Good Mood
November 10th, 186 AJ. District 4…
As the dawn arrived, and just as they did upon every other district within Bastion's great expanse, the massive Sun-Ray Stations which were attached firmly upon District 4's steel sky began to radiate a blinding white glow.
So intense was their shine that it appeared as though the entire district was a set being lit up by blinding spotlights. With District 4 being part of the nine districts situated upon Bastion's base layer, the sunlight reflected upon them was far more intense than that which District 11 endured.
Before long, when the hour had arrived at the 7AM mark, the entire sky was bathed under a white radiance which neglected one the ability to even see the steel sky above them.
No one paid this detail any concern however, such was simply how it was to live within Bastion. Instead most of the district's population had already begun the familiar bustling which signaled a new day's arrival. By now the entire district was already alive.
Upon its city roads, be they large or small, countless PMVs entered the harrowing tribulation that was the rush hour traffic, their sleek and low alloy bodies slowly making their way past it. Those which lacked PMVs, were instead pacing themselves upon the street's pedestrian walkways which ran on both sides of the asphalt roads.
The residents who found the prospect of walking unappealing instead directed themselves to the transportation service of their choice. Most popular of which was the vast train network which spread out into every corner of the district's massive expanse like veins of steel alloy.
It was upon one of its stop points, Deanbrook Station, located upon District 4's Dean Rest Area on Brookwayde street, that a large group of people passed the time as they awaited the 7:15 train's arrival.
Deanbrook Station itself was a five story tall building, and due to how elevated the railways were, its third floor served as the waiting grounds. Most of it was a large open area which was held up by massive pillars. The space had a multitude of different seating options, with the long vertical steel chairs serving as the ones closest to the railway.
It was precisely upon one of those seats that a beautiful woman currently sat, leisurely reading a small book which she grasped with a single hand. The woman possessed straight jet black hair that reached just short of her shoulders and seemed to dissipate all light which dared to touch it. Currently, her hair swayed gently with the morning breeze. That soft motion that nature instigated carried forth her lovely fragrance to all those who passed by.
Hidden behind her book, then furthermore behind a pair of black rimmed glasses, were two green eyes that rivaled any emerald's beauty. Her skin was of smooth alabaster, almost entirely covered by the fine black suit which wrapped around her exquisite body. The suit appeared perfectly crafted to compliment her slender physique and had no discernible flaws in its wearing or texture.
Not a wrinkle, not a speck of dirt, not even a strand of her hair.
She sat with perfect elegance, resting one leg atop the other as she did. This beautiful woman was none other than Ciel's future mentor, Maeve Dawson.
Maeve wore an aloof expression, not once betraying a simple truth… She was in a good mood today, a really good mood.
So overpowering was her mirth that she was currently merely staring upon words, unable to process a single sentence she read. In fact, she had not turned the page for over ten minutes. Her gaze constantly fell onto the display of her phone which she grasped leisurely with her free hand.
7:15… Shouldn't the train be here by now?
She thought impatiently. Yet the train remained indifferent to her frustration, even as each second that past felt like eternity had come and gone many times over.
Then, at the 55 second mark, finally it happened.
BEEP!
"Attention! Attention! Incoming train, be sure to situate yourself behind the marked line! I repeat, be sure to situate yourself behind the marked line!"
Just as the automated voice boomed forth and a holographic line emerged just a meter away from the edge of the waiting area, flashing with a crimson glow, everyone at last saw the train's steel frame turn the corner in the distance as it gradually began to slow down.
Finally!
Unable to hold herself back Maeve quickly took grasp of her black case then joined the rest who were standing just before the flashing holographic line.
Since the trains worked on magnetic railways, it made no sound as it approached. Then finally the steel worm came to a halt. Its white body glistened beneath the light as its steel doors opened and a flood of people first rushed out.
Only after did Maeve at last enter.
As she did, she could no longer hold back the subtle smile which had been threatening to appear this entire morning.
Today would be a good day… The day where she would officially become an officer of the NSRA.
*****
Growing up, Maeve Dawson always knew what she wanted for her life. She had never once doubted that she would reach this point, the day when she would enter the NSRA. Back then, she discovered the truth that mystical forces lurked in every corner of Bastion all because of her mother, an Arbiter in charge of overseeing the outskirts of District 11.
It was that district which she called home for the majority of her life, yet she did so under the comfort of stability. Naturally her mother was given a nice home where she could manage her job and the growth of her child.
Maeve had always admired what her mother did, and as she matured, the more she wished to do the same thing. To help others and to stop the forces that infiltrated Bastion from spreading. And so, when she at last graduated from high school she did not hesitate to apply into District 11's NSRA Officer Academy. Doing so at the age of 18, on 182 AJ, the year before the news of her mother's death reached her.
Her death…
Maeve had known of the supernatural for a long time, but she didn't know the details regarding it. That was why when her mother died in action she refused to believe that anything existed out there which could kill her.
Beyond that desperate rejection from a grieving daughter, Maeve also had an uneasy feeling. One which stemmed from her mother's final days. Maeve remembered that period vividly even now, the distress, the anxiety, the fear, how it had begun eating away at the gentle person who she loved, to the point that Maeve barely talked to her before her passing…
That was why Maeve was convinced that there was more to it all. She was certain that her powerful mother had discovered something, something which could even terrify a Fourth Stage Esper.
It was only a conjecture of course, one of two which she had in regards to the truth behind her mothers death. All Maeve had to believe in such a thing was but a single piece of evidence. Then again, perhaps it was all just her delusions, the lingering denial of a daughter who could not accept her mother's fate.
Whether she was right or not, she had to make sure…
It was her responsibility to do so.
Luckily for Maeve, she had already been within the first year of the academy when her mother passed. All she needed to do then was merely continue forward with her original plans of joining the NSRA, even if it was no longer a goal solely motivated by selfless compassion.
Upon the present day, Maeve felt exuberant to at last take a step forward.
Despite having graduated the academy in September, she was merely relocated to District 4 and told that she would be informed of the details of her start on a further date. And yet, that date seemed to never arrive.
Until at last, on November 1st, she received a letter. On it was the emblem of the NSRA and it told her of her starting date, along with the place where she would be situated...
*****
The train ride was over before Maeve even realized it. She had gotten lost in thought somewhere along the way and somehow it allowed for time to finally act properly once more. Without hesitation she exited the train station, then after requesting a car service and waiting an additional 10 minutes of travel time, Maeve arrived at her destination.
In the middle of a bustling street, she stood before a building of around 50 stories tall. Its outer appearance was no different than its much larger neighbors and no sign could be found to even hint at what the purpose of the structure was.
Maeve knew of course… It was her new workplace: The SW-4 Station.
Glancing at the time— That of 7:49 AM— Maeve stopped her loitering and headed inside.
Immediately upon entry she was stopped by a few security guards which required her to showcase her ID Code and the stamped letter. When she finally was let through, she took a moment to take in the building's look.
It was elegant, yet simple. The first floor was entirely empty for the first few meters with the large reception desk located almost half way through it. It was that desk which separated the first floor into two paths which she could not discern the details of with just a glance.
However, right behind the desk was a wall which had a bright crimson that displayed the word:
'NSRA'
Situated behind that large desk were three assistant personnel, all donned in black and white dresses that had neat bows wrapped around their collars.
Approaching one of them, Maeve smiled faintly.
"Hello there, my name is Maeve Dawson. I'm a rookie who has been assigned to this station, can you help me find out what I'm supposed to do next?"
The assistant, a young woman with black hair and wearing a pair of gold rimmed glasses, lifted her gaze away from her screen upon hearing Maeve's voice. She then gave a wide smile.
"Maeve you say? Ah yes! I remember, you are one of ten rookie agents who have been assigned to our station."
Only ten huh… Will I get to meet anyone from the academy?
Maeve silently pondered the fates of her previous classmates as the assistant turned her focus back to the screen before her. The sound of a virtual keyboard being tapped then reverberated.
"Let's see… Just show me your ID Code and letter. After we verify that, I will take you to your supervising Inspector."
The woman said, reaching out her hand as she spoke.
Maeve nodded and did as she was asked. However, it was then that a voice rang from behind her.
"Excuse me, but did I hear wrongly or are you helping this rookie agent with her entry? If so, then may I join as well?"
The voice was calm and gentle, sounding overly polite without any effort from the speaker. Maeve spared its source a glance and was met by the sight of a middle aged man. The man had light brown hair that cascaded down on both sides, reaching almost as long as Maeve's own. He wore a familiar black suit, yet he neglected to equip both its jacket and vest, leaving only the white dress shirt neatly tucked under his black trousers. The shirt had a tie secured to it by a silver pin, its color that of plain black.
Currently, the man wore a gentle expression, one adorned by a polite smile.
Grasped on his hands were a letter and his phone, its surface portraying his ID Code, exactly what was requested of Maeve just prior. Naturally, Maeve immediately understood who this person was and took a step back to make way. Witnessing such, the man turned his gaze at her for the first time.
"How kind of you, may the lord bask you with his radiance today…"
Saying nothing more to her, the man walked up to the desk and slid forth the requested items. The assistant greeted him warmly, took his items, then began inserting their information within her system.
That left Maeve and the man with a moment of silent stagnation.
It was only after a few moments of silence that the man turned to face Maeve once more, reaching out a hand as he did.
"Since we have the time, why don't we formally introduce ourselves? My name is Archie Morris, and like you, I'm also a rookie officer. Graduate of District 4's NSRA Officer Academy, ranked 27th of my class."
A fresh graduate. They really do come in all ages, don't they?
While Maeve knew such a thing was not uncommon, the oldest from her graduating class was 27 years old. Far younger than what the man, Archie, appeared to be.
Keeping her thoughts to herself, Maeve took his hand and spoke in a neutral tone.
"Nice to meet you Archie. I'm Maeve Dawson, graduate of District 11's NSRA Officer Academy, ranked 1st of my class. Let us get along moving forward."
Archie shook her hand, doing so with a gentle care that was hard to describe. However, his polite smile suddenly experienced a subtle shift, turning a little more intense somewhere along the way.
"Ah yes, yes of course. First of your class too huh, amazing! But Ms. Maeve, I must ask you something very important… Have you ever considered donating a portion of your salary to a Holy Light Cathedral?!"
Huh…?