fidget.

Zeph was right. Minerva really was just a big softie.

"Do you wish you were more than that~?"

The older woman head started to steam.

Ah. She should probably let up a bit.

"Sorry, Minerva, I was just—"

"Yes."

"—messing around."

Realization dawned on both of them.

The older woman exhaled heavily, and her shoulders deflated like a balloon.

"B-before you ask… it is… complicated."

Giddiness blossomed in Audra's chest.

"How so? Please tell. I promise I'll keep my mouth shut."

"…Do you promise?"

"I swear."

Her plea seemed to work. Hesitation gave way to sincerity.

"Very well. It is as I said. I have… feelings for him. But he is… well, Zeph. And he is probably not… interested in me… at the moment."

"How can you tell?" Audra leaned forward, investing herself further. "Have you asked him?"

Minerva shook her head.

"No, I feel like he still has… some things to work through. I do not think he is… ready to for another relationship… even all of these years later. Perhaps after he has… dealt with his feelings, then I will ask him. Until then, we are merely… good friends."

Audra's brows furrowed. Hadn't Zeph been on the island for over forty years or something?

"You serious? What if he's never ready?"

Minerva's eyes went blank, but eventually they reignited.

"It will be his loss. I am not oblivious… to the stares I get… from men and women. I am a big catch."

She flexed as to make a point, squeezing a violent snort out of Audra.

"Pft. Why don't you just tell him now?" she countered. "You might be surprised. Perhaps you can even help him with whatever he's going through."

Minerva's bravado dimmed slightly as she shook her head.

"If I were more selfish… perhaps, but no. I do not want to… intrude too deeply… not when his love is still in the past. I support him… as much as possible, but what he is going through… I have a feeling that it must be… fixed by someone else first."

The well-built woman motioned over to her. "Maybe you might help him?"

"Wait. What do you mean, 'maybe me?'"

"You seem like a… good influence on him… in a way I cannot. You have only… been with him for a few days. And yet… he seems happier. That is a rare sight to see."

Audra hadn't thought she'd made that much of an impact, though she didn't exactly have the biggest frame of reference for Zeph.

"You mean it?"

"Yes," the older woman said firmly. "He has always been… kind, helpful, and friendly… but he has always been sad. Not today though. He was happier."

Audra pondered as she grabbed one of the cookies off the tray. They were buttery and sweet with a hint of vanilla and a slight crunchiness. The taste was heavenly, and she could feel the stress melting away with every chew.

"I see that you like those." Minerva smiled, but her expression turned serious once more.

"Audra. I have… one last thing I would like to say before we move to a… lighter topic."

She struggled to gulp down the mouthful of goodness.

"Alright, what is it?"

"Zephyr… has a very strong heart. But that can sometimes be his… downfall."

Audra paused her chewing.

"You probably have seen it… he helps others… even if it means sacrificing himself. Do not let him… throw himself away… because he will. He does it all the time."

Her words hung in the air as Audra swallowed.

She didn't even know how long she would be staying with Zeph, but for some reason she felt like she should agree.

"I can try to."

"Thank you. You really are… a good girl."

"!" Audra's heart jumped when the woman leaned forward to pat her head, nearly melting as old memories started to stir. Minerva didn't stop until her auburn hair was thoroughly disheveled.

"Now, then, shall we find… a less depressing subject to discuss?"

"S-sure, I wouldn't mind that," she murmured. "Like what, though?"

"Like… is current fashion what you are wearing? It is… not very appealing," Minerva teased.

Audra looked down at her clothes, surprised. Even though she had since washed it, she was still wearing the same oversized coat and clothes that she had been wearing at the scrapyard.

"Don't diss my style! It's comfortable enough, and it's cold outside."

"That is an excuse," the older woman replied. "You can be both warm and fashionable. And… I have seen you shiver. Your outfit is not working that well… is it?"

Audra crossed her arms at the turned tables.

"I-I was just cold for a moment."

"Uh-huh," Minerva smirked. "I am sure."

"Whatever. At least I don't dress like I'm from the twenty-first century."

Minerva's brow raised.

"Says the one who dresses… like they're from the twentieth."

"Hey!"