Osten Kalokos stared at Ares wide-eyed. His finger reached out from behind the door and poked Ares in the shoulder a couple of times.
"Oh the gods, where have you been?"
"I was off getting some money."
"You literally disappeared."
"It is a long story, but I was wondering if I could take you up on your offer."
"Absolutely! Osa had just started living in a college dorm and we could use your help in keeping the other kids in check. Come in! Come in!"
Osten waved Ares through the door and took off his shoes. The interior of the Hive apartment opposed the hallways outside. The walls were carved to a smooth finish, except for edges which were stylized. The floors were covered in old rugs, sparing skin from the cold stone floor. Knotted cables of wires and pipes hid in corners and floor edges, connecting to lights and sinks like veins and arteries. The kitchen and center room were connected, surrounded by several individual rooms.
Walls were covered in slate paintings of marriage and two children after birth. Parts of the walls were painted; an imitation of reflectionism that had fallen out of fashion a few decades ago. Lights embraced everything in holy radiance and furniture - no corner was lost in the dark. Heavy beautiful shelves and a desk occupied the room, luxuries covered in impractical novelties and wax tablets.
"Wait, Osa has already started college. How old is she?"
"Sixteen, she was smart enough to get a scholarship and decided to live somewhere else where she could focus on studying."
"What is she learning?"
"She is learning to be an engineer."
"Like you?"
"No, she is going to Adeis College to be an architectural engineer. She wants to help design the new zone."
"What new zone?"
"It is a new project of Emperor Belos. It is planned to be like the Hive, except more cost effective to mine out the area. This has gotten the whole Capitol excited."
"Why are they doing that? I thought the Hive hadn't been finished yet."
"I guess that you wouldn't know if you haven't lived here. The Hive isn't finished and is still being mined out, but it isn't keeping up. It has started to get crowded with the new immigrants coming in. Maybe the population restrictions will be loosed for a while. Yeah, hey Aphra, Ares has come!"
A side room door of fiberwreath opened to a middle aged woman. She was somewhat petite, neither beautiful or ugly, but had a unique charm that made her seem like the most huggable stone wall. Her feet were steady pillars as she walked and her back was straight as a razor's edge. Her clothes were simple and practical, covered in grease and automata fluid and covered in pockets of wrenches and screws.
Memories abandoned and forgotten surfaced in Ares's mind; old times coated in laughter and life. One memory in particular brought a hidden smile to Ares. His hands and arms were much shorter and dark hostile buildings looked down on him. Two men, covered in old sweat and grim grinned like monsters at him and his cousins. The memory faded, replaced with each of them with broken arms and blood leaking from their lips while they laid fetal on the dusty road. Aunt Aphra stood on one of them, shifting her weight onto a screaming man's crotch. Most nightmares would stage her, a sentiment shared by the family's youth.
"Well well well, if it isn't Ares. I had thought you died a long time ago, but just like your father, you have a scorch's vitality."
"Nice to see you again, you old knoll."
"I would tread carefully, I am not afraid to break your bones."
"I am not a child anymore, and I can defend myself from you." She walked closer to him, each step a bell of an old memory. Her eyes clawed him like a savage beast and a smile commanded cold sweat. Ares could only summon a strained smile before she laughed and embraced him.
"It really is nice to see you again."
Ares hugged back, "You as well."
His aunt led him to a chair and sat down across from him. Osten joined her and said, "So, what have you come back for?"
"I want to pursue entering the University."
Both Osten and Aphra looked at him before sighing.
"That isn't something you can just apply to get in. Both of us had tried many times to get into just a small college. Aphra was lucky to get into any school. Of course, you'll probably surprise us like your father."
"I would recommend that you learn before trying. Only the gods know where you have been all these years, but I doubt you got much of an education. I would be damned if your father could actually teach you something other than how to shoot or drink your own piss."
"Don't worry, I have a plan. Even if that doesn't work, there are many other jobs I can do."
"That reminds me, what have you been doing all this time?"
"I was a courier out near the Badlands."
Strained silence spoke all the words needed. Both Uncle and Aunt Kalokos looked at him between the hands that held up their heads. Tired eyes glazed over and deep breath failed to revitalize them.
"Of course, it has already started, hasn't it Aphra?"
"I had hoped it would end with him, but I guess it is just a part of his bloodline."
"Ares, before you do what you do, give us a few days. None of us are ready just yet."
"...Alright?"
"Haa…Come, I will show you your room."
Osten got up and walked to the furthest room in the corner. Ares walked into a spacious room, large enough for him to stretch his arms out and touch both sides. The room was empty, a hollowed out husk after his cousin Osa had left. The only thing that remained was a desk. It was made of lightweight stone and bronze in an elegant construction. Below was a simple chest in a similar style. The walls had splashes of haphazard color, adding a chaotic life.
"Enjoy your room. Aphra and I have some things to talk about."
"Alright."
Osten left the room, leaving Ares alone. He began to unload his belongings from his satchel. He pulled his rifle from off his shoulder and started to clean off some gunk from the Pile. Images of barren wastes, cold nights, and dreamless sleep with one eye open flooded his mind. For the first time in years, Ares took a deep breath, and let his shoulders relax.
…
"What are we going to do with him?" Aphra asked.
"We will leave that for another time. Don't worry, it will be fine," Osten replied.
"We have got to do something."
"What is it that you are suggesting?"
"I don't know, but something has to be done."
"Is it a problem yet?"
"No."
"Is it possible it won't ever be a problem?"
"...Yes."
"Then that is that. Let's hope this is the end of it."
"Yes, let's hope, for now."