Amethyst and Frank walk out of their room, their steps echoing slightly on the hardwood, one more than the other's.

They exchange good mornings with Frank's parents, who are both already up, but of course, not in the literal sense.

“How was your sleep?” Eicel asks from the bottom of the bed.

“Fantastic.” Amethyst answers.

Frank looks at Amethyst. “Yes, no complaints...”

“Is that so…?” Eicel says in an alluding tone.

“Well… Frank, what do you have planned for today? You'll take Amethyst out on a date into the city, right?

I guess it was pretty obvious...

“That's right.”

“Please, tell me all about it! Where will you go?”

“Yeah! I want to know too!” Amethyst chimes in.

“All in good time…”

Hyon coughs and clears his throat. “Son, while that is all well and good… Isn’t your ISSA court appointment tomorrow?

It’s been all over the news for a while…”

“That’s right...”

“What are you going to do? I trust you will see your spouse to be made a member of the United Galaxy successfully.

Do you really have time for sightseeing now?”

Before Frank can answer, Eicel butts in.

“All in good time! For now, he’s going to take Amethyst on a date and show her around Metropolis, right?

How about... you two get back before dark, and you’ll have plenty of time to prepare for it!”

“What do you think, Amethyst? I mean… we could always wait after the whole ISSA thing to go out…”

“I’d rather do it now though...”

“I’m inclined to agree.” Frank smiles.

“I guess it can’t be helped.

“Way to bring down the mood, Hyon, don’t be such a worrywart!”

Frank's mother turns back to them. “Please, show Amethyst a good time!”

“I- ugh… I will.”

“Take care of Frank, won’t you Amethyst?”

“O-oh course, um- Miss Sinett.”

Eicel waves a coy hand at her. “Oh, such a charmer, aren’t you.”

“Right… have fun out there and… be careful.”

Hyon looks at both of them for a moment and then turns on the massive television again.

“Thanks.” They leave the living room behind.

“Breakfast before we go?” Frank points to the kitchen with an open palm.

“Yes!”

They turn around to the kitchen that’s just a few steps away along the corridor toward the door.

It’s a clean, and barren space. Empty tabletops, sink with nothing next to it on the metal surface.

Frank opens the fridge.

“I should have seen this coming.”

It’s completely empty, apart from well-packaged ready meals, that are no doubt reserved for his parents. Regardless of this being his home, breakfast wouldn't be found here.

“Looks like we’ll have to go to the city sooner than I thought.”

Amethyst peeks over and takes a look too.

“I see... We definitely shouldn’t eat meals meant for your parents.”

As Frank closes the fridge door, at the same time, the sound of the apartment’s door opening and closing sounds.

“Good morning, how are we feeling today?”

“Good Morning, Pirjo!”

“You won’t believe who’s visiting!” Eicel exclaims.

“Oh, you have guests?” Steps approach and she comes into view on the corridor. She looks around and glances into the kitchen, finding Frank and Amethyst.

“Oh! Hello! How nice of you to visit your parents, Frank!” She beams with a genuine smile, on her blue lips.

Frank cannot get a word out, he just stands there gobsmacked.

“Hello! Nice to meet you, I’m Amethyst. You must be Pirjo?”

“Oh, hi! I’ve seen you on TV! You’re-”

Amethyst and Pirjo continue making small talk, while Frank tries to wrap his head around the situation.

Blue skin, smooth and shiny... those red visor glasses...

Her long blue ears are disguised with mechanical plates from the back extending them even further, up and down, akin to the ears of a great reptile.

And a metal headband clasped on her forehead, adorning a blue-purple, lustrous gem.

Pirjo is without a doubt, a Sinel.

As if it isn’t obvious enough already, she wears a stereotypical maid outfit, with black and white frills to boot.

Truly something nobody else, no other race, would actually wear casually, or had worn, since the very, very early days of Earth’s history.

“Frank, are you okay?” Amethyst whispers. “Shouldn’t you say hi?”

“R-right. Sorry. Nice to meet you, Pirjo.”

Frank extends a hand, and they shake.

“Thank you for taking care of my parents for all these years.”

“It’s my pleasure. It hardly even feels like a job.”

Pirjo leans closer to Frank and whispers.

“Even if they can sometimes be a handful. You know what I mean, I’m sure.”

Frank quietly nods, knowing exactly what she’s talking about.

“It’s so nice of you to come visit your parents, you’re all they ever talk about!”

Pirjo says it directed to the living room and smiles as she hears the disagreeing murmurs before continuing:

“I hope you’re here to stay a while rather than just visiting briefly.”

“Well, maybe. We did stay the night already…”

Frank says quieter keeping the conversation between the three of them.

“We might get a hotel for tonight perhaps, what do you think Amethyst?”

“I don’t mind staying here.” She answers readily.

“In fact, I think I’d prefer to stay here instead of a hotel.”

“Would you now? Uh, well, nothing to it then. I suppose we can stay here, at least until our matters are finished.”

After that… well, I suppose I’ll talk to Amethyst once it's time to figure it out.

I won’t worry about that now…

“Great, thanks, Frank!”

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to provide you with any catering services despite your stay, but I can at least clean your room a bit more actively.”

“That’s fine. And if you don’t mind me asking, how did you end up taking care of my parents? Do you work for the hospital, are you a nurse?”

“No… I was just taught how to do all the things needed to take care of them and was hired from an ad they posted.”

“Really?”

“You know how Dust Sentence happened soon after they got sick? All available nurses and doctors were focused on that, by an emergency decree accepted by the populace.

So, as soon as I was trained as a replacement, the nurse left them in my care.”

“So… you’ve been doing this job… for a decade?”

“Yes… but that's not the problem. I feel bad for your parents...

Who knows, without the Dust Sentence, perhaps a cure for their unique disease may have been found.

Pursuing it was completely halted back then. This so-called treatment being a 'good enough' solution. And nobody’s tried to take up the research since then.”

“Have you mentioned this to the hospital?” Frank asks.

“Many times, but, I’m not even working for them, as your parents pay me directly.

I just have the rights to purchase the blood and medicine from them directly, so, it’s not like I have any authority in those circles.”

Pirjo sighs, his eyes behind the red visor look down. Her covered ears droop down as well.

“A sickness nobody’s seen before, that only two people have, that has stayed the same for ten years. I suppose it’s simply of no interest to anyone anymore.”

Amethyst, who has hung her head low from the start of the conversation, breaks her silence.

“But why? They are sick, therefore, they should be treated and cured, right? So, why don’t they do anything?”

Pirjo shakes her head. “I suppose it’s seen as not worth the trouble. It’s not cost-effective to start up expensive tests to figure out something that’ll help only two people.

If a cure would even be found as a result, that is.”

“But we're talking about lives here! How can that be right?”

“It is what it is, Amethyst. People just slip through the cracks sometimes.”

“F-Frank!?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m angry and frustrated about it too, but… getting worked up over it won’t change anything now.

If I was here… maybe I could have made a difference, but it's too late now.

They probably don’t have too long left, I’m just glad I was able to meet them again, make them smile again... before...”

“Believe me, Frank, just you being here has helped them immensely.”

Pirjo’s maid uniform makes a ruffling noise, as she places a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s all they wanted—the chance to see their son again was without a doubt the driving force that kept them going.

And now that you’re here, I’m sure they don’t want to let go of you any time soon.”

“Thank you, Pirjo. For everything, really.”

“Just doing my job.” She chuckles, withdraws her hand, and adjusts her headdress.

For the moment, Amethyst and Frank sit down by the kitchen table, feeling the need to have a small reprieve to process all of this.

A silent moment to come to terms with reality, their grievances, and regrets.

Meanwhile, Pirjo proceeds to the fridge and starts preparing some meals and some medical shots and pills. She rustles about—a calming background susurration, easing the pressure in their minds.

She leaves to the living room for a while, the talking of Frank’s parents and Pirjo echoes, as she serves the medicine and food.

After that, she makes some noise that is likely associated with changing the blood tanks.

After a while, she arrives back in the kitchen.

“You’re still here? Weren’t you supposed to be going somewhere?”

Amethyst answers.

“Yeah, but… how could we-”

“Oh, shush, just because things are hard, or even sad, that shouldn’t be a barrier for not having a good time yourself.

Hyon and Eicel would hate if their state would ruin your day.”

A faint smile that becomes resolute flows on Amethyst’s lips. “You’re right. We will have so much fun, they won’t believe it when we come back to tell them later!”

“That’s the spirit!”

Frank nods and stands up firmly, with Amethyst following.

“In that vein... We’re looking for somewhere to have breakfast, know of any good places around? I never really spent time at this part of Compassion.”

“Hmm, there’s a nice coffee shop a few streets down. It’s got a real great selection too, all sorts of drinks, sandwiches, pastries, and even ice cream!”

“Oh my- That sounds amazing! Frank, can we go there, please?!”

“Sure, why not?”

Pirjo is about to say something but puts down her hand and shakes her head.

“I’m sure you’ll enjoy the atmosphere, I used to work there part-time before this job, you know? But regardless, it's a non-biased recommendation.

The place is called: ‘Served hot and cold.’”

She then gives them brief instructions on how to get there from the apartment.

“Thank you, we’ll be on our way then.”

They exit the apartment into the stairwell, and soon Amethyst has a question.

“What’s ice cream? Frozen… cream?”

“You’ll see. It’s much better than that.”

***

Unlike in the late night, as soon as they step outside, they see many people walking or driving, going about their business.

The dense crowds remind them of the bridge in the night, but now spread everywhere.

Curiously, with the abundant light of the red giant sun, the floating orb lights are nowhere to be seen anymore.

They set out onto the wide walkways, with two lanes of traffic going in both directions on the bigger streets, with frequent crosswalks across or over for pedestrians.

All around them, the striking Metropolis architecture is that much more visible in the daylight.

The buildings seem to enjoy using bridge-like shapes in their design, additionally, there are some that are connected from high up with actual bridges.

Even many of the tall buildings use similar curvature, long tall arches, rounded corners, swirling decorative metal branching off windowsills, and balcony edges.

Somehow, it painted an old and rustic atmosphere, while the technology around was nothing but.

Billboards and neon lights existed in harmony and moderation, but still being nearly as important and existing part as the rest of the architecture.

Large windows, or a lot of smaller ones segmented into a larger function, seem to be popular in shops as well as any other building.

Blue is definitely the most predominant color, but also nearly all colors were represented in the painted walls, though in muted pastel colors, that all blended without disrupting each other.

Occasionally, spaceships would fly in the sky, or land on top of the very tallest of skyscrapers around.

Amethyst and Frank enter a shopping street that is pedestrian-only.

The buildings' height fell by half at least in comparison to the residential area, but that effort seems to be put into the sides instead.

The storefronts are that much more decorative; orbs, swirls and arches made each a spectacle to behold.

Sometimes there are even automated escalators leading to the shops higher above the street, or wide stairs that lead to rooftops that have many smaller open-air market stalls.

All around, even on the roofs, are large potted plants strewn around along with puffy bushes and hedge fences dividing up space.

Mainly on street level, lots of trees grow in their own designated areas, surrounded by circular stones on top of the dirt patch.

Frank points out to Amethyst a fenced-up tree area, that forms its own orchard in the heart of the city.

Lots of different fruit trees, a few bushes, and a small field growing so many things, that Frank couldn't recognize even half of them.

In the shade of the orchard, stalls sell drinks, baked goods, and seasoning grown right there, made from its bounty.

Paper bags and currency change hands at a rapid pace, but the queue in front of it doesn't seem to get any shorter.

Amethyst seems taken with the city so far, she's constantly asking questions from Frank, while her head spins around every which way.

And indeed, it is unlike anything she has ever seen, so many Sapients, countless beautiful sights, and all of it—built.

Built with purpose, with the hard work and cooperation of many species.

While untouched nature itself is miraculous and serene, something to cherish, this cityscape isn’t anything less, just different.

A fascinating place built with the sole purpose and goal to serve the Sapients that live here, this is their own forest that they have made to best suit them.

While nature itself could support life with its bounty and give them opportunities and dangers to overcome, they have opted out of those and created their own ecosystem here.

Something that's untouchable by outside forces, overcoming natural laws, something they ruled instead. Relying only on each other to provide, choosing to co-exist en-mass for stability and safety.

Perhaps cities and nature aren’t so far apart after all, especially, since Metropolis didn’t forget its roots—didn’t completely forsake nature.

She surprises herself with these thoughts, the cityscape feels so different, but somehow still weirdly familiar and welcoming.

“What’s that shop, Frank?”

“It’s a toy shop.”

“What are toys?”

“It’s something that mostly children play with, practicing social skills, making friends, having fun. That sort of thing.”

Amethyst walks up to the store window of 'Geld's Toys and Accessories'.

“How do you… play?”

“You make up stories and use your imagination to do whatever you wish to do. Sometimes, there’s no other purpose than to have fun, even if all you come up with is nonsense.”

“Hey, Frank? Is it just me, or does that look a bit like me?”

“You’re right! It’s says it right there! ‘Officially licensed ISSA product® ISSA MerchandiseTM Amethyst the Tyrchid’.”

Hands held against the window, Frank's head spins frantically as he spots Amethyst products one after the other.

“Y-you have your own toy line! A whole armada of them!”

Two kids walk out of the store, the other one holding an Amethyst action figure from the waist, swooshing with its swords using his hands.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

While the other has a bloblike figure that slowly changes through all colors.

“You’re just- just after the new thing, Tyrchid’s aren’t anything compared to the Flibmas! They can use any guns or technology, make a mecha suit out of their body!”

“Hah! But that doesn’t matter, since my Tyrchid would totally slice through your Flibma’s mecha armor and its goop body!

A million-degree blade goes like- swoosh and then splurt!”

“Nu-uh! He’d split from the middle! Flooo-whmp-! and reform after the strike!”

“No way! Flibma’s can’t survive the fire they’d go up like -wooosh! And turn into dust and ash!”

Amethyst and Frank listen in on the two kids debating over the important questions of life, before they run away, chasing each other.

Remaining completely oblivious to the fact, that the real deal stood right next to them.

There seems to be a range of Amethyst products on display, collectors statues, and figurines, then cheaper action figures made to actually be played with, and a plethora of various cheap merch like towels, clocks with Amethyst’s blades being the clock arms, bottle openers shaped like her head, the head wings being the part to open them up...

“This is… I don’t know what to say… I look like that? I mean, I’ve seen my reflection on water’s surface before, but...” Amethyst looks at the picture on the side of a box of a collector’s edition figurine.

“I suppose, you haven’t posed around any full-body mirrors before.”

Amethyst chuckles. “I’m pretty cool, right?” She turns to Frank and strikes a pose similar to one of the toys.

“Yeah, you sure are.” Frank grins.

“In fact, ISSA and everyone seems to be really taken with you. I don’t see myself in… any of these. Then again, it’d be pretty weird to have a normal bloke’s face in some mug.”

“I-I’m sure you’re in one of these at least!”

Amethyst looks through them, but even if she finds pictures that were taken when Frank was next to her, he’s been edited out, or the picture wraps back around on top of him.

“There really isn’t a single one with you included...”

Suddenly, a voice speaks from behind them, “Hmph, we don’t sell any ‘Frank’ products here. Those are the staples of totally different store lines.”

“Different stores? And… who are you?” Frank asks.

They turn around to see a human man, dressed in a snazzy multicolored plaid suit.

“Geld, the owner of this shop, of course. And let’s just say most products of you are for a totally different audience.

You know, a middle-aged man like you doesn’t really carry that universal appeal that a cool Sapient does.” He nods to Amethyst.

Hehe… I knew it, I’m pretty cool! She stands proud and nods to herself.

“Just what sort of products has ISSA made of me?”

Frank asks.

And I’m not middle-aged… just yet.

“Hmm, calendars, posters, pillowcases, interactive experiences… and some more hardcore products…”

He clears his throat. “Ahem, I think you get the gist. These sorts of things are more of my brother’s specialty that he sells in his shop: ‘Slivs’ T&A’.”

“What?! I read all of ISSA material from cover to cover, from their recruiting process to marketing ten years ago… How can they do such a thing?”

“Ten years ago? There’s your problem. Shortly after that, ISSA split from one unified organization into much smaller branches.

It’s been kept in the hush-hush on the public side, the reason hidden even from the employees.

There are rumors of many different reasons, ranging from simple restructuring, to maximizing profits and even to just dividing the management to allow for more meddling management.”

The storeowner leans in.

“But if you ask me… I think it can all be traced to a singular person passing away… not that ISSA would ever tell you that.”

“Who? How do you know all this?”

“Hmph, I’ve got lots of connections.” He looks at his hand and grins.

“But that’s enough rumors about one of my most important suppliers, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Right...”

“I’ve always wanted to confirm if they actually ask and get consent from their subjects for such explicit material, request you to do all this stuff post-production… or if they just enforce their contractual rights.

Thanks to you, I know it’s all fake. ISSA just conjures up cheap fakes and imitations. I bet some of my contacts would like to know of this...”

Frank shakes his head, processing all of it. The ISSA that he knew, and the one they’ve been working with so far.

When did ISSA become so shady? I used to think they were the paragons of morality… I really looked up to them, what they were doing…

If not for twist events, I could have worked for them myself…

The alien hospital idea was inspired by them too...

What if… applying for ISSA’s protection for Amethyst wasn’t such a good idea in the first place?

The organization does have the Intergalactic moniker at the front…

And when I tried to search for the details of its founding that one night, I couldn't find any details. Just a single name… but… that surname is also of the Galactic Police chief’s…?

“Frank… are you okay?”

“I… yeah. I was just thinking…”

He turns to the shopkeeper. “What do you know about the founding of ISSA, does the name… Aldricht say anything to you?”

Geld scoffs.

“Didn’t I already say that was enough of the rumors? And since I’ve been so forthcoming with you, I think it’s time for you to return the favor.”

“Erm…” Amethyst hesitates.

“Thanks a lot! I’ve got my kids’ birthdays coming up, and Daddy’s gotta make some bank for them, I’m sure you understand.”

“What are you-?” Frank is interrupted by the storeowner’s shout:

“Hey! The real Amethyst and Frank are here! Come and buy their merch from Geld’s Toys & Accessories and they’ll sign them for you, free of charge!”

As soon as the store owner shouts that, the nearby crowds freeze at a total standstill, turning to look at them.

The store owner winks at them and grins, “Good luck.” And throws them a black marker, that Frank catches before retreating inside the store.

The crowd stirs:

“Is that-?”

“Amethyst?”

“Can it be?”

Most of the crowd continues on their way, but some begin murmuring and approach them.

All sorts of Sapients seem interested, Garanea, Komodan, two Mun’aakas, and some that they haven’t seen so far.

The first to arrive is a blue-skinned Sinel woman, who stops before Amethyst.

“Hi-” but she’s pushed away by the gathering crowd.

Another person, a Garanea-human man takes her place.

“Amethyst! It’s great to meet you. Do you mind if I take a picture with you?”

“H-hi… Go ahead.”

“Thanks!” They tuck next to Amethyst’s side, forcing Frank out of the way, and their friend takes the picture.

They leave, and the next person from the circle of people around Amethyst takes their place.

“I just wanted to express my support for your people to become a part of the United Galaxy. I feel like you’ll be a great addition to the Galaxy as a whole with your unique talents.

If you’re looking for work for you or your friends, don’t hesitate to contact me, I’m sure there’s plenty of fields you could excel at.”

The businesswoman hands a physical, hard paper business card to her, reading: 'Felicity Hiring & Holdings Co.'

She hesitates before Amethyst’s lifted blades and just impales the card on her dagger hand.

“I’m looking forward to our future partnership.”

“R-right… thanks for um, the opportunity?”

Frank takes the card off her blade and reads it. “I think we might have to watch out for them, they don’t see much better than the store owner here...”

There’s movement inside the crowd, and Amethyst can see the blue woman elbow her way through.

As people look at who’s shoving them, their faces have conflicted reactions, and they take some distance.

Soon, the woman is at the front, but a person grabs her.

“Hey! Stop shoving and get back to the end of the line!”

“I was here first, you’re the ones who pushed me away.”

She breaks free from her grip.

“My bad, but I didn’t see any person before me. And I still don’t.” She’s a woman who’s with the group of the first man who requested a picture.

“Just say the word Amethyst, and we’ll drag this Sinel away from sullying your presence!”

The Sinel is silent, but looks anything but ready to give in.

“Uh… no-no, that won’t be necessary.” Amethyst waves her bladed hands before her. “She really was first before she got swept away.”

The ones obstructing her groan, but let her pass.

“Thanks, I won’t take a lot of your time, I just wanted to ask… if I can have an autograph.”

“Umm…” Amethyst hesitates.

Frank looks over the Sinel before them. Unlike others of her kind, she didn’t hide her long blue ears.

On the contrary, she's made them more prominent with large circlet earrings, which have some sort of text that he can't read engraved on them.

Additionally, she wears spiked cones atop her head, almost akin to decoy ears, attached to a hood or perhaps to headphones underneath.

She has tight jeans that came all the way up to her navel and an overly large neon-pink jacket loosely hanging around her arms across her back.

A loosely fitting white shirt covered her upper body, tucked into the jeans. She’s certainly the most street-smart Sinel, Frank had ever seen.

She held her hand to her waist, tapping the black fingernails against herself.

image [https://i.imgur.com/PQZIuzZ.png]

She looks at them both, one after the other, asking again:

“Can I have an autograph or not?”

She gestures toward the shirt she wears, which seems to have once had something of significance illustrated on it, but it's long faded away, leaving incomprehensible scribbles behind.

“Umm… Frank? Hello? What should we do?”

“Oh, sorry.” Frank pops the cork on the marker. “Can I just write the autographs to be from the both of us?”

“I’d prefer it was actually written by her.”

“Hmm… Amethyst, can you do it with your mouth if you hold onto this?”

“I… I guess?” Amethyst leans down and takes the marker between her lips.

The Sinel puffs out her chest toward her, it’s a bit difficult to press against the soft fabric, but she manages to make a sharp stylized 'A', between the space of her chest and shoulder on the upper right corner of the shirt.

“Whill dhat do?” Amethyst speaks with her lips held together, holding onto the marker.

“That’s great. Thanks.” She looks down at the A and touches it. “You’re an inspiration...” As soon as her longer exchange seems to be over, the Sinel is pushed out of the way by the overflowing crowd.

“Wait, what’s your name?” Frank asks, but he is pushed to the other direction from her, and away from Amethyst, before being spat out by the eager fans. The Sinel is nowhere to be seen anymore, concealed by the bustle of the city.

I wonder if that’s who I thought it was... she certainly fits the description.

At the same time, Amethyst is taken over with requests:

“Can you sign this poster?”

“What about this box?”

“And my towel!”

“Oghay, whan ad a thime, pwease!

“What are you going to do today, where were you going after?”

“What about once you’ve been approved by ISSA? What’s the first thing you’ll do?”

“Can I hug you?”

“N-no! Dhon’t chome so chlose! You might ghet hurt!”

“O-okay…”

Communicator models with cameras and real cameras flash, as this impromptu fan meetup venue becomes an even bigger gathering.

At the outskirts, people write their updates to their social gweb accounts, their faces glued to the screens, their fingers a blur.

If this meetup was known only to this street just a moment ago, that surely wouldn't stay true for long.

Damn, that shopkeep…

People eagerly flow into the store, as Frank leans to its window next to the door.

He looks in from the outside of the crowd, and Amethyst doesn’t have any time to pay him any mind.

I wonder if she realized I’m no longer by her side...

...

Amethyst is really popular… huh?

“Umm… excuse me?”

Two kids show up, queuing up before him.

“Are you, Frank?”

“That’s me, yeah.”

A grin appears on the boy's face.

“You looked so cool in G-TV when you fought those Sabertigers!”

“Oh- right. Thanks.” Frank combs his long hair with his hand.

“I want to be brave like you! Even though you are just a human, like me, you really showed them.”

“It takes bravery to just come up and talk to me in the first place. I’m sure you’re well on your way there.” Frank says and the boy nods happily.

“But, let me make one thing clear.”

“What?”

“You and I aren’t just humans.

We might not have cool swords attached to our bodies, nor can we fly or anything like that, but there are plenty of things other races can’t do that we can.

If it were true and we are any lesser than the others, why do you think Metropolis, a human planet, would be the cradle of the United Galaxy, the symbol of its unity between the different races?

Why here, and not somewhere else?”

“Wow… I think I get it.” The boy’s eyes shine. “Maybe, probably...”

He scratches his head and grins wide.

“Alright, be a good kid now and go and ask your parents about it. Ask them to teach you some more of Metropolis’ history and you’ll get it.”

“Okay, I will!”

After the boy runs off, a little girl takes his place. She doesn’t look at Frank, keeping her face toward the ground.

“My mom told me not to talk to strangers… but I know you from G-TV, so you’re no stranger, right?” She lifts her head.

“I don’t think that’s how it works, you should be wary of those you don’t know personally. Don’t trust things they say or promise too easily and don’t follow them anywhere secluded.

Okay?”

“Okay! But I trust you, so it’s fine!”

“Ehh… Well, do you want an autograph or something?”

“Yes, p-please.”

She holds out a notebook which cover is stamped with some insignia of a Metropolis school.

Once Frank has written her autograph, in cool longhand, the girl looks at it, and then back up again at him.

“I… I also wanted to say…”

Frank waits silently with a reassuring smile for her to work up the courage to continue.

“I thought you made a really good teacher… I think I want to become a teacher too.”

“Oh, I’m nothing special, but I’m glad I was inspiring nonetheless.”

“Don’t say that! You’re like at least 178% better than all of my teachers!”

“Okay, okay. I must be better than I thought…”

Or this kid must have some really terrible teachers…

“I want to show the other kids what a good teacher is like! Teach them all about everything- and- and- everything there is to know!”

Frank chuckles “You’ll make a terrific teacher, I’m sure. Just study hard and you’ll make it. But don’t overdo it, you’ve got to have the energy to teach once you’re there.”

“Okay!” She slams the book closed between her hands and beams radiantly. “I’ll become the universe’s best teacher, you’ll see, Frank!”

“Looking forward to it!” Frank shouts after her, as she’s already skipping away.

“What good kids...”

He leans back against the window, crosses his arms, and closes his eyes. The bustle of the street turns into a calming background noise.

As far as he's concerned, Amethyst can take all the time she needs, this is her moment to enjoy.

He sneaks a peek with one eye, Amethyst is busy happily talking and signing things still. She looks his way and their eyes meet.

Amethyst smiles at him, and the marker slips from her mouth.

She quickly catches it with her mandibles and gets it in a shaky deadlock, before it falls.

Bringing it back to her mouth, she looks a bit embarrassed and continues attending to the fans instead.

***

“Sorry about that Frank, it took a while, didn't it?"

The street has calmed down, as Amethyst comes back to Frank.

“Don't worry about it. How was it? Did you like meeting your fans?”

“Yes. It was a little strange and scary at first, with all of them surrounding me so… but it was nice to hear what they had to say, and make them happy with just answering their questions and doing some autographs.”

“That’s good, but… I can’t help but feel… used.”

“I agree…”

Their determined gazes meet and they both enter Geld’s store.

There are no more customers around, and Geld is behind the counter, his face plastered against a screen.

He doesn’t see them approach.

Frank knocks on the wooden counter, and Geld flinches.

“Hey. Don’t you have any shame for using us like that? I think you owe us some compensation.”

“Yeah! I’m so hungry now... We haven’t even eaten breakfast yet.”

“Sorry, sorry…”

Geld turns the monitor further away from them.

“I got a little excited and overwhelmed by the presence of you two celebrities you know? You should be careful with the effect you can have on people.”

“Cut the crap. Is blaming us all you can do after you ushered the crowd on us, wasted our time, and used us to peddle your merch?”

“R-right, my apologies. I shall compensate you both adequately…” Geld turns back to the monitor and types rapidly.

“The average salary working promotion in my shop is… then times two… That’d make your combined salary… this.”

He turns the monitor to show the figure. “You’re free to purchase products from my store amounting to that sum? How about it? Pretty generous, am I right?”

“But that’s- that’s nothing!”

Amethyst looks around at the prices of products in the store.

That’s enough for two mugs, but not enough for that hat…

How are pens as expensive as shirts…?

Something so small, versus something much more bigger?

How does that make any sense?

“Let’s just leave it, Frank... I don’t have the energy for this... I’m so hungry…”

“Hold on, we’re not leaving empty-handed!”

Frank spots a shirt on a nearby table, just in the price range.

“We’ll take this!” He slams it on the counter.

“T-that!?” Amethyst exclaims.

“Very good.” Geld grins wide and runs it by the cashregister. “Would you like to try it on to make sure it fits?”

“You know what, I think I do.” Frank winks at Amethyst.