The Perfect Run

Felix the Cat didn’t say a word on the way home. Not a single one.

Ryan drove the two of them back to the Optimates Tower in the early evening. Their group and Enrique had decided to leave the gathering separately, to avoid raising suspicion before tomorrow’s operation. Eventually, the courier parked his car in front of the tower’s gates, but Atom Cat made no move to exit it.

“Hey, kitten, I know it must feel terrible,” the courier said. “Believe me, I understand what you’re going through. So, uh, how about we go watch a Star Wars movie with Yuki and Timmy to cheer you up? Think of the memes!”

Felix briefly looked at Ryan, his gaze completely hollow, before he opened the car’s door. The young hero walked towards the Il Migliore tower in awkward silence, head down and hands in his pockets.

Yeah, he wasn’t feeling well and wanted some alone time.

Ryan couldn’t blame him. Learning that Lightning Butt had murdered his adoptive sister’s parents, before turning her into a drug wizard and spitting on her birth mother’s legacy must have been… harsh.

The courier wasn’t sure how to reach out to his friend. At least, not until he was ready to open up.

Ryan watched Felix disappear into the Optimates Tower, before driving away. He still had a few errands planned before tomorrow, including dealing with a constant annoyance. “Shortie?” the courier called out while putting on the Chronoradio. “Shortie?”

“I’m here, Riri,” she answered on the other end of the line.

“We’re getting rid of the Meta tomorrow,”Ryan said, as he drove south of the city. “Il Migliore and the Carnival agreed to attack them together.”

“Good.”

“But something bothers me. I have the feeling the Manada are after you specifically, and not because you want to overthrow the bourgeoisie.”

Len remained silent for a brief moment. “I… I did attack one of their facilities. Though they deserved it.”

“I can’t explain why, but I have the intuition it was about something else.” Alphonse was clearly pissed Enrique had released Len from custody, and Blackthorn still kept the Genius under close surveillance afterward. “They were also under the delusion I was your brother, and I think it factored in their decision to hire me.”

“You think…” Len cleared her throat on the other side of the line. “You think it has something to do with Dad?”

Ryan couldn’t confirm it, but his gut told him so. “Maybe. I get the feeling the company has skeletons in its closet.”

“Of course they do Riri, their wealth is built on blood and suffering,” Shortie replied with anger, before calming herself. “What about the brain-duplicating tech?”

“I have an idea about how we can get it,” Ryan said, his fingers tightening on the driving wheel. He had left the northern neighborhoods for the southern ones, closer to Augusti’s territory. “But it’s risky.”

Len marked a short pause, but seemed determined to help. “I’m listening.”

“We know from the recording that Hector Manada lent the technology to Psypsy for research purposes,” the courier reminded his best friend. “Which means it’s probably in the bunker.”

She quickly guessed his plan. “Which has access to the sea, and will be under siege tomorrow. The Meta will be distracted.”

Len could slip inside the bunker, grab the technology, and leave. Ryan had the intuition Hector’s sons would destroy it should they get their hands on it, if only to remove a threat to their inheritance. “But it will be very dangerous, Shortie.”

“I can... I can take care of myself. I will do it, Riri.” Another pause. “And… after it’s done… after it’s done, you should come.”

“Shortie, are you inviting me to your place?” Ryan teased her.

He could almost see her flustered on the other side of the line. “Y-yes, but not like that. I… I set up a room for you down there. You will be safer with us than at Dynamis. I just don’t trust them.”

Neither did Ryan, but for now, the road to the Perfect Run demanded he take the risk. “I appreciate the offer, Shortie,” he said from the bottom of his heart. “I can tell you’re better. You sound more… confident?”

“I’ve… I’ve been following the treatment,” she admitted. “Reduced the antidepressants. Pace them better. It’s… I don’t feel better, I don’t think so. But I feel less worse.”

“Good. It’s good.” Maybe… maybe he could find a way to help deal with her depression across the loops? If he could carry her consciousness across time, so would the treatment. Hopefully.

“I… I’ll be in touch.” And with these words, Len abruptly cut the communication.

Progress was slow, but it was still progress.

Eventually, Ryan reached his destination, a classy, overwhelmingly fashionable bistro located near New Rome’s strip; from the outside, it looked like a carbon copy of the famous Parisian brasserie The Fouquet’s. A valet offered to park the car, but the courier would never let anyone drive it; his Plymouth Fury was too good for the plebe. It forced him to reach the restaurant’s entrance on foot, where his date awaited him.

“Finally!” Fortuna complained, hands on her waist. She wore the same lavish, scandalous golden dress that she did at Jamie’s party. “You were almost late!”

“But I wasn’t,” Ryan replied, taking the spoiled brat’s hand and kissing it like a true gentleman, much to her surprise. “I could never make a goddess wait.”

Since he needed a distraction and she kept pestering him, Ryan finally agreed to a date with the luckiest woman in the world; though it was only a smokescreen for his devious plan to kill her romantic interest in his person. His goal was to be as unbearably perfect and affectionate as possible, until it became suffocating.

But no plan survived contact with the enemy, and Fortuna had brought a third wheel.

“Ryan.” In contrast to her friend’s outrageous outfit, Livia Augusti wore a modest, sleeveless crimson dress and golden bracelets. While Fortuna breathed glamour, the mafia princess embodied refined nobility. “Good to see you again.”

“Oh, I didn’t expect you,” Ryan said, trying to hide his unease while he glanced at Fortuna. “I thought we were having a date?”

“We are, but you will also make it up to Livy for leaving us stranded the first time we met,” Fortuna replied with haughtiness. “You will spoil the both of us.”

“Of course, a divinity like you only deserves the best,” Ryan lied while offering his arms to both women, “and that’s me.”

Livia smiled in amusement as she took his arm, while Fortuna took a little more time to touch his sleeve. “Oh, it’s cashmere!”

“You like it?” Ryan asked, surprised. “It’s genuine cashmere wool.”

“There is no such a thing as budget cashmere,” Fortuna replied, as if he had said something stupid. “Either it’s perfect, or it isn’t.”

Damn, they actually had one thing in common, taste! Who would have thought?

The trio walked into the restaurant, guided by lackeys through wooden double doors. The deco was in the purest 18th century French style, with flattering candlelight illumination and exquisite decoration. It truly deserved its name of Le Parisien. Ryan had reserved an isolated table near the window, so Fortuna could look down on people outside. He knew she would appreciate the gesture.

He also noticed that each of the tables were separated from the others by walls, to maximize privacy. The guests could speak without worry of being spied on.

“I am glad you finally accepted your place in the universe,” Fortuna told Ryan, as a maître d'hôtel invited them to sit and distributed the menu cards. “You have a lot to make up for.”

“And I truly apologize for it,” Ryan lied through his teeth. “I saw you, Fortuna, but until you talked with your brother, I hadn’t seen you.”

He took Fortuna’s hand into his own by surprise, much to her shock.

“When I saw your passion at trying to reconnect with your brother, I… I was moved to tears.” Through skills honed through countless restarts, Ryan seemed about to cry for a moment. “Your heart of gold, it blinded me!”

“I’m glad you finally noticed,” she replied, utterly flustered. Meanwhile, Livia hid her face behind the menu card, clearly struggling not to laugh.

you?” Ryan asked with pleading eyes. “Because I can never forgive

while regaining her composure. “If it goes

Ryan said, before calling the closest waiter. “Darling, an Assiette de Fois Gras et de Saumon

gasped. “How do you know I love them?

a smile. “I just wondered what the perfect woman would want, and it

it did!” Fortuna replied with charming modesty, while Livia could no longer resist and let out a laugh. “Livy,

the princess said with a smile before lowering the menu. “I find

put a hand around Livia’s own in a sisterly way. “I’m glad you agreed to come. You

turned sadder. “I need

night is to cheer her up,” Fortuna all but ordered the

do my best,” Ryan replied with a smile. “You’re quite close

very close,” Livia explained. “We were all

not as loud as Ryan. He immediately

delightful menu planned for you,” the courier said. “On one side, you have French

applaud your taste, but I’m surprised you invited us here,” Fortuna said while waiters left to prepare their orders. “I thought you were poor, and the menus here at Le Parisien climb into the

am well-off,”

date kept

Livia said, causing Fortuna to gasp. “I’ve tracked down some of his

pay off. He

because of its availability, with power blocks from post-war corporations like Dynamis to Augustus himself backing up its value. However, it only really applied to Italy. Some other post-war emerging nations used their own variant of the euro, but with a

you were a toad, but you are actually a prince!” Fortuna

form,” the courier replied with honeyed words. When in doubt,

I already have

realized that this was a silent invitation from Fortuna to ask

you must be extremely talented to purchase something like that at your age,” the courier stated, though she probably won it from the lottery

to his surprise, Fortuna seemed quite embarrassed, adjusting her hair with her hand. “I actually sculpt in my

do?” Ryan asked, genuinely

applied arts at Juventas University.” That post-war, corporate-sponsored university? Ryan heard of it, though as far as he knew only corporate managers and affiliates could pay the exorbitant tuition fees. “Here is some of my

For a second, the courier expected modern, incomprehensible sculptures, but instead

said, and for once he

Livia said with a

replaced with anxiousness. Much to Ryan’s surprise, she was quite sensitive about this subject. Enough to make that unbearable narcissist

continued, reassuring her. “I’ve seen a lot of self-proclaimed artists, but you have

an embarrassed smile, a hand in her hair. “I’m

a job for the Augusti?”

Fortuna said quickly. “I fill in because my brother can no

you for the attention,” Livia

also completely

on her plate as the waiter brought them the starters, without saying anything. Fortuna looked at her friend with concern, and Ryan

a Dynamis facility to try and convince her brother to return, but

wasn’t entirely self-centered. She rose up in his

surprised you don’t advertise your sculptures,” Ryan changed the subject, trying to lighten the mood.

popular.” Though she tried to sound confident, Ryan could tell she wasn’t from the slight hesitation in her voice. “But I don’t want my work to

to his surprise, Fortuna hesitated

to her power,” Livia explained.

my work to be compared to her,” Fortuna finally admitted. “I mean, even my face is one of her masterpieces! Felix’s

immediately zeroed in on the problem. “You don’t want the only thing that’s really yours to be ‘commodified’ by your family?” he guessed, as they started enjoying the starters. “Otherwise they

Fortuna trailed off. “Yes, that’s exactly that. And that’s the only thing where my power cannot help me.

don’t love

turned a bit hesitant. “I love them, and they

too much?” Ryan

branch of the family!’ ‘Fortuna, you

Fortuna a glance of sympathy, and Ryan understood why they were

I said no,” Fortuna told her date. “She still thinks I will change my

try to present your sculptures anonymously?” Ryan suggested. “I mean, all

love them…” Lucky Girl didn’t sound

have hobbies, Ryan?” Livia asked, trying to

cats,” the courier joked. And blow stuff up too, but

cat,” Livia

Ryan straightened

first met belongs to you?” Fortuna asked, astonished. “It has

an uninvited guest, but the cat won her over,” Livia said with an amused smirk. “As if

could read between

silence could get any more awkward, Fortuna received a phone call and loudly sighed. “Trouble?” Livia asked, though she

Mom,” Fortuna complained, as the phone kept ringing. She put a hand on Ryan’s arm. “I’m

Ryan smiled.

her chair and leaving for an

daughter had

us to talk again,” the courier

the previous loop, didn’t you? Vulcan.

point in denying it.

a frown. “To date her. This

not to replace her,” Ryan said, his eyes glancing at his champagne glass. “I don’t want to see it that way, but… the person I dated is gone. The current Vulcan is a stranger with her face, and

see. That’s what you said

“I try not to get too attached to anyone, but

Fortuna? What is she for you?” There was a hint of

my diabolical

in skepticism. “By being

him! Ergo, the opposite should make

her heart, Ryan,” Livia warned him, her voice no longer friendly. “Fortuna is my best

her friend better than he did. “I admit I like her more now that

not feel alone. I owe her for this. Even if you think there will be no consequences for hurting her feelings due to your power, I guarantee you that I will not

serious. “Why are you here,

arms, her gaze turning to steel. “The Carnival, Ryan,” Livia said, her

were. The real reason for her presence. “I suppose this is why you wanted us to meet in a

Rome lately, fighting the Meta-Gang,” Livia said. “It’s them, right? The people who asked you

admitted. No point in

you didn’t target my family,” Livia reminded him. “And I have. But you are willing to collaborate with

an accident,

grew angrier by the