The orange arms of twilight spread across the expanding and darkening blue sky, although obscured by the numerous concrete sticks from the ground. By now, most who were slouching by the offices were either taking the only buses, visiting restaurants, nightclubs, or hopped home via the Ferriviary, the City's rail network.
That sense of freedom and exhaustion gave both pain and pleasure, so everyday needs hours of zen.
Matt sat on the left side, leant towards the tinted windows, eyes closed; On a ride home.
And Connor sat by next to the seat to his right, reading a good novel. Meanwhile, his contemporary began trying slouching his back and sat while folding both legs on the vinyl-leather seats, only making him even more of a fucking weirdo.
Of course, it was worse when someone was watching you do misfortune. A dreaded feeling of shame lingers more and more behind your back.
The light passed through the tinted windows of the train, and cast cool blue shadows through the restricted train shell. Connor then put down his novel, and faced Matt in the eye.
"Thanks for taking me along with you on the Ferry, amigo. Haha." Connor cackled, "I suppose that I'd be that busted up to have some wicked breathing problems. At least, Diane found a great way to fix me up. Nothing I can't handle, really eh?"
Cough! Cough!
"Urgh… Yep, I can say that again! Ha!”
‘I’ve seen you in better days and ways than now. You’re not looking too hot.’
Matt shook his head.
"Oh right, I almost forgot something." Matt sighed, apathetically but curiously. "You never explained why you were there holding a fucking molotov nor did you mention why you were there in the simulator. And looking like that. Tell me what happened, I'll listen.. uh, amigo?"
"Amigo, you don't have to sound like you're holding a crap but sure, Matt. Anything for an amigo."
It wasn't that often Connor would agree or listen. Usually, he’d just scoff at any attempt on a favor, or a sob story made by the girls who’d try to woo him over. Perhaps it was because he was in a good mood right now.
"Ahem… Right, remember that time I had to go do a number two?" Connor said confidently. "The bathroom on our floor was kind of bad, like real bad. So I brought my ass down to the first floor's one. When I did that, the number two, I was quite surprised by how quickly it went. That tai—"
"What the fuck, just get to the point. Your shit doesn't matter to me."
"Hold on, hold on. I'm just about to go to the best part."
Connor flashed a smirk. That creepy grin's back...
"I began walking back the stairs to class, feeling good about myself, right, right? But before I even stepped forwards onto a single step, two weird looking individuals pushed me by the shoulder."
"Weird looking individuals…?"
"Yeah, they were wearing some fancy shit. Tuxedos, I guess. They were rushing downstairs towards the basement… Anywho, I followed them and they breached into… into the simulator. I don't know what they want, so don’t ask me."
Hiss!
Ding dong!
"Now arriving at Inverngate Circus Station, please mind the gap and exit the train slowly...” A raspy, feminine and quaint voice uttered on the loudspeaker.
"There’s my stop, amigo" Connor said, “I'll call my mom to pick me up. See you on the other side, amigo."
"Yeah, see you…"
Connor waved towards Matt, slowly being swallowed through the boarding crowd of people, waiting for the train. Tired and wanting something relaxing to do after work hours. But it was starting to get more and more cramped inside, and a sensational displeasure began to grow among everyone.
Hiss!
Ding dong!
“Next stop, Rideau Mont Station…”
“Excuse me? Can I take this seat?” A dejected voice boomed.
Matt heaved his head up, frowning and annoyed, towards the voice. Daggers for eyes were pointed towards him, but mildly softer and more than usual...
“Sure…” He sighed. “Just make sure to be quiet, I’m taking a call.”
Matt exhaled a large relief of air, and folded his legs onto his seat. Finally, some temporary comfort. He whisked his hands around his pockets like a claw machine, attempting to get a prize. A phone.
Beep…
Beep…
*pick up*
“Hello? Lillian Port—, shit… This better not be you Pavlov. I don’t have the mone—.”
“Lillie, you fucking idiot. It's me, your younger brother, Matt."
“...Matty? Oh for fuck sakes, why didn’t you say so.”
“I had no chance to say that… You literally thought I was the loan shark you mentioned."
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Pfft... I thought it was you. How could I forget my little bubby Matty~"
Matt sighed disappointingly, and leant his face against the mist filled window of the train. He'd forgotten how much of an airhead his older sister could be, and how she reveled in debt. Bet her partner’s having the only time of his life… But, this was how she'd always been, and it wasn't going to change any sooner.
“Don’t call me that.”
“Oh, I’m just joking. By the way, we're about a few kilometers away from Stykke. I can't wait to meet Pop and Ma again! It's gonna be so, so great to see ‘em again. PS: Timber-pie's also bringing his famous Creek Steak."
“You’re bringing Timber? That punk bitch?"
“Yup, I’m bringing him along. And don’t call him a punk bitch, he’s my hubby, bubby.”
Matt scratched his head…
‘She’s bringing that tool along… Wonder why...'
“...Matty? Still there?"
"Y-yeah, I am. My mind buzzed off for a moment."
Such awkward silence ensued, so blatantly awkward. Oh god. Matt tapped his foot rapidly, and in a rush. He again peered towards his patina watch, which had struck the next bit near seven. It was such a late hour, but Matt blushed for some random reason.
“Matt, we’re past the tunnel. I can see the Stykke skyline, it’s so striking in the dusk hours!”
“Really, well that's a shame I can't see that. Haha."
“Oh, it seems like Timber-pie~ is awake.
“Lillie? Wh-who’re you talking to?” Timber yawned. From the sound of his voice, it seemed as if he was stretching his arms.
“Oh it’s just my little bubby brother.”
“Maa...att? Oh, right, him… Well, I’ll be taking another nap.”
“Talk to you later, Matty-kun~ I’ve spotted a terry-terrific spot!”
“See you?”
Beep!
Matt sighed in relief. Although it felt like eyes were glaring towards him.
“Your sister seems nice.”
The dejected voice whispered. Matt turned his head slowly towards her. She was wearing the same uniform as him, albeit with a skirt instead of pants. Plus she was wearing a red beanie over her head, which showed some strands of hair along her face.
“What makes you think that?”
“The genuine love and care in her voice, duh.” The passenger remarked. “She seems a whole lot better than my brother, always at work… He’s definitely a hard worker, but too much of one. Doesn’t help that he’s a perfectionist, at least that’s what he purports to be.”
“Feels bad man.”
“Don’t, he’s a Mesa Delta employee. That’s what is expected for their employees. At least, that’s what he says.”
“Oh…”
‘A Mesa Delta employee, I wonder if he’s anything like my mother.’
“I think I know you…”
“Really?”
“Think so… Your name… It’s Moraine, right.”
“Oh, so you’re in the same class as me. Never got your name, mind if you tell me?”
“It’s… Matt… Matt Porter.”
“Porter… Are you related to Nifa Porter?”
“...No.” Matt snapped. He shook his head vehemently, along with his hands.
“You’re lying. You’ve even got the same brown hair as her.”
“...Nope. I am not lying."
“Well, I won’t make a big deal about it. I’ll just stay quiet.”
Moraine flashed a smile, and gestured a thumbs-up towards Matt. Matt smiled back, although it was kind of distressed.
----------------------------------------
Rideau Mont, where nightshades would often grow, and numerous pedestrians walked by. It was now the dusk of light, what a pain but oh hey. At least school was over, by over two whole hours right now. Matt walked out of a nearby grocery store, clenching both his backpack and a plastic bag filled with err... grocery, duh.
He blended within the pedestrians
“Brr… Nature too? Even in the summer.”
He rubbed himself with his bare hands and put them against his cotton school shirt. Mayhaps, it was because of global cooling, or maybe it was just his breath. The menthol in gum really does some weird things to your mouth, doesn't it?
"Hey, fancy seeing you here in Rideau Mont, M-Matt." Otto's voice spoke out.
Matt stopped cold in his tracks.
"I just came here to buy some groceries. I got bored, as always.” Matt uttered. A chewing noise could be heard behind his speech. “And the games and films aren't doing it for me right now… It's just so bland."
"Right buddy, I know, so scratch that, I've actually bought two boxes of pizza. Cheese pizza and shrimp garlic. L-let's go home before they turn cold. A quick ride through the Ferry could get us in 5 minutes."
"Sure, but one thing?"
"What's that?"
"Do you want to try testing out the thing at midnight?"
"...?"
Otto looked at his drained friend, surprised at his motion. A test? At midnight, what of the curfew? He clenched the pizza boxes off from his hand, and stood still. Maybe he was pondering, as to what he would reply to his friend, who was moving from his place.
"I-I don't know… We'd be past curfew hours, and we might get the confluenza… You really want to risk that?"
"Of course, I want to risk that. I want you to see it for yourself, my cur— er, powers… And we'll be wearing our face masks so it'd be fine anyways."
“Oh, and quick before I-I forget.” Otto uttered. “When did they manifest?”
“Who’s they?”
“The powers, Matt! W-what did you think I meant by that?”
“...Three years ago, I think.” Matt uttered under his breath. "One more thing. Where are you going to go for a job? We're like on our final terms, and we'll have to go to college by then. So, where are you going to go for a job."
Otto paused for a moment, as still as a reed blowing against the wind. The reeds being his bleached hair. His glasses fogged up, from the hot air rising from his mask. The
"If I had to guess, a researcher at Nicene Krai or Mesa Delta." He answered. "Cause, someone as bright as me might further their ventures. 'B-bout you, Matt. What occupation would you take."
"...Astronaut."
"Astronaut, h-huh. Pretty ambitious, you sure you're up for it?"
"Maybe. You know, I'm something of a space enthusiast, myself."
"Is it because of that planet past our moon?"
"..."
----------------------------------------
White began to invade the orange twilight, as usual for most of recorded history. The light was bright, and while it was white, it came from the natural satellite. Casting themselves through the lens of the lengthy silver-coated telescope, 'twas so bright, and into Matt's acute eyes.
Matt loitered on top of the fire escape stairwell in his apartment, the cold wind blowing against his face (Although he had a face mask on). He adjusted the telescopic sight, up high, focusing past the natural satellite.
A blue and shining planet could be seen. It was something of a great view.
“Heh, heh… It’s clear tonight… Just you wait, there… I will get to you someday.” Matt declared, taking his sight off the scope. "But I think the newest issue should be out by now, but what should I eat tonight to savor it... Pizza? Or just a cup of instant noodles..."Matt sighed, itching his head.
He then slid his right hand along the oily fringes of his forehead. He then grasped towards his backpack, which was lying nearby, against the green steps and rails. His hands trembled a bit, promptly so from a nearby trestle that supported a Ferry line. It was loud and rattling steel, still an annoyance.
"Corrupt dickheads, they really do not care for the noise pollution."
Matt pushed himself into the window, right leg first. After which he slowly slid the window down.