ManicMuse
I ax-o-lotl questions.
@: N/A
Location: Urban District > New Apartment > Near Team Demise HQ > Shopping Center
In her childhood home, Rachel stood as a silent observer, captivated by the intricate dance of dust particles illuminated by beams of light streaming through slightly bent metal shutters. The space was a sensory mosaic โ the zesty aroma of citrus wafting from a generous bowl of lemons and cara cara oranges, the comforting scent of her mother's preferred dish soap lingering around the kitchen sink, where a large pot lay soaking. The distant symphony of heavy machinery provided the familiar soundtrack of her home in the Industry District. Yet, Rachel found herself perplexed, questioning why she was here. Following a heated falling out with her father, she hadn't set foot in this place for over a month. Yet, in this inexplicable moment, she stood in the midst of her childhood haven, unable to recall what led her to this juncture. Then, the sound of the front door opening and closing echoed through the space.
โHello?โ
โHey kiddo, Iโm home,โ her father's familiar voice filled her with a conflicting mix of dread and longing.
Taking a deep breath, Rachel turned toward the hallway, her silent resolve guiding her toward the doorway. Despite her confusion about the circumstances that led her here, she knew, with a profound certainty, that her father, despite recent differences, would help her. Yet, as she stepped over the threshold from the small, quaint kitchen to the hallway, reality twisted and distorted. The hallway stretched and expanded, doubling and tripling in length โ a blatant sign of the dream world asserting its whimsical influence. This surreal alteration shook Rachel from her passive acceptance of the dream realm's arbitrary rules.
โFigures,โ she muttered, her eyes closing within the dream realm. Clearing her mind of the preconceived world her subconscious had built, she opted to shape her current environment. In her envisioned dream flat, she conjured an almost empty space โ a mattress on the ground and unopened moving boxes scattered in a corner. Rachel spent the next hour exploring different ways to style the area until finally, the sound of her alarm in the real world beckoned her.
In the waking realm, Rachel found herself on a modest twin mattress, adorned with nothing but a fitted sheet, a single pillow, and a blanket. A sigh escaped her lips as she sat up, realizing the grand ideas she had formulated in her dreamscape seemed nearly impossible when confronted with the stark reality of her space. With no time for contemplation, driven by the urgent need to replenish her dwindling funds, Rachel reached for a gallon jug of water, chugging it vigorously before preparing for the day. Dressed in athletic wear with a rubber liner, she filled a more portable water bottle, adding a few electrolyte tablets before snatching her tekpad and wireless headphones.
Now situated in the Urban District of Sentinel City, Rachel set out to familiarize herself with the area. After a brisk run, she returned home, engaging in the ritualistic process of collecting every drop she could before tossing them into the centrifuge, all while immersing herself in a rejuvenating shower.
A few hours later, with the afternoon sun casting its warm glow, Rachel emerged onto the streets of the Urban District, proudly displaying her "team" colors โ grey boyfriend-cut jeans with rolled cuffs, a teal tank top under a navy blue puffer jacket. The cherry on top was the dull grey gloves with glowing teal insignias embroidered with tiny bags and specks of stars wafting out of them, signifying to those in the know, she was Dreamscape.
Despite having made trips already to the post office, Rachel used the digi-map to navigate to her destination. In her mind, it was a habit she would never break when delivering vials. A lot of bad things happened in this City, and she would have been a fool to think otherwise. Her discarded digi-map with her starting destination and where she never made it to seemed like it would make a great lead for anyone should something happen to her. Now it had not happened yet, but one never knew. That was the type of clue she would appreciate if she were assigned to a missing person.
She had heard many stories over the last few months from those in the path of the chaos that ensued over the madness at the festival with the dangerous mutant on the loose. Unfortunately, she had not been there to aid her faction due to the fallout in her personal life. Plus, what good was she going to do? Run up and put everyone to sleep?
Rachel walked down the street, following the path on her digi-map, purposely passing several suitable mailing points along her way. Instead, she opted for the postal services just across from Team Demise HQ. A bit on the nose? Yes. But come now, who else would have a flair for the dramatic? After a few minutes, the vials were out of her hands.
That had been the important matter of the day. With each step, she felt the weight of the vials she had just sent off for delivery. The importance of her role in Team Demise resonated in her mind. She wasn't just an individual navigating the complexities of the city; she was a part of something bigger. A slight smile played on her lips as she pondered the potential camaraderie that could be forged within the team. The idea of connection, though currently elusive, appealed to her deep-seated longing for companionship.
As the sun dipped below the towering skyscrapers, casting long shadows across the urban landscape, Rachel found herself standing in the vicinity of Team Demise's Headquarters. The imposing structure stood as a testament to the power and influence the guild wielded in the city. It was a place of strategy, collaboration, and perhaps the forging of alliances that extended beyond mere professional bonds.
Rachel hesitated at the entrance, her gaze fixated on the emblematic insignia of Team Demise. The teal glow of her gloves seemed to pulse in sync with her contemplation. Should she step inside and embrace the potential connections waiting within those walls? Or would she continue to drift in the currents of isolation that had marked her recent past?
The saxophone player's rendition of holiday melodies on the street corner provided a whimsical backdrop to her thoughts. In that moment, she made a spontaneous decision. Instead of entering the guild headquarters, she moved away, continuing down the street, allowing the music to guide her. The mellow tunes wrapped around her like a comforting shroud, momentarily easing the tension that lingered within.
She found herself in a small plaza adorned with holographic projections of swirling snowflakes. A holographic Christmas tree shimmered in the center, casting a warm glow on the gathered people. Rachel took a seat on a bench, her gaze fixed on the festive display. The juxtaposition of the holiday cheer against the gritty reality of Sentinel City sparked a contemplative mood.
Lost in her thoughts, Rachel didn't notice a figure approaching until they took a seat beside her. It was a fellow citizen, a stranger in the vast expanse of the city. A simple nod passed between them, acknowledging the shared experience of finding solace in the midst of the urban chaos. The saxophone player continued their melodic journey, and for a moment, Rachel felt a subtle connection โ not to Team Demise, not to her family, but to the shared humanity that persisted despite the harsh circumstances.
As the holiday tunes echoed through the city streets, Rachel allowed herself to be immersed in the music, finding a semblance of peace in the midst of uncertainty.
Dreamscape
Rachel
โกcoded by uxieโก