The Cypher’s Kiss: A Choice Based Short Story
By Cathleen Rootsaert
UNSURE: DO IT RIGHT
It's early the next morning and you sit in the Enclave, waiting for Freelancer Yarrow. Ammien joins you, bringing a hot roll from the market. You wait, together, practicing what you're going to say, hoping that he'll understand.
"What's this?" says Yarrow.
You stand and face Yarrow. You tell him that you are beginning to have feelings for each other. You talk about your allegiance to the Freelancer code and that you hope, by being honest, you can work something out so that you and your love can be together. There must be a way.
Yarrow frowns a little and tilts his head, considering. "It's good, important, to be honest. Are you in love?"
"Yes," says Ammien.
You feel hot, almost embarrassed. "Not yet," you whisper, “but I hope.”
Yarrow nods. “I see. Then maybe something can be done -- undone -- before there’s trouble. Less painful this way.”
Ammien gasps. You sit down, as it seems all the blood drains from every part of you.
"As long as you work in the same enclave, everyone is at risk."
Ammien rises slowly and faces Yarrow with burning fury. It's a terrible scene. Ammien argues with Yarrow and gets so angry you think they might strike him. “You’re old and alone and bitter. You don’t remember love. You’re jealous!”, they yell.”
And then they turn to you, irrational madness in their eyes. "Why did we say anything? I told you that I love you and you threw it away on being honorable."
Yarrow stands over Ammien. “Be calm now. You will confess all this to Madame Chronicler…better that she hears it from you than me.”
Ammien storms out. You start to follow.
Yarrow puts a hand on your shoulder and stops you. “A hard choice. If you want this- both want this- then one of you must give up their job, their dream. Choose well. A dream found and then lost, changes a person. I know this.” You are a Freelancer. Truth."Hours later, a much calmer Ammien shows up at your door. "I've never said 'I love you' to anyone else," they say. "Even though you can't say that yet, I can tell that you have feelings for me."
You nod gently and take their hand. "I have a plan,” they say. “No one will know. We’ll be so careful. If you don’t want to take this chance with me... I can’t ever see you again. That's not a threat, it's... I know that the pain would destroy me."
You bring them in close.…