Dinner didn't take long to arrive. The smell of creamy pasta with cheese and grilled shrimp made my mouth water, but when I caught the exquisite combination of potatoes with butter, cheese, and bacon alongside the finely seasoned fish, I was reminded—once again—why eating was one of life's three great pleasures.
Rachel told me about her other three falls. The second one had been in Leo, which she said was especially frustrating, since it happened right after she had finally cleared Cancer following her previous experience. She tried to tell me how it went, but the buzzing drowned out all the important details. Her last two attempts had been in Capricorn, aiming to reach Platinum. That was when she reunited with Saladin… and lost to him.
Her final fall was in Sagittarius. She had challenged a Platinum, hoping to skip Capricorn altogether—but I already knew how that story ended.
Arthur won.
—How frustrating… —I muttered.
After a couple of beers, Rachel was practically sprawled across the table. I, on the other hand, had switched to apple juice after the first one, watching as she drank more and more.
—You should slow down a bit, shouldn't you?
—What for? —she replied—. The moment we leave the restaurant, the system will sober me up anyway. I want to use this feeling to speak honestly with you, Tris… completely…
Her flushed face reminded me of Ale again. She actually liked alcohol—though only in mixed drinks. More than once she tried to convince me it was just another pleasure in life. I never really saw the appeal, but I did enjoy taking care of her and watching her have fun.
Rachel looked dizzy, but after downing her bowl in a single gulp, she spoke without hesitation.
—I want to be honest… so I'll tell you an uncomfortable truth, if you tell me one in return.
"An uncomfortable truth?"
I didn't fully understand, but I knew I had something to confess as well. A lie that was spiraling out of control, something I needed to stop once and for all. I tried to speak first, but she immediately raised her hands.
—Wait… I'll go first.
I stayed quiet. She began fidgeting with her hands, speaking in fragments, falling silent again and again. Finally, she took a deep breath and let it out.
—You probably have doubts… especially after what happened with Díaz.
"Is she going to confirm it…?"
The truth I wanted to hear screamed inside my head, so I played along.
—I won't deny I was surprised. Porfirio Díaz, acting like a schoolgirl… "Those Ones" are strange beings.
—I… I met one too. In fact, there's an "Aquel" who sponsors me, so to speak.
—Congratulations. That makes two of us. Though I don't even know who mine is, or what he wants from me.
—Wait—! You too? —She paused, straightening up—. Don't distract me. I… met "The One Who Loves Impossible Love Stories."
"What a bizarre name."
Rachel looked increasingly nervous, increasingly anxious.
—You see… —She inhaled, exhaled—. "Aquel" listened to my story. I loved my rival. Someone I fought many times, but neither of us ever delivered the killing blow. Well, actually, we never met on the battlefield. We only exchanged many letters. Once, he even sent me ice in the middle of the desert—can you believe that?
—Wow. Sounds like a real charmer.
—Absolutely. I sent him fresh fruit in return. It was frustrating, you know? I wanted to fight him to the very end. I wanted to meet him. I wanted to see the face of the one who stole my victory—and my… heart.
—That's beautiful. Is that why you're in this game?
—Yes. I don't want to become a constellation. In fact, I never even wanted to be king.
"Here it comes…"
—King?
—I… —Her breathing quickened before she dropped the bomb—. I am Richard the Lionheart. King of England. Or at least… I was.
—Hold on. —I exaggerated my expression—. You're not telling me you fell in love with Saladin during the Crusades.
Rachel's face turned a deep red. She clenched her hands against her pants, then sighed and nodded.
—I was always different, Tris. Even though I was English, I felt closer to my mother, to French fashion, to being an altar boy… I wanted to be an altar boy, you know? —She raised her nearly empty mug—. Maybe someday a priest… maybe.
There was a sadness in her expression I couldn't fully grasp. In my era, sexual freedom and gender openness were common, but it was hard to imagine what that kind of life meant in a time where everything was stigmatized.
—Back then, I was conflicted. Confused. I probably died without fully understanding myself. But now I can say it clearly, Tris. —She took a breath and stood up—. I was attracted to men.
I smiled calmly. Her expression showed how much effort it had taken to say that out loud.
—I don't know how it was in your time —I said—, but you have my support, Rachel. Be happy in this new chance.
Her eyes lit up. She threw herself into a warm hug.
—Thank you—I knew you'd understand.
She sat back down and ordered another drink to celebrate.
—After reaching the Gold floor, I met the Aquellos. Before my first attempt at Sagittarius, "The One Who Loves Impossible Love Stories" offered me a deal.
—To change your gender?
—Obviously. But there are conditions. This body exists only for my beloved. If he rejects my love, I'll return to being a man.
—Do you think he…?
—No! Sal wouldn't reject me. But I'm not stupid. I'm genuinely happy in this body. I really am. I think this is my true self. But Sal is… well…
—Too straight? —I said, with a hint of satire.
She didn't laugh, but nodded.
—As a man, he admired me. As a woman… that admiration could become love. And I'll fight to make that happen.
—Well said. —I raised my mug as it automatically refilled—. Wait, I didn't want—
—Then give it here, because I do.
She snatched it and downed it in one go.
—Alright. I've spoken. Now it's your turn.
—Compared to yours, mine is trivial.
—Then say it.
She didn't look away. I had to.
—I lied to you. I'm sorry.
I stood up and leaned toward her, making her flinch.
—So it does bother you that I'm a man, right?!
—No! Nothing like that. —I answered quickly—. I'm… not Tristan. At least, not the Arthurian one.
She watched me in silence.
—I knew you wouldn't listen to me if I didn't earn some of your respect first. I'm a fan of legends, so borrowing Tristan's story was easy… I'm sorry for lying to you. And for giving you false hopes.
She said nothing.
She set her mug down on the table.
And suddenly, she burst out laughing.
—That was the big secret? For God's sake, Tristan.
—I… I don't understand.
—I already knew. It was obvious from the first day. With the whole "Mr. Nobody" thing, I figured you had to hide your identity. I just played along.
—Seriously?
—Of course. I'm not that stupid. —She took another drink before finishing—. Besides… the real Tristan is already in the Nexo.