Earth, 20XX
Sep. 32nd
7:30 A.M.
Ash is a young adult, living in the thriving metropolis of New York City. He has lived there for his entire life. NYC is not a place where crazy things don't happen per say, but if Ash were to look back at today, he would pray to every god in existence to not walk to work today.
Ash worked as a book reviewer for a very large company, Silos and Aristocracy. He was treated fairly, worked hard, and even had a little crush on his coworker, Marie. She did not like him back.
Ash was a tall, fit, and handsome man by all definition. He was 6' tall, had shiny brown hair, refined facial structure, and fit body. He was a sad virgin so for his 25-year life he was missing a lot.
Ash was never successful with ladies as he was the exact definition of a 'forgettable face.' All women in his school hardly ever talked to him let alone show interest in the boy.
The surprising factor was that he was attractive. Yes, the forgettable boy was the dreamy one. But not one woman on earth could realize his charm for some inexplicable reason. Without the appreciation from the opposite gender, Ash grew a confidence issue which prevented him from moving away from the forgettable look on his face. You see it wasn't his beauty that made him a real life phantom, it was his stature and temperament. His ever-present sullen expression made people unconsciously not remember him. The reason for this was his stupid but loving parents. More into that will be explained later.
One of Ash's most important traits was his abnormal brain. He loved thinking of every little thing, and he wanted to solve everything with his intellect.
Work for Ash today was supposed to be easy as today was leap day. Leap day was the holiday where people went to work, but no one did any work. Ash however, decided 'I'll read the next book on my schedule to get ahead.'
Ash's next book was special. No one in the company had given him this task, as he had found this book himself on the sidewalk while walking to work yesterday and convinced himself to review it. What Ash did not know was that this book had fallen from the sky as he turned the corner onto that street. No one else noticed the book on the ground and consequently, no one noticed Ash pick it up.
Dismissing his coincidental flashback, Ash arrived at his office. Silos and Aristocracy's HQ. As he walked through the door he waved at Marie the receptionist, but she didn't even react. Feeling as though this day, she would react to his bright smile, Ash was severely disappointed that he could not be spared a glance by this cold beauty.
Going up to the elevator Ash saw his only friend in the whole world right next to him. Ash usually would have noticed someone creep up behind him but his friend, Blink, had an unusual condition. Blink was special as not very many people would even notice he was there. The name Blink was actually a nickname given to him by Blink's only friend, Ash.
These two were perfect for each other as they were both odd in very similar ways. Before, during, and after work these two were in great rapport as they shared ideals and social positions. But don't assume they are carbon copies as Blink tended to lean towards the darker side of his thoughts while Ash saw the bright side.
As Ash saw Blink these two started talking about the biannual leap day.
"Hello Blink, are you ready to do nothing today?"
"not that i do much any other day."
Blink was not the best fan of talking more than he needed too so Ash never tried to pry extra words from his tightly sealed lips.
These two fake apparitions then headed to the elevator to go their floor, Review Floor 17. Review Floor 17 was a very bland floor purely made of above-average cubicles and small areas made for reading books in hand or on the screens.
The two friends read very different types of books, which was obvious due to their differing personalities that almost completely contrasted each other. Ash read large amounts of a large variety. His favorites and the ones he couldn't put down were most definitely the different world fantasy books. Ever since he was a child, he craved to explore the unknown, utilize power greater than mortal, and slay giant creatures.
He also craved a romance just like the ones in the novels he reads all the time. They gave him heartaches but since his life lacked romance he tried to fulfil with endless amounts of lovey-dovey dramas.
While in the elevator Ash noticed 3 other coworkers with him and Blink, Stacy the annoying one, Blake the arrogant one, and Zack the new intern. Ash's opinion of them was evident in the way he associated them with one adjective each. Stacy whined about her terrible boyfriend who treated her and his other girlfriends poorly (Stacy never learnt about these women). Blake was this all-state running back at his high school and everyone was sick of hearing about his 'real' amazingly attractive girlfriend who lives in Staten Island. His impression of Zack was not firm enough to like or dislike him.
Getting off the elevator on Review Floor 17 Ash and Blink went over to their desks ignoring the constant bickering of Blake and Stacy as it was the same old same old. As they arrived Blink popped a question to Ash that he popped every day of work the last 3 years when they sat down in those adequately comfortable chairs
"ready to start the new day?"
"I couldn't motivate myself more if I tried Blink."