Three days after Tony Stark's press conference, the S.H.I.E.L.D. car parked outside the beach house again.
There weren't many people this time; just Coulson and Mei, plus a young male Agent Artoria hadn't seen before, his expression carrying the tension typical of a rookie and a hint of imperceptible arrogance. The three got out of the car, Coulson walking in front, Mei half a step behind, and the young Agent following at the back carrying a silver briefcase.
It was Minerva who opened the door. She had put on that iconic black blindfold again, her silver-white combat suit crisp and straight. Standing at the door, she looked like a silent statue. She didn't speak, just tilted slightly to make way, but the invisible, scrutinizing pressure made the young Agent at the back hold his breath.
Coulson and Mei were clearly prepared for Minerva's presence, but facing her again, a hint of gravity flashed in Coulson's one eye. He nodded politely to Minerva: "Good morning, Miss Minerva. Is Miss Artoria at home?"
"She is. Please, come in." Minerva's voice came from behind the blindfold, steady and waveless. She led the three into the living room, then walked naturally to stand behind Artoria, who was already sitting on the sofa, hands folded in front of her—a standard guard posture, with the blindfold facing all the visitors.
Artoria put down the book in her hand, her gaze sweeping calmly over the three. "Agent Coulson, Agent Mei. And this is?"
"Agent Wilson, a rookie from the Technical Analysis Department, responsible for recording today," Coulson introduced, his tone carrying his usual professionalism and caution. "Miss Artoria, Miss Minerva, sorry for the intrusion. This visit is mainly to conduct some necessary follow-up inquiries regarding Mr. Stark's rescue, and... to communicate with you regarding some new developments."
"Sit." Artoria gestured to the sofa opposite. Coulson and Mei sat down, while Agent Wilson opened the briefcase, took out a tablet and a piece of equipment that looked quite sophisticated, hesitated for a moment, seemingly looking for a place to put it, his gaze drifting involuntarily toward Minerva.
"Let's start directly." Artoria picked up her teacup, her tone flat.
"Thank you for your cooperation." Coulson opened a folder. "First, regarding the details of Mr. Stark's rescue, his own account is that he was saved by a group of 'anonymous rescuers' of unknown identity, but with quite advanced equipment and technology. The other party used efficient medical means and some kind of evacuation method we couldn't track. Given that Mr. Stark left information looking for you before he went missing, we want to confirm, do you have any information about these 'rescuers'? Or, after Mr. Stark returned, did you have more detailed exchanges with him?"
A standard probe. It was to confirm whether Tony had revealed what he shouldn't have, and to test if Artoria was related to the 'rescuers'.
"Tony just came to say thank you, had a drink, and complained about the board of directors." Artoria sipped her tea, her expression unchanged. "As for those people who saved him, he is very grateful, but the other party clearly didn't want to be exposed. I think respecting the wishes of one's savior is basic etiquette, don't you?"
"Of course." Coulson went along with it, making a note in his record. "Then, the second question. Regarding Miss Minerva." He raised his head, his gaze turning to the silver-white figure standing quietly behind Artoria, his tone becoming more cautious. "We noticed that around the time Mr. Stark returned safely, there was an extra... companion by your side. Based on our basic observations, Miss Minerva is clearly not an ordinary person. Could you please introduce Miss Minerva's... identity? And, is she related to this rescue incident?"
Finally getting to the point. Artoria put down her teacup and leaned back slightly. Almost simultaneously, Minerva placed one hand gently on the back of the sofa where Artoria was sitting, a posture full of protective intent.
"Minerva is my family." Artoria's voice was clear and firm. "She has always been here, just didn't show herself much before. As for whether she has anything to do with the rescue incident... Agent Coulson, do you think if I wanted to do something, I would need to report it to anyone?"
The atmosphere froze slightly. Mei's sitting posture straightened a bit more. The professional smile on Coulson's face didn't change, but his eyes became much more serious.
"I understand what you mean, Miss Artoria. S.H.I.E.L.D. respects your privacy and... autonomy. We are not questioning you, we just need to update our files to assess potential risks and possibilities for collaboration. After all, a... special existence like Miss Minerva appearing within our monitoring range, we need to understand her nature, capabilities, and whether she poses an impact on public safety." Coulson's words were watertight, both expressing concern and trying to steer the topic toward 'assessment'.
At this moment, Agent Wilson, who hadn't spoken much and had been fiddling with the scanning equipment, suddenly raised his head, pushed up his glasses, and interrupted with the straightforwardness (or recklessness) of a technician: "Officer Coulson, the scan data shows that this Miss Minerva... her body surface material composition is complex, with high-intensity energy reactions inside, and the structural precision far exceeds any existing known bionic or exoskeleton project. This technology level..." His eyes lit up, as if he had seen the rarest sample, and he blurted out without thinking: "Miss Artoria, may I ask, are there more 'models' like Miss Minerva? Or, has there been any consideration for commercialization or cooperation with organizations regarding the relevant manufacturing technology? We at S.H.I.E.L.D. are very interested in this level of..."
"Wilson!" Mei shouted sharply, but it was too late.
"Model"?
"Commercialization"?
These two words were like needles, piercing the fragile illusion of peace in the living room.
The calm on Artoria's face instantly vanished. She didn't slam the table and stand up, but her entire aura suddenly turned cold. Those emerald eyes lifted to look at Wilson; there was no anger inside, only a deep, icy disappointment, and the sharpness of someone whose reverse scale had been touched.
Minerva, sitting behind her to the side, tightened the fingers resting on the back of the sofa imperceptibly, and the titanium alloy structure under her bionic skin made an extremely faint buzzing sound. The black blindfold covering her face seemed to become even deeper. She didn't speak, but that silent, oppressive chill made the temperature in the room seem to drop a few degrees.
Wilson was startled by Mei's shout and realized he had said the wrong thing. His face turned pale, and he stuttered, trying to explain: "I, I didn't mean that, I meant the technical value..."
"Shut up, Wilson!" Coulson's face also sank. He immediately turned to Artoria, his tone carrying a rare urgency and apology: "Miss Artoria, I am very sorry! Agent Wilson just transferred to the front line and lacks experience; his words were inappropriate! He had absolutely no intention of offending Miss Minerva or you! S.H.I.E.L.D. also has absolutely no intention of regarding Miss Minerva as an object or technology! Please..."
But Artoria couldn't listen anymore.
Family. Minerva was her family. She was her warmest support and firmest backing in this World. And in Nier's desperate World, the YoRHa troops, those android soldiers, fought and sacrificed one after another to take back the Earth occupied by machine lifeforms, fighting for the glory of 'humanity'—even if that glory was built on lies. They were not 'models', not commodities, but warriors carrying heavy fates who still chose to move forward.
To tarnish such an existence with words like 'model' and 'commercialization'...
Artoria slowly stood up. Coulson and Mei immediately stood up as well, their bodies tense, entering a state of alert, but they didn't dare to make any aggressive moves.
"Minerva," Artoria's voice was very light, yet carried unquestionable power, "is my family, my sister, and one of the most important people to me in this World. She is not a commodity, not a tool, and certainly not a 'model' that can be bargained over."
She looked at Wilson, who was pale and sweating profusely, her gaze icy.
"As for you, Agent Wilson. You seem very interested in'special existences'? Full of desire for 'technology'?"
Wilson shook his head in terror, wanting to back away, but was pinned down by Mei's hand on his shoulder.
Artoria stopped looking at him and closed her eyes, her consciousness sinking into the system. Anger needed to be vented, bottom lines needed to be defended, and in the system, there happened to be a character very suitable for 'teaching a lesson'.
[Use Snapshot: "League of Legends" Lulu] (Available, 8 hours)
[Yordle magic / Polymorph / Whimsy]
[Note: A Yordle Witch from Bandle City, possessing magical powers to turn enemies into cute (or pathetic) small animals, as well as various troublesome illusions and buff effects.]
A shimmer flashed, and Artoria's figure shrank slightly. She put on a large wizard's hat, and a fantasy staff topped with a bow appeared in her hand. She now looked like a pouting little Witch who had walked out of a fairy tale.
"Miss Artoria, please calm down!" Coulson urged. He couldn't recognize this ability, but he knew it was definitely bad.
"I am very calm." Artoria in Lulu form said, her voice crisp like a child's, but devoid of temperature. She raised her staff and aimed it at the terrified Wilson.
"You lack reverence for the'special' and respect for 'family'. Then, let you experience what 'different' means in the most'special' way."
"Whimsy!"
A flash of light at the tip of the staff, and a brilliant magical beam with stardust hit Wilson.
No screams, no explosions. Only a dazzling, colorful light enveloped Wilson. After the light dissipated, the tall Agent was gone from the spot.
Replacing him was a small, fluffy, pure white lamb, looking blankly and letting out a "Baa—".
Wilson's terror and confusion still lingered in the sheep's eyes. It tried to walk, but stumbled clumsily because it wasn't used to four hooves.
"Wilson!" Mei exclaimed, looking at the sheep on the ground in disbelief.
Coulson's eyes widened, looking at the sheep, then at Artoria, who was holding the staff with a serious little face. His throat moved, but he couldn't say a word. Behind him, Minerva seemed to tilt her head slightly, the black blindfold'staring' at the sheep, without any reaction.
"This transformation effect will last for a month." Artoria (Lulu form) lowered her staff, her tone flat. "After a month, he will return to normal, without any aftereffects—except for the memory of being a sheep for this month. I hope this period of time will allow him to reflect on what should be said and what thoughts should not be had."
She looked at Coulson and Mei: "Now, take this'sheep' and leave my house. Regarding Minerva, this is the first and last 'inquiry'. What she is has nothing to do with you. Will she pose an impact on public safety? As long as no one comes to provoke me and my family, we are just ordinary residents living here quietly. Do you understand?"
Coulson took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock and countless questions in his heart. He bent down and somewhat stiffly picked up the lamb that was still "baaing" and struggling. The touch of real, warm wool was in his hands.
"...Understood, Miss Artoria. S.H.I.E.L.D. will deal with today's matter seriously. We... will take our leave." He signaled to Mei, and the two said no more, picked up the sheep, and left the cabin in a hurry, even forgetting to take the silver briefcase and recording equipment.
Outside the door, the sound of a car starting quickly and driving away could be heard.
The living room returned to silence.
Artoria dispelled the Lulu snapshot and returned to her original form. She seemed a bit drained, sat back on the sofa, and rubbed her temples.
Minerva walked in front of her, knelt on one knee, looked up, the black blindfold facing Artoria. She reached out, her warm hand covered in bionic skin gently holding Artoria's cool hand.
"You do not need to be angry, creator." Her voice was still steady, but Artoria could hear the subtle, warm fluctuation of 'being protected' within it. "I did not feel offended. The meaning of my existence is defined by you, not judged by others."
"But I am angry." Artoria held Minerva's hand back, her voice a bit muffled. "They cannot talk about you like that, cannot look at you like that. You are Minerva, unique, one of the most important people to me, not some 'thing' that can be measured."
"I understand." Minerva exerted a little force, holding Artoria's hand tighter. "Thank you, creator. However, next time, do not attract trouble for yourself. I can handle it."
"How would you handle it? Snap their necks like you did in the cave?" Artoria smiled helplessly. "That would cause bigger trouble. Turning into a sheep... just right, a small punishment, and let them, let S.H.I.E.L.D. completely remember what the bottom line is that cannot be touched."
Minerva seemed to think for a moment, then answered very seriously: "Snapping necks is one of the efficient solutions. But if you prefer the 'turn into a sheep' solution, I will learn the relevant skills. If needed in the future, I can execute it."
Artoria was stunned by what she said, then couldn't help but laugh out loud, and most of the gloom in her heart dissipated. "No need to learn, I'll do that part. You... just stay as you are, that's very good."
Minerva nodded and stood up: "Do you need tea? I will go and brew a new pot. The one from just now has gone cold."
"Okay."
Watching Minerva walk steadily toward the kitchen, pick up the teapot, and focus on boiling water, warming the cup, and taking tea leaves, every movement precise and quiet, Artoria leaned back in the sofa, her mood gradually calming down.
The sunshine outside the window was lovely, and the sea was calm. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s probing and offense were like stones thrown into the water, stirring up ripples, but they would eventually calm down. And her life with Minerva was like this cup of hot tea about to be re-brewed; there might be bitterness, but warmth and the aftertaste were the main themes.
The bottom line had been drawn, and the attitude had been stated.
This World is complicated, but having family by one's side, having power to protect, and having a warm cabin to return to, is enough to face all storms.
The fragrance of tea gradually filled the living room.
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the fanfiction has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 or more chapters in advance over on my patreon: patreon.com/FTLGenBen
Also every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone, Thanks.