Alysa said, "So we were attacked right now?"
Liebe said, "How am I supposed to know?"
Licht said, "Good question."
Eosian said, "So you can find out how we were attacked—their exact location—but not who they are?"
Liebe said, "Yup."
Licht said, "Sounds about right."
Licht said, "By the way, I'm starving. Got anything to eat?"
Alysa said, "Oh yes, I brought sandwiches. Ham and cheese sandwich, and some chicken sandwich for Mr. Liebe for when we go into the Abyssal Zone."
Liebe said, "Oh, I don't think we can go today since I have work today. But is tomorrow OK?"
Alysa said, "Yeah, sure."
Liebe said, "Splendid."
Licht said, "So can I have the sandwiches now, or like—"
Alysa said, "Ohh, sure, sure. Eat as much as you want."
Eosian said, "Why are you two like this?"
Liebe said, "Like what?"
Licht said, "What is he saying?"
Liebe said, "Same."
Liebe said, "Licht, I have work at HQ. Feel free to do whatever you want."
Licht said, "Sure. By the way, which bedroom is available where you didn't sleep with anyone?"
Liebe said, "Good question. Gotta think about it. Bye." As he teleported away.
Licht said, "Frick. Looks like I got to sleep on the floor."
Alysa said, "So, Licht, have you known Mr. Liebe his whole life?"
Licht said, "Not his whole life. Basically 3 days."
Eosian said, "You two have known each other for the past 3 days and yet you trust each other this much?"
Licht said, "Not the past 3 days. Since I was 3 days old."
Alysa said, "That long?"
Licht said, "Yup. And by the way, it's just 'Licht,' not 'me.' Seems like a lot of work."
Alysa said, "By the way, does Mr. Liebe have anyone in his life he cares about?"
Licht said, "I guess we exist."
Alysa said, "I meant as in a romantic interest."
Licht stopped for a second as he hesitated. He replied, "But why do you want to know?"
Alysa said, "Well, the thing is, whenever I see him, there is a look in his eyes. I don't know how to say it, but it feels like everything he says is a lie. It feels like he isn't present here while living in the present."
Licht said, "I suppose you can say that."
Alysa said, "Wait, so is that a yes?"
Licht said, "The answer, in truth, is yes. He does. But just a no is absent."
Alysa said, "Pardon, but I do not understand."
Licht said, "Well, he does, OK? And to him, she is the most precious person in the world."
Alysa, as she felt her chest tighten, said, "So what is she like? I mean, if she is Mr. Liebe's lover, she can't be a normal woman, can she?" As Alysa realized what she just said, she said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I meant as in, like, if someone is going to stand beside Mr. Liebe as an equal, they must be extraordinary."
Licht calmly said, "Yeah, you are right. She was the absolute worst."