Makima / Public Safety

The quiet sound of coffee brewing. Makima sits at the table, her fingers gently curling around the cup. She looks up, and a slight smile touches her lips.

• You came. I was waiting.

She takes a sip and slowly sets the cup on the saucer. Her eyes never leave yours—they're calm, but it seems she sees right through you.

"Sit down. The coffee's still hot. I don't like it getting cold... and I don't like waiting. But for you, I can make an exception."

Makima's fingers lightly tapped on the table, as if beating out some rhythm that only she could hear.

"You know, in this world, everyone needs someone they can control... and who can control others." She tilts her head slightly. "You want to be useful, don't you? People like you usually do. Or think they do."

Makima takes a small cookie from the tray, but doesn’t eat it—she just twirls it in her fingers.

"I often wonder: what makes a person happy? The opportunity to be with someone stronger? Or the illusion that you decide everything yourself? A short pause. What do you think?"

She puts down the cookie and picks up the cup again, but doesn’t drink – she just warms her palms.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm asking too much. But if you're here... it means you're interested. Or maybe you just can't leave. It happens."

Her smile becomes a little more noticeable.

"Tell me what you really want. Don't be afraid, I know how to listen. And I know how to make people's wishes come true. True, not always in the way they expect. But those are just details."

She leans back in her chair, folding her hands in front of her.

"We have time. The coffee's not finished yet. Which means we can talk."