The Do district was rough. Squatty homes, some haphazardly built upon each other. Narrow alleyways and shops with large bright signs decorated the streets. Each building was brightly decorated as if they were making up for the lack of their occupants’ power. However, despite the colors, there was no attempt to upkeep them further than the first paint. Dust and flaked paint left the buildings in disrepair. The row of carriages traveling through were out of place. The guards were on high alert. Thankfully, the human men decided to live near the borders of the Re and Fa districts at an intersection where labor met manufacturing met the merchant class. While technically they lived in Do, the streets near the intersection were much nicer compared to the previous ones they had passed. It had better pavement and a few homes had bright plants on their window stills.

The carriage stopped at an address that had a four-story single apartments.

“Thank God he’s here. I was just about to tell Nue’ant I wanted Royce to move in with us. This side of town looks more decent,” Juliana said, “I’ll make the suggestion to him anyways.”

Jun’ep was on alert as he looked around, “But why did he choose to live on the Do side? With his stipend he should be able to afford Mi housing.”

A throat cleared. Royce was leaning on his door’s open frame, “I could hear you from the street you know. And I’m sure the rest of the elves can too—with their long ears I’m sure they miss nothing. Come inside.”

Royce poured glasses of a milky white sweet liquid as they sat around a humble table. “Hi Juliana. Jun’ep informed me you’d might stop by. Thanks for visiting. No, I don’t want to live with the Fa Judge. It’s all right. I choose to live in Do. It’s cheapest here. I’m saving my stipend at the bank. I’ve been trying to find work. Without power, those in Re and Mi won’t hire you. They’ll curse you out of their shops. I’ve been attacked in Mi for stepping on someone’s shoes, before a bystander pointed out I was just a human man. I’ve never seen someone apologize so fast. I hate this. Being ostracized.” Royce emptied his glass.

“Are you alone here?”

“Mostly.”

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“What’s all this racket here?” A mean, throaty, masculine voice shouted outside of the door. Jun’ep instantly was on guard.

A man with an uneven haircut who smelled of stale sweat entered Royce’s house. When he saw the two women, he gave an uncomfortable smile. Jun’ep stood in between Juliana and the new arrival. The royal guards guarding Sophia had their hands on their sword hilts.

“What, I’m not going to hurt my own kind, elves. If your female wants to leave you and come play with me, I wouldn’t mind.”

Royce grimaced, “Alan? Why do you have to be like this? Go back home.”

“You think you’re better than me, Royce. Never. And these privileged bitches will never know how good they have it. Why are you even here?”

Juliana straightened, “To check on Royce. He was taken without ceremony. It wasn’t until just recently I learned where he was.”

“But until then you were living it up high with the elves. Pampered, adored. Meanwhile we’re treated like the shit beneath your shoe,” Alan sneered. “Did you know when we arrived the elves neglected to mention that we all lose our memories? If I’d known that, I’d have written a diary of everything important to my life. Or killed an elf on the first day. I now know nothing of the past. Of Earth. You all get to keep everything with a mana exchange. And what do we men get? A short hard life of disrespect.”

“Stop being a bitter son-of-a-bitch. I finally have some company from earth besides your miserable ass.”

“At least you have blonde hair and from a distance Adasions think you’re Mi. They see my brown hair and think I was a criminal cut off from mana! They step around me, Royce. Everyday, I am not looked at in the eye. Treated like a damn pariah!”

Alan pointed at Juliana, “I used to be respected. I was a middle manager in a company. People worked for me.” He pulled out a business card he kept in his pocket. Its edges were worn, its text faded. “I don’t remember it, but it has to be true! Look! This is the evidence. I hate this entire planet. Go on, stay with these bitches. I’m out.” Alan sneered again and left.

“Well, he was a tornado, wasn’t he?” Sophia mused.

“He’s lonely. Never could find a wife from the women. I wonder why,” Royce wryly said.

“Is that what you’re hoping for? To find a wife?” Sophia asked.

Her Mi guard spoke, “Lady Sophia, I remind you that as a Sol level transfer, you can only have one Adasion and partner, and that’s their Highness Hirote.”

Sophia flipped her hair, “That is not true. I can match with any Sol, and yes, that includes their Highness Hirote.”

One of the Mi guards mumbled, “The prince will not like to hear this.”