• I had no need for sleep, the walking did not tire me out and I made good time. In fact, on my way to Aiiro, I had come upon a small village. By small, I mean less than a square mile in area. And primitive. Traditional style, in fact. I sauntered into the village, unprepared for a small elderly woman that so sddenly approached me. She looked sweet and innocent with a lump of white hair sitting atop her abnormally large head. Dressed in a plain green Yukata. Even so, from her shriveled ageing lips, she offered me a room, claiming that I looked tired, even sickly. Tired? Sickly? No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I am a cyborg, that was a lie. Even so she bargained. She begged my to stay for the night at least.

    “Please stay at my humble inn, poor dear. You have walked all the way here. No good, no good! The closest city in that direction… South… Is… Miles.” she said as she grabbed my hand, heading towards an inn.

    I said nothing. I had seen her for only a split-second and I was being forced to stay in her dumpy inn. I suppose it would not cause any harm, unless there was a bill. With not money nor identity, the bill would not be paid. Might as well allow things to go their way, I thought. She began to bargain once again.

    “You have no need to pay a bill, you’ll stay for free.”, she babbled.

    I could not argue with that.

    “We never get visitors… Oh my…” she chatted away.

    I could not let her over excite herself. I was merely a visitor and nothing more. I expected to walk through this village, not lie around. Though, her continuous talking was going to get to me sooner or later… I could feel it in my circuits.

    “Oh… Please obaa-san, I would much rather you tell me once we reach the inn. I am… Famished?” I said.

    She stuttered, then agreed. Such a pitiful old lass. Easily steered by my words and such worthless words. Possibly that was how humans were when they became old, though admit, I am being crude. She had a kind heart.

    She led me through the traditional sliding doors of the inn. The lobby was well kept, fancy candles and cushions and furniture. The structure was steady enough. The lobby lead into the dining room on the left, not sliding doors, just a simple arch. On the other side of the lobby, the right side, there was a pair of closed doors with a padlock latched between them. What was behind that door… Why use such a strong lock… I wondered. Nothing else in the room particularly mattered to me, nor does it to you.

    To my surprise, she crept up to the door, motioning me near. She shook the sleeve of her Yukata, allowing a key to drop into he hand, the key to this lock I supposed. She jammed the key into the lock, turning it slightly, and allowed the lock to fall to the ground as she pushed aside the doors. She had neglected to knock.

    I peered inside the room beyond the previously locked doors, it was dark. In actuality, the whole inn was dark, it was only lit by candles. I squinted and allowed night-vision to activate. To tell the truch, I expected some breed of monster to come into view. Not that a woman such as this inn-keeper could tame or care for a beast… Or even want one.

    “I want you to meet my son, Tenbou.” she said.

    She sat me down, pushing her weight on my shoulders. I sighed. What was I to do? I obviously had no choice with this woman, nor did I attempt to argue with her. She was so small and so ignorant and yet so sweet. I did not find her worth the time or deserving of it. I willfully sat. I looked around. I saw no Tenbou, even through my night vision. My night vision detected almost anything you could think of, including humans.

    The old woman scurried around, she lit candles and illuminated the room. A lavish bedroom came into view, along with an illustrious young man. He was pale man, he skin looked as if it had never seen daylight. His eyes matched those of a monster; dark and wild. His lips were warped around tiny sharp teeth that formed a satisfied smile. Waves of long black hair surrounded his face, only a portion of the hair tired back. His masculine body seemed ready to pounce. I could see past his pretty face, I scanned his physical body. No heart beat, no human organs. He was not remotely human… He was a cyborg. This woman was mistaken, this was not her son. Possibly a replica.

    The woman scurried to and fro setting food and drinks between us, as if this was some sort of wedding reception before the infamous wedding night. I projected an “evil eye” in (whom I assumed was) Tenbou’s direction. He continued to smile at me, like he’s won something. I looked down, unable to bear his sight. In front of me was all the food in the world and fine drink. Was I supposed to be impressed?

    A cyborg man, a pitiful old woman and a feast… Something was going on and everything was going much too fast. I was told nothing, even the old woman had suddenly become so quiet, cheerfully bringing in more food. No need that dining room table I presume. And Tenbou, he had not muttered a word, just smiled… And stared. I mimicked him in the world’s longest quiet contest. He was smiling for a reason and judging by his silence, the woman’s silence, once again something was going on… Was a going to know?