Riley set his phone down with a sigh, feeling the anticipation build. He crossed his small apartment, making his way to the closet where a sleek, dark leather travel case lay tucked away. Opening it, he methodically began packing—shirts, sweaters, a pair of shorts, and flip-flops. The essentials. He added a bottle of sunscreen, strawberry-scented shampoo tailored for his black feathers, and a sturdy brush. He couldn’t forget his beak paste (the Corvus equivalent of toothpaste), along with his trusty sleep canteen, a small metal bottle filled with a soothing blend of herbal tea that helped him relax at night.
With everything packed, Riley closed the case with a satisfying click and hefted it into his hand. He stepped out of his apartment, locking the door behind him, and made his way down the dimly lit hallway. He passed by a couple arguing loudly a few doors down, their voices a muffled cacophony that faded as he descended the stairs and exited the complex.
Outside, the city buzzed with early morning activity, the sun casting a warm glow on the sidewalks. Riley's heart fluttered as he made his way to Autumn’s apartment complex. He could already see her standing out front, a bright smile on her face, her own travel case at her side. Her mouse ears twitched in the breeze, and her tail, long and sleek, curled playfully.
“Ready?” Riley asked, trying to contain his excitement. It had been years since he’d been on a real vacation, and the thought of seeing Rome was thrilling.
“Hell yeah, boyfie! Let’s get to the airport,” Autumn replied, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. She leaned up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek before they began their walk together.
The journey to the airport took about 25 minutes, filled with light conversation and the comfortable silence of shared anticipation. The terminal was bustling as they entered, a symphony of voices and footsteps echoing off the high ceilings. Riley led the way to the reception desk.
“Two business class tickets to Rome,” he said, sliding his credit card across the counter. The clerk, a Pure woman with a weary expression, barely looked up as she processed the transaction.
“That’ll be $151,” she droned, her voice as tired as her eyes.
Riley nodded, swiping his card. He tucked the tickets into his coat pocket and turned to Autumn with a smile. They found seats in the lobby, waiting for the call to board. Riley pulled out his phone and scrolled through the news—mostly dull updates about trade disputes and celebrity gossip. One headline caught his eye briefly: “The History of the Nexus Powers: How the EU Transformed into a Militaristic Dictatorship.” He frowned but swiped past it, not wanting to sour his mood before the trip.
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Soon enough, their flight was called. They made their way across the bridge into the plane, settling into their business class seats. Riley took the window seat, watching as the city fell away beneath them, the clouds swallowing the view. He glanced over at Autumn, noticing how her tail had wrapped around his hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze, his curved claws running lightly over the fur. Autumn hummed in contentment, her ears twitching with pleasure as she leaned into his touch.
The flight was smooth, and before they knew it, the captain’s voice crackled over the intercom: “Boeing Airlines now landing in Rome, Nexus Powers.”
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Stepping out of the airport lobby, Riley and Autumn were immediately hit by the warm, fragrant air of Rome. The city was vibrant, the sun-dappled streets bustling with life. But there was something off—a subtle tension in the air. Flags fluttered in the breeze, the familiar green, white, and red of Italy but with with two crossing swords and an eagle perched above. The emblem of the Nexus Powers loomed over the city, a reminder of the militaristic grip that had taken hold. It always has the 2 swords and the eagle on every flag, it's always the standard Banner for the Nexus Powers. And their show of power over the entirety of Europe.
Riley exchanged a nervous glance with Autumn as they passed a group of “Pacificatori,” the so-called Peacekeepers, though they were differently called by other languages. They were dressed head-to-toe in black, faces obscured by balaclavas, wielding jitte batons as they patrolled. They looked ready to crush dissent at a moment’s notice.
“Let’s just keep moving,” Autumn muttered, squeezing Riley’s hand.
They pushed forward, making their way to the hotel. The receptionist was a middle-aged Corvus woman with feathers ruffled from exhaustion. Yet despite the bags under her eyes, she managed a warm, welcoming smile.
“How can I help you two sweethearts?” she asked, her voice carrying the slightest rasp.
“Just a room for two, for three months,” Autumn replied cheerfully.
The receptionist’s fingers flew across the keyboard as she pulled up their reservation. “Name on the booking?”
“Autumn Williams,” she answered. After a moment, the woman nodded, handing over the room key with a kind smile.
Riley and Autumn made their way upstairs, finding their room on the fourth floor. Riley sighed as he stepped inside, the plush bed calling to him like a siren. He quickly stripped down to his underwear, leaving only the locket around his neck. He sank into his side of the bed with a contented groan.
“Let’s rest,” he murmured, his eyes already half-closed. “We’ve got three whole months of relaxation ahead of us.”
Autumn nodded, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. She slipped into the bed beside him, scooting closer until her fur brushed against his feathers. Riley let out a soft, clicking noise, a sign of his contentment. He nuzzled his beak into the crook of her neck, the familiar scent of her fur filling his senses.
Autumn sighed in pleasure, feeling the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest against hers. She began to gently stroke his back, her fingers sifting through his soft, dark feathers. The sensation lulled her, the steady beat of Riley’s heart syncing with her own.
Within moments, they were both asleep, wrapped up in each other’s warmth as the city of Rome pulsed with its own restless energy outside.