Chapter Four

Lisa had once heard on Earth that the problem with microwave food was that it always tasted like microwave food, and the heat-and-eat options were no exception. They were bland, unevenly heated – lava-hot in some spots, barely warm in others. Poul noticed her expression as she poked at the thin, overcooked meat patty with her fork and nodded in quiet understanding. It was clear he’d long since accepted this as his norm.

After eating, they considered returning to bed but, having already slept the better part of the day away, opted instead for the main room and the couch. Poul thumbed the control for the screen and after a burst of static that made Lisa wince – her heightened senses picking up the grating sound – he muttered an apology and quickly lowered the volume. The screen flickered through a multicolored storm of privacy protection circuits before clearing to reveal the day’s news: human faces telling human stories, with optional printed summaries flashing below.

Poul rested his head on Lisa’s shoulder, only half-paying attention as the screen droned on about the latest social gatherings and the ever-shifting trends among the families and entertainers.

“Ugly stuff,” he mumbled, eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the latest “robot-style” fashion that had yet to fade from the public eye. Plain smocks and metallic leggings –meant to reflect taste and wealth, but in his opinion, little more than a hollow statement. “Ugly look.”

Lisa’s eyes followed his gaze to the screen, where models paraded in outfits reminiscent of the cold, expressionless design of robots. It reminded her, not for the first time, of Taren Capel – of how his descent into madness led him to mimic the very machines he worshiped, painting his face and clothing himself to resemble a Super-Voc. She hadn’t seen Taran Capel’s transformation with her own eyes, but she had glimpsed it through the Doctor’s memories.

She glanced at Poul, her hearts heavy. He hadn’t seen Taren Capel like that either, at least not from what he could remember. And that was the crux of it – he didn’t remember. Not yet. But it was impossible to know what might pull at the threads of his suppressed memories. Lisa felt her wings twitch slightly, instinctively, as if preparing to shield him from whatever might surface next.

For now, she said nothing, simply smoothing a hand through his hair and resting her head lightly atop his. Whatever was buried in his mind would come to light in its own time.

Eventually the news stories moved on to the latest tragedies and disasters, the business torments and the failures. Lisa sensed that Poul was oddly calmed by such things – they were real, in the real world, described and analyzed by familiar faces. As long as they were human, she guessed, though maybe seeing the same newscasters every day was comforting for him.

As time passed, she could sense Poul’s attention wavering, slipping between the news and the comfort he found in her proximity. Gently, she raised her arm to wrap around his narrow back, letting him rest against her more fully. He nuzzled slightly into her shoulder, his eyes half-closed; she felt the subtle shift in his body as he began to drift off once again.

Lisa gently pressed a kiss to the top of his head and he let out a contented sigh, sinking into her embrace as the soothing tone of the anchor’s voice became little more than white noise.

A few hours later, both of them stirred. Judging by the light streaming through the windows, it was now almost afternoon – Lisa really needed to ask him how he kept track of time around here – and she was beginning to feel hungry again. Beside her, Poul’s eyes blinked open slowly, and for a brief moment, confusion flashed across his face before he realized where he was. He exhaled softly, turning his head up towards her.

“Did I fall asleep again?” he asked, his voice low and thick from rest.

She smiled warmly, brushing a lock of his hair back from his forehead. “We both did for a while.”

Poul sat up, stretching his back, but didn’t stray far from her side. He glanced at the darkened screen, the news having cycled through its stories hours ago. His stomach gave a small growl, and he glanced at Lisa sheepishly.

She chuckled softly, her wing brushing against him. “It’s fine. I’m getting hungry, too. Shall we try going to find something more palatable than those heat-and-eat things?”

Poul looked nervous. “I…suppose we should. Maybe find a place that doesn’t…” He trailed off, but Lisa could fill in the blanks. She knew he meant a place that didn’t rely on robots – somewhere human.

“Let’s see what we can find,” she said, standing up and offering her hand to him.

He hesitated for a moment, glancing towards the door, his thoughts clearly racing ahead. But with a slow exhale, he took her hand, letting her steady him both physically and emotionally. Lisa didn’t have to say a word; her presence was enough to ground him. They spent the next few minutes changing out of their sleepwear – Poul in his room and Lisa in hers – and met at the door to the apartment.

As they prepared to leave, Lisa kept things casual, suggesting, “We’ll make it an adventure. Find a few places that are completely robot-free.”

Poul’s lips twitched into a small, tentative smile. “That sounds…good.” He pulled on his jerkin and looked at her. “And if…if it gets to be too much?”

“I’ll sense it, definitely,” she replied simply, pushing her wings through her jacket and making them invisible; they faded into transparency for the both of them but out of sight for everyone else. “But you just tell me and we can come back any time. No pressure.”

As they stepped outside the apartment, Lisa glanced around at the streets of Kaldor City. The clean, angular architecture and polished surfaces gave everything a futuristic sheen, but she noticed the ever-present robots operating in the background, running errands and managing daily tasks for the human citizens.

“Does Kaldor City have something like the internet?” she asked Poul as they began walking, her voice casual but curious. “We could search for robot-free places instead of wandering around aimlessly.”

Poul blinked, surprised by the question, then nodded slowly. “Yes, there’s a network. We call it the data-stream. You can access it from public terminals or private screens in homes.”

“Do you have one at your place, then?”

He hesitated before answering, his gaze lowering. “I have access, but…” He trailed off, as though uncertain how to explain. “I’ve got privacy protection circuits designed to keep my location hidden in the data-stream, but…” His voice grew quieter, a tremor of anxiety creeping in. “I don’t fully trust it.”

Lisa nodded in understanding, her brow furrowing thoughtfully. “You think it’s not safe enough?”

He let out a soft, bitter chuckle. “With the right knowledge, anything can be hacked or bypassed. I’d rather not risk it.”

She reached out and squeezed his arm gently, grounding him. “I get it. Okay, so we’re looking for somewhere with a public terminal. Like a library, maybe?”

Poul gave a small shrug. “Some refreshment arcades have terminals, but…those places are often staffed by robots.”

“Right,” Lisa mused, frowning slightly. “So, not the best option.” She sensed his hesitation building. “What about a quiet place? Somewhere we can sit and look up information without too many people around?”

He thought for a moment. “There might be some older, human-operated terminals in the lower parts of the city. Some places still run things the old-fashioned way.” His voice was steadier now, though she could still sense the underlying tension.

She smiled, keeping her tone light. “Sounds like a plan. Lead the way.”

They continued walking, Poul staying close to Lisa’s side, occasionally glancing at the passerby and the few robots weaving through the crowd. As they neared one of the transport hubs, she could feel his anxiety spike at the sight of green Vocs assisting travelers.

“It’s okay,” she whispered, brushing her wing lightly against his arm to remind him of her presence. “We’ll find somewhere quiet. I’m right here.”

Poul’s movements grew slower and more deliberate as they passed a few more green Vocs and black Dums stationed in various areas. Lisa took his hand, her presence both comforting and protective; he leaned on her strength as they walked.

To keep his focus on her, she continued the conversation. “How about delivery services for food or groceries?” Beat. “Though I guess you’d need to use the data-stream to do any ordering.”

His face tightened at the mention of deliveries. “Most of them use robots,” he said, a slight tremor in his voice. “There are a few human-operated services, but…there’s no guarantee who or what will show up at the door. I can’t take that chance. Not in my own home.”

Lisa tilted her head thoughtfully, understanding the logic behind his decision. Still, it saddened her to see how much fear still gripped him. “That makes sense,” she said softly, her transparent wings taking on a slight blue tinge at the tips as she considered their options.

As they continued walking, the hum of robotic activity buzzed faintly in the background, but Lisa kept Poul close to her, guiding him away from the more crowded areas. The sunlight had grown stronger as the afternoon progressed, casting long shadows across the sleek surfaces of Kaldor City.

“We should be getting close to the older part of town,” Poul murmured after a moment, his gaze scanning the buildings around them. “There used to be human-operated terminals in some of the older structures – places that haven’t been modernized yet.” He spoke almost absently, his thoughts clearly focused on their goal, though his voice still carried a note of tension.

Lisa nodded, glancing at the street signs as they passed. “Any particular place you remember that might be a good start?”

Poul hesitated, thinking. “There’s a café – or there was a café – near the edge of the old district. It was run by humans last I checked, though it’s been a while since I’ve gone that far.”

“That sounds promising,” Lisa replied. “Maybe they’ll have a terminal we can use to look up some options. If they’re still human-run, they might know of other places nearby.”

He offered a small nod, but his steps slowed slightly as they approached the more weathered parts of the city. The newer, shinier buildings gave way to older, less polished architecture, though still functional. The streets here were quieter, with the presence of robots much less overwhelming.

“Is this where you meant?” Lisa asked, keeping her voice gentle.

Poul scanned the surroundings before nodding. “Yes, this should be it,” he said, gesturing toward a small, nondescript building at the corner of the block. The sign above the door had faded, but Lisa could still make out the words: Arcade & Refreshment House.

As they approached, Lisa could sense Poul’s anxiety beginning to rise again. His grip tightened slightly on her hand, and his gaze flickered nervously toward the few people and machines passing by. She squeezed his hand gently, offering silent reassurance. “We’ll go inside and see if they have what we need,” she said calmly. “And if it doesn’t feel right, we leave. It’s okay.”

He nodded, taking a deep breath as they stepped up to the entrance. Pushing the door open, Lisa was greeted by the sound of quiet conversation and the clinking of cups and plates. The interior was modest, with tables scattered throughout and a counter at the back where an older man was serving drinks to a small group of customers.

No robots in sight.             

Poul visibly relaxed, his posture softening as they moved further inside. “Looks like it’s still human-run,” he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Lisa returned the smile and nodded toward a row of terminals lining one wall. “Let’s see if we can use one of those,” she suggested.

They made their way to the back of the café, settling into a quiet corner near the terminals. Poul sat down beside her, his gaze still scanning the room warily, but he seemed more at ease now that the environment was more human-focused. Lisa turned on the nearest terminal, the screen flickering to life with a low hum.

“Let’s look up places nearby that don’t rely on robots,” she said, her fingers flying expertly over the touch interface. Poul watched as the search engine loaded, and within moments, they were greeted by a list of results: small family-owned food dispensaries, human-run markets, and a few independent refreshment arcades similar to the one they were in now but more restaurant-like.

“Look at this,” Lisa said, scrolling through the options. “There’s a market just a few blocks from here that doesn’t use robots, and there’s another refreshment arcade nearby that’s robot-free too.”

Poul’s eyes followed the scrolling text, his shoulders visibly relaxing as he read over the list. “That’s…good,” he said softly. “That’s really good.”

Lisa nodded, giving him an encouraging smile. “We’ll take our time, explore some of these places together,” she said, her tone light. “One step at a time.”

He exhaled slowly, the tension in his posture easing even further. “Thank you,” he murmured, almost as if the words were more for himself than for her.

She smiled, reaching out to place her hand over his. “We’ll get through this,” she said softly, “together.”

After a moment of shared silence, Lisa glanced around the café. “You know,” she began with a thoughtful smile, “in my experience, it’s never a good idea to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. How about we have a quick snack before heading out?”

Poul blinked, looking at her in surprise before letting out a quiet chuckle. “You’re right. That…sounds like a good idea.”

Together they got up and went to the counter, perusing the menu. The ingredients for the food and drinks were, naturally, unfamiliar to Lisa, but the general principles seemed similar to the methods she knew – grinding beans, steaming dairy, steeping leaves. There were cookies – though here they were called biscuits – and pastries, small sandwiches, soups, and salads.

When it was their turn, they made their choice of food and drink and returned to their table with their order. Lisa took a bite of her flaky pastry and made an appreciative sound. “Not bad.”

“Better than the heat-and-eats?”

She snorted. “You said it, not me.” After a sip of her drink – similar to an herbal tea – she asked, “So, do you have anything particular in mind when it comes to food? We could make a list.”

He thought for a moment, then shrugged. “I never really thought about it.”

“It’s okay,” she assured him with a pat to his hand. “Sometimes I’ll just wander through the store aisle by aisle and see what they have and what ideas I get. I’m good with beef as long as I have access to a thermometer, but not so much with poultry. Not a fan of pork, but it depends on how it’s made.” She was using generic terms, still unsure whether Kaldor City had cows, chickens, or pigs. “And I can follow a recipe.”

After finishing their snack, Lisa leaned back in her chair, satisfied. “That hit the spot,” she said, glancing at Poul, who had been steadily working his way through a small sandwich and cup of tea.

Poul gave her a nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Yes, definitely better than heat-and-eat.”

With a shared look, they both stood up from the table. Lisa stretched, her invisible wings fluttering, and Poul tossed his napkin onto the tray. Together, they made their way out of the café – making sure they threw away their trash and leaving the trays and utensils in their designated spot so the workers could collect them – and back into the quiet streets of the old district. They were a welcome relief from the more bustling, robotic zones they’d passed through earlier.

As they walked, Poul kept close to her, his gaze scanning the buildings as though on alert for any signs of robotic activity. But this part of the city remained mostly quiet, and Lisa could feel his tension easing, bit by bit.

“The market we found is just a few blocks away,” she said, pointing. “It’s family-owned, no robots involved. Should be exactly what we’re looking for. I have a good feeling.”

Poul nodded, his steps growing more confident. “Sounds good.”

The streets became busier as they approached the market district. Still, the atmosphere felt different here – more human-centric, with bustling stalls and small shops lining the streets. Lisa’s heightened senses picked up the distinct sounds and smells of various foods: fresh produce, baked goods, and other culinary delights.

Poul looked around, his eyes landing on a quaint market ahead. The sign above the entrance read Kaldor City Family Market in simple lettering, the kind of place that hadn’t changed much in decades.

“This looks promising,” Lisa remarked, gently nudging him forward with a light touch on his arm.

Poul hesitated only for a moment before stepping inside, and as they entered, Lisa could see his shoulders relax slightly. The interior was warm and welcoming, with shelves stocked full of various foods and goods – nothing flashy, just the essentials.

They took their time, browsing through the aisles. Lisa noted Poul’s cautious movements, but he seemed more at ease with each passing minute. There were no signs of robots, only humans chatting among themselves, attending to customers, or restocking shelves.

Lisa grabbed a basket and gestured to Poul. “Okay, let’s start filling this up. Anything appeal to you?”

Poul gave a small smile and scanned the different items before nodding toward a nearby stall selling cuts of meat. “Maybe…we could try something from there? And maybe some vegetables…something fresh.”

As they moved through the market, Lisa occasionally nudged Poul toward different items, encouraging him to pick things that caught his eye. It felt normal, almost mundane – but for Poul, she knew this was a huge step. Each small decision was an act of taking control over his own life again.

After a while, their basket was filled with a variety of items: fresh vegetables, a nice cut of beef, bread, spices, and a few things Lisa had picked out to try. She was already planning on showing Poul how to prepare a proper meal when they got back to his apartment.

By some miracle they found a stall that sold small kitchen appliances, utensils, and to Lisa’s delight a probe thermometer guaranteed to ensure all meats would be cooked to safe temperatures; she even squealed a little when she saw that it came with a guide for the meats of Kaldor City. Poul smiled at her joy and placed two of the devices in their basket – one as a backup just in case the other breaks.

When they reached the checkout, an older woman behind the counter greeted them with a friendly smile. “Find everything you need today?”

Poul, clearly unused to such casual human interactions, gave a hesitant nod. “Yes…thank you.”

Lisa stepped up beside him, offering a reassuring smile. “We’re all set.”

Once they’d paid and gathered their groceries, they made their way back outside, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the street. Poul looked down at the bags in his hand, then up at Lisa, his expression a mix of surprise and quiet relief.

“We did it,” he murmured, almost as if he couldn’t believe it himself.

Lisa smiled warmly, giving him a playful nudge. “Of course we did. And you handled it perfectly.”

He exhaled, a soft laugh escaping him. “Yes…I guess I did.”

“Now,” she said, her eyes sparkling, “let’s get back and cook something that doesn’t taste like it came out of a thermo unit.”

Poul chuckled quietly, his mood noticeably lighter as they started their walk back to the apartment. “Yes…I’m looking forward to that.”

Lisa was tempted to levitate the bags, but she wasn’t sure the people of Kaldor City would tolerate seeing floating groceries. She carried what she could while Poul handled the rest. It was nice to see he hadn’t lost any of his muscular, physical form in the seven years since they were last together.

After a peaceful walk back to the apartment, Lisa and Poul entered with their groceries in tow. The sunlight had begun to fade, casting a soft glow through the windows, and the quiet of the apartment seemed to welcome them home.

Poul set the bags on the counter, his movements slower and more deliberate now that they were back in his safe space. Lisa noticed the subtle change in his posture, the ease with which he moved in this familiar environment. She smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest as he started unpacking the groceries. After taking his jerkin and her jacket and hanging them on a hook, she made her wings visible again before moving to help him with the bags. She showed him how she liked to store the reusable ones – folding them neatly and tucking them into the largest bag for later use.

“All right,” she said, pulling out the beef they’d bought. “We’re going to make something that will put those heat-and-eat meals to shame. Do you have an oven?” She glanced around, trying to familiarize herself with his kitchen setup.

Poul nodded and pointed to the sleek device set into the wall. “We call it a heat chamber,” he said, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

“Heat chamber,” Lisa repeated, amused. “Got it.” She inspected it briefly before turning toward him with a playful grin. “You ready to be my sous-chef?”

He blinked, clearly unsure of what she meant, but the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “Sous-chef?”

“It means assistant in the kitchen,” she explained, giving him a nudge. “We’ll be making this meal together.”

Poul’s gaze softened as he watched her pull out the ingredients. He seemed unsure at first, hesitant to step into this unfamiliar role, but Lisa’s gentle encouragement eased him into it. She handed him some vegetables to wash while she began prepping the beef.

As they worked side by side, something about the simplicity of the task grounded them both. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables, the soft hum of the heat chamber warming up, and the quiet conversation that passed between them all felt…right.

At one point, Poul leaned over to check on the spices Lisa had picked out. Their hands brushed as they reached for the same jar, and though it was a small gesture, the contact made Lisa smile. She glanced at him, noticing the faint color rising in his cheeks – not from embarrassment, but from a quiet contentment that seemed to settle over him.

“You’ve got a good touch with this,” she remarked, watching him sprinkle seasoning over the beef. “Like you’ve done this before.”

Poul hesitated, looking down at the meat with a furrowed brow. “I used to cook a lot…before…” His voice trailed off, but the weight of his unspoken words hung in the air.

Lisa reached out and rested a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. “Well, you haven’t lost your skill,” she said softly. “And I’m glad we’re doing this together.”

He met her gaze, the flicker of doubt in his eyes fading as her words sunk in. “Me too,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

As they continued working, Lisa kept the mood light, cracking jokes about their culinary attempts, even teasing Poul about his meticulous vegetable slicing. He chuckled quietly, the sound a welcome change from the usual tension in his voice.

With the beef now in the heat chamber, the aroma of the meal began to fill the apartment, a comforting scent that seemed to wrap them in warmth. They moved on to preparing the side dishes, working in tandem, their movements synchronized as if they’d been cooking together for years.

At one point, Lisa leaned over the counter, watching Poul stir the pot of vegetables with surprising ease. “You know,” she mused, “I think we make a pretty good team.”

Poul glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I think you’re right,” he replied, his voice steady.

The meal came together beautifully, and by the time they sat down to eat, Poul seemed more relaxed than she had seen him in days. He served her a portion of the beef, the action so natural it felt like second nature, and they ate in a comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging quiet comments about the food.

As they finished, Lisa leaned back with a contented sigh. “That was exactly what we needed.”

Poul looked at her, his expression softened by the warmth of the meal and the time spent together. “Yes,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a deep sincerity. “It was.”

They didn’t need to say much more. The affection between them, though not romantic, had grown with every small gesture, every moment shared. It wasn’t just a meal they’d made – it was another step forward, together.

After finishing their meal, Poul glanced at the dishes stacked beside the sink and then over at Lisa. “Well, we’ve got some cleaning up to do,” he said, rolling up his sleeves. “Some of this can go in the cleansing unit, but a few things need to be washed by hand. I’ll take care of that if you want to load the rest.”

Lisa smiled, stretching her wings a bit before getting up to gather the dishes. “Deal. Where I come from, we have something similar we call a dishwasher.”

Poul chuckled softly. “Close enough.” He walked over to the corner of the kitchen where the cleansing unit was built into the cabinetry. It looked sleek and minimalist, fitting with the rest of the apartment’s design. Opening the unit, he pulled out a small vial of liquid. “This is what we use for cleaning – concentrated, but very effective. Just a few drops, and the machine will take care of the rest.”

I raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Efficient. I’ll load it up.”

As she began stacking the dishes and adding the detergent, Poul filled the sink with water and began scrubbing the larger pans by hand. “This soap works pretty well too,” he said, holding up a container of what looked like gel soap. “Cuts through grease easily.”

He worked quietly, occasionally glancing at I as they moved about the kitchen in comfortable silence, the warmth of their teamwork palpable.

Once the dishes were loaded into the cleansing unit, I started the cycle, the quiet hum of the machine filling the room. She glanced over at Poul, who was just finishing up with the last pan. “Thanks for helping with all this,” she said, giving him a gentle nudge. “Team effort.”

Poul smiled, a bit of warmth touching his eyes. “You’re welcome. I like doing this kind of thing together. Makes it…easier.”

There was no need for further words. The connection between them was growing stronger with every shared moment, a bond that went beyond the simplicity of the tasks they completed.

End chapter four.

Back *~*~* Chapter Three *~*~* Chapter Five