"Theo! Please help me!"
Theo opened his eyes, the memory of what happened ten years ago still fresh on his mind.
"Lori…" He yawned, then rubbed his eyes. Theo then turned his head casually to the side so that he could peer outside his dormitory window. He was tired, having just woken from a midday nap, one that didn't offer him much in terms of tranquility or restfulness.
The winds of magic were quite fierce today.
Looking outside, Theo Serrano rested his chin in the palm of his hand while propping his elbow on the windowsill. Lightning flashed in the skies above and the clouds were thick and tumultuous. He could just picture the columns of wind circulating beyond the distant walls of the city. Under the hollowed dome roof that encircled the universities campus grounds, one could barely see the weather beyond the cusp of the horizon, but even still, the swirls of red clouds twirling above made him want to leave campus and tour the cities wall to get a better look.
It was on days like this, when everyone stayed inside, that Theo liked to spend his time daydreaming and drawing ever more elaborate blueprints for Zeniths. His latest pile of drawings was sprawled all over his desk; the obsidian paperweight, a keepsake from his home, kept all of his work neatly in place. He supposed he could get back to work and play around with a smaller design, one with plenty of room for a loft and private bar perhaps? Then again, if he ever wanted an airship that could go beyond any established map, while being able to hover over the storms, he would need something with plenty of storage space.
Zeniths were the only means of travel between cities in this world of storms, and they were the prized vehicle of privateers and freebooters. Without one, any expedition would've been impossible, unless—of course—one were willing to travel by Dreadnaught, something that was well beyond his grasp. Thinking on that, Theo sighed to himself.
Suddenly, lightning streaked against the lip of the cities shield, causing a mystical cascade of energy to wash down the curvature of its enveloping light. It was like watching fireworks in the early night sky. The dusky evening sun briefly glowed with a dirty red and orange hue, followed swiftly by an azure glow before settling back to normal.
Theo sighed again, deciding that maybe it was a good time to watch something instead, anything to help pass the time. His eyes wandered to the collection of video tapes on his shelf. His favorite vid series, 'Dark Elf Step Sister, the Desperate Tales of an Honest Paladin' and '36 Hours', had scuffs on their casings from frequent use. He also had 'Take me to the Moon', which was just delivered; He rented it numerous times, and was excited to get a copy from a limited physical release. Despite its bittersweet—some would argue sad—ending, he loved the series as a whole and vowed to watch it at least once a month.
Thinking on that, Theo sighed, then walked over to the other side of his dorm to where the video monitor sat on a shared dresser. He reached for 'Take me to the Moon' and then unsheathed the cassette from its cardboard case. The artwork on front was chipped but still interesting to look at; a picturesque starry sky with a lone figure standing next to a grave on the moon. The white and red sediments of the moon's surface seemed mystical, while the world below was curtained in storms.
There were those who believed peopled walked on the moon before the time of the storms. Although Theo was skeptical. The movie depicted a possible future where going back might be possible. The movie was brimming with action and violence, all the while revolving around a love story.
He inserted the video tape into the player, then sat back down at his desk. Just as he was about to reach for the hidden bottle of whiskey under his chair, someone came barreling through his front door. His roommate had returned from his late afternoon seminar, and he was soaking wet. His umbrella was little more than a broken metal rod, the acid-resistant material had been ripped apart.
"What happened?" Theo asked, having frozen the whiskey bottle mid-pour. He quickly pressed the pause button, before putting the bottle down.
"Tried to slay some elf puss!" Atticus burst out laughing while settling in his chair alongside his own desk. The chair squealed under the weight of his muscular bulk. He took off his shirt, exposing his olive toned skin and abdominal muscles, and cast it aside while leaning back in his chair.
Atticus was the very definition of a typical Attilan district man; tall, well built—meaning well fed—and he had his blonde hair cut short. He had a square jaw, a somewhat blocky face, and bright blue eyes.
Theo fought back a laugh, not sure how to respond to his friend's sudden bizarre outburst. This kind of behavior was typical for his roommate, often fantasizing about sleeping with any number of the other women on campus. Lately he had a fixation toward one of the dormitory residential counselors, the dark elf with the giant rack and long silver hair. Theo could never remember her name, he struggled with remembering most people's names unless they were actually important to him, or threateningly dangerous. And when it came to women, there was only one that was always on his mind.
"Really? Just, really?" Theo resumed pouring his drink. It was a cheap brand of whiskey, but it did the job. The job being getting really drunk before watching a movie or playing a game.
"It's that Nila chick," Atticus spouted with raw enthusiasm.
"Didn't ask." Theo finished filling up his cup.
"She's fucking gorgeous dude, like ten out of ten, hot as fuck gorgeous!" Atticus was practically giddy, which was something that seemed comical given his size.
Theo paused before taking his first sip. "Wait… Nila… Nila…" He searched his memory, pondering where he heard that name before. "Wait… Are you talking about that dark elf chick on the bottom floor?"
"Yeah, you've seen her?" Atticus seemed mystified.
"Seen her? Dude, you really shouldn't mess with that. She's…got a reputation." More like a long list of broken hearts scattered all over the place as if discarded with a hand grenade, is what Theo wanted to say. Perhaps he should've gone with that instead.
There were plenty of rumors, Theo wasn't sure which—if any—were to be believed. He couldn't help but assume she had a chip on her shoulder, given the amount of depression she caused. There were four people on there floor alone who were teased by her sexual wiles, only to be left out to dry in the most embarrassing of situations and places.
Theo cringed, just thinking about it.
"I don't care about whatever reputation she has." Atticus stood his ground.
"You really should, it's not—"
"Who doesn't have baggage already?" Atticus then paused. "Well, not counting you I guess. Seriously though, when are you going to get out and meet people?"
Not a bad way to try and change the subject. Theo looked at the whiskey, debating what to say next. He stirred his cup, wishing he had something made of glass.
Atticus got up from his chair and began searching through his closet for a new set of clothes. "Don't look so gloomy, you just gotta—"
"That chick," Theo paused for affect, "Will flirt with you, and suck every last Siin you have before putting you in a corner so you can watch her screw someone else."
Atticus was taken aback by that. "No she wouldn't, she's an angel."
"She's a dark elf! They get off on—"
"Don't be racist."
"Fine, go ahead," Theo through up his arms. "Knock your socks off. Just don't come sobbing back to me, asking for alcohol, after she throws you away." Theo sighed, looking at the whiskey bottle. "Shit, I'm going to run out soon."
Atticus sat back down, then leaned back. He obviously wanted to keep talking about this, but his eyes darted to the side. A sign of embarrassment, perhaps? "Any chance you want to play war hounds?" He motioned toward the gaming console next to the monitor.
"Sure." Theo resigned himself from watching his movie. He also resigned himself from being able to enjoy his spirits alone. He searched for another small cup for his roommate so they could split what they had left together. One day he would afford a proper set of shot glasses, but for now this would have to do.
For the next several hours, the two of them played video games well into the evening without saying another word involving seductive dark elves. And yet, every few hours, in between sessions, Theo's fingers would tap the surface of his desk, often brushing the blueprints he was still drawing.
"Still pissed about not getting to go on that expedition?" Atticus' voice interrupted his thoughts. He must've noticed his focus was slipping.
Theo slammed his fist down, not wanting to be reminded of his application being passed over. Rejected. Expeditions into the badlands were few and far between, unless you were a part of the freebooters guild, and always came back with riches from the old world. Sometimes new magical or technological discoveries were obtained, earning the explorer's obscene wealth, and prestige.
Of course, it helped to have the backing of a major corp. That, or a special privilege from the TannReign. Without either of those, it was a trial by luck kind of experience. A pick of the draw where Theo had few special favors to cash in. And no amount of special designs or fantastical dreams would change that.
The University could only fund so many expeditions each year, and Theo had yet to trust the privateer system as well. This left his hope of exploration in shambles, with no clear resolution in sight.
The storms were worst this year, further limiting the number of expeditions the university could raise and organize. Theo applied to all of them, twice even for a few, and all of Theo's work had to show for it was a small pile of rejection letters. He suspected the reason; suspected his mother had something to do with it.
"Of course. Why bring it up?" Theo looked over to his roommate, noticing the whiskey bottle was almost completely empty now. "Shit…"
"You know, I bet I know where we can get some more?" Atticus' speech had become slurred.
"No," Theo replied emphatically. He knew exactly where his mind was going.
"Come on bro."
"NO!" Theo knew there was nothing he could do to stop what was about to happen next.
"Fuck it, I'm going to see if she has some." Atticus put his controller down, and just as Theo predicted, started marching to the door.
"Don't you fucking dare!" Theo chased after him.
Atticus opened the door and stormed out into the hallway, a bolt of lightning flashed through the window behind them, as if highlighting the tension perfectly.
"Fuck fuck fuck fuck!" Theo raced after him.