September 7th, 2018
Shouri slowly opened his eyes as the train they were on rocked to a stop. As expected of a passenger train heading to the capital, it was filled with many passengers, Maestros, and their Resonators mainly, with a healthy mix of businessmen and women who lacked a Resonator partner.
They had even a few Naturals suited up in expensive clothing, all business, sharply focused. Taika tried to pay them no mind, but Shouri could sense their presence put her on edge.
The speaker overhead sparked to life with a small crackle before the automated message played. “The train is now approaching Quiretteh Central Station. Please allow the train to come to a complete halt before moving. Thank you for riding Capital Rail – may we serve you again!”
Glancing back and forth, he noted their party was still together. Taika and Rebecca flanked his left and right respectively with Pacifica on Taika’s left. To Rebecca’s right sat Colette, with Kaira to her right.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he focused on his rhythm, tracing the weakest of the four links. Vienna was directly in front of him, though she was currently outside of the visible spectrum.
He briefly recalled her words while they formulated how they’d be broken up.
“Don’t worry about me – Quiretteh security might be great, but I’m greater.”
As always, the lyrebird was confident in her abilities. His main concern was he was the current Maestro registered to her tuner. He silently hoped Sahji would leave him alone today.
“Come on girls,” Shouri announced, rising to his feet as the standing room began to clear.
Taika and Pacifica grabbed their bags off the rack above them, ready to go. Rebecca let out a sigh as she stretched.
“That was a long ride,” Rebecca complained as she tried to loosen her stiff muscles.
“Yeah…” Pacifica said through a yawn.
“Got some good reading done,” Colette commented, with a short nod of agreement from Kaira.
With the party gathered, they filed out with the rest of the crowd.
As Shouri had feared, the central train station of Quiretteh was a madhouse. It was a colossal building probably towering upwards of twenty stories into the air. Trains raced in from all over, docking at different platforms and allowing their passengers to spill out, only intensifying the foot traffic problem.
Movement was slow, people bumping into them at every pass. Shouri had long since moved his four tuners into his jacket pockets out of paranoia, constantly running his fingers across the four devices and counting them off mentally. His trio clung to him, Pacifica and Taika claiming an arm, and Rebecca holding onto his jacket’s hood. Their grip on him was the only thing keeping him sane through this insanity.
After what felt like an eternity, they managed to break out of the platform and into the front section of the station where the traffic waned.
“Never a-fucking-gain,” Shouri cursed, glaring back at the swarm of people still trying to fight their way into the main platforms.
“Yeah, that was horrible,” Rebecca rubbed the Maestro’s shoulders for both her and his peace of mind. Taika and Pacifica nodded rapidly in agreement, clinging tightly to him.
Finally, they spotted Colette and Kaira breaking free from the madness. “Shouri!” the scholar shouted, waving to get his attention.
Shouri jerked his head at Pacifica who read what he was putting down and waved to Colette.
With the group mostly re-united, Colette looked around. “Where’s Vienna?” she asked.
“She’s gonna meet us there,” answered Shouri, motioning to the door.
They began the trek towards the exit proper and continued the conversation.
“And where is ‘there’?” inquired the scholar.
“Some apartment downtown,” he replied. “Got the address on my tuner.”
“Woah, she’s got an apartment downtown in Quiretteh?!” Colette exclaimed.
“Is that good?” Taika asked.
“Property values here are ludicrous,” Shouri told his curious fox. “Rent is usually a thousand notes a month for a tiny ass studio apartment.”
“Studio?” Taika raised a brow.
“It’s a one-room apartment, very small,” answered the Maestro.
“A thousand for a small room? That seems bad.” Taika frowned considering that.
“That’s not even the worst part!” Colette had no control over her inside voice today and Shouri shot her a glare.
“From what I’ve read the housing market is quite competitive here. Some people wait years just to rent a room,” Kaira chimed in where her Maestro had failed to elaborate.
“Absurd,” scoffed Rebecca.
By this point in the conversation, they had crossed the threshold between the train station and Quiretteh proper.
“Woah…”
The train station was busy, sure but that was one confined space. What greeted the travelers upon their first proper steps into the capital city was an expansive metropolis befitting the very best Riterra had to offer. The cobblestone streets were filled with vehicles parading along, though thin in number compared to the foot traffic. As one would expect there were dozens upon dozens of Maestros and their Resonators, of which there were a rainbow of different elements and species, making each one a distinct visual treat.
The chatter of tourists and locals alike filled their air, bells ringing, the shouts of children playing, it was difficult to pinpoint any one sound. The sidewalks were smooth, any rough edges worn away by centuries of footsteps, carrying stories both modern and ancient. The city itself was an enigma, as the modern buildings were built with the ancient methods in mind, making them all seamlessly blend in with their ancient neighbors.
In silent awe the group began to walk, heads turning to and fro as they attempted to steal every last detail of the old world around them. Sunlight filtered through the towering trees that dotted the roads, their dappled shadows allowing the briefest of reprieve of the brilliance in the sky. Taika perked up as the scent of fresh coffee hit them like a storm, the offending shop in question having a line out the door with patrons excitedly exchanging the latest gossip.
Pacifica’s ears flicked, her head snapping across the street as a familiar chain link fence contained an ancient-looking battle court, where two solar Resonators exchanged brilliant flashes of light in the heat of battle. The Maestros’ passionate cries of spells she only had a passing familiarity with graced her hearing though they didn’t reveal who was winning the skirmish.
Rebecca kept her eyes closed, relying on her Maestro’s sight to guide her along. The rhythm in the air hung thick, the very city whispering to her, imparting stories of the past that were etched into the very stonework they strode upon. If only she could focus on one voice perhaps, she’d uncover some lost secret of the past.
“Here we are,” Shouri said, snapping the girls out of their wandering minds. Their lodgings were the same as they ever were: a Maestro Affairs Office. However, this one was unique.
Unlike the previous campuses where they maintained the same aesthetic no matter the locale (only varying in facilities offered), the Central Quiretteh MA Office matched the stonework of the surrounding buildings. It blended in so well they would have walked right by it had Shouri not been following a map on one of the tuners. It looked like it had always belonged in the city even a thousand years ago.
Walking onto the campus grounds proved to be the same experience as the other offices. The main building was right up front with worker Resonators maintaining the grounds. Where the main difference came was in the large connecting buildings which formed a large square behind the administration office.
“Oh! A real Quirettian domus!” Colette exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with wonder. “Oh! The central atrium must be gorgeous!”
“Let’s just hope they’re not still using lead pipes for the water,” Shouri grumbled, motioning for his group to head inside.
While the outside of the admin building was vastly different from its contemporaries in other cities, the insides were nearly identical. Same front desk, same back offices, same Maestros and their Resonators milling about in the reception area. The change from unfamiliar to familiar was so jarring that Shouri had to shake his head to dismiss the sudden feeling of déjà vu that washed over him.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Like some of the bigger cities, there was a large line waiting for them.
“Welcome to the Fifth Central Quiretteh Maestro Affairs Office, how can we help you?”
“Room please.” Shouri handed over the three tuners remaining on his person.
In this MA Office, the front desk attendant had a Resonator manning the second computer while they handled the first. “Looks like we still have a vacancy in building five, you’ll be in room twenty-two. Is there anything else we can assist you with today?” Shouri’s tuners were slid back to him.
“That’s it, thanks much,” replied the Maestro, reclaiming the trio of devices.
“Thank you for choosing our MA Office, have a wonderful day.”
As soon as Shouri stepped out of the line, the attendant put up a little sign on the desk.
[NO VACANCY – PLEASE CHECK THE OTHER MA OFFICES FOR LODGING]
“WHAT?!” Colette shrieked.
There was similar groaning and complaining from the other Maestros in line as they began to leave.
“Oh damn,” Shouri said as flatly as he could muster.
“What do I do now?” Colette took hold of the other Maestro and shook him.
“Why are you asking me?! Just go find another MA Office!” yelped the shaken Maestro in question.
Shouri was released from the frantic scholar. “Hmph, fine,” she huffed. “Come on, Kaira,” Colette motioned for her Resonator to follow her.
“Maestro Shouri.” Kaira bowed before running to catch up with her own Maestro.
“Well at least she can’t barge into our room now,” Shouri mumbled, adjusting his shirt’s now stretched collar.
“She did make a big deal about this place,” Rebecca mused as they made their way towards the back exit. “Kinda has got me interested in seeing how nice it actually is.”
Taika and Pacifica nodded in agreement with their fellow Resonator’s assessment.
Stepping back out into the sunlight graced the traveling quartet with the scope of the Quirettian MA Offices. Sure enough, as alluded to by the desk attendant, there were many buildings on the property, much more than any MA office they had been to previously. Five buildings stood in a row, rectangular in shape boasting three floors each. Despite the dated construction methods, the buildings looked well maintained, as if they had only been built tens of years ago rather than hundreds.
It wasn’t quiet either; Maestros and their Resonators wandered around, a sizable number of them in awe just like Shouri’s group was. The distinctive sound of camera shutters stuck out from the white noise of conversation. The Maestro’s quarters were labeled one to five, with large signage, allowing Shouri to navigate to their building with ease.
None of the quartet spoke a word, any that attempted to form were lost on their lips before they could hope to voice them.
Passing through the main entranceway of the Domus, they found themselves in the central atrium. All around them were the rooms they would be staying in. The atrium itself was topped by a glass dome, allowing the sun a peek at the facilities within. Rather than the normal common room, it appeared the atrium served that purpose. A small computer room was open on their left with nearly every terminal occupied by Resonators.
In the open space itself, Maestros and their Resonators lounged around, more idle chatter between all parties involved. They could spot many different breeds they were familiar with. Dogs, cats, snakes, and even the occasional winged Resonator wandered about.
A quick look skyward revealed the upper floors had railing allowing guests who were on their way out to cast their gaze into the crowds below.
“Where’s twenty-two?” Shouri wondered aloud.
“Third floor.” Rebecca pointed to a sign showing the floor number assignments.
The quartet took to the stairs and made their way to their assignment. Despite the ancient architecture, the same electronic rhythm reader was stationed outside of their room.
With a beep and a click, they were permitted to relax.
It was almost disappointing that after all that, their room was the standard affair – bed, desk, fridge, couch, TV, kitchen. All the same as the MA Offices they had grown accustomed to.
There was one major difference.
“GUYS!” Pacifica cried out.
The other three rushed to the water element in the bathroom.
“Woah…” Three astonished gasps beheld the facility they had exclusive access to.
White and black stone adorned every surface of the bathroom. The tub was slightly larger than its contemporaries in other MA Offices, and the water fixtures were higher quality than those offices as well. The showerhead had many more knobs and settings for optimal comfort and the expanded tub even had jets in it.
Rebecca rested a hand on her Maestro’s shoulder. “We’re never getting her out of here bossman.”
Pacifica was squealing in delight at each new feature she discovered in their personal bathhouse.
“Well, there goes plans for lunch,” Shouri rolled his eyes but smiled. He patted the otter’s back. “Enjoy your bath,” he said, allowing his hand to linger and rub her back. She either didn’t hear him or didn’t acknowledge him as her tail swished back and forth with excitement at the watery prospects in her future.
Leaving Pacifica to her play, that left Shouri, Taika, and Rebecca in the main part of the room.
“So who wants to come with me to grab lunch?” Shouri asked the two foxes.
They both raised a hand but noticed their counterpart’s volunteerism and exchanged a look. Before a scuffle could ignite, he placed a hand on both of their heads. “I think we’re safe enough here to let Paci have her bath in peace,” he said.
And now it was the two vixens’ turn to wag their tails.
“Paci! We’re gonna grab lunch, be back soon!”
Again, no reply, but the splashing in the bathroom told him enough.
Locking up, the man and his two vixens meandered through the property. The five domus were of course the Maestro’s quarters. That wasn’t all the property had to offer. Uniformed Resonators buzzed around, picking up litter, maintaining the lawns, polishing statues, the works.
They happened to overhear a working Maestro and their Resonator as they cleaned out a drained fountain.
“What are you doing after work?”
“It’s payday, me and Jessie are heading out to the pub.”
“Oh, you sly dog!”
Hilariously enough the sly dog in question was in fact, a canid.
It took some wandering, but they found the cafeteria. At first, the trio thought it would be like other MA Offices where they’d find a firing range attached to the cafeteria. Here however, the entire massive building was one massive eatery. Rather than just one selection with a rotating menu, it was more akin to a mall food court, with many different brands and businesses competing for attention.
Just like outside, inside had a small task force of uniformed Resonators keeping the place clean. Chairs were tucked in, empty tables were wiped down, trash was disposed of, and trays were collected with ruthless efficiency by the workers.
“Uhhhh…” The three young adults were inflicted with the biggest mental debuff known to melopomorphs: decision paralysis.
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Shouri lay in bed, eyes blankly cast towards the ceiling. Rebecca’s tuner rested on his chest. Pacifica was on bath three of the evening while Taika was unwinding on the couch reading on her tuner.
“What’s up?” asked Rebecca, sliding next to him.
“Thinking.”
“About what?”
“Everything. I’m not sure we’re doing the right thing.”
Rebecca wrapped her arms around him. “Of course, we’re doing the right thing. The dude is making Resonators suffer. That’s good enough by my count to take him down.”
“I know. But there’s a nagging voice that keeps saying it's not going to be as easy as I hope.”
“Then let my voice be louder,” she pushed herself up and spoke right into his ear. “I trust you no matter what. We’re doing the right thing.”
He interlinked one of his hands with hers. “Thanks.”