Friends and family

Drae leaned forward on his hover bike, the soft glow from its undercarriage painting faint streaks along the winding country lane. The hills slid past in gentle blurs, occasional mirror-cabin rooftops catching the early light.

A gentle beep sounded in his ear as a call request popped up on his wrist screen. Drae tapped it, the interface floating above his forearm in a thin, translucent band.

"Yo, Drae! You on the road yet?"

A familiar voice crackled through — bright, energetic.

"Yeah, Yven. On my way now," Drae replied, a grin spreading across his face.

"Swing by the house first? I overslept again."

Drae snorted. "You're hopeless. I'll stop by. Be quick."

"Promise!"

He veered off the main line, following a narrower track toward a cluster of polished cabins set against a line of curved wind collectors. He slowed as he approached the final cabin, cutting the main engine with a quiet hum.

Stepping off, he rapped lightly on the entry panel. The door slid open to reveal a broad-shouldered man with salt-streaked hair and a kind face — Yven's father.

"Morning, Uncle," Drae said warmly, dipping his head slightly.

"Drae! Good to see you, son. Come in, come in!"

From deeper inside, Yven's mother — a soft-spoken woman in a bright, patterned wrap tunic — appeared with a steaming pot in hand.

"Drae! You'll eat something before you leave, yes?" she insisted, her eyes lighting up.

Drae shook his head quickly, palms raised. "Already had, Aunt. Thank you though! Next time, I promise."

She gave him a playful frown before retreating to the kitchen.

Just then, Yven burst out of his room, jacket half-zipped, hair tousled like a wild golden halo, his lean frame a stark contrast to his father's more solid, grounded build. He moved with that restless energy of his, shoulders loose, almost bouncing on the balls of his feet as if he could never fully stand still. His sharp green eyes flickered with mischief and impatience, scanning the room like he was already halfway out the door in his mind.

A crooked, fox-like grin tugged at his lips as he yanked the zipper the rest of the way up, muttering curses under his breath about always running late.

.He clapped Drae on the shoulder, breathless.

"Ready!" he announced, slinging his bag over one arm.

"Barely," Drae teased.

Yven rolled his eyes as he jogged out to his own hover bike, a leaner, silver model that purred as he powered it up.

The two friends exchanged a quick glance, smirks rising.

"Race to the ridge?" Drae challenged.

Yven's eyebrows shot up. "Thought you'd never ask."

With a sudden roar, both bikes shot forward, slicing through the morning air. They darted between low-hanging guide lights and energy posts, shouting and laughing as they traded quick leads.

When the shimmering outline of Aserin's main city crest appeared in the distance, they slowed almost in unison. Surveillance drones zipped overhead, and tall translucent barricades pulsed gently to mark the city's border.

A massive entry gate glowed ahead, layered in blue scans and holographic signage welcoming workers, travelers, and students. Beyond, towering glass structures and vertical gardens climbed high, their mirrored surfaces reflecting the morning sky in kaleidoscopic bursts.

At the heart of this zone rose the vast campus of Aserin University — a massive sprawl of tiered pavilions and hovering lecture towers, connected by wide, glowing bridges. An entire floating platform circled above the main courtyard, displaying live event schedules and research highlights in holographic letters.

Among its districts, the largest belonged to the Tech and Engineering Complex — a sprawling, multi-level structure that almost looked alive, shifting panels reconfiguring constantly to optimize airflow and energy distribution.

Drae and Yven eased into the student entry lane, dismounting at the automated scan archways. A soft light swept over them, analyzing tags and student credentials embedded in their wristbands.

A low beep, then a glowing green pulse: ACCESS GRANTED.

They exchanged a quick fist bump before stepping inside, the shifting crowds of students flowing around them in all directions — some trailing floating data pads, others deep in animated conversation.

Without breaking stride, they turned toward the left corridor marked Applied Tech & Hybrid Systems, merging into the pulse of a new day at the colony's biggest university.