Chp. 17: The Emerald Bathtub Vist
Terrchel's eyes scanned the bustling streets of New Arcadia as he waited for Emerson to answer his call.
The bright lights of the city's towering skyscrapers cast a colorful glow over the crowded sidewalks, and the swift movements of heelys filled the air.
When Emerson's voice finally came through, Terrchel's gaze drifted downward, his eyes narrowing slightly as he listened to the hologram come through. Emerson answered "You were trying to reach me, what's up?"
"Hey, Emerson. I need a favor," Terrchel said, his voice low and even. "I was wondering if I could crash at your bachelor cube tonight."
There was a pause on the other end of the line before Emerson responded, his tone cautious. "Terrchel, I think that's the best option. Meraki just got back to the hideout, and she's...not in a good state. She doesn't want to talk to anyone, I assume it's due to your mission today."
Terrchel's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of guilt sparked within him. Was I too hard on Meraki? He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the call "Yeah, I'm not looking for trouble, Emerson. I just need some time alone. I'll be out of your bachelor cube by tomorrow morning, and then I'll head back to the base to start my training before sundown."
Emerson sighed, his reluctance evident even over the comms line. "I'm not sure what happened today out there with Meraki and you but I just want to maintain the peace in the hideout, I'm sure by tomorrow things will be bearable but be warned, Terrchel: Meraki's not herself right now, and I'm not sure what's going on with her. I'm only agreeing to this because I think it's best for everyone involved. Just...be careful, okay?"
Terrchel's lips went into a straight line, his eyes glinting with sorrow. "I always am, Emerson. Thanks for the hospitality. I'll see you tomorrow."
With that, the call ended, and Terrchel's gaze returned to the city before him. He felt a thrill of anticipation at the prospect of exploring the Z3 cube, He knew it had secrets he needed answers for, and now that he had Arnold's journal from the Arcadian forbidden library, things were about to get clearer.
However, deep down, he knew he was just using that as an excuse. The truth was, he needed time alone, away from the drama and complications of his life, and he was avoiding Meriella. Emerson's bachelor cube was the perfect place to find that solitude.
Slipping his headphones back on and pressing play on his mp3 player. He spotted a QuickStore and decided to grab a few things for the night ahead, he wasn't sure if Emerson had any food in the bachelor cube seeing that nobody lived there for years.
As Terrchel stepped into the sleek, neon-lit QuickStore, the sliding glass doors swooshed shut behind him, enveloping him in a world of futuristic retail.
The air was thick with the hum of holographic advertisements and the soft chatter of AI-powered shopping assistants. Terrchel's eyes scanned the aisles, lined with towering shelves of gleaming tech gadgets, virtual reality headsets, and rows of cryogenic food pods. He picked up one of the food pods wondering what it was and decided to grab one just for interest sake.
He wandered over to the beverage section, where he grabbed a chilled can of "NeuroSpark" energy drink and a packet of "DigitalDreams" brain-boosting supplements.
He spotted someone familiar from a distance: a lanky guy with a slender build who seemed to be constantly slouching, as if gravity was gently pulling him towards the ground.
Terrchel pulled off his headphones and walked over to the guy, but the guy was totally into whatever he was doing, with his back to Terrchel.
Terrchel heard his own voice coming from some gadget the guy was really into while leaning on the fridge.
It was the same guy that saw him attempt to fly outside the Arcadia One Night Stay Hotel. He seemed to be watching a video about Terrchel and laughing extremely loud in a corner of the store.
Terrchel sneaks up behind the guy and peeks over his shoulder to see what's happening, especially because he heard his own voice coming from some strange device.
The dude is about 5'9", so when Terrchel hovered over him, it was pretty obvious and felt creepy. The guy stopped laughing right away, and a sweat drop ran down his face.
He starts mumbling and trying to find an excuse for his laughter. Whilst avoiding eye contact, he then says, "Man, take it; I don't even care. Don't sell me, bro; I just bought grams." He half falls, half runs away, throwing his phone at Terrchel.
His hands grabbed for his baggy jeans that were falling off as he fumbled out of the store and out the exit door, thinking to himself, "He can keep that trash phone. I'm not dying yet I need to smoke my weed. I went through a lot to obtain that special grade sh*t".
Terrchel was confused. He picked up the phone completely in awe of the device's design. It could flip open and closed. He flipped it a few times and clapped it hard on his fingers by mistake the last time. "Ouch!" He squinted his eyes to watch the video the guy had playing out loud from this tiny device's screen. It certainly did not resemble the experience of viewing in holographic mode.
He soon realized that it's once again the video about him at the Academy being played, but someone had stringed together memes and short clips from his 'cosplay' event and made a contemplation.
The comments were quite unkind and did not reflect the situation accurately. Terrchel felt a sense of misunderstanding and sadness because individuals who did not know him were making negative remarks about him online.
As Terrchel scrolled through the Arcadia media feed, his eyes widened in horror as he read the vicious comments and messages from anonymous trolls. He's heart sank, feeling like a heavy weight had dropped into his stomach, making it hard to breathe.
Physically, his palms grew sweaty, he's hands trembled, and his head spun with a wave of dizziness. Emotionally, he felt a deep cut, like his self-worth was being shredded into pieces.
The words "you're not worthy to be walking the streets of The New City of Arcadia go back to the dumpsters of The Undergrid", "Go back to the trash, where you belong FLYman" and "you're ugly, I hope you never find love, your children would be a disgrace to ALL of Arcadia including The Undergrid!". The comments echoed in his mind, making him feel like he was walking through a dark tunnel with no escape.
Mentally, Terrchel's mind racing with negative self-talk, he began to doubt his own abilities and purpose here in Arcadia, wondering if he was indeed worthless. The constant barrage of hate messages made him feel like he was losing his grip on reality.
As silent tears fell down his face, for the first time, he wondered what was the point of living if he had no purpose in Arcadia.
He started to believe his reincarnation was a mistake and he didn't deserve it.
He closes the flip phone and decides to keep it thinking the pillagers would probably need one of these.
People in the store were giving him weird looks thinking he is crazy and some were afraid because they recognized him from the rumors. They were keeping distance between themselves and him, moving away when he approached and covering their mouths with their hands whilst whispering and staring.
Terrchel approaches the checkout counter, where he observes individuals presenting what appeared to be a luminous tattoo that the store's AI, "MotherNode," scanned for payment processing. He thought to himself, what soul selling nonsense is going on here. The tattoo-like implant glowed when scanned. He waited in line whilst tapping his foot with anticipation.
It was his turn, and he was a bit worried about where the swatches of the people who paid before him were. The store's AI greeted him with a cheerful chime. "Payment processing, please authenticate," the AI requested.
He asked the AI "Uhm I don't understand what's going on here, but is regular crypto currency via swatch still acceptable here?"
The AI responded, "Yes, let's proceed with the swatch transaction. Please do go get your comms implant soon to avoid being phased out. See you next time. Goodbye."
The AI handed Terrchel his purchases and proceeded processing the next customer. Terrchel was bewildered. He did a double take of the store before leaving. He felt as if everything upgraded even more drastically overnight.
The sun has set and he felt exhausted not having energy to walk or run to the bachelor cube so instead he fueled up his jetpack and flew over the night sky to the doorstep of Z3 Addison. Upon arrival he was greeted by the Maximus Residence bot. "Good evening Terrchel Flyman, Master Emerson has informed me of your arrival tonight. I've taken the liberty to prepare a hot soak followed by a late evening dinner. Follow me"
Terrchel was pleased with this new welcoming opposed to when he first came here but he was way too tired to speak much so he silently entered the home set his things on the lounge area table and followed the bot to the soaking room.
You could smell the lavender in the air, and hot steam was rising from the sides of a cool Masons Emerald tub.
Terrchel removed all his gear and clothing and wasted no time climbing into the bathtub for a soak. As he rested his head, his neck hair touched the water, and he sighed with relief.
The bot left him be and prepared dinner as promised. The sound of sizzling meat could be heard from afar, shortly followed by the smell of steak and rosemary.
Terrchel closed his tired cerise eyes and relaxed his body, gently drifting into a peaceful sleep where he encountered a dream.
As Terrchel drifted deeper into slumber, he found himself standing in the midst of a desolate, war-torn cityscape, the ruins of Arcadia stretching out before him. Children screaming and crying, people starving and dying, violence, genocide and rebellion. Those with AI advancements being the only ones thriving and surviving.
Then appeared beside him, the presence of The Light both calming and powerful.
Terrchel spoke in a voice that echoed in, "I believe You are God of All, how long will you withhold mercy from the innocent of this city and its people?" A warm, gentle breeze rustled Terrchel's hair as he felt God's presence respond, speaking kind and comforting words to him. "I am angry with this city and its people. I will return with mercy, and my house will be rebuilt"
As God spoke, the cityscape around Terrchel began to transform. Crumbling buildings rose anew, their stones glowing with a soft, ethereal light. The air filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the sound of laughter and music drifted on the breeze. The Lights final words echoed in Terrchel's mind, "The whole of Arcadia will again overflow with prosperity, at the given time and I The Lord will again comfort and choose this place".
As the dream faded, and Terrchel opened his eyes, feeling a deep sense of concern for the road Arcadia was heading down. All the horrible things he saw but also the comfort that it will pass lingered, in his heart like a promise.
One thing remaining, the timing bothered Terrchel. Time moved differently here. Overnight things changed and sometimes over years. He worried when will it all fall apart and felt urged to warn those he cared for. Because it could be in 1 hour or years from now.
As the warm water enveloped him, Terrchel let out a contented sigh, feeling the day's tension melt away. After a refreshing soak, he climbed out of the bathtub and wrapped himself in a plush towel.
He ambled over to Emerson's wardrobe, searching for something comfortable to wear. However, his eyes landed on a ridiculous unicorn onesie, complete with a sparkly horn and rainbow mane.
Terrchel groaned in annoyance, but his curiosity got the better of him. He slipped on the onesie, feeling like a total goofball. As he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, he couldn't help but chuckle at his own reflection - he looked adorable, despite himself.
Later, seated alone at the dinner table, Terrchel was treated to a delightful meal courtesy of the Maximus resident bot. The starter, a delicate amuse-bouche of truffle and mushroom, exploded with flavor on his tongue.
The main course, a perfectly grilled steak accompanied by buttery garlic potatoes and steamed vegetables, elicited a satisfied "mmm" from Terrchel.
He savored each bite, feeling grateful for the bot's culinary skills. Finally, the bot presented him with a refreshing peppermint tart, which Terrchel enjoyed despite finding it a tad too sweet - his toothache protested with a faint twinge.
With dinner concluded, Terrchel devoted himself to his skincare routine, carefully cleansing and moisturizing his skin. As he slipped into the cozy bed the bot had prepared for him, he picked up the book he'd "borrowed" from the forbidden library, signed by Arnold Maximus. With a happy sigh, Terrchel settled in for a peaceful night's read of discovery.
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