Mardock Scramble полностью

–The doctors seem to think it’s due to differing motivations. I wasn’t able to move when I was born, so I must be delighted withthe fact that I can move now, or something like that. Still, in time, I might forget to walk as well.

–Are there no others here who walk?

–Oh, there are. Shall I introduce you to some of them?

–No, you’re quite enough.

She hadn’t meant it in a particularly complimentary way, but Tweedledee seemed pleased.

–Okay, well, how about I introduce you to just one other. My lover. Balot was surprised.

–Your lover?

–Yup. That’s the term I use, anyway. And vice versa. It seems a fitting term. Whenever we’re together, we feel like sweethearts.

Tweedledee’s footsteps sped up. Balot did her best to keep pace.

Curiously, she didn’t sweat at all. It was as if the air were gently wiping her body down. Air designed to give people a calm, pleasant feeling all over. To the extent that you never wanted to move again.

–Can you swim?

Tweedledee asked, and Balot nodded.

–Then let’s go for a swim together. It should be good for your muscles too; it’ll help get them back to normal.

Suddenly she understood what he was talking about.

The trees opened up, and in the clearing was a giant pool carved into the greenery, an impressive oblong pool; she could barely see the opposite shore, and the water seemed very deep.

There were no people in the vicinity of the pool, but rather lots of animals—monkeys, and a type of rodent that Balot couldn’t quite identify—that were swimming or splashing about.

Balot knelt down to put her hand to the water. She noticed some ripples coming toward her. She realized that they were generated to keep the water circulating. Without warning the ripples changed to waves. The next moment a smooth blue object flew up into the air, scattering light all around. It landed back into the water with a huge splash, spraying water all around.

Balot was soaked through. She saw the thing that had just jumped stick its snout forward.

–Who’s this, Tweedledee? Never seen it before. You brought it, did you?

The snouty-thing’s voice echoed in Balot’s earphones, much to her surprise.

–That’s right. She’s called Rune-Balot.

Tweedledee jumped into the pool. He had taken his clothes off without Balot noticing and was now naked. There was a splash when he hit the water, spraying Balot again as she stood there.

Tweedledee swam up to the snouty-thing, gave it a big hug, and planted a kiss on its head.

–She’s Oeufcoque’s lover. I brought her here because I wanted to introduce you.

Balot hadn’t quite expected Tweedledee to introduce her in this way.

–Hey, baby. I’m Tweedledum, the thing said to her. It seemed to have nothing to hide, anyway.

–I know my name’s similar to his, but mine’s the original. After all, some of my brain cells were transplanted into his brain.

It thrust its body out of the water and prodded her face with its pointy snout.

–So, little lady, how about a ride on my back? I’ll take you to heaven and back, baby.

Balot was a little bewildered. It was the first time she’d ever been propositioned by a dolphin.

–Hey, I’m the original! Part of my brain is transplanted in you too, don’t forget. And let’s not forget that your linguistic consciousness is based on my language skills… Tweedledee tried to interject, but Tweedledum hadn’t finished yet.

–Shut it, you slag! There’s no contest. You’re the one who toddles around based on my mobility consciousness. You wouldn’t be walking without me.

–And you wouldn’t be talking without me.