Just as the rail station came into sight, Lorel knew he was going to be late. Or, rather, he chose to be late. Not for any grand reason; a very simple one, in fact.

He was hungry. Though the run helped settle his mind, it left his body tired. The two pieces of toast he'd brought- and subsequently scarfed down during a break halfway to the station- did little to sate his hunger. Not that he really cared. Better him than Aria. And besides, it was a temporary thing.

Instead of making his way to the station, Lorel took a sharp right. It took ten more minutes for Lani's to come into view, and another two for him to reach it. He came to a halt out front, keeling over to catch his breath as he checked the time.

8:15.

Normally the streets would be full by now, but he was still on the outskirts. Those who lived here generally did so in an attempt to avoid the center noise. Anyone who lived further out was either an ocean worker, or eccentric. His own family? They happened to fit both criteria. Himself included.

Lani looked up as he pushed the door open. "So late?" Her voice always sounded slightly strained. "Aren't you going to be late for school?"

"I'm always late for school."

She shook her head. "I can never tell if you're joking or not."

Lorel grinned. "I'm always serious."

Lani rolled her eyes. "And there you go again." She crossed her arms with a sigh. "If you want the usual, it won't take too long. Just don't go around blaming me when you're late."

"I would never."

"The usual, then?"

"Yes, please!" Lorel took a seat at the counter as Lani turned towards the stovetop, pulling up a feed on his holo-watch. She was one of two off-worlders that he knew; the other being Svyke. Or was that four now? Two, he decided after a moment's thought. He'd only met the others in passing. And two was more than enough.

In any case, Lani was decidedly different from Svyke. He wasn't quite sure how old she was- although he had a sneaking suspicion it was older than even the grizzled spy- but where his profession had clearly taken its toll, Lani radiated a youth that defied her grey hair and worn skin.

It was present in a way that was hard to explain; there to see in the way she spoke, the way she laughed, even the way she stood. She spoke little of her time before Torrent, but Lorel was determined to learn of it- either directly from the person herself, or by piecing together her fragmented stories.

The people who chose to immigrate were few, and those accepted even fewer. It meant she had something to offer the planet. But for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what- especially considering she always seemed to be here.

Though it looked the same on the outside, her establishment- he wasn't even sure if it had a name- was quite different from the others that surrounded it. Rather than the metal and glass that constructed most else, hers was rough wood and smooth stone. Even the stools and chairs. Just building it was no doubt an expensive endeavor, and made all the more puzzling by the seemingly carefree life that she lived.

Lani was selective with her clientele. He'd only ever seen her serve him and Loch; and even that was only after he'd begged her profusely. Despite that, she never took money for her services, claiming their conversations were payment enough. But she'd never dug too deep, nor given him a reason to doubt her word. What she said, she meant.

Maybe I'll be able to bring Aria here now. Lorel had no doubt she would keep her word. Even as children, they'd taken their promises to one another seriously. Now, years later, it formed the foundation of their relationship.

"Oi." She grabbed his wrist, holding her hand over the watch's screen. "How many times do I have to tell you? None of that while you're eating here."

"Sorry."

"I can see you're hungry. Eat first. Everything else can wait until afterwards." Lani slid a plate and silverware set in front of him as she spoke, laden with scrambled eggs. "The rest will take a few more minutes."

"Thank you."

The corners of her lips curved into a slight smile. "Don't forget this." She slid a mug across the stone countertop, filled with a semi-transparent orange liquid. Tea.

Lorel laughed. "Thanks again." She'd only carried coffee, at first, but quickly began carrying tea when he and Loch became regular patrons. Now she always had something in stock- no matter how much she grumbled about it.

He took a sip before picking up the fork. It tasted of tangy citrus, with just a slight hint of sweetness. "This is good," he said appreciatively. "Where is this from?"

"Thali."

"I'll have to get some later."

"I'll give you a box to take home some other time." Lani placed another plate in front of him. This one held two large slices of sourdough toast, and half a dozen bacon strips. It was the same meal he'd cooked just over two hours ago, but there was no denying it: the scent of hers was far more appealing. "Isn't your father going to be mad that you're late?"

He took a bite, knowing she wouldn't mind. She'd put cheese in the eggs; despite that, hers were still fluffier. "What happened to waiting until I was done eating?" This was the one place in the city with food that was different from everything else. And, more than that, it was good. Really good.

Still- he tried not to visit too often. Lani never said anything, but it was clear she was the type who valued the occasional solitude. That she'd accepted him so easily was already a stroke of luck, and not one he wanted to push.

"Don't give me that, boy. Especially not when I'm feeding you."

Lorel shrugged. Unlike with Svyke, he took no offense when Lani called him that. She used it as a term of affection, not an insult. "Dad's used to it by now. As long as I don't cross the line, he won't say anything." Being late toed it. Skipping put both feet firmly on the other side. He paused, remembering his sister's words. "Unless they put a tracker on me. But they wouldn't do that." Respect was a two-way street.

"I pity your parents."

"So do I. They have me as a son."

"If you're so aware of that, why not change your attitude?"

"I'm serious when it counts."

"You're realize you're contradicting what you said earlier, right?"

"Yes. But I really mean it this time."

Lani chuckled, crossing her arms and leaning back against the stovetop; completely disregarding to its scorching hot surface. "I believe you." She gestured with one hand. "Go on, eat. Talk can wait."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Lorel dug in readily. The eggs went first; then the first piece of toast. Both slices were lathered in a savory garlic butter that was just salty enough to not be overwhelming. He saved the second, laying three bacon strips over it before folding it in half. He ate that before finishing off the remaining bacon, chasing it down with what remained of the tangy tea.

"You were hungry," She said, watching as he leaned back in the chair. "Are you skipping meals now?"

He shook his head. "Aria was home. She needed it more than I did." And wasn't anywhere near as willing to go find food elsewhere.

"Ah. No wonder you're in a good mood. Am I ever going to meet her?"

"Maybe. She agreed to be home a few nights a week... But Aria is definitely not a morning person." She preferred the dark and quiet. They were opposites, in that sense.

"I see. I won't hold my breath. So? What did you want to talk about?"

"Who said I wanted to talk about something?"

"You only ever come here when you want to talk about something."

Lorel closed his eyes, yawning as a wave of drowsiness rolled over him. The food had warmed him from the inside out in a way that running couldn't. "That's not true. I come here for good food. The dry wit and sagely advice is just an added bonus."

She laughed. "You and your silver tongue. I heard something interesting this morning. Something about a spaceship crashing. I don't suppose you would know anything about that?"

He cracked one eye open to look at her. "How'd you guess? My name isn't anywhere on the news. Neither is my face."

"It's not much of a guess. A rogue Tidal who intervened to save two strangers, then ran away from the Tideguard? No one else would dare do that. Especially not when they were in the right. I'm sure anyone who knows you has at least an inkling."

"Great. Now I have a scolding from Loch to look forward to."

"He does it out of care."

"I know."

She leaned forward, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "And yet you continue on as always."

"Those are two different things. Besides, Aria said she likes me the way I am." And no matter how much Loch grumbled, Lorel would have been chased away by now if he truly disliked it. They'd known each other since they were children.

"Seems like you were blessed with a good family."

"I was. A really good one, actually. I'm always grateful."

Lani lowered her arm, resting her elbows on the countertop and resting her chin on both hands. Her grey eyes reminded Lorel of Aria's, in some ways. They both held a raw intelligence, but where his sister's were always thinking, always considering, hers were... Calm. Settled; but not quite tranquil. There was a subtle ferocity there, hidden within the depths of her iris.

"You're worried about what they represent." Her voice was unusually soft.

Lorel opened both eyes. "Seriously. That's twice now. Am I really that easy to read?"

She snorted. "Not in the slightest. But considering how many times you two have talked my ears off, I'd have to be a fool not to understand."

"... Sorry."

The grey-haired woman reached out to ruffle his hair again. "Don't be." There was a hint of amusement in her voice. "I know you understand me better than that. If I disliked it, I would have chased you away by now." She leaned back against the stovetop. "You're doubting your conviction."

"I thought you said I wasn't easy to read."

"You're not. But you're still young. I admit, you have a better grasp of yourself than most, but you don't have the experience to back it up."

"Experience, huh?" Lorel leaned back in his chair, dangling his arms over its backrest as he stared up at the ceiling. No matter how many times he looked up at the coarse, grainy wood, there was something new to be found. "I guess you're right," he said after a moment of thought. "If..."

He trailed off, raising one hand to peer through his fingers. "If the time comes, I'll do what I have to. I've thought that for years now. I'm not afraid of it... But I still am. I don't know how to explain it." Lorel looked back down at Lani. "That's weird, isn't it?"

"Not at all." She straightened, reaching down to stack the leftover plates. "For those of us born on the surface, the first flight is always nerve-wracking. Sims can only do so much. When you're there, in the ship, while it's shaking... You can't help but think there's a chance you might die. No matter your resolve, the real thing always tests it."

Another piece of the puzzle- and another thread to pull at. "You say that as if you've seen a lot of people take their first flight."

"That's because I have."

"So? What exactly did you do before coming here?"

A slight smile tugged at her lips. "Why would I just tell you? It's more fun seeing you wrack your brain trying to guess."

"I'll figure it out someday."

"I'm sure you will." Lani refilled his mug. "What you're feeling is normal. Best you get used to it. You'll experience it many more times when you get off-planet."

"Why do you think I'll ever leave?"

"I hope you do," she said, her voice serious.

"Why?"

"Because it'll mean you survived."

"Wow. That's dark."

"Forgive my macabre sense of humor. Jokes aside, the universe is a large place. It would be a shame if you only experienced such a small portion of it."

"I like it here."

"Plenty of oceans out there. With floating cities, too. And much, much, more than that."

"Not the same. It's all ocean here. And besides, what would I do for work?" He had a clear path forward here on Torrent. Harvesting Coral or patrolling the ocean might not be the most glamourous occupation, but it was simple. And more importantly, would keep him in the water.

"There's always plenty of work for Augmented. Especially ones of your caliber."

"How would you know what caliber I am?"

"Gut feeling."

"And there goes my next guess. You're being generous today."

"I have to keep you coming back somehow."

"I'm flattered, but I'm not even sure I'll remain Augmented off-planet." Lorel reached for his mug, draining it in one go before checking his watch.

Her voice softened. "I'm not saying that you should leave Torrent forever. Just that there's so much more out there. Like I said, the universe is large. Larger than the human mind can properly imagine. Living your whole life on any one planet is a waste. And there's never been a case of an Augmented losing their powers so far. I don't see why you would be any different."

9:15. They'd been talking for quite a while already.

"Have you seen the planet we live on? I think different sums it up perfectly." Not that he really had the experience to say that. But all the books, all the news, everything he'd ever read shared a common opinion: Torrent was unique. No matter how far they delved into space, they might never find anything like it.

Lani laughed. "Fair enough."

"I need to get going," he said, setting the mug back down.

"I concur."

"Aw. So eager to get rid of me? I thought we were closer than that."

"Oh, hush." Lani swatted his hand away before moving taking it away, placing it somewhere behind the bar top. "I'm always happy to feed you, but I won't be the one to derail your life."

"Don't worry. I do that just fine on my own."

"I'm sure you do." She shooed him away with one hand. "Now, get out of here. I can feel the beginning of a migraine coming on, and I'm pretty sure you're the cause."

"So mean..." Lorel pouted, but pushed himself off the seat regardless. Joke or no, Lani was right. He'd spent enough time here. "Let me pay-"

"No." Lani cut him off with a shake of the head. "Our riveting conversations are payment enough."

"Alright." He couldn't quite tell if she was being sarcastic. It seemed not, but then, you never knew with her.

"And bring your sister by some time. After hearing so much about her, I'd like to meet her."

He paused halfway out the door, one palm pressed against the smooth glass. "Sure. It might be a while, though. I'm kinda on house arrest right now."

"And yet you're here."

"Like I said: busy derailing my life." He pushed his way out at that, bringing one hand up to block the bright sunlight that streamed down from above. Taking a breath, Lorel closed his eyes and just stood there for a moment. His mind was completely clear now; not the barely repressed mess it had been before. Talking with Lani always helped.

I'll have to bring Aria here. He held no suspicion towards her- in part because their father was well aware of Lani. He'd told him of her strange establishment. His reaction? To offer a single nod. But that was answer enough. If the mysterious woman posed any sort of danger, he would have said so- regardless of regulations.

What sort of relationship do we have? To him, she felt like a grandmother of sorts. Or at least, that's what he assumed having one would feel like. Neither he nor Aria had ever met either set. I'll have to ask her next time. He was curious what sort of answer she would provide.

Lorel chose to walk to the rail station- and slowly, at that. Though not quite fatigued, the initial run, in combination with his poor sleep, certainly left him tired. He thought of nothing in particular, content to let his mind truly rest for the first time since yesterday's chaos.

Though late morning by now, there were only a handful of people waiting for the next rail car. Four, to be exact. They paid him no mind; save for one, whose eyes lingered on his navy hair for a moment before returning to something on his holo-watch.

The next car pulled up just as he stepped into line. They stood just to the right of the doors as they opened, avoiding the deluge of people that streamed forth. The vast majority were dressed in wet gear of some sort; ranging from simple wetsuits to bulky pressure suits.

A small portion were dressed in normal clothing. Those were likely to be Tidals; unbothered by either depth or pressure. He saw only two that shared the color of his hair.

It took nearly a minute for the stream of people to die down. Lorel was the last to step onboard. The car itself wavered with every step taken by its passengers, dipping and rising so slightly it was nearly imperceptible.

A wave of drowsiness rolled over him as he took a seat; borne from a combination of the warm food and prior physical activity. Instead of fighting it, he closed his eyes, leaning back as the railcar began to move. If he did fall asleep, his holo-watch would wake him when it was time.