I was on my way to the Consciousness Center.
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📖 Lexicon word for Consciousness Center: Centro di Coscienza
I saw the Director talking with Klay, and soon heard his familiar whining.
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📖 Lexicon word for Director: (Not translated)
📖 Lexicon word for Klay: (Not translated)
Hey, Mom! You need to listen to me.
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It was horrible. The customers kept complaining, those clothes stinked, and...
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No. I don't want to.
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We've discussed this before, Klay.
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📖 Lexicon word for Klay: (Not translated)
I am your mom. You do as I say.
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I won't! I don't need an antidepressant!
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As I entered the facility, I heard Klay whispering...
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📖 Lexicon word for Klay: (Not translated)
Take a seat, sweetie!
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Somehow, Ott was already at his desk.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
He wouldn't even look at me.
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Somehow, Ott was already there and eating at his desk.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
He's told me that he runs fast, but now I believe it!
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So, what're you eating?
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Ah. Plant based food's not my th...
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Klay suddenly went past by us, spitting.
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📖 Lexicon word for Klay: (Not translated)
Everything fine, Klay?
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📖 Lexicon word for Klay: (Not translated)
Yep! All peachy! My job was amazing.
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And I got myself a premium Musk of the Lynx Puurfume!
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You're a mountain lion. Not a lynx.
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I'm sure you peasants got something boring and cheap like a cardboard box.
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Mind your own business, Klay.
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📖 Lexicon word for Klay: (Not translated)
Man, you really need to improve your witty comebacks.
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Ott!
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
Hey, it wouldn't hurt to learn to defend ourselves. That includes verbally.
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I'm tired. Can't wait for this day to end...
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There is no doubt in my mind that you have achieved your goal. It is time for you to celebrate!
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(Does she even have a mind?...)
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One by one, you will tell the class about your day and what you bought for yourself.
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Some celebration that was. I was starting to feel weary.
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Ott's situation, however...was worse.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
It'll be our turn soon.
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Ott? Ott! Wake up!
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
Nothing worked. Ott was sleeping like a baby.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
My stress-o-meter gauge was reaching its limits.
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He probably had sleep to catch up on...
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Graff?
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📖 Lexicon word for Graff: Graff
Tell us. What did you do today and...
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<font=emergency>SILENCE!</font>
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Ott's snoring probably was heard from the other side of the Slums.
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📖 Lexicon word for Slums: Slums
📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
I attempted to respond to distract them.
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I...helped an Untail believer set up her stall in a poor sector of the Slums.
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📖 Lexicon word for Slums: Slums
It was full of wonderful looking items...
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Items from the old tradition?
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At the end of the day, I didn't have enough Unis to buy anything worthwhile.
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📖 Lexicon word for Unis: Uni
📖 Lexicon word for Uni: Uni
Graff.
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📖 Lexicon word for Graff: Graff
If you confirm not buying a present for yourselves...
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Couldn't get anything worthwhile. Ott trusted my judgment.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
It is with a heavy heart that I have to give you both an eliminatory zero.
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Are you kidding me?! It's just a stupid celebration!
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Graff, you are being highly disrespectful of this holy day.
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📖 Lexicon word for Graff: Graff
The rules are the rules. I'm afraid you didn't put much thought into it.
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How dare you say that! You have no idea what I went through today, you purple mother of junk!
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Careful! I will not tolerate such imp...
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Buzz off, cyber brain!
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(Well, that's not exactly what I said. I had to censor that part. I was so enraged.)
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(Which definitely didn't help. I could get into details, but...)
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(Me and Ott were definitely excluded from the Consciousness Center.)
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📖 Lexicon word for Consciousness Center: Centro di Coscienza
📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
(The word spread fast. Our parents, and even Ott himself, could only feel the utmost disappointment toward me.)
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
But Ott was with me, in the same predicament.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
We did the best thing we could. We combined our money to get this connected piggy bank.
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As you instructed, it is both useful and effic...
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Graff. Do you realize what you're saying?
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📖 Lexicon word for Graff: Graff
(Psst! Sharing your money with others is forbidden, you idiot!)
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(You'll get eliminated! Both of you!)
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This item. Is it yours, or is it for both of you?
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My cheeks were burning.
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I was desperately looking at Ott for advice, but it was pointless.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
I'm asking you again, Graff. Is it yours only?
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📖 Lexicon word for Graff: Graff
...y...yes. Mine only. Sorry.
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I was just...trying to cover for him...he couldn't get one.
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You pass. However...
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I am afraid I have to give an eliminatory zero to your friend.
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(Gasps around the class)
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My mind did not follow the rest of the "celebration."
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I was too busy thinking.
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I made the most logical decision.
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I tried hard to convince myself. I had to.
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If I hadn't, we both would have been eliminated...
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This was for the best...
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But then Ott eventually woke up.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
We're in class...oh no!
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My turn passed already?
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He could totally read my face.
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...Unfortunately...I'm sorry.
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Yeah...you've been...disqualified...
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That's...that's not possible!
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We bought the item together! You told them that, right?
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But you weren't awake...
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Wow. And you call him a friend?
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He's literally lying to you, chump.
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Klay!
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📖 Lexicon word for Klay: (Not translated)
You've been eliminated because buying an item together is against the rules.
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Of course, you knew. I mean, at least one of you two imbeciles actually read them, right?...
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Shut up, Klay! I don't need you insulting us. It was just a mistake!
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📖 Lexicon word for Klay: (Not translated)
It's fine, though! Puss here passed!
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Be a little happy for your "friend"!
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Graff...is that true?...
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📖 Lexicon word for Graff: Graff
You lied to the Director...to the whole class...and to me...just so you could pass?
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📖 Lexicon word for Director: (Not translated)
Ott suddenly stood from his chair and sprinted through the front door.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
That split second when I saw his face...it will remain in my memory forever.
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The session wasn't over, but for him that didn't matter.
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Me, on the other hand...I was on the verge of collapsing.
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I was fully responsible.
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I must have looked like a zombie when I left the facility.
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Lifeless and unresponsive.
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I went back to my apartment...
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...empty, of course. Brok hadn't come back.
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📖 Lexicon word for Brok: Brok
I needed someone to talk to. Badly.
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I attempted to call Brok.
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📖 Lexicon word for Brok: Brok
Nothing. Busy or out of network, probably.
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He always had a good excuse.
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I sent him a message anyway. Like throwing a bottle into the sea...
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The lump in my stomach was widening.
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It was as if a hole had replaced it.
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I had failed my best friend. Ruined his future.
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What could I possibly do to fix this?...
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Well, count me out.
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Cold logic and doing what "made sense" had gotten me into this mess.
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There was only one thing I could think to do.
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It would only make things worse for me, but that didn't matter.
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I'd just have to fail on purpose. Ott wouldn't want me to, but then again, he probably doesn't ever want to be around me again, anyway.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
It didn't matter right now though...
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I couldn't move at all.
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Just an empty shell, lying on a bed.
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My best friend had betrayed me.
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I would expect this from Klay. Never could trust him.
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📖 Lexicon word for Klay: (Not translated)
But Graff...who had always been so nice to me...
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📖 Lexicon word for Graff: Graff
I was still dumbfounded.
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He was the closest person I've ever been to.
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I always could trust him with anything, without fear of getting dismissed or laughed at.
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Whenever I'm close to him, I feel happy. A different sort of joy than what I get from my parents.
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I didn't want to go back home. Mom and Dad would probably comfort me, but they would also be so disappointed.
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Instead, I was at the Border Post. The same area from a few hours ealier.
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I was contemplating the Drums on the other side.
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📖 Lexicon word for Drums: Drums
It was just decided that I would never access it.
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Did I really want to go there? Honestly, I had no idea.
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What mattered to me the most was to be with the people I love, and who loved me in return.
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I only had one true friend...and I just lost him.
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Oh! You came - back!
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Hello, Bolt.
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📖 Lexicon word for Bolt: (Not translated)
At least I still have you...
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My main - processor unit - is telling - me that - you look - sad.
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Unfortunately, I don't think there's anything you can do about it.
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Well, I wish - you good - luck.
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Thanks, Bolt. Maybe I'll do just that!
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📖 Lexicon word for Bolt: (Not translated)
At that same moment, I heard some noise coming from the border.
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A group of people was crossing, exiting the dome.
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📖 Lexicon word for The Dome: La Cupola
Approaching, I realized it was actually a single individual accompanied by a few Tribots.
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📖 Lexicon word for Tribot: Tribot
A stocky, mustached, middle-aged muskrat.
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The escort stood close to him, as if concerned he was going to slip away.
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You have been expelled under regulation 45A: non-payment for medical invoices totalling 24,590 Unis, exceeding the maximum debt allowed.
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📖 Lexicon word for Unis: Uni
📖 Lexicon word for Uni: Uni
Yeah, yeah. I'm dying.
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Tell me something new.
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I didn't really know what to think.
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Right now, my own troubles monopolized my mind, and I couldn't focus on anything else.
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This wasn't my business. Besides, that old man looked like he could handle it.
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I can barely take care of myself. How presumptuous would it be to think I could help others?
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I started to wander, far from the Border Post.
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And then I felt it.
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What if that man was in trouble?
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What if I could have helped, after all?
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Is my own trouble worth more than this poor person's?
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People might think I'm just quiet, someone who doesn't have much to say.
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But that's not true. I overthink everything.
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And now, I believe I made a mistake.
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More than one, actually.
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Maybe I deserved everything that happened.
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It was all my fault. I couldn't gather enough money. I should have tried harder.
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...I need to make things right with Graff.
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📖 Lexicon word for Graff: Graff
Whether or not he's right... he's my only friend in this world.
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I was shocked. Was this how the Drums treated citizens?
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📖 Lexicon word for Drums: Drums
It reminded me of the strict management we had to deal with in the Consciousness Center. That made sense - Drumers were also running that place.
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📖 Lexicon word for Consciousness Center: Centro di Coscienza
📖 Lexicon word for Drumers: Drumer
📖 Lexicon word for Drumer: Drumer
My regret about never becoming a Drumer lifted a little.
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📖 Lexicon word for Drumer: Drumer
Whatever. I couldn't just stay here and do nothing!
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Hey! Are you kicking this man out because he's dying?!
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And on this holy day? That's unfair!
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Hello, my boy. Do not feel concerned about me.
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Our sensors indicate the individual requires an explanation.
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In order to keep a flourishing state, society has to make the most accurate choices.
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Curing this man's disease implies refusing to cure other citizens with higher calculated rates of survival.
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It's fine. I've accepted my fate.
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I'll spend the little time I have left in the Slums. I'll get used to it.
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📖 Lexicon word for Slums: Slums
Please, don't threaten them or...
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Mister, you don't deserve this!
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I don't care if I just met you, I can see it on your face. You're a nice person!
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Protocol engaged. Target set.
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Run!!! Hide yourself!
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Please! Listen to me!...
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I was in danger, but my legs refused to move.
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Very well, metal executioners.
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Even in my poor health, I won't let you harm this innocent boy!
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The man was in fighting stance, positioning himself right between me and the three bots.
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I swear to protect him until my last breath!
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At the last minute, the sound of a laser made me jump behind a bench for safety.
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It was over. I was convinced the man was shot.
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At that instant, I made a wish. The only thing I could do.
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It was hopeless of course. But maybe, just maybe...if I wished strong enough...
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And then I heard the fight.
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Though I couldn't exactly see what was happening, not only was he alive, the man clearly had the upper hand.
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One big military Tribot exploded a bit further from me.
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📖 Lexicon word for Tribot: Tribot
It was a stupid thought in the moment, but I was thoroughly impressed. What kind of person is able to fight those machines, armed with nothing but their fists?
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In any case, I was thankful...and ashamed I was the cause of this.
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If this man died because of me, no matter his fatal disease...I could never forgive myself.
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One last explosion.
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I came out from under the bench to see what happened.
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You won! You really won!
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Ha ha, looks like I did.
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I may have lost strength, but I still have experience.
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My boy, what you did was pretty reckless.
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I know...I just wanted to help.
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You remind me of myself when I was your age. I joined the military, and trained every day, to protect this land.
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And now that same society has failed you.
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We protected the citizens. Not the society.
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You still can! You saved me, and it was incredible!
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No. It's me who should thank you.
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You made me push my limits to save you. I feel better!
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And doing a good deed...that's a warm feeling that I still cherish.
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Unfortunately, the world doesn't care. We both got expelled on this <col=BLUE>Natal Untail</col> day.
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📖 Lexicon word for Natal Untail: Natal Untail
I failed my assignement at the Consciousness Center and got disqualified.
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📖 Lexicon word for Consciousness Center: Centro di Coscienza
So I can never join the Drums now.
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📖 Lexicon word for Drums: Drums
Oh no. I'm so sorry, my boy.
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Don't lose hope! You're the one that told me that.
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I'm not even sure I want it anymore, after seeing what they did to you.
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Don't think like that. Each situation is different.
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Nothing's ever so black or white in this world. Like everything else, the dome has good and bad aspects.
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📖 Lexicon word for The Dome: La Cupola
Don't reject it entirely just based on this one incident.
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I guess you're right.
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But it's worse. My best friend lied to me.
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He lied to pass, when he really should have...
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Did he mean to hurt you?
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It wouldn't have changed anything for me, even if he hadn't lied.
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Did he try his best?
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Honestly, I'm not even sure what I would have done in his place.
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I'm just angry at this whole stupid tradition.
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Why shouldn't we be able to share our money to help others?!
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Why do we have to do this alone?!
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You're on the right track.
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Do you want to be his friend still?
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Yes. More than anything.
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Then you know what to do.
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Maybe we owe it to ourselves to keep hoping for a better future.
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Thank you, mister...
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Alright, Ric! I'm Ott.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
Well, Ott, it's time for me to face my new destiny...as terrible it may be.
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📖 Lexicon word for Ott: (Not translated)
Wait! Aren't you going back?
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There's no bot to prevent you now.
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There's nothing left for me under that dome.
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You, on the other hand, with such a bold and young spirit, could have a bright future there.
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Thanks again! I hope we see each other again!
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Time to do what's right.
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