Chapter 12 - Shopping

SADE

The owner hurried me out of the house, leaving me to fully take in the exterior for the first time since I'd arrived.

As soon as I got used to the blinding white sun, my eyes began to flutter all around. The street stretched on both sides, lined with identical white houses that seemed to radiate under the morning sun. Each home was two stories tall, with round or rectangular windows cut into the bright facades.

I had already seen these from the same small windows up the stairs, but there was something I could not have seen from up there before.

Down the center of the road ran a thin stripe of vegetation, bright green grass going up to my ankles, with a few flowers here and there, yellow, white, and even fluffy grey ones!

In the middle of it, a narrow stream rustled, the soothing sound of its flow so soft to my ears. Most houses had tall, thin trees or dense bushes in front of them.

V's home had none.

I wished I could fall to my knees and dive my hands into the soft grass, as I had seen in the movies. The only thing you would find on the grounds outside the clinic was grey dirt and mucky sand, nothing you'd want your hands on.

I looked all around, thinking I wasn't only in a different city, but I had arrived in a completely different world. There were no words to describe it as everything felt so new and different. It was a perfect, enchanting vision of what I had always imagined New Yuan City to be like.

And now, I had the chance to live here too.

Two little paths of uneven gray stones wrapped each side of the greenery, small patches of moss and grass sprouting up between them.

The air felt warm and slightly damp against my skin. The bright blue sky above us made every color more vivid like the world had been freshly painted.

And it felt like it had all been painted for me.

The owner had already walked ahead, his pace brisk. I hurried to follow, my eyes trying to catch as many details as possible of the scenery.

I'd never seen such a beautiful, tranquil place.

Taking a quick look behind his shoulder to check if I was catching up, he seemed to have noticed my interest.

"This is the newest symbiotic ecosystem neighborhood near my work. Top-notch natural urban design," he said, his tone almost proud as he walked long strides. "What do you think of it?"

I didn't understand most of the words he spoke, but it all sounded like a great thing.

"It's so pretty," I simply replied, my eyes busy drinking in every detail.

"Pretty?" he repeated, looking confused. "I suppose it is pretty..." he conceded with a dubious eyebrow raise, as though he were encountering a new word too.

We descended a flight of stairs that appeared in the middle of the path. The air grew cooler as we entered a dark tunnel lit by soft pools of light on the floor.

Some glass doors slid open and we entered another tunnel, this one wider and illuminated with the same soft lights. A massive glass tube stretched out in the middle, making the space look surreal.

Where were we? Was I going to get a new uniform somewhere here?

On the glass in front of us, blue numbers floated around—2:24—and by the time I noticed them, they had changed already to 2:23.

And so on, like a countdown.

What was happening?

The owner noticed my intrigued gaze as I took in my surroundings, and began explaining the loop system: a seamless transportation network connecting every single part of the City, in every direction. He showed me on the tablet where to find the Loop app and how to use it.

"We're going to the Agora," he said, wincing at something he could read on the interface of his glasses. The glare on his glasses was much more visible in the dim light of the tunnel now. "Then I'll have to go to work."

Working at the clinics, I never needed to travel or commute for work, except when they would send me to a new facility. I hated the long journeys spent in the van then, sometimes up to sixteen hours, breathing the smoke of the congested roads. Buses, trucks, and vans commuted together on the Interlink, over forty lanes going all around the Union Belt. It was hellish to get on it and then to get out of it. Every time, I hoped to see something new outside the dirty windows, and each time I was greeted with the grey, bare, endless land of the Union Belt.

Today, I was going to experience commuting like a citizen of the City. I looked back at my reflection in the bubble glass, and even though I felt a bit lost, my heart burst out with excitement. Finally, I was going to explore more of the City!

0:49 glowed faintly on the glass. I noticed the words "Tian-Vila" written on the wall behind us, guessing this was the name of V's neighborhood. The platform was empty and silent, except for the sound of the wind through the tunnels.

"Attention," a clear voice echoed through the tunnel. "The Clockwise Loop will be arriving shortly. Please remain behind the safety lines as it approaches."

00:19, a larger, static countdown timer appeared on the glass, standing out prominently.

The wind's howl grew louder, the air suddenly colder. A shiver ran down my spine, and I crossed my arms against the chill.

00:10. The mechanical hum increased and I turned toward the whistling wind.

00:8, 00:7...

Though the loop's approach had been audible, its sudden appearance startled me. In one smooth motion, the bullet-shaped pod emerged from the tunnel. Its white nose glided in from one side, and in half a blink of an eye, was already on the other side of the platform.

As the countdown neared zero, crystallized frost spread on the glass tube. I turned to the owner, impatient to know what would be next.

He looked up at me from his tablet just as the breeze in the tunnel made my hair fly around my face.

Looking startled, his eyes darted away.

00:3... 00:2... At 00:01, the doors slid open with a gentle hiss, accompanied by a soothing jingle.

"Thank you for traveling with us," a smooth voice welcomed from within the pod. "Please disembark." I noticed a woman walking out of the train onto the platform from another door.

The owner stepped in and I followed, passing through the veil of frosty mist around the entrance.

The warm atmosphere of the loop enveloped me like a big hug. The cabin was spacious and softly lit, with plush seats lining the windows in a serene teal blue. The owner sat in one of the two-seater seats, subtly gesturing toward the window seat beside him.

The jingle echoed through the cabin again, and I felt the subtle vibration of the engine beneath my feet. The doors slid shut with another hiss, sealing the space in a cocoon of stillness.

Perched on the edge of the seat, I felt overwhelmed by all the new sensations. Most passengers seemed absorbed in their tablets or glasses, seemingly oblivious to the experience.

What felt surreal to me must be so ordinary to them!

As the pod glided forward, I sank into the seat, trying to mirror the composed behavior of those around me.

My first time on a train. I couldn't believe it!

The engine's hum grew louder, and as I looked out the window, I realized we had already left the station. I had hoped for a glimpse of the world outside, but all I saw was a blur of grey and light.

The speed increased, pressing me deeper into the seat. I gripped the armrests tightly as the pressure built, scanning the other passengers to see if anyone else noticed. But no one seemed bothered. Next to me, the owner was relaxed, elbow resting on the armrest, a finger scrolling on his tablet.

I looked at a couple on a similar two-seater, the only other passengers I had a good view of. The man held a tablet, using the armrests between them to share the screen with his partner. They both were smiling as they exchanged a few words, their attention focused on the screen between them.

When the engine's buzz decreased, the cabin grew quiet again, except for the couple's whispers and the soft ambient music in the background. I let out a small sigh, loosening my grip on the armrests, appreciating the soft fabric beneath my fingers.

A light on the ceiling caught my eye. At first, I noticed only a bright dot, but then I realized the entire roof of the train was a screen. Tiny pixels flickered and danced across it, forming moving lines. I realized it was a map, displaying the train's route and time until the next station.

The couple across from us had stopped looking at their tablet. They were now holding hands on the armrest between them. I couldn't help but steal a few glances at them as they whispered to each other, small smiles on their faces.

Next to me, the owner kept ignoring my presence.

I turned back to the window as the blur slowly came into focus. I felt a gentle pull forward, and glancing at the ceiling again, I realized we were approaching the next station.

"Attention, passengers," the voice echoed again. "Arrival at Tian-Al Medina Station in one minute. Please prepare for docking."

The cabin's vibrations and sounds intensified. I couldn't hear the ambient music anymore.

In just the blink of an eye, we had already glided into a new station. I leaned closer to the window, almost pressing my nose against it, eager to see more of this new world.

This station looked exactly like the other one, with plain grey walls and sleek dark floors.

But this time, it was filled with people.

I admired the dozens through my window. A blonde woman elegantly wrapped in a long beige coat tightened it around herself, the breeze of the platform causing the light fabric to flow all around. Two teenage girls walked behind, their small feet balancing with ease on large, heavy platform shoes.

When the train came to a halt, a few passengers in our cabin stood and made their way to the door.

A tall black man nonchalantly rose from his seat, the silky cream fabric of his loose-fitting blouse cascading down to his knees, paired with fitted pants of the same color. He held his tablet in one hand, a brown strap going around his wrist. The couple I observed followed behind him, dressed in matching clothes, gray button-up shirts, and white pants. They walked hand in hand as they exited the train.

Until now, observing the other passengers hadn't been so easy as they were all seated at spaced intervals, hiding behind their tablets. But now, with the doors open, I had the perfect opportunity to watch and admire the flow entering and exiting our compartment.

I was mesmerized by the clothing more than anything else. It felt as if they had all chosen something that would perfectly fit their bodies and harmonize with the others around them.

The long-coat woman entered our compartment with pointed high-heeled shoes in the most brilliant color I had seen on any passenger so far, an electric blue. Each step seemed to shine against the floor as she tiptoed to the nearest available seat.

As smoothly as we had arrived, the doors slid shut again, and the engines hummed to life. The grey station walls faded, and the tunnel blurred outside the window again.

Feeling a little more at ease, I let my back sink fully into the soft cushions of my seat. The curved wings of the wingback chair offered some privacy, the side cushions curving to partially shield me from the other passengers. I leaned my temple against the plush headrest, soaking in the calm, serene atmosphere of the train.

I glanced at the owner beside me. He remained oblivious to my presence, his eyes fixed on his tablet as if reading something.

I observed the woman sitting with her legs gracefully crossed. I tried to mimic her posture but quickly abandoned the effort when my jumpsuit made a faint squeaking sound.

My eyes darted to the ceiling screen, checking our progress along the shifting map. When I felt the familiar pull forward, I was already prepared. This time, I turned my face to the window immediately, eager to discover another station.

"Attention, passengers. Arrival at Piao Agora Station in one minute."

My stare fell back to the two teenage girls, who had taken the two-seater the couple had just left. My curiosity went from their big platform shoes to the pointy blue ones, wondering how practical it would be to walk in these. I couldn't help but speculate about what kind of work each passenger must do to be able to wear such shoes and clothes.

Quickly, I realized I wasn't the only one intrigued. Looking back at the two young girls, I saw them eyeing my simple, soft-sole shoes, whispering to each other. They exchanged a knowing smile when they noticed I had caught their stares.

I quickly turned my gaze to the window, my heart racing, my hands nervously clasped together in my lap. If I stayed still enough, maybe I could fade into the background.

All I needed to do was focus on my work, and everything would be fine.

Work... I got reminded now, my brow furrowing as I looked at my reflection in the window. What kind of work am I even doing here?

My thoughts didn't have time to wander for long. The grey and white blur outside the window began to clear. I felt the familiar pull as the train decelerated.

The next second, the compartment was flooded with sunlight. We were suspended mid-air.

I blinked a few times to adjust to the sudden brightness, squinting to take in the open view.

The next second, the City's skyline unfolded before me.

The horizon stretched in every direction as the morning sun rushed in. Silver glass towers rose from all sides, shimmering in the sunlight, lush greenery cascading down. Vertical gardens spiraled around the skyscrapers, suspended platforms connecting all of them.

On the closest buildings, I watched as waterfalls flowed from the highest levels, collecting in clear, elevated pools mirroring the bright blue sky.

The vision did not even look real, more like a mirage on the horizon. I remained in awe, my eyes wide, not blinking once as I absorbed the breathtaking sight. I hadn't even noticed my body had completely turned toward the window.

Too soon, we entered another tunnel again and the darkness surrounded us. I looked around, studying the other passengers' faces, wondering if I had imagined all this.

I found V's intense dark eyes observing me.

He looked away as soon as I realized, pretending he had never looked in my direction as he checked the interactive map.

We decelerated to the next station and the show continued for my eyes. The doors opened, and many people in our compartment rose from their seats, as it seemed to be a popular station. The owner stood up too and I followed.

I almost wished we had stayed longer in the loop, eager to see all the sights it could offer, but I was also excited to see what awaited me outside.

Each passenger seemed to flow with ease through the station, moving in and out of the train with unhurried but purposeful steps. We joined the crowd, stepping into another tunnel, this one like a huge screen wrapped all around us.

Welcome to Piao Agora, I read the large golden letters floating on it.

I had expected to step into the open air, similar to when we first entered the loop station, but instead, the tunnel led us into a gigantic glass dome.

Sunlight streamed in from all sides, shining on a tall, majestic fountain at the center. The water streamed evenly along the entire length of a spiral-shaped metal, twisting up to the dome. A green ribbon of vegetation was layered along the metal, vibrating with the water flow. People walked around the pond, floating to the many wide halls opened around the dome.

"Watch out!" a voice startled me, sidestepping me.

I tensed up, realizing I was blocking the way. Before I could step aside, a cold hand slipped around my arm, guiding me out of the crowd.

"Careful," the owner's voice came so low behind my shoulder, I barely heard it.

It was the first time I felt his touch somewhere else than on my hand. I wanted to look up at him, to meet his gaze and study his expression. Instead, I found myself staring at his hand on my arm. Right away, he let go of it to adjust his glasses.

"This way," he said, his tone imperturbable.

We stepped onto a curved escalator, gliding upward to one of the higher floors. The view we got from there allowed us to take it all in. I marveled at the immensity of the place, the luminous dome above our heads, the glorious fountain at the center. The square teemed with even more life as more passengers dressed in sumptuous clothes spilled out from the loop's tunnel.

"What kind of work do people do here?" I asked, my curiosity bubbling up to the surface.

At the clinic, it was easy to identify what people were doing for work. Anyone with a green uniform was a worker. Anyone with a lab coat was a researcher, a doctor, or a lab assistant.

But here, no one was wearing the same thing.

"Work?" the owner frowned, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "No one's working here."

He let out a small chuckle making me think I'd missed an obvious joke.

"What do they do then?" I turned to him, my eyebrows raised in surprise.

My voice carried more shock than I intended.

No work?!

He looked back at me, his brow furrowing, as though trying to decide if I was serious.

"Shopping," he said with a shrug. Then, opening his hand to the crowd below as if the answer was self-evident, he added, "Entertainment. Eating. Beauty enhancement," he paused, thinking. "Fun stuff, I guess."

He said "fun" the same way he'd said "pretty" earlier, as if these were concepts he wasn't too familiar with.

Dozens of follow-up questions came to mind, but I held them back, unsure how they'd be received.

We stepped off the escalator, and everything shifted again before I could fully process his answer. Once again, I was struck by the grandeur of our surroundings: two-story stores lined up around a large circle, their doors as tall as the stores themselves. Images of women walking hand-in-hand, their white dresses flowing around them, smiled at us on the wall-sized screens. The displays around us showed mannequin heads wearing connected glasses, made of wood or metal, or small connected earrings wrapped around the ears. Another display had a bunch of mannequin hands reaching for the sky, their tablets in their hands, all covered in some original tablet cases.

Then, I remembered the whole reason we were here in the first place.

I was going to go shopping for the first time in my life!

There was so much to take in. I followed slowly behind the owner, my attention hopping from one booth to the next.

He seemed to know exactly where to go, cutting through the booths instead of following the small path lit with twinkling lights.

As soon as he entered through the large doors of a store, a hologram materialized beside him, matching his brisk pace, her long pink ponytail in her back swaying as she moved.

"Good morning, Doctor V. How can I help you today?" she asked, holding a holographic tablet against her chest.

Doctor?

Could it be that V was truly his real name then? I had thought he could have made up a fake name just for me.

He didn't even flinch at the sudden appearance by his side.

"We're looking for a full wardrobe," he spoke curtly, his gaze sweeping over the booth before landing on me. "For her."

The hologram woman turned to me and her beauty struck me. She was at least two meters tall, her pink hair cascading to her waist, her golden skin beaming, and her bright smile making her seem even more ethereal.

"Hello, I'm Styla," she greeted, her voice warm and inviting. "Please step onto the podium for a quick measurement scan."

I hesitated briefly before stepping up the small set of stairs to the podium at the center. Around me was an intricate arrangement of mirrors, reflecting my figure from every possible angle.

"Stay still, arms and legs slightly apart," Styla instructed, walking around me with expert eyes that seemed to take notes of every detail.

I complied, watching as a glowing outline of my body appeared on the largest mirror in front of me. A progress bar traced my silhouette with accurate precision.

As the scan advanced, Styla glanced at the holographic tablet between her hands before shifting her focus back to V.

"What kind of lifestyle should we tailor the wardrobe for?" she asked him.

"Sedentary," V answered, his eyes on his tablet.

"All seasons, all occasions, all-"

"Everything," V cut her off, looking back at her.

"Budget?"

"No budget."

"Style of clothing?"

V frowned a little. His eyes flickered to me and I met his gaze, wondering how I might have looked, in my blue bodysuit, looking uncomfortable on this podium.

"Let her try and decide," he answered, his eyes darting away from mine already.

"V!"

All our heads turned to the new voice.

A woman waved at us from outside the store. Her smiling eyes were on V, encouraging him to join her.

The next second, her stare found mine, and she looked... baffled.

Then, she smiled at me.

"I-I'll be back in a moment," V stuttered before rushing out.

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