Skyrail Airways—true to its name—is the primary vessel for both immigration and emigration, acting as a grand aerial gateway. Its enormous hull dwarfs the smaller crafts ferrying passengers between the ship and hubs stationed across multiple colonies below.

Kelson had a seat reserved in first class, and he must admit, the premium accommodations were exceptional, It was as wide as a medium sized room. The spacious seating was like a kings throne with it's own cubicle and could be adjusted like a car seat, allowing him to recline comfortably and relax.

The flight caterers, attentive and eager to please, wasted no time. Barely a minute after he settled into his seat, they surrounded him with an array of options and pleasantries. Though he’d already enjoyed a satisfying meal before departing, he found their generosity hard to resist and sampled a few offerings. By the end of these bites, he decided on a glass of sweet red wine.

He took a sip, savoring its rich taste as he gazed out the window. Below him, Earth’s sprawling cities passed thousands of feet beneath the ship, their lights twinkling like scattered jewels. "This is good wine," he thought, appreciating the tranquil view. It was a small luxury he could enjoy without worrying about expenses, thanks to his sponsor.

Yet as the plane climbed higher, the clouds soon enveloped the view, and a faint sense of loneliness crept over him. He hadn't been gone long, but he already missed Verence and Toge. He imagined Toge eagerly exploring every nook and cranny of the ship and Verence going so far as to frighten the pilots.

"Oh boy, that would've been interesting," he chuckled softly at the thought. It made him sigh, leaning against his right arm, the glass still in hand.

Minutes passed, and his gaze wandered to his left, where his eyes settled on a young woman seated nearby, at least from a bed's length. She appeared around his age, perhaps a little younger. Her long, plum-brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, with two purple ribbons trimmed in light blue adorning its ends. They matched the star-shaped earrings dangling delicately from her ears. Her eyes, a darkened lavender hue, held a soft depth, complementing her fair complexion, which seemed as smooth as silk. She wore a subtle lip gloss that added a faint shine to her lips.

Her attire was modest yet elegant: a dark grey dress styled akin to a maid’s uniform but with added flair. A white blouse adorned the chest area, highlighting her figure without exaggeration. The hem of her dress flowed gracefully, paired with black flats dotted with small white decorations.

She was, in a word, stunning. Kelson noted her serene demeanor as she read her book, her focus unbroken. He couldn't see the cover but resisted the urge to lean closer, not wanting to seem intrusive. "She must really love that book," he thought, amused by her concentration—or so it seemed.

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As if sensing his gaze, she glanced up. Her expression remained neutral for a moment before she greeted him kindly, asking if he needed anything.

Kelson smiled—a radiant, almost disarming gesture that caught her off guard. Her cheeks flushed, and she nearly looked away.

"I'm just thinking how cute you are," he said without hesitation.

Her blush deepened, and she stammered, "...Th-Thank you!" Her voice was soft yet sincere, and Kelson couldn’t help but find her reaction even more endearing.

This wasn’t unfamiliar territory for him—he was used to such moments—but her genuine bashfulness felt refreshing. Deciding to keep the conversation going, he leaned forward slightly.

"Are you heading to Skyrail for a visit, or are you a citizen there?" he asked, his tone light and curious.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, no. I wasn’t born there," she replied, her voice steadying. "But I work there. I’m a banker."

"A banker?" Kelson repeated, leaning back with a faint smirk. "I can see that. You have the look of someone who keeps everything in perfect order."

She chuckled softly, the sound as delicate as her appearance. "That’s one way to put it, I suppose. What about you? Are you visiting?"

Kelson swirled the wine in his glass thoughtfully. "You could say that. I’ll be spending the holidays at a villa owned by an acquaintance. Figured it was high time to see what Skyrail has to offer."

Eilla smiled at that, her lavender eyes lighting up. "Skyrail is like an entirely different world," she said with enthusiasm. "You’ll regret not staying longer."

"That’s quite a statement," he remarked, raising an eyebrow. "I’ll hold you to it."

She laughed lightly. "You won’t have to. You’ll see for yourself soon enough."

He studied her for a moment, the easy banter between them feeling almost too natural. "I didn’t catch your name," he said suddenly, tilting his head.

"Eilla Matrisse," she replied, extending her hand.

"Kelson," he said, taking her hand with a firm but gentle shake. His smile softened as he added, "Here’s to what might be a very, very long friendship."

Eilla blinked, her cheeks coloring again as she stammered, "Y-Yes, of course!"

Kelson chuckled softly, releasing her hand. "So, Eilla, what’s the book that has you so absorbed?"

She glanced down at her lap, realizing she’d nearly forgotten about the novel in her hands. "Oh, this? It’s… just a mystery novel. Nothing too special."

"A mystery, huh? Any good?"

"Actually, yes," she admitted, her voice growing more animated. "The plot twists are incredible, and the characters are so well-written."

"Sounds like you’d recommend it," Kelson said with a grin.

Eilla nodded earnestly. "Absolutely. You’d like it too, I think."

"Maybe I’ll have to borrow it when you’re done," he teased.

She laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "If you’re lucky, I might just let you."

As their conversation flowed, the earlier loneliness Kelson felt seemed to dissipate. The two continued talking, their voices mingling with the hum of the aircraft as it carried them toward the heavens.