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R A I S I N G ◦ A N ◦ N P C !

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▶ BOOK 1: M A K I N G ◦ A N ◦ N P C !
▶ CHAPTERS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |

⊹˚₊·‧Chapter 17: Reflecting

Pierrosie didn’t wake up for a good while. And even though it was worrisome, Ragatha and Pomni gave her the rest she needed.

They stayed by her side for the whole time, often visited by the others, who also looked after the little artificial doll, told them about their day, and occasionally also brought food.

Most of the time Pomni and Ragatha sat on the floor in front of the baby crib, their backs leaning against Ragatha’s bed, watching the motionless AI and trying to contemplate everything.

There was just so much to unpack. Maybe even more now than when they found out about having a daughter in the first place.

And just like before, there wasn’t an answer, nor a solution. Neither for Pomni, nor for Ragatha.

“Ragatha…” Pomni eventually asked after they had already been stuck in the room for over two days, “Can I ask you a question…?”

Ragatha didn’t look at her. Her eye was focused on the small sleeping thing inside the cot, which was only vaguely illuminated by the night light. Her gaze was full of fear and overextension.

She nodded, barely noticeable.

“It’s… a tough question, though.”

Finally, she looked at Pomni.

“Please. Ask”

Pomni brushed with one finger over the back of Ragatha’s hand.

“If you knew… what you now know. And now feel,” she began and took a deep breath, “Would you still decide for her?”

Ragatha didn’t answer right away. Instead, she looked shocked; As if Pomni was asking something Ragatha wouldn't have even dreamed about. Then her expression changed; she seemed hurt — maybe even angry. But thereafter, she seemed to actually think about it.

It took her a long time to answer; But when she did, she expressed the same conclusion that Pomni had:

“Yes.”

Pomni gave her a weak but warm smile. 

And from that moment on, things got a bit easier again.

They didn’t feel as helpless anymore.

“I… I love you, too. By the way.” Pomni quietly declared after a while, still stroking the back of Ragatha’s hand.

Ragatha interlocked her fingers with Pomni’s and turned towards her.

“I know. I can tell.” She answered softly.

This answer warmed Pomni’s heart just as much as it embarrassed her.

But Ragatha was right… It was pretty obvious how much Pomni had fallen for her. And technically, she had already declared her love at the airport, kind of.

“I’m… sorry I’m not expressing it in some big romantic gesture. You saying it was much more romantic. And even a little dramatic.” Pomni added, awkwardly. 

Ragata chuckled. “That’s okay. I’ve read countless tearjerkers. I’m a professional romantic.” Then she added, “Besides… I didn’t know what would happen. I… I wanted to say it before I might not… you know…” Her words faded as she hesitated to continue the rest of the sentence.

Pomni squeezed her hand. “I’m still here.” She tried to comfort her.

“Yes. You are.” Ragatha whispered gratefully, then looked at Pomni again. “Would you… would you be okay with telling me… what had happened…?”

Pomni hesitated. Her head still hurts and she had only limited access to her compressed version’s memories, but thinking back created feelings of absolute dread within her chest. How afraid she was about Pierrosie. How sorry she had felt for her. How the little thing had been huddled up in a corner of this bathroom, trembling, fearing for her life.

Ragatha didn’t need to know about that.

Or at least… she didn’t need to know about that for now.

So Pomni shook her head.

She might’ve been wrong, but that seemed to relieve the ragdoll.

“I can tell you that she was brilliant and brave, though.” Pomni eventually responded. “She had created a safe room for herself. That’s where she found her little plush toy, I think.”

Ragatha leaned her body against Pomni. She could sense her exhaustion.

“Try to sleep, Ragatha. I’ll stay awake, and I promise I’ll wake you as soon as she moves a muscle.”

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