"It's him, right?"
"Yeah, no one else would wear that helmet..."
"He looks like he's doing okay?"
"Shh, keep it down..."
"Wait, isn't the person next to him... how did those two end up together?"
Neither Lin nor Mobius paid any mind to the whispers swirling around them. Mobius had long since grown accustomed to the complex or fearful gazes of others. However, this was also the main reason she disliked going out. Being used to it and not caring are two different things; no one enjoys being looked at like a monster all day, not even Mobius.
While the fear toward Mobius stemmed from various sources, for Lin, the fear in some people's eyes had transformed into a complex mix of emotions. News of Lin participating in and failing the Project Soldier surgery had spread rapidly. For someone who could gamble his life on an experiment to save humanity, one should offer at least a modicum of respect, regardless of how much they misunderstood his past actions.
"You're too late; there's no room left," Mobius complained to Lin, looking at the dance floor where there wasn't even a place to step.
In truth, she didn't want to dance anyway. Firstly, she didn't know how, and secondly, she didn't want to be stared at. She found a swivel chair and was about to sit down for a glass of red wine when her hand was grabbed and she was pulled back up.
"Eh?" Lin helmet loomed large in Mobius vision, and without a word, he pulled her by the hand toward the dance floor.
"Wait, what are you doing?"
"Didn't you want to dance?" Perhaps due to several days of training, Lin grip was just right—not so strong that it hurt, but not something she could break away from either.
"But there's no sp—"
"I have a way."
Lin assertive attitude left Mobius momentarily confused, and she could only let herself be led. Lin scanned the entire dance floor, then strode up to a couple standing still and chatting. Before they could even react, he said to the man, "Can you yield this spot to us?"
"Uh... you are..." The bewildered man and woman had no idea where this person came from; as newcomers, they clearly hadn't heard the legends of the helmeted man at Headquarters.
"Your hormone levels have exceeded normal parameters. I suggest you go to your rooms or the artificial lake right now to do what you wish to do. If needed, I can help you search for films that increase excitement and purchase some toys. Headquarters has specialized supply transport channels; they can be shipped in from outside in less than two hours."
"..."
The overly blunt suggestion left the two staring at him with awkward and confused gazes before they collectively skirted around this weirdo and walked off the dance floor.
"Hey, you..." Mobius watched dumbfoundedly as Lin finished this and calmly turned back to her. This was his way?
Lin pulled her onto the dance floor, then gently caught both her hands as the melodious music played, nodding. "Now there's a spot."
"What is wrong with you..." It was the first time Mobius had seen Lin so forceful. He was different from how he was in the afternoon, but...
"What?" Lin asked back.
Mobius heart rate gradually quickened with the rise and fall of the music. She felt she shouldn't look at his face directly; even with the helmet, she didn't want to meet his gaze.
How did this guy's hands suddenly become warm...
Clearly, right after the surgery, his hands had been as cold as a hard stone. Now they were as warm as uncut jade by a fireplace. She couldn't find the words, and could only lower her head to let her bangs hide her expression. "B-but I don't know how to dance..."
"It's okay. Someone taught me. I'll just teach you."
Before Mobius could voice a refusal, Lin had already taken her hand and begun to dance. Lin didn't know much, but he knew the basic steps Elysia had taught him at the ball. Now, he used those simple moves to lead Mobius in a slow shuffle across the floor, passing by countless other dancers.
The intense shame Mobius felt gradually subsided as her body moved. She noticed there were still many inconsistencies in Lin movements, but they were all adjusted by his quick reactions.
"...What happened this afternoon?" Mobius whispered to Lin in the soothing music once she had adapted to his rhythm and adjusted her steps.
"...Nothing."
"Hmph. Figures. Even if something happened, you wouldn't tell me."
"...Hate it?"
"Not exactly."
The way the two were dressed made them outliers among outliers on the dance floor. Before the song was even halfway through, the focus of the entire room was centered on them. This caused Mobius newly calmed heart to become anxious again.
"Just don't look," Lin calm voice said, acting like a stabilizing pill that instantly pulled her out of her anxiety. "Treat the sounds you don't want to hear as white noise. Blur your senses, and you won't react to others' behavior."
"Is that spoken from experience?" Mobius said somewhat teasingly, infected by Lin words.
"Yes."
"And here I thought you just didn't care about the gossip—that you were just thick-skinned."
"As long as one is human, they will care. It's just that everyone's coping mechanism is different."
But likely anyone seeing Lin unchanging expression, even if the sky were falling, would think he truly didn't care.
"Fine... but I can't do that," Mobius murmured, staring at Lin dark helmet. "So, block it for me."
"Okay."
The music suddenly changed. A stirring melody resounded through the venue, the overhead lights went out, and two or three faint star-lights flickered on.
"Eh? Who's controlling the lights and music backstage?" The ball's organizer's expression changed. He ran backstage only to see a bewildered technician helpless before an unresponsive console.
Prometheus stood in a corner of the venue, staring at the overhead lights, data streams flashing in her eyes.
Lin dance moves became bold and expansive with the music. He stayed close to Mobius, supporting her back as they moved rapidly through the light and shadow. No one could see clearly who was dancing. Mobius looked up; she didn't need to hide her expression now. She couldn't see Lin clearly, and Lin wouldn't see her clearly in this chaotic light.
So, she could cooperate with Lin to her heart's content, dancing in the star-like ballroom. Yes, only at a time like this could she stop worrying about Lin seeing her...