Melanie dragged me for miles, visiting numerous places throughout the metropolis. Her firm unwavering grip on my arm as she pulled me along told me I was in for a long day as she introduced me to countless storefronts. Even going so far as to pull me into a few. At one point, I ended up carrying her purchases as the girl seemed to enjoy her shopping a little too much. I thought this was supposed to be a tour?
Eventually, we sat. Melanie taking out a clean handkerchief to wipe her face. She'd been refusing to pace at all the whole tour. Sadly, I myself was no better. Desperate in my attempt to keep up with the energetic teen, I was drenched in sweat. Unfortunately, not only was this Melanie character the exciting sort, she was also very attentive. She sniffed me out as she peered over at me. Those eyes sparkling still, despite the rigorous walk we'd just been on.
But instead of criticizing me for my excessive sweating, she smiled. Handing me her handkerchief in considerate gesture. I nodded, taking it, and began to dab my face as she spoke, "I'm so sorry. This was supposed to be for you. It's just... when I see something cute, I can't... I can't help myself, you know? I'm sure you think I'm a mess." Wow. That sure is an awful sharp eye she has, or maybe she was just beating herself up? Regardless, I shook my head. Responding to her calmly. Feeling a bit more cooled down now, "No, not at all. Some people enjoy shopping, like some enjoy reading. You shouldn't feel bad about your passion, as long as it doesn't drive you broke."
Melanie looked at me with a newfound curiosity as she spoke. Her stance on the bench was causing her to show a little too much skin as she leaned in, looking at me skeptically, "Go broke! If only. My papa keeps me well-supplied with what I need. He's a bit paranoid about me, treats me like his doll, his baby. I'm a grown woman, Jeez!" She turned a full 360 on me as she realized she totally missed my reassurance. Her eyes filled with a soft curiosity as she stared at me. "Sorry, you didn't need to know all that. Did you steal that from some book?"
I shook my head, dismissing her assumption as I spoke. Trying to keep my eyes on her face, and not her cleavage. "N-no. It's the honest truth, Melanie. We all have our own issues to contend with. There's no reason to see them as a bad thing.~"
Okay. She seemed even closer now. It was getting harder to ignore as her chest seemed to jump out at me. I gently scooted back, giving us a little space as I spoke, "Besides. If you have someone who's willing to care for you, no matter the relationship, that frees you from some of the burdens of independence to enjoy your life a bit more before you strike out to take on that weight. So you should enjoy yourself. Even if that means excessive shopping." My eyes wouldn't stop dipping down at her exposed cleavage now. Damnit, just one conversation. This girl was nice enough to spend time with me even though I'd totally knocked her down.
She seemed to notice my movements as she looked down at the extra space between us, slowly scooting closer. She was obviously doing this on purpose. She spoke, teasingly, "What? Are you shy? I don't bite, I promise." She wouldn't stop, but I didn't want to hurt her. The heat mixed with my beating heart rate was making the sweat come back with a vengeance as she smiled, her bust inching closer every second. She placed a hand on my leg as I tried to control myself, speaking softly at me, "You know... papa never lets me have any fun. Are you sure I can't make it up to you for putting up with my bad habits?" My hands trembled as they began to move without my say-so. Finding purchase on her arm as it lie on my leg. She seemed to want it, but this wasn't right. Why was she so insistent about... oh. "M-Melanie. Can Renco powers be inherited? You seem to know quite a bit about this city, having lived here. Surely you might know."
She pulled back suddenly, that seduction melting off of her face as she appeared silly again. Crossing her arms in obvious displeasure, "You figured me out. Yeah, they can. My papa has been trying to get his hands on some DNA for it for quite a long time. I thought maybe... I could help. I'm sorry if I took things too far, James."
Feeling relief wash over me as she appeared to back off, I began to reply. Prepared to tell her how much I didn't mind, but she pressed that finger into my chest quicker than lightning, giving me a playful smirk as she spoke again before I could respond, "That doesn't mean I'm giving up, silly. You better watch yourself... also, my father? He's in charge of Renco. I'm his heir. Guess you'll be seeing a lot of me, Mister Fantasia."
I swallowed unconsciously as I realized what that meant. Rubbing my chest for comfort in the spot she'd poked, "Oh, That's... Great. "
Melanie began to get up suddenly, picking up half the luggage as she turned her back to me, twisting her head to smile at me as she waited for me to join her, "We'd better get moving. All new Renco studies have to be in before 7 PM or you won't be permitted entry until the next day. I've got these, can you grab the other bags?"
I nodded, speaking up. Still shaken from the revelation and her seductive attitude, "Y-yeah. Sure..." grabbing the bags, I hefted them up and we began to move. Making our way towards the building in the distance. Studies, huh? Well, it beats work, and it probably means I'll have a place to stay. Very well. School it is.
We lugged the bags up to the glass doors of the building entrance, which seemed to open on their own accord. A security ring surrounding the inside as we went in. Suddenly, I was enveloped in a light as a scanner ran me over. A voice coming from the machine before us. A small metal contraption sporting some kind of eyeball-looking lens. It addressed me by name as the bars preventing our passage opened for us, "Number 2654110. Code-name, Fantasia. You have been cleared for entry. Welcome to Renco Corp, where everyone is special."
Melanie walked through the gate, with me following close-behind. Stopping by the front desk which, like everything else, seemed elegantly polished, Melanie greeted the counter clerks who seemed intimately familiar with her, having watched her curiously as we came in, not to mention me. "Sesly! Lily! Where is Brianna? Isn't she usually out here with you both??"
The two girls at the counter looked about Melanie's age. They were both the energetic type, both sporting two different colored outfits, one yellow and white, one green and white. They seemed to have funny uniforms here, or maybe they were sisters? They seemed to all have quite a bit in common, and not just their outfits, "Are you three related?" I asked, curiously.
They both turned to me as Melanie stifled a laugh, covering her mouth thinking I might not hear, "Who's this, Melly? A new student?"
The other girl in yellow, who must've been Sesly, giggled unashamedly as she spoke up in excitement, "Oh! Please tell me he's actually INTERESTING, the other students all have lame powers, and the one guy who doesn't is a complete jerk! I'm about to give up looking~"
Oh gosh. It seems like Melanie isn't alone in her tricks... Melanie responded without reservation, completely blowing my cover, "The way I hear it, He's something special. I guess he's not totally boring, but you should have seen him earlier when I tried to make a move on him! He almost fainted!" My face felt flushed as they spoke about me like I wasn't even there. How cruel. I guess girls are like this no matter what the Era.
They all giggled and laughed, exchanging stories and gossip for a few more minutes before Melanie broke off, turning to me, "Let me give you your second tour, Mister Fantasia. Maybe a third later... if we have the time." She smiled, and I knew this wasn't just going to be school. The girls behind the counter both giggled, Sesley waving goodbye as they spoke one after another, "Don't be a stranger, James! I promise, we're all fun here..."
The girl named Lily was leaning back in her chair, her eyes digging into me concerningly. Her gaze finding its way somewhere most shameful as she spoke, "Yes. Fun is the right word, Sesly. I just hope he's worth it..."
Melanie took me by the hand, pulling me over to the clean tile flooring to what appeared to be an elevator. It was... underwhelmingly futuristic. Not much different from the more expensive ones in new hospitals or business towers you'd see in the 2000s. Melanie turned to me giddily and spoke, "Don't mind them, James. We're all just excited to see new blood. Although, you might want to watch your door. Let me introduce you to my dad! Oh and, uhm. Gosh, I really don't get why they make us hand these out so early, but here. You'll need this for later."
Melanie entered a passcode into a hidden compartment next to the up and down buttons. The numbers lighting up as she tapped them lightly. The compartment opened up, revealing some sort of weapon? It glowed at the top, and had an elongated shape similar to a rifle one might carry in the military. She shoved it into my arms, distastefully, "Every student gets a laser rifle upfront for their studies. We do a lot of combat practice for those with less than helpful abilities, so you might need it." She frowned, pressing the up button as the door dinged, splitting to reveal a carpeted interior with light bronze colored walls and a fairly bright light in the ceiling of the elevator, "Time to meet the boss, James."