As Ember strolled through the park, he began to see small flickers of lights amongst the brush. They were fireflies, one of the few commonplace creatures that inhabited the city. Aside from those lights however, the yellow flashlight beaming through Ember's right eye was the only thing to illuminate his path.
Ember enjoyed the one moment of peace he would get today, not knowing what his mother's state would be once he actually arrived home. The pilot would finally reach the exit gate of the city, revealing a street lightened be weak street lights, a couple of which were either flickering or fully broken. The pavement was cracked, potholes plenty, a stark contrast to the sleek streets that paved the inner buisness district of Noir City.
As Ember crossed the street, he would scan the street of the many old brick apartments that lined the block, all of which were near carbon copies of eachother, only differentiated by the blemishes they gained over the many years of being fully constructed.
Ember turned left once he successfully reached the sidewalk across the street, traveling a couple buildings down before climbing the steps to the place he called home. The lights inside always strained his eyes due to their cheaply made design. The pilot made sure to keep his glasses on to avoid this as he trekked the narrow hall that led to an elevator that stood solitary at the hallway's end.
Ember stepped inside, staring ahead blankly as he tapped the third floor button. He listened to the elevator's familiar ding, watching as the elevator doors closed his view of the front door. Ember next heard a jingle from Tindel, signifying a notification. A hologram would spring up, illuminating a picture of Enzo with a message notification.
"Message from Enzo, 'Can we talk?'"
Ember frowned, shutting his eyes as he shakily sighed. His eyes flickered back open as the elevator doors departed from eachother, the pilot furrowing his brows as he heard a banging on the door nearby. He peeked his head out, finding a small older woman in a bonnet and a nightgown banging on the door.
"Mira! Mira open up! Rents due!" She called out, her voice hoarse due to frustration.
"Great..." Ember whispered to himself, quickening his pace as he made his way over to the lady banging on his front door.
"Hey! She's not home right now, whats the matter?"
The elderly woman glance over, her face filled with wrinkles only exuded further by her angered expression.
"Rent was due yesterday! This is the third time you two have been late this year!" She yelled.
Ember's expression softened and he looked away, anxiety filling him as he idly scratched his cheek.
"Listen Nia, I get paid tomorrow. I'm also getting inaugurated, so I'll make sure it doesn't happen again." He promised.
Nia's expression changed, eye's lighting up.
"Oh, baby! Congratulations!" Nia gleamed, wrapping her arms around the taller boy and pulling him into a hug. He chuckled softly, hugging the woman back.
"Thank you... But seriously, I promise we won't be late again. We are just in a bit of a transitional-"
"Oh you better not. I'm short on money myself and with the way things are looking, anymore tardiness from my tenants means I may have to sell." Nia explained, leaning back from her embrace. She rested her hand upon Ember's cheek, her infectious smile transferring to Ember's soft grin with ease.
"Thats scary, Nia. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Sweetheart, we both know you can't even help yourself yet. But look at you now! I'll take you up on that after a couple months. Come on, I want to hear all about your inauguration!"
The lady turned, gesturing for Ember to follow. Ember puffed his cheeks nervously, glancing behind himself before following the elder shortly after. The boy was led down to the right end of the hall, Nia pulling a key that she kept between her breasts. Nia was known to be paranoid, never leaving her door unlocked, even when being just down the hall from her home. The lock turned, as did the woman's wrist as the door opened to reveal a bohemian styled living room.
The room was covered in tapestries, not just along the walls but upon her ceiling as well. The tapestries in question were filled with familiar patterns, all sporting their own unique hues of browns, oranges, greens and purples. There was some room left on the wall so that it was ordained with old photos of the woman and her late husband in their youth. Corners of the room were filled with plants, some of which had its vines placed to expand around the corners of space that remained on Nia's wall. Two cats; one black and one white, laid curled up against eachother upon the corner of the elder woman's couch.
"Sit dear, I'll get some tea brewing for us." She announced.
Ember nodded, thanking her pre-emptively before approaching her rustic red sofa and sitting beside the cats. Their eyes would peek open to observe the pilot, only slits of iris showing to Ember as he smiled softly and began stroking the white cat's head. The cat would press her head further into his palm, the two animals already beginning to purr.
Luckily for Ember, it seemed that he was being welcomed to more peace this evening. He occasionally switched his attention between the two cats, wanting to make sure there was an equitable share of adoration for the two pets. Ember always loved animals and the lack of creatures inhabiting his city always left the boy yearning to have an animal of his own. Unfortunately, his parents never allowed for such things.
"So sweetheart, you have to tell me! Whats it like being around such strong and burly men all the time?" Nia asked curiously as she entered the room, a tray being carried with two teacups embroidered with sunflowers as well as a kettle.
She sat down just beside Ember, a soft smile on her lips at the sight of the pilot's affection for her felines. Ember glanced over, an excited grin on his lips as he reached out to take one of the cups, steam still floating into the air. He would take a small sip carefully, his expression softening to one of distaste as he heard that question. He sat his cup back down upon the tray, frowning a little.
"Well... it turns out the big burly men are also either sexist idiots at best or literal psychopaths at worst." He mumbled in a jaded tone.
Nia frowned as well, seeing the disappointment in Ember's eyes.
"Oh sweetheart, thats most men. But I know you'll find friends ready to die for you. Your father did. And let me tell you, he is one of the brightest men I know. Next to you." She smiled again, resting a hand on Ember's knee as she took her own sip of the tea. Her gaze remain locked on Ember, seeing a hint of sadness in his eyes as he stared ahead, appearing to be lost in thought.
"You're sure you haven't met anyone you like?" She asked.
Ember sighed softly, staring down at his lap as his mind drifted back to Enzo. He felt his gut turn at the thought of his fellow pilot, a mix of guilt and regret piercing into him like a dagger. He wouldn't speak, instead shaking his head subtly.
"Baby, whats wrong? I haven't seen you in your head like this since your father..." She mused, reaching out to brush a few grey hairs behind Ember's ear.
"I don't think my dream is what it's been built up to be..." He muttered.
"How come?"
Ember bit his inner cheek, debating with himself if he should tell Nia everything, or if there was nothing he could say to truly represent how he felt currently. Sometimes, it was easier to be avoidant, other times he couldn't find a way to actually find resolve in what he did express.
"Boy trouble?" Nia suddenly asked, almost as if she read his mind in that moment.
Ember blushed faintly, glancing away to stare out Nia's window. Nia really seemed to be the only one who ever saw Ember for what he was. It made him admire the lady just as much as instill worry of her.
"You can say that."
"What happened then?"
"This guy I met a month ago... he helped train me so I'd be inaugurated. I told him I wanted to keep things professional but, we didn't. And now, all my worst fears are happening. We got in a fight, I told him not to speak to me again. And on top of that, his crazy ex-boyfriend is trying to make my life a living hell, even though I never wanted this to begin with!" Ember finished with an exasperated sigh, leaning in so he could have another sip of his tea.
Nia watched, contemplating as she rested her chin upon her knuckles. She then giggled, shaking her head.
"Baby, if you didn't want it, it never would've happened.
"Whats that supposed to mean?" Ember frowned, knitting his brows.
"Well, I believe you think you didn't want to be with him, but it sounds more like you were scared to be with him. That's very different from not wanting to."
"How so?"
Nia smiled, gently wrapping an arm around the man's shoulder as she leaned in for emphasis.
"You are scared that everyones going to hurt you and prove you right. I've heard this story from you before. So many times I can see this glimmer in your eyes, when a man actually manages to swoon the smart and independent Ember Chain. But then, you always find a reason to push them away before they get too close!" Nia pointed out, much to Ember's discomfort.
Ember was silent, feeling those words strike a chord within him. He knew deep down that she was right, but he also knew he had more on the line than just himself. There was too much at stake to allow someone to distract him.
"You like this Enzo guy, don't you?" Nia dug further.