## Preface

Kinetics
Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at https://archiveofourown.org/works/14001825.

Rating:
  Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warning:
  No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories:
  F/F, Gen
Fandom:
  Transistor (Video Game)
Relationships:
  Maximilias Darzi & Lillian Platt, Lillian Platt/Amelia Garbur
Characters:
  Lillian Platt, Maximilias Darzi, Amelia Garbur, Asher Kendrell, Niola Chein
Additional Tags:
  Drabble, Drabble Collection, Character Study, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Drug Addiction, Hospitalization, Implied Sexual Content
Language:
  English
Series:
  Part 4 of Random-Access Memories
Stats:
  Published: 2018-03-17 Completed: 2019-08-25 Words: 3,500 Chapters: 30/30

# Kinetics

by runicmagitek

Summary

> A series of drabble prompts about the chairwoman behind the OVC, forever curious and persistent, and her trials and errors along the way.

Notes

> While prompts with Lillian and Amelia as a pairing will pop up, the series as a whole is gen.

> Also keep an eye out for future tags added as chapters are updated, because Maximilias Darzi.

## Chapter 1: Beginning

Her parents promised she could become whatever she dreamed of, so long as she poured her heart into it. But that was the problem; Lillian loved everything. One instance, she stood awe-stricken before dancers center stage and the next she aimed to replicate a sous chef's cutting techniques. The inability to master every, possible curiosity wore her nerves thin. It wasn't until she cracked open a physics book in class and skipped ten chapters ahead that Lillian began to understand the basic fundamentals found not only in her favorite interests, but all of Cloudbank—the laws which made life possible.

## Chapter 2: Accusation

Freshly manicured nails carved into her palms when an arrogant voice spoke over her. It didn't matter if it was a grade school group project or casual chit-chat during lunch amongst friends; everyone spoke out of turn, desperate to waste their breath on frivolous matters. There were more interesting ideas needing to be expressed.

Lillian verbally skewered their throats and deflated their egos. Plenty accused her of being a bitch, but she never flinched. People either flourished or cowered from their truths.

She inhaled and settled her eyes on the one she was truly interested in. "As you were saying?"

## Chapter 3: Restless

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The knock on her dormitory door almost jolted Lillian out of her seat. Prying herself away from her terminal, she cracked the door ajar. An emaciated man with brilliant turquoise hair stumbled in.

"Geez, why is every room spinning?" he rambled off.

Shock widened Lillian's eyes, replaced by anger the moment he collapsed face first into her bed.

"Excuse you." She jabbed two fingers into his ribs. "This isn't your dorm."

He mumbled through the pillow about how it was. She failed to drag him out, though by then, he passed out. With a sigh, Lillian repositioned him onto his side and returned to writing her paper. She was restless, anyways. Wouldn't be the first time she pulled an all-nighter.

Come morning, Lillian prepped instant coffee as the man stirred with a terrible groan. She begrudgingly passed her water bottle to him. He sat and squinted past messy hair.

"This… isn't my room," he said.

"Nope," Lillian spat out.

"Fuck," he breathed out. "I'm sorry. I—"

"Just buy me a macchiato and we can call it even, mmm?"

When their eyes met, Lillian found him smiling.

"I'm Maximillias, by the way." He extended a hand.

Her lips curled up. "Lillian."

Chapter End Notes

> Double drabble, because first meeting feels

## Chapter 4: Snowflake

Snowflakes adorned Amelia's hair when she arrived. Tablets and notebooks sprawled across the window table. Lillian smiled behind her coffee throughout Amelia's passionate thought process.

But the confidence wavered. "If you don't like any of this," she said, "I can change it… or scrap it."

"Don't," Lillian said, perhaps too quickly. "I love it."

And she did. The ideas, the writing, the snowflakes in her hair… and that glow in her eyes upon receiving recognition. Thus Amelia oozed more creative ideas and Lillian ordered them more coffee, content with listening until the cafe closed and the snow ceased to fall.

## Chapter 5: Haze

She stomached organized chaos on a good day, but Lillian overslept and lacked coffee the morning of her first day at the OVC. She nearly walked out after stepping foot into the boisterous building. Once at her congested cube, a migraine dared to overcome her with nausea and agony. In that haze of pain and confusion, Lillian jotted down ideas to fix the mess that was the OVC. Most people turned a blind eye to unsolicited, additional work and sufficed with mediocre standards, but Lillian Platt was not most people. And someone had to stand up and fix the disaster.

## Chapter 6: Flame

She opted to drown in textbooks than to accept Max's party invites. One night she opted to attend, dressed more for a cocktail party.

And there Lillian discovered Max hunched over a flame with an unknown substance.

“Do you... do this all the time?” she asked come morning.

“Do what?”

“You know….”

“Oh, that ? That’s nothing. Don’t tell me you’re some straight edge—”

“Max, I don’t care what you do to unwind, but I worry. You’re… my best friend. I don’t want anything—”

He embraced her, tighter than he ever had before.

“I’ll be ok, Lil,” he whispered. “I promise.”

## Chapter 7: Formal

Witnessing Max stress over lack of inspiration was as fascinating as him diving into the whirlwind that was his work ethic. The summer before their final year was spent with fickle and flimsy ideas. Lillian sipped her coffee and Max deleted another file from his terminal.

Until one evening he nearly pounced her.

“You.”

Lillian coughed up coffee. “I’m sorry?”

“You, my cold and calculating queen, shall be my muse from my graduating thesis.”

Initially, it was ridiculous. Though when Lillian attended his fashion show a week before graduation, she relished the hard geometrical, yet sophisticated and feminine formal gowns.

## Chapter 8: Companion

Maybe it wasn’t professional to ask. Or maybe it was more painful to receive rejection and continue work as if the interaction never occurred. Each moment Amelia entered her office, Lillian hitched her breath.

And then she asked.

“What are you doing Saturday night?”

The question burned Amelia’s cheeks with blush. “Um… working on editing—”

“Would you like to attend the Innovative Founders Gala?”

“With… you?”

Lillian held her breath; she couldn’t fathom any other companion by her side but Amelia. “With me. No reporting. Strictly pleasure.”

She never witnessed Amelia smiling as brightly as she did that precise moment.

## Chapter 9: Move

She was content with sitting behind a terminal and analyzing data. Who better to do a critical task than herself? Lillian absorbed every ounce of knowledge—out of fear someone else would get it wrong and require her assistance with fixing it. Her persistence and diligence never went unnoticed. Word climbed the chain of command of her deeds and Lillian was rewarded—with new roles, new projects, and in time, an opportunity she never deemed possible. And when she moved into her new office as the OVC’s chairwoman and scanned the content faces before her, Lillian finally breathed easy again.

## Chapter 10: Silver

She grew to loathe him. His waiting to the last minute to finalize details, his messy desk, his need to question every damn thing anyone was doing. But coworkers weren’t clones for a reason and Lillian desperately searched for a silver lining. Amidst the cold shoulders and silent treatments, Lillian found someone as passionate and contemplative as she was, never straying from the end goal.

“You used to drive me up a wall,” Lillian admitted one night out for drinks after work.

Asher laughed and raised his glass to her. “The feelings mutual. It’s why I’m happy we’re friends now.”

## Chapter 11: Prepared

Lillian basked in the quiet, twilight ambiance. Nothing but coffee, the empty sidewalks, and her portable terminal. Others drowned out the world with music, but Lillian craved an intelligent conversation without humoring a social interaction before Cloudbank awoke. Thus she tuned into Wave Tennegan's channel. Lillian relished his ideologies and admired his polite mannerisms. Upon reaching the OVC, she banished her earbuds and prepared for a tedious day, though Wave's wise words echoed in her thoughts. Perhaps one day, if her agenda allowed it, Lillian could attend one of his meet and greets and express her gratitude for his work.

## Chapter 12: Knowledge

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Lillian shoved a grilled sandwich in her mouth, barely tasting it, let alone notice someone looming beside her.

"Mind if I sit here?"

Lillian scanned the woman balancing coffee and pastries in one hand.

"Every table's full, but I won't be any trouble." She lifted her terminal. "Have deadlines to meet."

"Don't mind at all."

She pushed up her glasses with a grin. "Oh, thank you!"

The mutual silence, save for the diligent typing, offered comforting solidarity. It helped when the woman matched Lillian's work ethic, at least from looks alone.

And then she groaned. "I swear, there's not enough coffee in Cloudbank to survive this day."

Lillian smirked. "To my knowledge, that's why there's wine."

The woman cackled. "You too?"

"Monthly operations report due by midnight. I'm pulling teeth to gather last-minute data."

"I hear you. I'm begging for signatures on this ordinance for a new vote. Also for midnight. I might be here longer than lunch."

"Well, if you close shop with me, I know a bar down the street with a good merlot."

The woman smirked and tilted her head. "What's your name again?"

"Lillian Platt."

She extended a hand and Lillian firmly accepted it. "Niola Chein."

Chapter End Notes

> Double drabble, because reasons

## Chapter 13: Denial

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

He never answered her weekend texts or audio calls. Lillian's eyes flicked to her phone every spare moment, waiting for his image and number to illuminate the screen with a response. It remained black and cold all day. She canceled the dinner party with the new interns and ran to the studio apartment in Goldwalk. Lillian procured a spare key from the bottom of her purse, flung the door open, and gasped.

It wasn't the first time she found him passed out on the floor; it was, however, the first time he didn't wake up immediately. Tears swelled in her eyes, nails dug into his shoulders, and feeble pleas spilled past quivering lips.

"Max," she squeaked out, shaking him like a rag doll, "please, wake up. Come back to me."

A pained grown left him. Heavy eyes struggled to open. Lillian found her breath again and hugged him.

She stayed through the night, despite his resistance. They curled up together on his couch and watched rerun feeds in silence until they fell asleep against one another. Even then, Lillian couldn't discern which was worse: Maximilias' denial in having an addiction problem or her own denial that it would be okay.

Chapter End Notes

> Double drabble

## Chapter 14: Wind

Her words were lost to the torrent of wind ripping through Cloudbank. Amelia blinked at Lillian.

"What was that?" Amelia asked.

Another relentless gust combed through Amelia's thick locks until it danced. Lillian smiled and paused on the streets. Other pedestrians paid no attention as Lillian tucked soft strands behind Amelia's ear. She licked her lips and eased in to whisper along her skin.

"Your hair," Lillian said. "I love your hair."

Amelia blushed and stared. A smile broke across her features. They continued walking and Lillian trailed her hand down to the small of her back. Amelia never protested.

## Chapter 15: Order

Lillian grinned whenever a Bracket design popped up in the polls. She never met the elusive man, but his structures spoke enough of his ideologies. The meticulous buildings crafted by Royce's hands were nothing short of orderly perfection. It was like coming home to a well-organized interior after a tedious day—comforting and familiar. She admired his simplicity from afar in her office's idyllic vantage point. Whenever work puzzled her, Lillian pried her eyes from the monitor and gazed out her window in search of inspiration and motivation. Perhaps one day they'd cross paths and share their secrets to success.

## Chapter 16: Thanks

Her success didn't flourish overnight, nor did she rise through the OVC alone. Various colleagues trusted her with the most sensitive tasks; Lillian's word was as good as done, after all. She gazed upon tangled problems and found clarity no one else fathomed. That watchful eye of hers kept vigil over the OVC as chairwoman. And it was all thanks to every last individual who believed in her abilities. Had it not been for them, maybe Lillian wouldn't have ever gained the chance to prove to them—and all of Cloudbank—that she was the one fit for the job.

## Chapter 17: Look

"I've never seen you wear the same outfit twice." Amelia gestured to Lillian. "Nor is any of it available at any boutique. Do you have a personal designer?"

She tried not to laugh. Of course Amelia noticed Lillian's effort in her everyday looks. Lillian dropped the name of her beloved friend and renowned fashion designer. Amelia almost dropped her coffee.

They missed their weekly meeting, let alone discuss work. Hard not to when both squealed over fashion trends and upcoming runway shows. And when Lillian promised front row seats to Max's next show, she wished she photographed Amelia's priceless expression.

## Chapter 18: Summer

The blistering heat didn't dissuade them from a stroll in the newly implemented park. Even in the shade, the sun sifted through leaves and kissed Amelia's bare shoulders. She wore Max's design, one that Lillian gifted her—a chic saffron sundress with a halter top and scoop neckline. It suited her. Holding her breath, Lillian enveloped Amelia from behind and soaked up the warmth. Their fingers linked and Lillian followed the sun's example by kissing her shoulders. Her mouth trailed up her neck until they both locked lips and melted into one another, blazing stronger than all of summer combined.

## Chapter 19: Transformation

They met in between deadlines and conference calls for wine or coffee. Niola contrasted Lillian's cold, analytical eye with warm charisma while Lillian's data bolstered Niola's campaigns. Two sides of the same coin working together to strengthen Cloudbank.

"You ever wonder what would fall apart if you hadn't stepped in?" Lillian asked one night.

Niola laughed and adjusted her glasses. "I used to. All the time." She raised her drink. "Then I met you. So here's to something new—a transformation even the polls won't erase."

Lillian grinned and tapped her drink against Niola's. "A transformation no one will forget."

## Chapter 20: Tremble

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

She didn't believe the message popping onto her work monitor. She didn't believe it rushing down pristine halls reeking of bleach. Even when she cleared security and found him alone in the common room, Lillian hoped to jolt awake and dismiss it as a nightmare.

Max had yet to change out of the hospital gown. His silky hair frayed, begging to be pampered. And those eyes… no genius sparkled in that blank gaze. He saw what others never fathomed to exist—it was his gift, after all.

He needed to return to his studio. He needed to sketch and draft and sew and do anything that fed his creativity instead of rotting in the supposedly safe facility. But the doctor's message to her didn't lie; Max needed help.

Lillian squeezed her eyes shut and clung to Max. Her lips trembled, holding back what longed to erupt from her. A pained sob fell out in time. He hooked a loose hand over her arm and leaned into her.

What she feared more than her inability to help or the drugs which brought him here was knowing each day he spent without creating vividly and freely was no different than being dead.

Chapter End Notes

> Double drabble, because reasons.

> As someone who's been to multiple in-patient facilities, this was a difficult, yet important topic that I wanted to explore with Max. When you're at an all-time low in your life and thrown into a foreign place that's meant to help you (sadly, some places aren't as safe and helpful as they claim to be), having a constant amidst everything that has changed can be a lifesaver. Maybe it's a teddy bear or a book from home or a visitor who stops by daily to make sure you're doing ok. Things like that make you still feel human. I like to think Lillian would have been ten minutes early to visiting hours every day if it meant reassuring Max that it would be ok.

## Chapter 21: Sunset

Monitors hummed. Empty coffee cups littered the desk. Keyboard clicks rattled through the dark office. Lillian refused to pry herself away until all was formatted to her standards. The building dissolved into a ghost town—save for a familiar face.

"Need a hand?" Asher had asked.

She smelled the coffee he brought before she lifted her gaze. "Couldn't hurt," Lillian replied with a smirk.

And he stayed. Well past sunset and into the witching hours, they slaved over terminals in pursuit of perfection, or at least something resembling it. Lillian cherished that silent companionship; his presence was enough to motivate her.

## Chapter 22: Mad

She sat on the balcony and rambled. Lillian clutched her scalp and invented colorful names for those she shared nothing than a polite smile with. All the while, Max smirked and passed his cigarette.

"Does this chairwoman stint actually make you happy?" he teased.

She swiped the cigarette for a long inhale. "I'm just mad."

"Color me shocked. I haven't seen you like this since our dissertation crunch."

Lillian chuckled. "That bad?"

"I like bitchy Lillian, though." He nudged her and winked. "She gets shit done."

"Well…." Lillian exhaled, ribbons of smoke filtering through her nostrils. "Someone has to."

## Chapter 23: Thousand

"Didn't know you were a fan."

Amelia perked up from her terminal. An ethereal voice and rich melody kept her company during crunch time. "Oh, I just love her. Always have."

Lillian leaned into the doorway and smirked. "You know… I might be able to swipe a pair of tickets for Red's next show. Maybe even a meet-and-greet, but it would need to be an OVC—"

Amelia crashed into her with a delighted squeal. Lillian spun and squeezed as Amelia thanked her a thousand times. They smiled and kissed, not once prying their eyes away.

"Anything for you," Lillian murmured.

## Chapter 24: Outside

Making friends was never Lillian's intention at the OVC. Any job required tact, efficiency, and consistency; the added social elements outside of conference feeds seemed frivolous. Lillian planned every waking second for maximum productivity, always sacrificing illusions of a social life to better develop herself. She looked to her peers and saw children. Perhaps they eyed her and gagged at the young woman with the mentality of a forgotten generation. No matter where she stood in life, Lillian lingered outside, curious as to what they saw that she didn't. Maybe she never would see. Maybe it was better that way.

## Chapter 25: Winter

"Would it kill the administrators to enable a vote for warmer weather?"

Asher chuckled. "Without winter, we wouldn't appreciate the warmth."

"Or," Lillian retaliated, "we can be warm year round."

"True, but distance and time make the heart grow fonder."

"Says the writer."

"Says someone who's learned to enjoy winter. I didn't always love it, you know."

When Asher beckoned for Lillian into a nearby cafe, they indulged in rich hot cocoa topped with thick whipped cream and shaved chocolate. They discussed hopes and dreams as snow floated through the packed, evening streets. Lillian smiled; maybe winter wasn't so bad.

## Chapter 26: Diamond

Sweat beaded her bare spine, glistening in the assorted neon lights like diamonds. Lillian sat with their tea and smiled. Oh, what a tempting sight. Setting their mugs on the nightstand, Lillian crawled over Amelia in bed and peppered pale skin with kisses. Upon reaching her neck, Amelia purred and shifted.

"Thought you were making tea," she said, face buried in a pillow.

"I did," Lillian replied.

"And?"

"It's still hot."

Amelia giggled. "Guess we'll need to pass the time while it cools."

Their noses met, grinning lips ghosting one another. "Guess we do," Lilliam murmured before sinking into her.

## Chapter 27: Letters

It started with the missed messages. First written—the untouched, digital letters exchanged in the lulls. Then verbal—countless recordings left after endless ringing. No hint of his voice, save for the automated response.

Hospitals held no records of Max's return. His fabric suppliers shrugged at his name. Even his nightlife haunts offered nothing when asked.

Lillian closed her office door and crumbled. She stared at her personal terminal snug in her palm with the onslaught of messages she sent him every five minutes.

All unread, all forgotten.

She hitched her breath and curled into herself. Max, where are you?

## Chapter 28: Promise

Lillian promised to permanently block off Wednesdays for Niola. She was the refreshing breath of air Lillian needed come the middle of the work week. And yet she sat cradling her cappuccino while staring at the untouched hazelnut latte opposite her. The steam vanished, then the lunch rush, all oblivious to the vibrant woman missing at Lillian's table.

Not once did she sip her own drink. Not until Niola showed up. It wasn't until the sun dipped into the horizon that Lillian pried herself away from the window table, discarded both drinks, and lost herself to the sea of pedestrians.

## Chapter 29: Simple

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

She didn't expect anything to come of the meeting. Then again, Lillian grew used to the unanswered messages she sent out over the course of a month. Still, her suspicions ran high and her area of expertise only covered so much ground.

Thus the meeting with Officer Jallaford.

He accepted her request immediately, almost desperately. They conversed over private video feeds after hours when the OVC closed and Lillian lingered in her office undisturbed. It should have been comforting to meet someone as granular as she was with the most minute of details. Nothing was unrelated to Officer Jallaford—"Call me Hentar," he kept insisting and Lillian kept ignoring the offer—and he was certain her details pertaining to her missing friends aligned with his own, recent investigations.

What exactly, Lillian didn't know. Perhaps if her knowledge was more rooted in that of an investigative journalist than a data analyst, she might have asked. But she didn't. Because why bother asking when people refused to respond? Or couldn't respond, she reframed the idea hours later.

But she never thought to ask. Not until Officer Jallaford himself ceased to return her messages. Just another ghost in the system. Plain and simple.

Chapter End Notes

> Double drabble.

## Chapter 30: Future

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

One day Lillian emerged from her office, left the OVC, and never returned. Barely a year as chairwoman and she accomplished more than her predecessors combined. She claimed her resignation was personal, but rumors dominated sincerity. Writers slaved over terminals to churn out the best headliner documenting her leave.

Who was she to stay? Cloudbank's finest were disappearing. Without them, there was no Cloudbank, no future for anyone.

Someone had to uncover the truth and Lillian preferred death than to ignore a challenge. If no one else would, then might as well be her.

Besides, she already had a lead.

Chapter End Notes

> Another drabble collection completed! Many thanks to everyone who has stuck around for these drabbles. I hope you lovely readers enjoyed this take on Lillian. I hope to keep writing more of these with another citizen from Cloudbank, so stay tuned! ♥ ♥ ♥

## Afterword

Please drop by the Archive and comment to let the creator know if you enjoyed their work!