"Mhmm mmm mm."
fwshh.
Alright. Bed's done.
A mattress dressed in white, tucked beneath a thick red blanket, stuffed beasts arranged along the headrest.
Sienna turned and headed into the living room. Ikade was there, seated with a pamphlet unfolded in her hands. She walked over and dropped onto the couch beside her, then leaning back. Turning on the television and sifting through the numerous broadcasts.
"We could check this place out. It looks interesting."
The feline continued flipping through the pages, slowing down when a particular picture caught her eyes.
The entrance opened into a widening corridor, if it could even be called that—four distinct drops were visible, each floor layered beneath the last. The first level boasted a high ceiling, but farther in, the canopy dipped lower as it framed the scenery beyond.
'It's got so much stuff, I don't even know where to look.'
Sienna could practically read Ikade's thoughts just through her expression alone. A sharp lens flare finished off the photo, the catwalk suspended from the ceiling drawing her attention.
"I don't see a name—do you? I only see the address."
Ikade's ears flicked at the question, squinting down at the paper for any clue, speaking up after giving up on the search.
"I guess we can take a look around."
They flipped a few more pages and found something else—a smaller exhibition tucked close to their main point of interest. Another spot worth stopping by, Sienna added it to their ever growing list.
While she did that, Ikade spoke up, still skimming through the flavor text.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen many animals in person. Actually, I've only ever seen small wildefowl around here."
Standing up ,Sienna twisted at the waist for a moment before turning to face her.
"Let's eat first, I'm starving—we'll go after."
Even so, they spend next twenty minutes without much urgency. They stayed in the dorm, resting—idly watching whatever was on the television or tapping away at their devices.
Eventually, they gathered their things and headed for the front door. Sienna gave the handle a quick twist just to be sure—before they headed off.
Step.
Step.
Step.
The corridors, a crescendo of voices.
They wandered without much of a plan. The many races slowly filling up the corridors, the same ones that widened into more paths, the signage hanging from the ceiling changing with each turn—colors shifting for every step.
They paused here and there, leaning over railings, peering down into open spaces that dropped farther than expected. The busiest areas buzzed loud and alive, bustling activity packed together like a hive.
In between, a few corridors were blocked off, 'stores' closed off for the time being, all across the many decks. Construction could be observed here and there.
"Oohho~ that looks really good."
Ikade bounced toward a food stall planted right in the middle of a widened corridor. Multiply the scene by a dozen more—stalls splitting the walkway down the middle, smoke and steam curling upward in laziness.
The sizzle of food filled their ears, the chatter ricocheting off the walls.
"Hello, qué quieren mijas?"
Ikade scanned the short menu before pointing to a stacked sandwich, barely held together by a single pick. The older woman followed her gesture and wrote it down, then looked to Sienna.
"Me da esta?"
They paid quickly, drinks already included, then carried their food over to a nearby bench after waiting a few minutes. Sitting down, they took their first sips, letting the activity around them pass by.
Ikade focused on her sandwich, barely being able to wrap both hands around it. It's layers pressed together beneath the homemade bread—eggs at the top, melted cheese stretching with each bite, the crisp lettuce giving way between the two kinds of meat.
The bread held it all together, soft on the inside with a satisfying shell.
Sienna, on her part had a dish made of perfectly cooked fearh, sided next to lettuce, green and purples veggies. Topped with fun sized tortillas.
Munch! Munch~ Munch~
They stayed seated for another dozen minutes before standing up and tossing their trash away. Sienna flicked her finger toward the stall, sending over a generous tip.
They continued wandering whatever fancied them.
With every flick of her finger, they found themselves drawn to something new—closing in on their second point of interest. Behind them, they left satisfied smiles and happy chatter, pleased vendors for whatever it was they'd sold.
Step.
"Ah…it's closed. Awesome."
Ikade's ears fell flat against her head, her tone full of mock disappointment.
"Lets see...what else could we find..."
Sienna muttered, scrolling through the map, flicking her fingers uselessly across the display. Ikade returned to her side, pulling up her own phone, searching just as fruitlessly.
In the end, they settled on the main attraction from the pamphlet.
They walked without hurry, joining the crowd that withered away after some time. Corridors widened, then narrowed all over.
Soon enough, an entrance waited for them—taller than the rest they've seen.
fshk—!
Staring up and down at the pamphlet, their expressions turned quizzical, disappointment drew itself across their faces.
It was dark. Dark dark. Yet not completely devoid of life.
"So…" Ikade started, rocking on her heels. "This isn't what I pictured."
They glanced at one other, then looked past the entrance.
Warm light spilled down from above, scattered. They stepped through the straight arch—one of four.
Inside, a couple dozen people lingered about, spread across the wide floor. High up, the catwalks sat empty for now while a persistent hum filled the air, crashing softly against the castle walls.
Only then did Sienna's gaze snag on a board set off to the side—bright against the metal.
'OPENING SOON.'
She slowed, nudging Ikade lightly with her elbow and tilting her head toward it.
"Oh. Well this is a waste of time."
Turning around, Sienna complain before Ikade joined her.
Step.
Already in front of their dorm, they unlocked the room and passed through, swapping their shoes for slippers then dropping onto the couch, resting their weary legs.
Sienna handed the controls to Ikade, then pushed herself up and headed for the bedroom. She grabbed the spare blanket and, on her way back, tossed it over the feline, earning a soft groan in return.
They settled in softness, sharing half the blanket, chatting about nothing while the television played in the background.
Then—another version of them.
This time, both were on the floor, rummaging through their bags and pulling out a game board. It landed on the coffee table between the couch and the screen. Like a faded overlay, the earlier pair was ignored entirely while these two skimmed the rules and started a game.
Again.
Now Ikade paced the room, quietly speaking into her phone. Nearby, Sienna typed away on her laptop, seated beside the first version of herself. She reached into a bag of chips, popping a few into her mouth and kept working.
Again.
But night, this time.
Sienna slowly opened her eyes, her view tilted sideways.
"unngh—I shouldn't have woken up. There goes sleeping."
While her vision adjusted to the dark, she groaned and pushed herself up with one arm. Moving on autopilot, she stumbled toward the bathroom, flicking on the fan and light at the same time. Water ran as she washed her face then she rummaged through a small bag, fishing out a few pills and tossing them down her throat.
Feels like someone's pulling at my muscles…damn it.
In that though, she padded back into the bedroom and quietly opened the closet.
She changed into something more comfortable—a beige, flowy skirt that stopped just above her ankles and a loose blouse. She buttoned it haphazardly, slipping on a pair of white sneakers, careful not to tug at the necklace resting against her collarbone.
By the front door, she grabs her purse and puts on her ear buds.
With no real destination in mind, she wandered at an easy pace. The corridors were only half-lit at this hour, a pattern of black and white.
She turned corners without a though, following nothing in particular until warmness spilled out from ahead.
Nestled between two closed storefronts was a small instrument shop, its lights still on. Warm and inviting, strings and polished wood visible through the glass.
Yet, no one was in sight.
krr—fzz.
The light flickered once when she turned on her heel and stepped through the doorway.
Inside, instruments either lined the walls or rested on stands, each one taking in the warm light. She moved slowly between them, tracing their shape with her eyes.
Her gaze moved to their prices and she nudged herself along to another section. moving to a different section—she found the guitars. Peeking at her interest, she bent a knee and took in their sight, all of their different designs.
Looking up for a moment, she bent down again and picked one up.
In her grasp, she eventually found a comfortable position and moved her hand across.
~♪~♪
Not finding it to her liking, she tried a few more.
Then another. Until she found the one she fancied the most.
Satisfied, she carried it over to the register and looked around for a bit. After scanning the guitar, she headed back to the section and grabbed a padded guitar case.
Returning to the counter, she lifted her wrist and tapped her bracelet against the reader. The payment went through without a hitch and she took the receipt without looking at the price.
The display flashed once, replacing itself with a small, cheerful face.
Sienna opened the case and slid the guitar inside, securing it in place before closing it shut.
She grabbed the handle, letting it hang at her side.
thmp…
The weight lightened while she changed her grip on it, setting off once more.
With a bit more force in her stepped, she lifted her wrist again and pulled up the map—flicking her finger, she searched for a spot and punched it on. The arrows on the ground guided her around the maze of corners.
She walked for a little while longer, unhurried even, the case bumping against her leg with each step. The corridor's no longer carrying their buzzing mess.
Add a couple stairs and an elevator.
Turning a corner, she ignored the 'closed' sign nearby—otherwise the guiding light would've dragged her the long way around.
—thmp.
Or perhaps she should have listened.
step.
Up ahead, beyond a lift tucked into the curve of the hallway, something caught her eye. A scuffle. Stepping closer, their tones could be called amusement. The epithets of indignities, it encompassed them perfectly.
Harassment. Fuuu…you know what? I'm already here. I'm not turning around.
"Caough—you have to gang up on me…heh—fuckin' little girls…"
The man in the center was already bruised, an eye swelling, blood at the corner of his mouth. He smiled anyway, crooked and defiant, and swung, sloppy. His fist barely connected before he was shoved back again.
"Shame, huh?"
Slurs.
Jabs dressed up as jokes. Calling him filthy. Talking about how they should just toss him off the landship like filth.
Step.
Their heads turned toward her all at once.
One of them hooked an arm under the bruised man's shoulder, another suddenly sniffing, expressions flashing across their faces.
"You didn't see the sign?"
"Hah? What sign?" Her voice full of questioning curiosity.
She turned her head, looking over her shoulder and they followed her gaze.
Nothing. No sign in sight.
One of them muttered a curse when she passed, throwing the man a look—catching the peeling bandage on his cheek, the darkened patch beneath it.
Some luck you've got.
step.
And another.
Soon enough, the bend in the corridor forced them all to slip out of sight.
—thmp.
The hallway opened up into a corridor and she found her destination, a small cluster of closed-off booths.
Walking up to one, she pressed her bracelet to the panel. A soft chime answered, the door unlocking a moment later. Inside waited a recessed seating nook, tucked away with a short fridge next to it.
She stepped in, sat down, and set her instrument across her lap.
A few videos popped up with a flick of her wrist after searching for a bit, the screens darting a short distance away. She removed her earbuds and set them aside.
The door slid shut behind her.