Residential district, Gamma District. Great cubes of metal and concrete covered in mold, rust, and ferns stack and overlap on top of one another. Scattered about the structures are doors, windows, walls, pipes, and cables in, on, going to, and going from strange, weird, and awkward places.
The original structures have been modified countless times through the centuries in order to accommodate more and more residents. What's present now is an almost dystopian architectural monstrosity. People have to navigate through the maze of hallways, tunnels, stairs, and ladders that has never seen the light of day since several decades ago, full of fire hazard, to go from and back to their tiny apartments where they live with the rest of their family. There are 10 of these districts, each housing at least 2 million people.
Adalia is unlocking the door to her property. The dim orange light from a cracked lamp, hanging by white and black cables, is just barely enough of visual aid. Electrical buzz fills the maze. Another resident also just got back to his residence next door.
"Evening, Briar," Adalia says.
"Evening," he struggles with his key.
"How did the casting go?"
"Didn't get the role. They're looking for someone who can also sing."
"Aww, I'm sure you'll get one soon."
"Hopefully, otherwise I might need to sell my kidney and blood to pay for Lucy," he manages to work his key and the door finally unlocks.
"Hopefully it doesn't come to that. I really wish I can help, but you know how it is." It is quite a contrast from the very joyous moment with Travis, to Briar's situation. If not for all the things earlier in the day, her sorrow would be more visual.
A family comes into the same hallway with baggage and goes into the room across from Adalia and the siblings. Nobody knows who they are. Not the agents, not the actor, nor the engineer.
"The Michaelsons moved?" Catrina asks rhetorically.
"Yes, they moved in the morning. Some buildings are already done in the 11th district and a lot have moved," Briar says.
"Really? You think there's still available rooms?" Adalia pulls out her phone, so does Kaiden. Before any of them can unlock their screen, however, Briar continues.
"No, I checked earlier. They're all taken. New rooms are selling better than fast food," Briar sighs and shakes his head. "Anyway, see you guys," he goes into his room and closes the door.
The three reply to his goodbye and go into their room as well.
Adalia and Catrina put their weapon beside the coat hangar just beside the door. On the other side, immediately after the door, is a table with an electric stove. Beside that is the sink, right next to the fridge. Between the fridge and the couch, where Kaiden sleeps, are 2 doors, the bedroom and bathroom. In front of the couch are a coffee table and a desk with a TV. Beside the desk is a wooden chair and another desk with a PC. A shelf full of all sorts o things is on the other side of the fridge and sink. Beyond all of this are a small dining table with 3 chairs. Even beyond that is a glass wall and door towards the balcony.
Kaiden singlehandedly manages to keep their living space as clean and tidy as it can. Using the power of his skills and the energy of his obsession and compulsion. Though he now shares the load with Adalia ever since she moved in.
Kaiden takes the first turn in the bathroom, then Adalia, then Catrina. By the time Catrina goes out of the bathroom, Kaiden has finished cooking for dinner. Adalia is sitting at the dining table while Kaiden is preparing the meal.
Catrina looks for a change of clothes in the wardrobe in the bedroom. After changing, she goes out, turns on the TV, and joins her family.
"Hey, that's my shirt!" Adalia says.
"Yes, what do you think? Fits surprisingly well, don't you think? It's so comfy too," She hugs herself and rubs her own shoulders.
Seeing her partner in her clothes is definitely something. Catrina is bigger and taller than her. The shirt wraps around her body, rather than covering it. It's a perfect fit for Adalia, but just a bit too small for Catrina thus accentuating her figure and curves. The short sleeves hug her biceps like an armband. Wrinkles radiate from her armpit, but the rest of the cloth is smooth and tight, emphasizing her chest and overall muscle bulk.
The only way her Adalia's expression could be more cartoony is if she is drooling. She's just ogling without even knowing it. Catrina, though, certainly does. "Oh, you're totally loving it, don't you?"
"Shut up!" Adalia looks at her plate. She can feel that she's blushing a little as she starts eating. Although, the other people at the table can see it's more than just a little.
It's about 8 PM. A sound of music is coming from the right wall. Briar just flushed his toilet. Someone is watching a movie in the room above, while those in the room below is having a heated debate about universities to go to. The documentary on the TV ends and changes into the news.
The first news is the report about mutations and executions that are particularly notable.
"We didn't make it to the news, nice," Adalia says.
"What happened?"
"Nothing, I just forgot to recharge and the execution became messy. Takes more than that to get into TV."
The second news is about the public freakout in the epsilon district. Regarding the C-type, the colonel, and the man harassing the colonel.
"... Like that," Catrina says.
"Are we on cam?" Adalia turns around to the screen.
"No, the clip started when we already left."
"Damn, we should've stayed longer."
"Could you though? With the dude rambling like that?"
"Yeah, you're right."
Third news. A pure D-type from outside of The Grand Metropolis has surrendered itself. The Silver Agency is currently holding it. Several wall construction workers with varying degrees of injuries claim they are saved by it. The werewolf is now under surveillance and investigation by the agency.
"What do you guys think of that? Spy?" Kaiden asks as he went to the sink to do his dishes.
"I don't know. I don't think any of them has surrendered. From what I've heard, they either fight to the death or run away," Catrina says.
"Let's just hope truth serums and lie detectors work on them too," Adalia says.
A notification from Catrina's phone. She checks it and calls her brother. "Kaiden, eldritch llama says she wants to collab stream Omnaloke with us and fabulous grass!"
"Oh shit. Yeah, I'm down!"
"Cool," Catrina texts eldritch llama back. "Can you set up my PC, I gotta use the bathroom," she says as she rushes to the bathroom.
"Sure thing!" Kaiden plugs the TV into a CPU under the desk. He takes a keyboard, a mouse, and 2 headsets from the drawer.
Adalia looks over at the bathroom door, making sure Catrina isn't coming out soon. "Psst, hey, hey Kaiden," She whispers. Kaiden looks back and gives a nod. "Can you help me with something?"