The woman gave me a half smile. "Not quite. I just wanted you to have a chance to speak with Clarice before you went to your appointment at the Ladies' Clinic. Mister Bessemer informed me that you were looking to improve your bioware purchases; knowing that man I must say that I am surprised he's taken to you so quickly. It's interesting."
Interesting? That was… ominous.
"Given it was you who introduced us, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that he would tell you." I resisted the urge to cross my arms; that would make me appear defensive. "Do you have any advice?"
"Advice?" The Hastings' matriarch rested her hands on the desk behind her. "I will give you the same advice that I would give anyone: Buy the absolute best you can afford. With your finances, you should be able to purchase quite a bit, so do yourself a favor and don't skimp just to save a few eurodollars; this is your life you're talking about, after all."
It was an answer that I had expected, and one conclusion that I had already come to myself.
"Now then, I understand that you're going to be a homeowner here soon, but don't be a stranger, darling. Do come by to visit from time to time, for pleasure instead of business." Miss Hastings pushed off the desk and crossed the distance between us and she gave me a chaste hug. "And now that we've said what needed to be said, you can go to your appointment. Clarice?"
"I'll see her out, mother," the girl spoke quickly, and I followed her out of the office after I gave the woman a good-bye of my own.
With my pistols back in my possession, we walked through the estate in near total silence, though that only lasted until we reached the driveway where Delamain was waiting.
"So... um... Tanya..." Clarice rocked on her feet as she tucked her hair behind an ear. "I was thinking, uh, that maybe you and I could do something next weekend? Maybe go out? Dinner and a club or something?"
I felt my mind stutter to a half for a moment.
What?
I mean, I guess I should have expected it sooner or later, but to choose now of all times?
"Do you mean as chooms? Or as a date?" I swallowed thickly as I asked for confirmation.
Her cheeks pinked prettily, "Uhm, we could go as chooms, but I'd, ah, I'd like it if it was a date? I mean, if you're interested?"
My palms felt rather itchy in my gloves, and I averted my eyes a touch as I coughed reflexively into my fist. "Not that I'm not flattered... but I am currently seeing someone. That and I don't know what my schedule is going to look like for the near future; I could very well be busy for the next month or longer."
"Oh." Clarice deflated like a balloon, but it was more... humorous than sad. "I guess I waited too long then, huh? Damn."
I found myself fiddling with my tie, "A-as I said... even if I wasn't unavailable, my schedule would be booked for a good while. There are much longer adjustment and observation periods for bioware than there are for cyberware; I'd be spending a lot of my time in the Ladies' Clinic in the City Center anyway."
"No, no, it's okay, really." Clarice waved her hands in front of her with a cheery smile, "I just feel like I was slow on the draw, you know? You were my choom for years and I sort of never really noticed you until a little while ago... it was the party that really made me think about it. About you. And I thought, you know, why not try?"
I felt Tanya's neck heat up, "Mhmm... as I said, it's flattering, but I honestly don't think it would work out between us. Not that we can't be chooms, and good ones at that, but you're a very... high-class young woman. I know that you don't want to be seen as such, least of all by me, but there is a bit of a social gap between us. I'm an orphan and it would reflect poorly upon you if you and I were to be romantically entangled."
"Oh, wow. Ouch." Clarice winced and cupped her cheek, "Really harsh, Tanya."
I couldn't stop Tanya from fidgeting; I never really enjoyed conversations such as these. Actually, I don't think I've ever actually had one like this before. As it turns out, I do not like them at all.
I couldn't really figure out what to do with my hands so I just stuck them into my pockets so that they wouldn't do anything strange.
"I don't mean to be... mean, or dismissive—"
"That's not it at all!" Clarice grabbed onto my shoulders suddenly, "I wasn't talking about me! I was talking about you! You're—! You're amazing, Tanya. Like, you're so smart, and mature, and you have this dry, witty sense of humor that gets kind of dark sometimes but that's just part of your charm! And you're super cute!"
I was, quite frankly, bewildered at the sudden passion. "Uhm..."
"And you're really successful, with your own businesses and you're the youngest L4 techie in the industry, aren't you!? That's like... really impressive..." Her face scrunched up a touch as she blinked, "You'd fit in among the upper crust of Night City... way better than I do, at least. So don't go and put yourself down, okay?"
It took me a few moments to actually parse what she just said.
Did she think that I was...?
I cleared my throat, "I don't lack self-confidence, Clarice. I'm just acknowledging that there is a social gap between you and I. Unless something drastic happens, that will remain."
Long-established social structures did not take too kindly to interlopers unless it was on their terms, after all.
She stared at me queerly for a few seconds before sighing and dipping her head. "Man, sometimes I forget that you're just so you sometimes. Welp. Forget I said anything, alright? It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, anyway, I wasn't certain if asking you out would be a possibility."
With that, she spun on her heel and began marching up the driveway back to the house, and I called out to her. "Clarice!"
"Nope! You're an aggravating gonk, Tanya, but I still love you anyway! Now go to your appointment!" She opened up the large French doors to the entrance and waved, "Bye now!"
She didn't slam them shut, but she was rather firm in closing them.
It left me standing next to Delamain feeling rather self-conscious and awkward; off to the side of the drive, I could see one of the security guards smiling awkwardly as well.
I slipped into the car when Delamain opened the door. "That was strange..."
"Ah, yes. It was quite odd, wasn't it? I am afraid that out of my many functionalities, 'relationship advice' isn't among my capabilities." The AI chirped happily from the screen in front of me. "And even if it was, it wouldn't be a part of the package. You would have to upgrade."
I rolled my eyes, "Just drive, Delamain."
Why were young women so complicated?
Given I had some time before I needed to meet Gloria at the Night City Ladies' Clinic, as she requested to come along to meet with Suzume-sensei to see about getting some of her own biosculpting done, I stopped by the Meadow Clinic to attend to Maine.
"Gotch yo' fancy duds back, I see?" The large Solo tilted his Tech Shades down the bridge of his nose as he watched me enter his room.
"Yes. I have an important appointment shortly, but since I had the time I thought I would speak with you before we finalized your adjustments." I sat down on the rolling stool next to his bed, and Dorio lounged in the other bed behind me. "How are you feeling?"
"Too soon to tell, choom. Once I get out of this bed and can move around I'll tell you." Maine tilted his head back, "Now you said you had a fancy appointment? What, gonna chip in or something?"
As the laptop booted I handed him the cable, which he jacked into a port on his left arm. "Yes, I am in fact. What makes you ask?"
"Nothin' major, just spent the last few hours going over your little gunfight with a fine-tooth comb. Also had a compadre of mine get me the vids from the NCPD database too." His lips peeled back into a smile, "You're a gen-u-wine little killer, aren't you? Cold-blooded. Never hesitated to flatline any gonks that tried ya."
I felt my fingers pause over the keyboard, and I stared at him. "That isn't going to be a problem, is it?"
"Ha! Ouch, sheeit no." He forcibly stilled himself. "In fact, it's nice. Can't tell you how many gonk-headed gutter rats tell me that they want to run the Edge but can't back it up. You? You're solid. Go right for the kill. No fuss, no muss. That's a rarity in someone who ain't a psycho, ya feel me?
"It tells me that if things go south of the border you'll have me and Dorio's back when it counts. No freezin'. No cryin'." His blue eyes peered at me from over the rim of his shades. "Not that there ain't nothin' wrong with that but... it's best that the tears and shit get shed after the gunsmoke settles, and not during it. Most kids can't hack it."
I sniffed slightly as I began opening up the programs and loaded the software profile for his Switch Box. "Well, I hope it's well established that I'm not 'most kids.'"
"Nope. You're preem. Even without any chrome." He raised a hand and gave me a thumbs-up. "So it makes me wonder just how good you're gonna be once you get some."
I huffed a small laugh as I shook my head. "For future reference, if you want something, just ask for it; I would have given you a copy of my Incident Library. No need to pay a Netrunner."
His cheeks danced as he held onto his belly. "Sheeiiit, Tanya. You're tryin' to kill me. 'Just ask?' Man. If only there were more peeps like you around."
"Well, it is a matter of public record, so you could have even asked the NCPD for them." I rolled my eyes, "Anyway, now that we're finished chatting, I want to ask you about your load-order priority for your Switch Box. Your Projectile Launch System is currently fourth in line—"
"Goodness, I haven't worn anything this fancy in a long time," Gloria giggled into her hand as she wrapped her arm around mine, "Not since before I got pregnant with David."
I had recommended that Gloria at least rent something more fashionable than her street clothes, and she took my advice to heart; The Night City Bio-Clinic for Ladies was the sort of establishment that only asked that you dress your best.
Spoiler: Gloria's DressThe dress she wore was a red that was slightly darker than her hair, and was fashioned from a fine fabric that was soft to the touch. There was a slight dip in the front that showed off her decolletage and some cleavage, but it wasn't racy or obnoxious, and it didn't really need to be considering the way it clung to the rest of her curves. Over the top of the dress was a stylish black coat that had thick silver bars following the seams in that fashion style that was ubiquitous for the era.
Unlike her usual, Gloria had worn her hair down, and with the way the slight curls bounced it made me believe that she had stopped by a salon to have her hair done before coming over. It made me happy that she cared to present herself in the best possible light to my doctor— while Rika Suzume-sensei was a bit of an oddball, that didn't mean I respected her any less.
"You look very beautiful," I complimented her as I grasped the door handle and held it open for her, causing the woman to flush cutely.
Once inside the reception area, I led her over to the front desk where Yumiko, one of the receptionists I saw more often than most, was seated.
Her dark almond eyes widened at seeing me with Gloria, but she quickly bowed her head and spoke to me in crisp Japanese, "Ah, Tanya-chan. Welcome back. Suzume-sensei is waiting for you in her office."
I smiled back, always happy to have a chance to practice the tongue of my first life. "Thank you very much, Yumiko-san. Please, let her know that we are on our way."
Once we were walking down the hall toward the elevators Gloria leaned over with a small smile on her lips, "Tanya, you didn't tell me you spoke Japanese. Is it a skill chip?"
"English, Japanese, German, French, and Italian," I replied as the doors opened up and I stepped inside the elevator, punching the button for the 3rd floor. "And no, no lang-shards or skill chips."
She blinked, "You don't speak Spanish?"
I felt my lips firm into a thin line as a blush crept along Tanya's cheeks. "No. It must sound silly coming from a Heywood girl but no, I don't."
Her eyes crinkled as she smiled like a pleased cat, "Eso significa que no sabes lo que estoy diciendo ahora mismo?"
Tanya's cheeks flushed even hotter. "No, I don't know what you're saying, so you can stop teasing me about it."
"I think it's kind of cute." The EMT chuckled and she leaned into my side. "Though out of all of the languages you could not know I'll admit that Spanish wasn't the one I'd expect."
I hummed and was thankful that the doors opened up so that we could continue on our journey.
I was also thankful that Suzume-sensei didn't have some old J-Pop blaring in her office when I opened up the door. However, that didn't stop the young-looking older Japanese woman from embarrassing me. "Tanya-chan~! You're finally here!"
The office was just the same as it was when I visited for my previous treatment last month, but there were some rather fancy-looking chairs arrayed in a semicircle in the room, and a small circular table next to each of them. Doctor Meadows was already there, the tall Haitian Ripperdoc seated comfortably with a fine teacup held in his hands. In the seat next to him I was surprised to see Mister Julius Bessemer, the British clothier wearing a very fine navy suit with a red and blue striped tie; a china teapot was on his table, with a cup and saucer next to it. Suzume-sensei, much to my surprise, was actually wearing a very professional-looking suit and skirt combination instead of her usual seifuku.
Suzume-sensei still had her pigtails and glasses, so it seemed there were limits to how far she'd compromise, but she still looked smart. "Ah, is this Gloria-chan then?"
Gloria let go of my arm and extended a hand, but Sensei being her usual exuberant self opted to bypass the handshake entirely and wrapped her up in a warm hug. "It's so nice to meet you!"
The red-headed Latina was not the slightest bit bothered by the un-Japanese familiarity, and in fact, it seemed to make her more comfortable as she embraced Suzume-sensei in turn. "The feeling is mutual, Doctor Suzume. I am a very big fan of your work!"
"Work?" The Japanese doctor blinked owlishly behind her glasses, and when Gloria tilted her head toward me while waggling her eyebrows the Artisan began chuckling. "Oh, ho, ho, ho~! Yes, yes! I see. Of course! She is my finest work to date! Everything crafted by yours truly! You're welcome."
I felt my cheeks grow very hot, and I cleared my throat before turning to the other two occupants in the room. "You have already met Doctor Meadows—"
"A pleasure to see you again, Choomba," Doctor Meadows raised his teacup.
"—And this is the esteemed Mister Julius Bessemer esquire. He owns the Night's Errant, a very well-respected clothier here in Night City. Mister Bessemer this is my... paramour, Gloria Martinez."
My introduction must have pleased him because there was a warm twinkle in his eyes as he stood out of his chair and walked over, the silver fox taking Gloria's hand and kissing the backs of her knuckles in an admittedly debonair fashion. "Charmed, Miss Martinez. Es un auténtico placer conocer a una mujer de tanta belleza. Tu pelo parece el atardecer de verano sobre el cielo del Pico Aneto, y tus ojos tan cálidos como la corteza de un Arce real."
Gloria blushed brilliantly as she held up a hand over her lips, "Hee, hee, oh goodness. Señor Bessemer, le haré saber que soy una dama secuestrada. Semejantes halagos son en vano para mí."
I felt my eyes dart between the pair.
Should I learn Spanish?
"Nonsense, my dear. Every beautiful woman deserves to be complimented." He chuckled warmly as he released her hand and turned his eyes onto me, "Even the blossoming young flowers that would rather shirk such attentions."
"I thank you for the compliment." I nodded, and I turned my eyes to Suzume-sensei who was busying herself at a table on the back wall. "Are the refreshments still available, Sensei?"
"Yup! What do you want?"
"Matcha, if you have any."
If there was an opportunity to have genuine Matcha then I would hardly pass it up!
"Huu, huu, huu~. Going for my expensive stuff right off the bat? How cheeky of you, Tanya-chan." The Artisan flashed her glasses at me, "And for you Gloria-chan?"
"Oh? Me? Just a Real Water is fine. I already had more than enough coffee today; any more and I won't be able to sleep."
"Alright, one Matcha and one fancy water, coming right up!"
Given it was 10:00 AM here in California, it was 7:00 PM in Germany, and the moment the video conference call connected I knew who the other person was.
Or at least I had an idea.
It was impossible to not recognize the man because I saw similar features whenever I looked in the mirror.
"May I present to you, Artur von Degurechaff, Count of Charlottenburg." Julius was standing, the clothier holding out a hand. "He is a distinguished and highly respected medical doctor specializing in biological augmentation, and renowned for his groundbreaking work in regenerative medicine and lowering the rates of augmentation rejection. His expertise and dedication to healing have earned him recognition not only within Berlin's elite medical circles but also across the Euro Council."
"Thank you for your warm introduction, Herr Bessemer." Artur von Degurechaff's blonde hair was the same golden color as my own, and it was close-cropped on the sides while combed over and held in place without hair gel of any visible sort. His features were certainly aristocratic, and definitely far more masculine than Tanya's feminine looks, but I could not see if his chin was the same as my own as he had a finely trimmed goatee and mustache. His eyes, however, were just as cool and piercing as my left eye.
He was just like what I'd envisioned as a 'perfect' form of Tanya if Tanya had been born male instead of female.
"Starting from left to right, we have Doctor Stephen Meadows—" Mister Bessemer worked his way down the semicircle, and it was rather apparent that my relative showed no small measure of disdain for Doctor Meadows and Suzume-sensei, though he did smile appreciatively at Gloria; it appeared that even German Nobility could find her natural beauty pleasing to the eyes. "—and last but not least... your niece, Tanya Degurechaff."
There was a soft smile on my... uncle's lips as he looked me over. "You truly do look just like your father."
His accent was very light, and his tone wistful.
"It is a pleasure to finally see someone from the family, Uncle Artur," I spoke in cleanly accented Berliner; speaking in a noble's native tongue was always a smart thing to do. Hopefully, it would endear me to him, and while I had little desire to interact meaningfully with this side of the family, if my own uncle was to be my implantation physician and the provider for my European bioware then going the extra mile to secure his favor would hardly be an inconvenience.
He straightened up a touch and rested his hands, with fingers interlaced, on the table; a golden ring with a sigil prominent. "Then I take it you've found your father's belongings in the storage locker?"
I blinked. "No, I have not. My father... left me a locker?"
I saw his expression go flat as a vein pulsed at his temple. "Yes. He did. The city should have given you access to it upon your majority or early emancipation. Herr Bessemer, if you would please ask your contact with the city... Miss Astelle Hastings, was it? Ask her to look into this matter for me. That locker and its contents should have been turned over to my niece immediately, and I want to know why it was not."
Julius bowed his head, "Of course. I will take care of it right now, in fact."
Mister Bessemer stepped off to the side and reached into his pocket to retrieve an Agent.
The Count took in a slow, deep breath before shaking his head. "American incompetency aside, there was a reason why we left you in Night City. However, we can speak more at length when I arrive. For now, we should focus on what you wish for me to bring."
Spoiler: Tanya's Expensive AF Purchases
"The Italian stocks will suffice for some of these, however, I would highly recommend that for those I have listed you choose from the German or Scandinavian stores." The Count turned his head, "And I would assume that my esteemed colleague Doctor Suzume would recommend the same?"
Suzume-sensei adjusted her glasses with a nod. "Yes, I concur. Just from looking at these specifications the differences between the Italian stores and the others are minimal. The primary benefit is that the Italian models are much more widely distributed and have more than enough documentation."
"Doctor Meadows? Your thoughts?"
"Cyberware is my specialty, but I would agree that choosing the most studied biological augments for those line items would be for the best. Tanya wishes to stay light on cyberware for now, choosing the highest-spec Kerenzikov and cyberdeck for her needs." Doctor Meadows' requested permission to take control of the side-display, and when Suzume-sensei ceded control he put up two different pieces of cyberware. "A Militech Paraline Mk. 3, and a Militech 'Screamin' Eagle' Mk. 3. Both are the best of Militech's civilian-grade offerings and are readily available for purchase here in Night City."
My uncle rubbed his goatee as he studied them closely. "Cyberdecks are not my forte, but I am aware of the 'Screaming Eagle' Kerenzikov; I should, as even my AV pilots use them. If that is all she is going to install as far as cyberware, then I do not foresee there being any complications, especially if she waits until after the observation period."
The Count turned his eyes to me, "Now then, niece, shall we tally up the butcher's bill?"
I felt my pockets grow lighter and lighter with each item on the list we crossed off, and poor Gloria looked like she was about to faint.
"—And with six weeks at the Konpeki Plaza Hotel... the grand total from my end amounts to €$318,580 Eurodollars."
"With an additional charge of €$15,000 for the Clinic's facilities." Sensei chimed in, "And since I love you so much, Tanya-chan, I'll only charge €$10,000! Aren't I just great?"
"So... €$343,580 Eurodollars?" I swallowed thickly but managed to keep my composure as I reached into my pocket and pulled out my credit chit with the largest balance on it.
"Nope! Wrong! It's €$395,117 Eurodollars! You forgot taxes, silly!" The Artisan chirruped happily as she poked my cheek. "I'd ask if you were going to pay cash or card, but I already see you have your chit out."
My hand shook as I simply put the chit into her open hand. "That has €$400,000 on it. Consider the rest a tip."
Doctor Meadows had already denied payment, rather emphatically at that, so at least I didn't need to worry about his fee as well.
That was virtually all of my money.
Not all of it, since I still had around €$50,000 spread across the chits for my other business finances, but as far as my personal accounts went, I was now flat broke.
It made me hope that my Scav hunting with Maine was successful and that the J-Corps were feeling exceptionally generous with the bounty for the VDB information.
My uncle seemed almost amused by my plight, but other than the slight upturn of his lips he gave no additional clues on his face. "Now then. This has certainly been wonderful, but I will need to get to sleep so that I can wake up bright and early to make the necessary arrangements. I will be on the next Orbital Air flight on Monday, and I do hope that you will meet me at the spaceport."
"Of course, Uncle. I will be there." I inhaled slowly through my nose before a thought crossed my mind. "Who will be seeing to your security during your stay?"
"Herr Bessemer will be, though do not fret, I have my own team as well; it was one of the primary reasons my fee was so high. I wouldn't dream of charging my brother's daughter, but the men and women who will be seeing to my comfort and security in Night City do have to be paid."
I bowed my head. "Then I thank my uncle for his generosity."
"I look forward to seeing you on Monday. Until then." And with that, he hung up and the room was plunged into silence.
"Dios mio, that was so stressful! I thought I was going to have an ulcer..." Gloria deflated in her chair like a balloon, "Four. Hundred. Thousand eddies?! To think I was worried about spending fifteen thousand for my treatments..."
"Oh, that's right! Gloria-chan is here too! Muscle, Bone, and Skin weave, right?"
"And some touch-ups..." The Latina blushed, "And maybe a few extra inches of height wouldn't hurt. If Tanya is going to be six feet tall... and David too! I don't want to be five foot-nothing anymore, I've got the eddies now!"
"Yeah! That's right! You should only be short if you want to be, like me! Now, why don't you come with me, Gloria-chan, and we'll get you all taken care of—"
I gave Gloria a half-hearted wave, and for some reason Doctor Meadows was patting my shoulder...
It was probably because I was staring down at the hand where my credit chit used to be.
Wait a second, my father left me a storage unit?