The ambient glow from the luminescent moss illuminated Dawn's room, coaxing her from sleep. Sitting up and stretching, she reached for the clothes Lina had given her. As she slipped into them, she felt an unexpected nostalgia, like echoes from a life she hadn't lived. Lina's old clothes had a worn-in comfort to them: a deep brown skirt that came up to her mid-calf, paired with a cream-colored, short-sleeved blouse. The blouse had a square neckline, exposing her collarbones and some of her shoulders.
As Dawn pulled her chestnut hair back into a loose ponytail, she caught her reflection in the room's small mirror. The clothes, combined with her distinctive eyes and rosy complexion, gave her an aura of serene elegance. Yet, a stark contrast emerged from her arms. Old scars, varying in size and shape, bore testament to her life outside the Nexus. They stood out, stark against her fair skin, each one a chapter from her past.
Descending the stairs, she felt a mixture of vulnerability and determination. The scars, normally hidden by the longer sleeves and pants she wore, were now on full display. Entering the living space, Dawn was immediately met with Lina's gaze.
Lina's appearance was always a perfect blend of practicality and grace. Her dark, almost black hair was tied in a practical bun, revealing a strong neck and ears adorned with simple metal earrings. Her olive-toned skin was smooth, with only a hint of the weariness that came with running a shop in the Nexus. Her hazel eyes, always alert and curious, now held a hint of surprise as they took in Dawn's appearance.
Gralen, with his silver-streaked hair and deep-set blue eyes, was seated across from another older gentleman. His rugged face, marked by time and hard work, now showed a slight frown as he noticed Dawn's scars. His own attire, a simple long-sleeved shirt and trousers, was stained and worn from work.
The other man, with a full white beard and a mane of hair to match, looked up from the board game, his sharp green eyes studying Dawn intently. His features, though old, were chiseled and his posture gave off an air of regality. He wore a rich maroon robe, hinting at a stature or tradition from beyond the Nexus.
Gralen broke the silence, his voice gruff, "Dawn, this is my old friend, Eldric. He's been beating me at 'Sentries and Shadows' for as long as I remember."
Eldric offered a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "A pleasure, young lady." His voice was deep, carrying years of wisdom and authority. The glance he gave Dawn's scars was fleeting, but she caught the momentary flicker of recognition in his eyes.
Lina moved closer to Dawn, her protective instinct evident. "Those clothes suit you," she said, trying to divert attention from the scars. "Though we should probably get you something longer for the arms, for protection while working."
Gralen, sensing Dawn's discomfort, attempted to lighten the mood. "Lina's just worried you'll steal her title as the best-dressed mechanic in the Nexus."
Dawn, forcing a smile, replied, "I think that title's safe for now."
As they settled into their morning routines, the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed. However, Dawn's scars had added another layer to her enigma, and while the others were too polite to ask, their curiosity was palpable.
As the day progressed, the pace in Lina's shop was considerably relaxed thanks to both women working in tandem. Dawn would occasionally glance over at Lina, learning her methods and techniques, while Lina appreciated the extra pair of skilled hands. The duo quickly developed a rhythm, seamlessly shifting between tasks and filling gaps in their respective knowledge.
The hum of conversation from the table where Eldric and Gralen sat added a comforting ambiance to the room. They were engrossed in their board game, interspersed with bouts of laughter, cheers, and playful taunting. Every now and then, Gralen would exclaim in mock frustration, only for Eldric to chuckle, taking another sip from the glass of amber liquid in front of him.
As Dawn was recalibrating a device, she remembered the blueprint she had acquired upon leveling up. The Holoprojector, a device capable of displaying three-dimensional projections, could be a valuable asset in the shop, assisting with diagnostics and visual demonstrations for clients. More than that, she realized that it would be a way for her to make a tangible contribution and prove her value to the team.
Lina, noticing Dawn's pensive expression, asked, "Something on your mind?"
Pulling up a rough blueprint, and all the needed parts, on the shop PDA, Dawn showcased the blueprint. "The Holoprojector. I think it could be really beneficial here. What do you think?"
Lina studied it with interest. "Impressive. But we'll need specific parts. Some might be a bit challenging to source."
Dawn's eyes lit up with determination. "I'm willing to try. Maybe with our combined networks and resources..."
Gralen, overhearing the conversation, chimed in, "If it's rare parts you need, Eldric here might know a guy or two." He gave Eldric a teasing nudge.
Eldric, leaning back with a smirk, said, "Oh, I might indeed. But it won't come cheap."
Lina and Dawn exchanged glances, sensing an opportunity. "Perhaps we could work out a deal?" Lina suggested.
The day unfolded with the four of them brainstorming, bartering, and delving into the intricacies of constructing the Holoprojector. It was a day of collaboration and camaraderie, as they blended their respective expertise and resources.
By the time evening rolled around, they had managed to secure most of the parts needed. They sat around the wooden table, a meal of hearty stew and freshly baked bread laid out. The warm, aromatic steam wafted through the shop, creating an atmosphere of comfort and contentment.
Between mouthfuls, Gralen grumbled about the 'injustice' of losing to Eldric yet again. Lina and Dawn discussed potential uses for the Holoprojector, from business applications to the fun of creating personal holographic memories. Eldric, mostly silent, watched the dynamics with an amused glint in his eyes.
Eldric's presence at the table was markedly different from the others. While Gralen wore his emotions like a well-fitted jacket, Eldric's demeanor was subtle, always a step away from revealing too much. His keen observations didn't go unnoticed by Dawn, especially when she felt the weight of his gaze on her every now and then. There was an ever-present layer of curiosity, almost scrutiny, when he looked at her.
The conversation was light and filled with laughter at first. Gralen, swirling the last remnants of his drink, pointedly looked at Eldric, "You let me win, didn't you?"
Eldric raised an eyebrow, smirking, "In your dreams, old friend."
Dawn, noticing the friendly banter, chimed in, "You two seem to have quite a history."
Gralen chuckled, "Oh, we do. Mostly of him outsmarting me."
Eldric shrugged, "Only when it counts." There was a mysterious twinkle in his eye, suggesting layers upon layers of shared experiences between the two old friends.
Lina, tearing a piece of bread, directed the conversation to more neutral ground. "So, Dawn, what led you to the Nexus?"
Dawn hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath, "Let's just say the surface wasn't kind to me. I needed a fresh start."
Eldric leaned forward, intrigued. "The surface? You've been there?" His gaze became more piercing, "It's rare to find someone from the outside, especially someone as young as you."
Dawn, feeling a bit cornered, replied, "Survival is a powerful teacher. And luck, I guess."
Eldric's curiosity was palpable. "And yet, here you are, offering innovations like the Holoprojector. You're full of surprises."
Dawn met his gaze, a mix of defiance and openness. "Life has taught me that being static is a recipe for disaster. Adapting, learning, and evolving are essential."
Gralen noticed the slight tension and jumped in, "Enough about the past! Let's talk about now. This Holoprojector is a fantastic idea. We'll be the talk of the Nexus!"
Lina nodded in agreement, "And we'll have Dawn to thank for it."
The atmosphere lightened once more, but throughout the evening, Dawn could feel Eldric's gaze on her. It wasn't entirely unwelcome; she sensed no malice. But there was a depth to it, an insatiable curiosity that she couldn't place.
They continued chatting, mostly about their daily lives, the shop, and potential projects. Eldric, while participating, would often slip into the role of observer, occasionally directing pointed questions at Dawn. Each question seemed innocuous on its own but collectively painted a picture of someone gathering information.
By the end of the evening, Dawn felt both welcomed and slightly wary. She couldn't put a finger on it, but she knew there was more to Eldric than met the eye.
As the evening wore on, the rich aromas from their meal had all but dissipated, replaced by the soft glow of overhead lights and the occasional creak of the wooden floor. The table was scattered with empty plates, crumbs, and half-empty glasses.
Gralen, looking more relaxed now, began regaling the group with an old tale of his youth, an adventure he and Eldric had shared decades ago. The story involved a mischievous bet, a malfunctioning hoverbike, and an angry pack of dust hounds. Everyone at the table laughed at the antics of the younger versions of Gralen and Eldric, with Eldric occasionally correcting or embellishing parts of Gralen's retelling.
However, even amidst the levity, Dawn was acutely aware of the subtleties in Eldric's interactions. There were times when his gaze would linger on her just a second too long, or when he'd ask her an innocent-sounding question that felt oddly specific. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was evaluating her, gauging her reactions, probing for more than just casual conversation.
Lina seemed to notice the dynamics as well, occasionally directing the conversation away from potentially sensitive topics or filling in the silence with a new topic.
As they began clearing the table, Eldric turned to Dawn, "You've made quite an impression here. It's rare to see someone adapt so quickly to the Nexus, especially with such unique skills."
Dawn hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "It's been... a journey. But I'm grateful for the second chance."
Eldric nodded thoughtfully, "Second chances are a gift, but they're also a responsibility. One has to make the most of them."
Dawn met his gaze squarely, "I intend to."
A brief silence enveloped the table, broken by Gralen's boisterous laughter as he accidentally spilled a drink. Lina, suppressing a smile, handed him a cloth, while Eldric simply shook his head with an amused grin.
The evening eventually began to wind down, with Gralen yawning loudly and declaring it was past his bedtime. Eldric, after a final shared drink with his old friend, made his way to the door.
Before leaving, he turned to Dawn, "I hope to see more of your innovations, young lady. The Nexus can always use bright minds." With a nod to Lina and Gralen, he stepped out into the night.
Lina watched him go, then turned to Dawn, her expression thoughtful. "Eldric's an old friend, but he's always been... hard to read. Just be careful around him."
Dawn nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease. "Thanks, Lina. I'll keep that in mind."
As the door to the shop closed and the lights dimmed, Dawn was left with a swirling mix of emotions. The warmth of newfound friendship, the promise of a fresh start, but also the shadow of intrigue that Eldric had unwittingly cast.
While Eldric, stood outside the door of the shop. Pulled out his phone as he started walking down the street, getting into a black car that waited around the corner.
"Bastards let another slip through without us knowing. Will need to up the perimeter security again." He mumbled before smiling. "But who would have thought, that the big bad boogeyman left us a nice little gift." As he looked at his phone, the screen showing the image of Dawn. Along with a large bounty for her to be brought to back alive. The sender of the bounty, was none other then Venin. Causing Eldric to know that she was likely someone important, however after asking her a couple of specific questions, he felt that she wasn't a threat to them. Despite her being a whole lot younger then he would expect anyone who could get on the bad side of Venin to be. Added with the damage her body seems to have gone through, being clear to him as that of the rough mechanoids. And with Gralen mentioning the fiber mesh she was using as covering when she just arrived.
All this made him very curious, and made her someone to keep an eye on.