Eyes the color of the ocean blues quickly scan the people below from the rooftops as if searching for something specific in a crowd of dozens. Even if it was night the seagulls did not rest because of the brightly lit port that was seemingly always bustling with activity. From the far left to her far right, rows and rows of people of different ethnicity and race made their way through the night market. Trinkets ranging from the newest light brain device to simple decorative toys made of Awoken or fancy jewels were also everywhere. However, even if the place was filled with people the ocean eyes flicker over to the large energy barrier that only allowed licensed ships and the occasional hover patrol cars to pass through them. After the incident eight years ago security and technology were improving at a terrifying rate to appease and accommodate human settlements across the world. Patrol cars were now a thing you saw everywhere regardless if you were in the capital or far out at the seaside ports.
Aniala born who were good at detecting fluctuations of spiritual energy were especially coveted and treasured nowadays. The old model of robots that were used for the cities was also replaced by the council in fear of the people's continuous scolding for being complacent before. In consideration of the people's wraith, the Council could only bite their tongues and bleed money for the sake of keeping their positions as elites in the capital. The military was also in a deep dilemma and faced severe criticism these days. And due to the council paying out of their own pockets, the council could be said to be in charge of such a large group of people for good reason, unlike the military. They were very smart and saw an opportunity to make up for their negligence by funding the public safety of the average populace.
But the military without the same deep pockets the elites had, faced difficulties in providing the same flamboyant display of remorse. The ones in charge were split, unlike the united front of the council who despite being a bit greedy still knew there were lines they could not cross to prevent people from rebelling. This made the people feel the soldier weren't sincere at all in their vow to protect the common people. Unwilling to entrust their Aniala children to the soldiers, the families of Aniala-born children would request a government agent to personally pick up their child in fear of an accident because of military neglect instead. It was embarrassing, to say the least. To them, it was more relieving if their Aniala children could learn from the government agents instead of the military who to everyone resembled white eye wolves eating from their hands and biting them when they turned their backs.
More and more government loyal agents began to take over the complicated battle for power in the military causing chaos in the front lines. Now, factions were spilt and people held different loyalties dirtying the waters even more. So although you can say the advancement in technology was a blessing, the deterioration of capable Aniala fighters was taking a toll on the front lines at a rapid pace. With humanity split in two, and then split again even farther from the cities you get. It was a miracle that the Awoken didn't already tear them apart. Those glowing phoenix eyes which didn't reflect humanity but seemed to be reflecting the open sea quickly looks over a food stall that was overflowing with customers.
The man running the front smiles at something one of his customers said and when he went to turn around to pack something for them. No one noticed a few fruits suddenly going missing from the pile to his left. And as he went to hand the bag over to the customer, spotting something shiny from the corner of his vision he looks back only to see a tiny note as well as payment that appeared out of thin air. The orchard owner could only give a helpless look around while rubbing the back of their neck much to their customer's curiosity. "Are you looking for someone?" Taking the money left behind and reading the simple but neat set of letters explaining honestly what the person took as well as thanks at the end.
The owner laughs after imagining a serious-looking person writing the note and placing it into his chest pocket as if it were an important thing. "No, a regular of mine left something funny behind to amuse me is all." Farrah didn't linger long and skipping along the rooftops of the market started heading back home with her arms full of groceries. She was mildly content with her haul this time and couldn't wait to eat it when she got back. Unlike the girls her age who were running around in skirts or studying seriously to become Government Agents. Farrah integrated with human society in a vague manner. Neither getting too close or too far from their ways.
Spotting a family smiling and laughing together at a corner store she usually shopped in stepping out. She tilts her head with a hint of nostalgia, but there was no longing. Dismissing the happy family she was only interested in due to the child's spiritual energy, which seemed to hold hints of being a late-blooming Aniala born. She continued on her way passively and even a tad bit light-heartedly. Abandoning her duties and strict upbringing was easier than she first thought once she started receiving teachings from her master. Now, the face of her father, mother, and even brother were blurry. It wasn't that she wanted to forget, it was more along the lines of she was happier without knowing what happened back then.
The further down the road she went the less activity there was. The market center near the seaport was always heavy with activity. At day fish and traveling merchants set their stalls out after getting up early as a priority. And at night, everyone else had the freedom to sell as they pleased. If they had a license that is. As she quietly left the market and enters the residential district, Farrah was a bit more cautious with how frivolous she was. Pulling up her hood to cover her face she found an alley and jumps back onto the ground. Then, with bags in arms casually strolls out to blend in as if she had always been there.
No one seemed to care where she came from, and having recognized where the Aniala and robot patrols ran their routes she easily avoided them as well. It wasn't that they were too obvious. But more like since she had to do some special training as a child under her father and school plus she was naturally more sensitive than the average Aniala child. She grew up like that. As for whether those Anialas could sense her? She had no doubts they couldn't. She was told she was talented in this regard.
Arriving at a relatively mediocre but neat apartment complex she took a shortcut through the fire escape. Thin webs of spiritual energy supported her leaping up through her window to enter the dark apartment like a fox leaping across invisible tree branches. The room was furnished simply, the owner didn't seem to have much desire to stay long nor cared to personalize the space in any way. Even so, Farrah was satisfied enough to return before midnight patrol and tossed the perishables into the fridge stretching her long limbs out like a cat. It looks like barrier maintenance will be late again this week. She ponders this with a hint of disapproval, not much liking the way government agents handle their work. The entertainment district will have another problem tonight.
Some soldiers were still more diligent when it came to first responding and dangerous situations. Though the council was not lacking manpower they still lacked a proper training and discipline regiment like Aniala soldiers. At this rate what her master said would really come true. Remembering her master made the brilliant ocean eyes dim in a depressing manner before she forced those thoughts to the back of her mind refusing to allow herself to wallow in self-pity. It wasn't like they would never meet again, he promised her. Although the dragon had only kept her with him for a couple of years it was enough time for her to understand much more about the world than learning in any classroom or reading any book would have done for her.
He never left her side for longer than a few hours and always returned with a gift making sure she understood the world was continuing on without her. And though she never understood how he did it. He even managed to give her a new identity as per her wishes after she realized her original family had no plans of addressing or acknowledging her "death". Whether it was due to internal conflicts or whatever, what she knew was that they choose their positions over herself. And it only made her numb after fully understanding this, as in comparison her master risked his life for her sake every single day since taking her in. Comparing between the ones far out of sight and the one in front of her every single day afterward it was obvious who came out stronger. It ran in her blood to be cold-hearted and biased after all.
Washing up Farrah put on another casual pair of clothes that were more mature and bolder than her age. Leaning over her mirror she carefully applies a thick layer of makeup, sharpening her already aggressive eyes and making the blue pop out more fiercely. Slowly her appearance of a young intelligent young woman became a mature and intimidating woman who shouldn't be taken lightly. Popping her lips and inspecting herself she was mildly satisfied with the look and curled her hair a bit so she didn't look too out of place in the district she was going. Running her hand through the jewelry that was more luxurious than her surroundings blinding people and making them doubt life. Farrah searches for her favorite pair of silver opal earrings and necklace that threatened to drop into the crack of her black top. To cover her exposed shoulders and collar bone she pulls on a white leather jacket from her closet inspecting herself in the mirror again just to make sure it looked alright.
The shorts she choose were long enough to cover her knees but fashionable enough to match her jacket. Grabbing a random purse from her closet she didn't care much for and throwing some things she needed inside. The girl who transformed into a woman left her apartment through the door confidently. "Going out again tonight? I didn't hear you come in earlier. Did you sneak in through the window with a boyfriend or something trying to escape your parents' surveillance?" Her neighbor an older woman who had a pair of naughty children curiously, and teasingly questioned her as she was locking her door.
The people in the building only knew that she was a young woman trying to spread her wings in the city from strict and controlling parents. It gave them enough information that she wasn't some simple nobody and for others to not have second thoughts about digging too deeply into her past. A lot of young adults did the same, some rich kids loved playing with the poor after all for a chance at seeing a different side of the city. And Farrah was playing one of them. Instead of answering as she wasn't really a person who liked speaking in the first place which the woman knew. Farrah sent her a tiny smile and a side glance as acknowledgment.
Not denying or agreeing to her guess. It was enough to satisfy and amuse her into letting Farrah go without keeping her as she enters her own apartment. "My husband took the kids back to my in-laws for the weekend so-" Her face shined warmly as she offers lightly "-if you need someone to pick you up at the front don't be afraid to call. Don't drink too much without your friends this time." After all, in her eyes, Farrah was still a young woman living alone and she couldn't help but care a bit more about her. Plus the girl was always polite and lent her a helping hand when her husband was too busy to take out the trash. Sometimes even sending back fruits as repayment whenever she sent over dinner in fear the girl didn't know how to cook for herself.
Farrah waves at her in thanks before heading towards the elevator leisurely making a note in her head to send another batch of fruits to the woman for her kindness. It couldn't be said that they had a close relationship. But probably more for the convenience of a decent reputation, and since they were next-door neighbors. Farrah was polite to the other person and did what she thought was the proper courtesy shown to a caring elder. The double takes when she reentered the streets heading downtown was much more obvious and lingering than before. However with her head held high and eyes focused ahead Farrah showed an uncaring attitude toward the people curious about her appearance.
And again slowly but surely the streets became busier but this time with a more lively and chaotic air. Women dressed like herself but less lavishly and more flashy laughed and hung onto their men or girlfriends with bright and excited faces. The air smelled like cigarettes and alcohol, and even some more disgusting smells underneath she ignored. Some people who caught a glimpse of her glowing blue eyes showed expressions of recognition and anticipation. But they didn't approach her. There were still rules in this seemingly wild side of the city they needed to follow.
Instead, those familiar with her route ran ahead of her towards the destination they knew she would end up restlessly dragging their confused companions with them. It was only one or two though, the rest still treated her as one of the crowd. Her eyes occasionally saw an Aniala or two who hung around their soulmate's heads or hid deep within their cores. She didn't hide from them and eventually entered a low-key but lush bar which showed the owner took more consideration in comfort and quality than quantity of customers. She easily bypasses the bouncer who recognized her by now letting her skip the inspection, in his eyes she was just a mutant without an Aniala. A non-threat.
"Wang-Mu!" Hearing her false name being called out so happily Farrah wasn't used to it and didn't respond fast enough before the person calling her name at the bar waved enthusiastically. She revealed a displeased expression making the other laugh much to the customer's curiosity seeing an intimidating beauty walk over. The bar owner who liked to cosplay as a bartender was a bright pretty girl chinese woman whose sweet image tricked many people who thought she was easy prey. A seven-foot-long lethal python as green as freshly fallen jungle foliage was wrapped around her neck appearing for all to see once Farrah was up close. Its ruby eyes a contrast to its scary vibrant green appearance was sweet and even lowers its head to her level wanting to move from her soulmate's neck to hers.
Since most people knew the bar owner was an Aniala born they weren't too startled, but the friendliness of the python towards the newcomer WAS a surprise. Farrah fearlessly and coldly pushed the snake away rejecting its closeness. "Heavy." Under their startled stares, the snake seemed to become limp and depressed by her rejection. Reluctantly curling around and resting its head on her chuckling owner's shoulder once more, sending Farrah what they could only describe as aggravated eyes. "I thought you weren't gonna show up tonight, didn't you say that you were busy and couldn't make it?" Faced with three curious stares Farrah frowns at the woman, "Something came up."
Unlike the delicate-looking bar owner, Farrah was more robust and healthy adding to her early maturity. Her skin wasn't a clear white but a very light tan, she was a lean woman who appeared capable and taller than most of her gender. For an Asian woman, she was even taller than the occasional man at five foot six. Her early growth spurt, she could only assume her master's presence and care had something to do with it. But that didn't mean she wasn't grateful for it. So boldly unapologetic for her handsome genes she was envied and adored by those delicate pretties even more.
The bar owner one of them, if her Aniala's actions weren't already a giveaway to the favoritism of the young woman. Whipping up one of Farrah's favorite drinks Liu Muwan didn't question her further, instead introducing her to the two people sitting at the bar blatantly urging with their eyes for their friend to include them. Nodding to the man who was more eager than his friend with styled hair while not appearing greasy, instead, he looked fresh and trustworthy. His teeth shine white as he grins at her "This is Kang, you probably saw him talking to me a few times during your performances. Most of the time he sits in the private rooms upstairs but he got lucky and got to meet you this time on your day off."
"-Kang, this is Wang-Mu." She didn't elaborate merely giving him Farrah's name, which he already knew, annoying the man somewhat. However, facing the python's beady stare he could only swallow his grievance and raise his hand in her direction appearing harmless. "Hello." Farrah only glances at him once before looking back at the smirking bar owner waiting rather impatiently for her to finish. When the man's smile fell the bar owner didn't care about his broken heart and moved onto the more calm of the two. His eyes held no intentions unlike his companion, he lifts his drink up to her in a friendly manner before settling back down.
Seemingly to hold no other interest in her besides the mild intentions to know her name after seeing how attentive Liu Muwan was toward her. He had a more powerful presence than the rest, his spiritual energy was rich and controlled rather well. Farrah knew then the man wasn't as simple as he appears, perhaps he was a soldier or government agent. "This is my boyfriend Wang Lin, he also sits in the private rooms and waits for me to finish my shift or until I'm bored. He doesn't really like crowded places so you can't find him down here often on weekends." Her biased treatment of the two men was even more obvious after this making her friend more depressed.
Wang Lin chuckled and pats his friend's back in a comforting manner. "Today is an exception because it's not as busy since you said you couldn't make it so half the patrons didn't bother showing up. But if I knew you were coming I would have gathered everyone up charging them extra instead." Farrah pretends to not see her pitiful expressions trying to make her feel guilty. However, after taking her free drink, she sent Liu Muwan a glance while pulling off her jacket much to the other's delight, and greed. "Bonus pay." "Granted!!"