Earth - 2200

:)

There was an old saying that Sienna had read when she was little. It had been from over two hundred years ago, in her old history text book. Although Sienna had finished Genie school, she still had all her old books - including an old history one from her second year of school when she was only 8 years old. When night fell, and Sienna wasn't tired, which was most nights, she would drag the old book out from under her bed and flip open to page 459, staring down at the small black print letters.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. By Dr. Seuss." Sienna would say to herself in a quiet whisper, running her finger over the words. She didn't even have to read them off the page anymore, she knew the quote so well by now at age seventeen. She had no idea who Dr. Seuss was or how he became so smart to end up in a text book, but she liked his saying. If she thought about it long and hard enough, she came to the realization that that quote didn't really apply to the society in which Sienna lived. And yet, every morning, Sienna woke up at 4:00 AM sharp to help out in the chicken coop.

It was rough work, being a Genie, and having to deal with animals all day. Sienna was also involuntarily in charge of the children of the sector. Parents dropped their kids off at Sienna's parents house with an "I'll see you later honey, go play with Sienna" and go on their way to their own farming work. Thankfully, cows didn't try to sass you when you told them they had to stop bothering the pigs. At about 7:00 AM, Jason Lekowski always came by to play with the kids and help Sienna out. He stayed with her the entire day, always offering to package the meats and, if Sienna wasn't feeling up to it, shooting the animals. It was dirty work, being a Genie, and especially smelly when it came to manure, but it was fun. Sienna wasn't intelligent, and she knew it, because she'd often be at a loss for words when speaking. Words she never learned. Words other Genies never learned, and so her sentences would sometimes fall short a word.

"I just really feel..." Sienna would say, look at Jason for help, and shut her mouth, not knowing the word for exactly how she felt, even if it was something like 'melancholy'. In fact, she felt really 'melancholy' a lot, often looking around and thinking to herself that she just wasn't happy here lately. But then she would go to bed, pull out her text book and read the quote, and wake up at 4:00 AM sharp to help out in the chicken coop.

Kyrie brushed her hands on her long hair in frustration. Both her laptop and cell phone are currently out of batteries and it's making her crazy. She tried playing some of the available game consoles and other gadgets in her house but she's still utterly bored.

She was just reading a website which featured something about a certain Dr. Seuss when her beloved laptop run out of battery--scratch that batteries. She forgot to recharge all of them again and because of that she's now stumped.

Being her usual forgetful self, she also forgot to take down the URL address of the said website. She tried to recall the details of the site but failed to do so. After all, she only found the website by chance. She was trying to hack into the community system to check something that may need immediate action but instead found it. The website was not included in the usual database of the community and was hidden on the oldest and most encrypted archive.

She remembered one very clear detail about Dr. Seuss though, he has said, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." It intrigued her. Specially now that everyone else is bound to their trade and while she really loves doing what she usually does, she's not satisfied. She always wanted more than sticking to her own trade. This mysterious article certainly opened her eyes that years ago, the very same freedom she wanted truly existed here on earth. Because of that saying she feels that she can do something to change the society's current way of living.

"Kyrie! Take a rest now, darling!" Her mom called from below the house. 'What time is it?' The girl thought wondering, she looked at her clock and she was mildly surprised when she saw the time. "It's already 1!" Her mom called out again as if answering her question. "You have to wake up early tomorrow!"

She shut her i-pad off before standing up and collecting all the littered things on the floor. "Ok mom! I'm sleeping now! Geez."

But for now, she have to prepare for school tomorrow.

(... Long post is long. I apologize beforehand, I get carried away in these sorts of things - introducing characters without any interaction from others.)

Whenever she had a short news outage breakdown, where the evening was still in between, and midnight was past its time, she'd take a break. People were sleeping. And these were the sort of nights that no one wanted to go out and kill someone, or do any risky business. Humans had a pattern like that. Her uncle and her noticed it over the years that they've lived in this slum neighborhood. And it was for that reason of her staying in the small apartment that she shared with her uncle. Her body was sprawled out amongst books and papers ceiling high, arms behind her head for comfort, on the slowly rotting wooden floor, as she just stared at the odd brown shapes on her ceiling. Places where leaks had leaked before, but stopped. There wasn't any activity below just yet. It was dead quiet. Her fan above was making swish swoosh sounds.

During these kinds of moments, she'd think carefully among scattered memories with eyes closed, and even breathing - one would think she was at peaceful rest. Her baggy clothes shifted with her every moment, so she stayed still. And so, she thought back.

Growing up, Sunetra remembered the shorter days when she was still with her parents, when her parents were still hoping that she was to become a Mink like them, and it was of so that they would constantly prepare her to be accepted in their Mink trade. So in the small moments of time when she was reading and studying all the what not to become that exceptional child that her parents expected her to be, she found a most intriguing quote.

It had been intriguing, because she couldn't understand. "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." She had murmured it to herself as her small fingers ran over the page of the small black text, and on the olden smooth page, it crinkled only slightly.

Sunetra remembered asking her brother about it. "Aiwyn," she had called out, and her brother's head of brains turned in her direction. He was to watch over her for the night, their parents were out. Her mother specifically announced it herself. Aiwyn was working on something with lots of noise and contraptions "What does this mean?" Quietly, and shyly, she asked.

He'd came over, and his eyes hovered over the book in her lap. His weren't a blue like her, instead of a brown, but it changed to a hazel gold in the light above them that provided the source necessary for her to read without damaging her sight. It was pretty. But her memory was sort of blurry around these parts. So she wasn't too sure anymore. The girl remembered his airy chuckle, and then he had said to her, "Sun," it was his nickname for her. "This is of fool's talk from the past. Words from centuries ago do not matter in our modern society."

He must've noticed her expression of disappointment, for her shoulders would still slump a bit and then express something of like a 'kicked puppy' - her uncle had commented - whenever she thought back on this, because he had continued. "However, these are words that were meant to give a special sort of feeling. It's something to think carefully about." He rubbed her head and messed up her longer, braided hair at the time with his big hands, and then went back to whatever he was doing. Perhaps inventing.

But she didn't remember just what it was he was inventing, because she was so fixated on what it meant, that she stopped her studies, and just.. stared at the book. It seemed to have dragged on forever, but only felt like seconds, because her parents opened the door and voiced their arrival home, while her brother tapped her shoulder, and in a whispered voice, inquired about her 'still being hung up about that?', before he quickly told her to put her books away for the night. 'Sleep was a necessity and something good for your health.'

Sunetra couldn't help but laugh out loud about that memory. At the irony of her being brought up, to her trade of today, how she saw so such disappointment in her parents eyes when she was to be placed into Hasher school - not Mink, like her family had always expected. It had been a sight that she would not ever forget, among her audio memories. Her laugh fell short, hand over her face, covering her eyes and fingers grazing the top of her hair line that was all pulled back to a side ponytail, much shorter than what what it's former glory was. Her body tilted to the side a bit, for stability from the lack of an arm. She felt like crying, just a bit. But nothing came. She let out a few more airy chuckles before her hand was removed, and she went back to her former position of comfort. Face blank.

After all of these years, she hadn't forgotten those words. "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." The Dr. Suess fellow who written it must have been either very wise, or something else, something special maybe, because she still wondered over it. There were countless way for her to see it. But what she first thought had confused her, hence her inquiry. But when she thought about it really hard, she couldn't help but think about her trade. And then about other trades.

Sunetra remembered when her uncle told her that she interviewing the other trades, as it was tradition, and he'd brought her along, and she'd think back on the voices. Each one was distinct and had a specific tone and way that related to their matter of trade. She had adored that day. It was the day that she wanted to follow in her uncle's footsteps. But then her train of thought shifted to just exactly why she was doing this. This Hasher trade, and it contented her the moments, but she couldn't help but find an almost scary feeling of how she didn't want to do this sometimes. Where her eyes would become fixated on other trades whenever she was down at the Center, lingered for far too long, staring at the others, before turning away.

She got up when her uncle called for her to have some dinner, of his latest catch. "Sunnie! Com' ere! Look at what I got 'fer us tonight! Com' on!" Her voice was excited, like a child's. She chuckled a bit, at how childish her uncle could be. Her grandparents had been apparently a Mink and a Genie. Guess how their 2 kids turned out to be? Shuffling to the door whose frame was beginning to crack, she stopped momentarily. Staring. And it would seem that the frame cracked a bit under the pressure, as a small splinter fell out. She turned. It'll hold for now. She'd fixed when it collapsed, or not, if her uncle fixed it beforehand.

She called out to Neta before he'd get a fit over her long period of silence. He was like that. Needy of her attention and response, even though he was such an independent man that he didn't bother to take a wife. He felt like both her aunt and uncle, perhaps even father and mother in one person, in that sense. It baffled herself sometimes. She went along with it anyway, pushing it away into a small box of her mind to be dealt with at a later time. "I'm coming."

For now, she'd go and see what monstrosity of food that he'd brought now. She didn't bother to think about just how he got it.

Hielo brought the plow down into the dirt and pulled it back. He really wished that he had some horses, but those were reserved for Genies... As he wiped off some of his sweat with the back of his hand, he heard a voice yelling from the direction of the house. He turned to see his little sister Jen running towards him while still yelling, "Heeeeeeeeyyy! 'El!"

He dropped the plow and quickly ran out to meet her, but she tripped on a rock in her hurry. Hielo made it to her, and worriedly helped her up. "Are you okay? You know you're not allowed to run..."
She made a face at him, but became serious again. "I was looking for the rest of grandpa's old books. Have you seen them, 'El?"
He remembered those, the worn, but well-kept Dr. Seuss books. "The ones by Dr. Seuss?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yeah, I was reading one back in the house. Ya know, 'Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.'
Hielo thought a bit before replying, "I can't remember right now, but I'll help you look when I'm done, okay? I'm sure they're in the house somewhere."
She nodded again. "Okay...Hey 'El..Do you mind how I am?" He chuckled a bit and said, "Of course not, you're fine the way you are, Jen. Though I guess I wish you weren't so sick."
She stuck her tongue out at him and gave him a hug. He hugged her back, taking care not to hurt her, as another voice boomed from the house. "Jen! Come back inside! Hielo, it would be best if you finished that field before sunset!"
Hielo nodded to his father, who was standing at the door. He sent Jen back towards the house, and picked up his plow. "Alright, Dad, don't worry. I'm almost done anyway."

'Be who you are and say what you feel, huh? I remember that quote...huh.

But he quickly dismissed his thoughts, started humming a little tune, and got back to work. The sun was close to the edge of the horizon, after all.

"Nice work, as usual LeeU," THe head designer grinned at him and ruffled his hair with her long manicured fingers. HE just nodded back with a small smile on his face. His black hair was silky and styled in the latest fashion. His outfit was expensive and the center of everyone's attention. He had just designed another outfit. With the casual lace and the cool shimmery material, how could it not be a big hit? THe clothes had just been sent to stores but they were already sold out and demands of more had the company busy. Each and everyone of his desings had been a sucess. fashion was no longer fun. Because of his new attractive reputation, it didn't matter even if his designs were slightly out of style or not the most comfortable. They wanted to wear his name. Or something like that. It was ridiculous. Of course he put a hundred and ten percent of effort in each design but even if had just gave it fifteen percent, LeeU was sure that the civilians wouldn't matter. His stuff were even popular in the other districts!

Sure, at first he was honored and proud but now... now he was just bored and tired. Drawing and planning was no longer fun, now that it was no longer needed. HE could do whatever he wanted and everyone would just buy it blindly. It was designed by LeeU after all. He touched the cool sharp needle in his fingers and gazed at it. Everything was now just a chore. HE had even thought about retireing early. LeeU chuckled grimly. He certainly had enough money, even without all the taxes, the government had taken from him, he was quite rich for a young guy.

He suddenly remembered a quote from this book his mother used to read to him. A wave of pain struck him but he pushed it aside. What was it again?

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" The Korean boy murmured to himself. AFter hearing himself say the words outloud, he burst out laughing. HE was so filled with mirth that it tooka few minutes for him to calm down, and when he did, there were tears in his eyes.

"How ironic. If we said what we wanted to say and did how we wanted to, Those who mattered, would definitly mind." HE whispered to himself, sitting in his dark office. THe government would kill them

He sighed and turned back to his paper. A new idea stuck him and for the first time in while, he began to draw with excitement

Faye didn't need the captain to tell her they were done with the current lesson. For the past hour, she had been sent against other training fidgets, all older and bigger than her and she had beat everyone of them. Not because she was amazing, because they all had flaws. Some had too much offense, some had too much defense, and one didn't even know how to hold a sword upright.

Easy, she thought as she kicked her final opponent in the gut, sending him flying backwards. She had been one of the best students through out all of school, and training still went on whenever they weren't really battling people. Fighting, she thought, has absolutely no appeal to me. She thought of everything she had learned, the training and the books they were forced to read. One thought caught her head. Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. She thought. It made her sigh. Like she could ever speak her mind.

People here are crazy, she thought, saluting the captain and walking from the mat, pushing the boy she had already beat back down onto the floor as he began to stand up. If I'm going to be a fighter, I'm going to be the best. She thought, walking out of the room and hearing a call from the captain. He said this training was over and she was to report to the gun range. Fun.


Faye ran as fast as she could to the gun range. It only took her about a minute, her speed being faster than most peoples but average at school. She would have to work on that. Her blond hair bounced behind her as she arrived at the shooting range. She walked in, grabbing a pair of earmuffs and gloves, then grabbing a large sniper. Nobody stopped her, although generally you have to ask to use the weapons. Her families history showed that she knew what she was doing, and her dad payed for tons of things at school, so some people treated her like royalty. She hated it.

Faye sighed as she lined the gun up to the target. It was hundreds of meters away, but she looked through the scope and gave a shot, piercing what would have been the heart of the target. Perfect. As always. Even without the scope she always hit the target. She put the gun down, and reached for another. Today was going to be a long day.

Cows? They stank. Pigs? They stank. Chickens? They were fine, but once you took a whiff of the chicken coop…that stank most of all. But even though all these animals stank to no end, Sienna always felt bad after shooting them. She knew that it was for the greater good, and that all this meat was going to get shipped to the other five sectors. No one would starve. She was practically saving lives! But on this day, Sunday, Sienna felt a pang in her chest as she lifted the goggles off her eyes and placed the gun on the ground. She sank to her knees and stared helplessly at the cow she had just shot. There hadn’t been anything wrong with the cow – in fact it was absolutely perfect! Perfect meat.

Sienna pouted her lips, rubbing a hand across her face and getting a smear of dirt on her forehead. This cow had been named Abigail. Sienna had raised her since she was a little calf. It wasn’t the first cow that Sienna had raised all by herself, but she felt a special connection to Abigail. Oh yes, a special connection to a cow. It even sounded silly to Sienna when she thought about it long enough. Now, she looked away from the deceased Abigail, grabbed the gun, and let her legs carry her back to her small house.

“Daddy?” She called out when she swung open the front door, “Daddy…Abigail is ready.”

Her Daddy knew just what that meant, and he stomped down the hallway in his big work boots and silently went past Sienna. While Sienna was definitely old enough and mature enough to skin and prepare the meat, she hated to do it. Normally Jason Lekowski would if he was hanging around, but today he had promised to help his own parents on their animal farm. Sienna sighed and went to the kitchen, washing her hands even though there was no blood or impurities on them.

She casually glanced at the small clock on the wall and gave a shriek when she realized it was ten of nine in the morning. The Collection Center was almost open! Sienna quickly dried her hands and ran to her room, changing out of her work clothes – which consisted of a plaid shirt with rolled up sleeves and shorts – and dressed in a simple green frock. She grabbed her wallet, which really only had about twenty dollars in it, and skipped down the hallway in excitement. She wouldn’t be at the Collection Center right when the door opened at nine in the morning like usual, but she would still have time to look around at the vegetables from the Waterbugs and the clothing items from the Prichetts.

“Mama?” Sienna shouted, and she heard her mother sneeze from a bedroom further down the hall. Sienna sashayed over to it, opened the door and held up her leather wallet, “I’m goin’ to the Collection Center. You want anythin’?” She asked her Mama in her long southern drawl.

“No thank you darlin’,” her Mama answered and sneezed again. Mama was coming down with a cold and so Sienna figured she would try to get some medicine at the Collection Center if she remembered.

She said her goodbyes to her Mama, waved to her Daddy as she walked past him, and traveled down to the shuttle dock. The shuttles ran from the Genie sector to the Collection Center every thirty minutes on Sundays from nine to eleven, and when she glanced at her watch she hoped she hadn’t missed the first one. When Sienna arrived at the shuttle dock, the doors of a shuttle were just beginning to shut. She raced forward and pounded with all her might on the previously open doors. There was no driver of the shuttles, since they ran automatically, but she still hoped it might sense her and open the doors. It took a second, but her pounding triggered the sensors and the doors opened. She smiled and silently thanked the Minks for their technology.

Sienna grabbed a seat right at the front of the bus, sitting by herself. Sienna didn’t mind sitting by her lonesome, sometimes she relished the time to just think by herself. It was only a ten minute travel to the Collection Center, and when the shuttle arrived the doors were already open. There was a throng of people walking into the center, all of them dressed differently. It was easy to pick out the Minks from the Waterbugs, who’s frayed and colorful clothing really differentiated from the hardcore black leather of the Fidgets. Sienna felt confident in her simple green frock, knowing that it made her look like a Genie. She didn’t know how she felt about looking exactly like a Genie would, but it wasn’t a socially unacceptable clothing item.

When she was able to make it through the mass of people and enter the building, her eyes popped out of her head as she took in her entire surroundings. She had been traveling here every Sunday since she was a little girl, but the high ceilings and wide expanse of the ten floor levels still shocked her. She didn’t know where to start, and she looked pitifully at her twenty dollars in her leather wallet. She kept getting shoved from side to side as children raced past and rude people pushed her out of their way. Sienna scowled and decided to just wander around, relishing the thoughts of being here at the Collection Center, her favorite place ever.

After completing her business at school, Kyrie found herself at the Collection Center. She was having trouble deciding whether she wanted to visit the Center today but her mother had already drove her there. With a hug and a kiss on her cheeks, her mom had given her some money to spend and then she left for her job. She also made her promise to be home on time. With a nod, Kyrie waved goodbye to her mom and entered the center pocketing her cellphone and zipping her bag close.

She looked around and tried to think of something to do. They had been at the school earlier this morning because there was a bug on its Database System. Her mother accompanied her on her very first solo project, (aside from the usual school activities) and guided her on how to clean the bug. They took more time because she had confused some steps with the others but still she succeeded clearing the problem.

She was feeling so accomplished and happy that she easily forgot being in the midst of the crowd. It wasn't that she hated being with other people. But as what she always told her parents, she really is awkward around anyone else. She even had trouble communicating with fellow minks and she sincerely fears talking to people of different trade than hers.

It was her parents wish that she open up to others and make friends. Her father in particular likes to remind her that 'No Man is an island', and because of that they usually make her accompany them to different business functions. She never liked it that much though. Specially seeing the other Minks interacting and discussing things enthusiastically about things that they loved and are content with. For someone like her who feels unsatisfied with the way things are now, it had been truly weird. She was actually tired of talking and proudly sharing about her discoveries in the name of technology and a bunch of other related things again and again. Once you hear something more than once, even if you really like it, the novelty of that idea actually wears off later on.

Though she is truly an anti-social through and through there were times that she wanted to talk to someone about many other things. She really wish to meet some people who can appreciate with her the beauty of nature or the helpfulness of the animals. Anything will do, anything that she don't usually get to talk about in school! The trees! The animals! Even military tactics! Anything really, she thought despairingly.

Since she was absorbed into her thinking and was walking around aimlessly not really having a particular direction in mind, she accidentally bumped into someone. She steadied herself and stared at the person she bumped into.

"Sunnie, git up on now, we's got'sa go to the Collect'in Center."

Her uncle's wide and rough hands brushed her shoulder lightly, as if in fear that she would break if he pressed any harder. Her eyes slowly opened and she stared at her uncle Neta, and sat in straight as if in automatic mode. Sundays were the days that she was allowed to sleep in late night, and in more accurate terms, real early morns, the day before. To merely rest and not have to worry too much on helping her uncle out with anything, such the preparations for beginning the day. Doing things like rearranging the apartment's dirty, messy things to organize the research materials from the other stuff, and the other stuff from the trash, and the trash from the food, and the food from everything else. She glanced around a bit, but didn't really wrap her mind around that the apartment was so much more clean than usual. But she was tired. And tired people don't think too much about this.

Sunetra spoke quietly, a mature voice to a mature mind, eyes half lidded open. She felt oh so tired. "What's the time?"

Her uncle seem pleased that she decided to speak today. Unlike the rest of the Hashers, her uncle was a friendly and social butterfly, a stubborn person who was like of the late twentieth century's reporters, always bugging and prodding and talking. It was that nature that he may seem a bit.. too friendly. "Wells, we's 'bout to miss the first shuttle if yous not gon'a git up now and dress prop'."

He didn't even finish the sentence before she darted up quickly, face feeling rushed as she grabbed for whatever was clean, reaching for the pile she prepared the night before, and darted to the bathroom. Her uncle Neta's hardy laugh could be heard outside.

Her sleepiness and drowsiness was gone now, her face seemed rather ecstatic to hurry up to the shuttle dock as they may reach the Collection Center. She always liked to get there early. It was better to hear the gossips of the venders and passing people who were planning to go to the Center later or of the whatnot. Shoving shorts off and black jeans on, some dark baggy shirt and plain plaid jacket, Sunetra pulled her short hair into that tiny ponytail she always wore, and combed halfway before darting out the bathroom, hopping out with her shoes that had been left in the tub. With her thin and straight frame, and boyish hair and clothing, one would think that she was a male, but it was her eyes that gave her gender away. Sunetra's cheeks flushed up a bit from rushing so fast.

Her uncle laughed again. "My, my, you's enthusiastic. Lets'go, we's got to hurry. I wanna go see if theys got more stock supplies in yet. Heard that guy I've trackin' down - Jack - 's gon' show up."

Sunetra was gathering her bag already, her papers and pens, several of which had recording devices within. She placed an array in the ponytail, fitting only three or four as she didn't have enough hair for the rest to be put securely into. Thin, skinny and longer fingers were working quickly as she placed the messenger bag, styled like that of the twenty-first century's like, over her shoulder, feeling quite light for having so many things. Mink technology. The wonders of it.

She snapped some watch device on that her uncle got for her fourteenth birthday - so that's where it went, - and stared at the clock that kept perfect timing, it fit perfectly on her thin and bony wrist. Sunetra looked at its face. Nine fifty. She cursed under her breath. "Hurry!" She yelled, and her uncle Neta took only several moments to recover from her outburst as he ran after her from, darting from the door, making sure to lock it behind him before running down the stairs. For a man in his late thirties, he was quite nimble and fast. One had to be, especially in this business and trade.

The shuttle dock was merely 5 minutes away from their apartment, that is to say if you can run fast enough, and is about another twelve minutes before you reach the Collection Center. They had got on as soon as the shuttle was beginning to leave, feet lifting from cracked concrete into some other metal material (she wouldn't know, as her family hadn't been involved with that). Their shuttle dock here in this slum neighborhood wasn't often populated, seeing as it wasn't of much concern for, as the Hasher sector had barely any need for going outside not too often, so the shuttle wasn't in need for. But since today was Sunday, almost everyone was here, Hashers and other trades alike, and the crowdness was what made Sunetra uncomfortable.

This shuttle was different from the main one that had more people from the other sectors. This being a secondary one, it wouldn't have as many, but it was so damn crowded. She was ducking through and under of the many figures who she could make out, before settling somewhere in the middle of them all. She preferred to be in the middle of the action, listening in to the conversations each trade individual was having. Her uncle was scouting out, too, she noticed, as he did the same. Often, Sunetra wondered if she was born from the wrong father. Her father and her had nothing in common, whilst her uncle and she had almost everything in common. Almost being the key term here.

After an agonizing twelve minutes, right on the dot, she ran out of the shuttle, shoving a bit, and ran towards the building in that of which was the Collection Center. Her uncle was just after her, and they merely glance, nodded, and then parted ways. This was routine. They'd meet up later after the Center closed. She ran inside, leaving her uncle behind who was taking a more steady walk in.

She had bumped shoulders with several, a Genie and Fidget or two, perhaps even a Mink, but she ignored them, only glancing back before she disappeared off, silent. Sunetra wasn't a talker. She didn't like to talk, and it wasn't of any need to apologize. If they had a problem, she'd do so. Until then, sorry about that.

Usually, she'd walk, like her uncle. But this was important. She was late for an important meeting with an informat with information that she required for some assignments, both for school and for project on the side, and just getting the appointed meeting as difficult enough. God, she felt like such an idiot for being so laid back this. She quickly searched. Her legs were getting tired, seeing as she was already so thin and small, running around wasn't exactly her thing. Crouching, seeking and hiding was. But it wasn't the time for that.

Sunetra kept running, searching her mind for the appointed place. Supposed to be some place, right? There was a dress code, she remembered, her memory already so fuzzy, only clear enough to remember that single visual. She should've read it out loud to remember. Something about plaid and jeans, right? Maybe it was black, too.

She kept running, though it was becoming more of a quick gait, as her head whipped back and forth to look. She had better not be late. Better yet, they had better not be late. But she highly doubted it, and this thought made her flush in embarrassment for not being able to maintain her perfect - until today - record of always being on time.

Hielo was up particularly early that day - the sun wasn't even up. It was, of course, the day to visit the Collecting Center. And aside from that, the buses which ran to the Center were still a good walk away from the farm he lived on. Hielo knew he was in for an hour's walk, and then a 30 minute bus ride to the Center. He hoped to get there, and be back before dinner time. Stepping quietly, he snuck out of the house, trying to avoid waking Jen and his father.

As he walked and made it to the bus stop, Hielo made a mental list of things he'd need to get when he was there. When the bus finally pulled up, he had composed it and was repeating it to himself. The bus finally arrived, and he slowly stepped out. "Wow, there's a lot of people." It wasn't that he didn't like crowds, but he simply didn't mesh well with them. Hielo tried to walk on the outside of the continuously shifting crowd, inconspicuously making his way past. He ran his fingers through his rough, red hair, wondering if he perhaps should've worn some kind of scent. Hielo laughed a bit to himself at the thought. He didn't work with animals, after all; he probably smelled like fruit, which was a safe bet. He was aware that along with that, his simpler clothing made it obvious that he was a Waterbug. At first glance, at the very least, it would be clear that he was not a Fidget, Mink, Prichett or a Hasher. A bit of a stretch for him to be mistaken as a Genie, but it was possible, he supposed.

Hielo suddenly remembered something he should probably get - he would see if he could find some more books for Jen, as a gift. "Dr. Seuss!" He quickly clamped a hand over his mouth right as he shouted, looking around to make sure no one had seen his outburst. However, as he faced forward again, he bumped into a girl who seemed to be in a rush. "Sorry!"

It was the day to take a trip to the collection center. LeeU sighed, glancing uninterestedly at the rising sun. He had spent the last couple of days working on his new project, but something in his gut felt like it was a mistake. He touched the box softly with one hand, where it sat on the table beside him. All night long, he had folded and placed each shirt in the boxcarefully. His long fingers moving expertly. "It's another day today..." LeeU murmured to himself. He pulled on a black shirt over his head, lines of words in bright pink lettering on the front. It was comfortable and stylish. The slight sprinkle of sparkles on the front did not look girly but normal and stunning. It would look good on any body shape and suit anyone. It was casual enough for a Genie and Waterbug, fierce enough for the Fidgets, stylsih enough for the Prichetts, intelligent enough for the minks and interesting enough for the Hashers. The letters were bold and blocked, clear for anyone to read if they wanted to. He pulled on some black skinny jeans, a studded belt and a couple of silver chains. After that, he shrugged on a light black jacket. Guess he was going for the 'dark' look today.

His normally cheerful brown eyes were sad, designing used to be his passion but it seemed that he was losing his love for it. Sighing, he took the two boxes in his strong pale arms and started walking to the Collection Center. It was a short walk from his home and he knew he could use the fresh air after about a week from being cooped up in his room on his latest project. He shifted his arms. Who knew if his project would even be popular. Well, he liked it.

It was times like these that he wished he stayed a Fidget. That was where his whole family resided. Maybe he would see one of his brothers today? He knew that his mother and sisters didn't enjoy being in the company of the other careers. He missed them. Here with the Prichetts, it was fun, but there wasn't any family there. Nothing was closer than blood. The little breeze gave him some comfort. At least they were breathing the same air.

"LeeU!" A tall man though he was a little shorter than LeeU, came running up to the popular young designer.

"Samson," LeeU dipped his head respectfully. The thin balding man before him was one of the office workers at the comapny. "How are you sir?"

"Great, just great," Samson patted the younger boys back heartily and eyed the boxes interestedly. "A new design?"

"Yes, I guess so," LeeU attempted a grin. "I don't know how much the others will like it though. It isn't very similar to the other things Ive created."

"Nonsense! No one will care what it looks like. It's be the famous LeeU afterall." The man laughed loudly and LeeU felt his stomach sink. That was exactly it. No one would really care what it looked like. THey just wear it because of his Name. His effort didn't matter anymore.

"Tell me about it," Samson suggested. LeeU smiled weakly.

"Um well, It's pretty simple and well, there's some words on it." He said lamely. He would rather just show his work than to describe it. HE wasn't very good with words which is why he preffered art.

"Well, I'll see it later, we're here." Samson pointed and started jogging on a head. He pointed to the center. "That's where I set up your booth, Mingle first if you'd like but you can set up your clothes there. I've already reserved the spot for ya."

"Thanks!" LeeU called out to the retreating form.

He could mingle later. HE got to the center of the room, where the tables were and started opening his boxes. Carefully he wiped down the table before putting the neatly folded shirts down on the surface. After that, the designer took off his jacket, revealing a sample of his new product.

A simple style but standing out, with the words on the front in bright flourescent letters.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"

Sure enough. Some female Prichetts spotted him, shrieking and point him. Chanting his name. He grinned, as he always did. His eyes twinkling though he would rather go home and sleep the day away. People started surrounding him and soon, most of his shirts were already gone. But there was still a box left.

LeeU took a seat and waited for any more interested buyers.

Sienna had only been mildly wandering around the Center when she was shoved and pushed and moved this way and that. It finally ended when she got forced to the outskirts of a mad rush of young pre-teen girls running towards one of the Sector stands. She furrowed her brow and tried to make her way through the crowd to see where all the girls were. She managed to assert her authority by loudly stating that she was 18 and attempting to scare the pre-teens.

She was eventually able to make it to the front of the crowd and found herself staring at one of the Prichett's stands. She was facing a T-shirt design that plainly stated her favorite quote ever. She found that she suddenly couldn't breath or move or make a sound as a smile spread across her lips. Who had done this? She glanced briefly at the guy standing behind the stand. He looked a little bored, but there was obvious pride and triumph showing in his expressions as he watched dozens of pre-teen girls pay for the shirts without even bothering to look at what they said. Sienna rolled her eyes as she noticed some of the girls taking off what shirt they had on previously and replacing it with their newly bought one.

Sienna got her wallet out from her back pocket and opened it, looking at her pathetic twenty dollars. She would never be able to afford something from this obviously stylish and well-known Prichett designer. It was clear that he did this quite often and that he was incredibly popular. She kicked herself for not keeping up with Prichett designs, but generally they were too expensive for her if they were really in style and she just didn't really like Prichetts -- she found them all to be pricks.

Sienna took a deep breath and kindly shoved a thirteen year old out of her way and went up to the stand. She tilted her head to the side, her dopey smile still plastered on her face, and said, "Hi, I'm Sienna. How did you come across this quote? It's my favorite. Although, uh, I probably shouldn't say that in public. You know, forget I said that. I'd like to buy one though. How much?" It all came out in a heavy rush and she blinked a couple times. She grinned even wider and she thrust out her twenty dollars. She would give over the wallet if she had to.

Kyrie immediately tried to balance herself, staring at the girl who continued running. She seemed to be in a hurry and based on her clothing, the red-haired girl can easily deduce that she's from the Hashers. She regained her balance and brushed off the imaginary creases in her dress, composing herself.

Still looking at the girl's retreating back, Kyrie was wondering on what the girl was hurrying for. She looked late for something and Kyrie is half tempted to follow her, her curiosity definitely rising. What if she got an interesting scoop and she wanted to share it to other persons who are in her trade? Hashers after all are known to report news, scandals and any wrongdoings they can find. Based on the archives and database that she had come across, Kyrie knew that the Hashers have special way of finding out information about a scandal long before it can even travel around the sector.

It would be really interesting to see the Hashers in action.

Her green-eyes blinked twice before she noticed that she had been staring at nothing in particular for quite long. The said hasher was nowhere near her point of view. She shook her head, disregarding her overactive imagination before turning to look back around the Collection center. What would that girl think if she hears my thoughts? She almost chuckled, imagining the black-haired girl's reaction if ever she could hear the Mink.

Her mother had specifically told her to try meeting new people as what is the usual advice. It is her parent's wish for her to meet someone and befriend them. Too bad she always does her best to fail their expectation regarding that issue. Her mom also gave her a huge amount of money to buy anything she wanted to.

Normally, the red-haired girl will make it a point to save every single cent her parents give her. However, since she thought she had such a good amount of savings now, she might as well spend something for herself. What else a better way to spend her hard-earned savings other than buying quality products here at the center? She had been saving all her money, safekeeping those in her parents' care that she only buys whatever is necessary. Judging from the way her parents spoils her, she can say that she have a lot and will still live a financially stable life if she ever decides to leave her parent's care.

Letting out a small smile as she made her decision, Kyrie started walking around. This time she made great care and deliberation in taking note of her surroundings and looking around the different booths.

One booth caught her eyes as she saw a man taking his jacket off. She usually don't bother herself that much with what is going around the market, but Kyrie is dead sure that the man looked familiar. She just can't remember his name, but she's certain that he's one of those Prichetts. Her eyes wandered to his shirt and she found herself lost for words.

It was a shirt that looked simple and stylish enough for any trade in particular but what caught the girl's attention were the words colored in bright flourescent letters.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

It took her a moment to remember where she got it from. She had been racking every memory she had recently just to recall where she heard it and when she remembered it, she almost let out a shout of triumph.

Catching herself before she can do anything remotely embarrassing, she found herself excited at the very thought of getting a copy of that shirt. Dr. Seuss! She checked her pockets for the money that her mother left earlier and once she found it, she immediately neared the man's stand.

She tried to shove her way into the front and found herself beside a widely smiling red-haired girl. Her eyes noting the other's style of clothing as one of the Genies. She waited for her to finish speaking, thrusting out money towards the black-haired Prichett on the other side.

"Hi, I'm Sienna. How did you come across this quote? It's my favorite. Although, uh, I probably shouldn't say that in public. You know, forget I said that. I'd like to buy one though. How much?"

She said and Kyrie waited for the seller's reply. She's also interested in buying one and she unconsciously found herself parroting Sienna's statement. "I would also like to buy". Her voice was emotionless and just a breadth above a whisper.

She stared expectantly at the guy, awaiting for his response.

In her bullet train speed moving mind process, she disregarded anything around her that would be deemed insignificant to acknowledge - voices or questions or staring. But Sunnie felt her body being pushed back - as if she ran into some solid brick wall - , and she fell ungracefully on the floor. It was an easy feat, seeing as how small and little she was, she looked like as if she could snap in two if you were to hold onto her arm the wrong way. She let out a small grunt of having such an unexpected impact. Several passerby people stopped momentarily to stare before continuing on. "Sorry!" Wha -

She looked up, staring at what was she could only assume was a Waterbug - due to what her sensitivity picked up as a fruity smell, and based off of the choice of clothing that the much taller than her, larger male wore, she finalized her conclusion. She didn't say anything, maintaining silence, and got up, continuing to stare with that blank face of hers, eyes darting about the male as if she was analyzing him like some surgery patient. He had a brilliant shade of red hair, with a pair of bright green eyes. Odd combination. She thought to herself, and then remembering what she was supposed to be doing, she turned her staring away that had lasted for about several seconds, taking a few steps back, bowing quickly as if in apology, and then ran around him - taking no heed to what he would say as she rudely - hey, at least she made a polite gesture of apology, it was enough! - ran off.

The small, petite girl kept running, having a long trail of curse words stuck in a line of rage, blotting up any mature or seriousness in reverie nature, eyes darting around like crazy as she disappeared into the crowds again, her shorter height made the taller ones block her form, as she twisted and turned and pushed back this time, to get to what she fuzzily recalled as a cafe in the email she had received from that informant that she desperately needed to find. When she finally did make it there though, she stared at the watch on her thin wrist, and then cursed venomously under her breath. She was late by 10 - 20 - 30(!) minutes. There was no friggin' way that the informant would stay for long - he had such a busy schedule - and she had missed it! She looked around quickly, her lungs needed air but she kept her turning around. There were a large amount of people wearing what she thought to be the dress code to recognize each other, but she knew that it was futile to try to ask some random stranger if they were supposed to be the one that she was to meet. It was ridiculous.

She took a sigh, quietly regaining her breath.

Sunnie resisted the urge to kick over some trashcan in fury, but to outsiders, she was merely standing there, shoulders slightly dejected, staring uselessly at a table. She turned around, and then dodged about the crowd again, barely moving her lips - cursing at her luck of forgetting to wake up early for such an important thing - as she had with quick gait through the crowds, deciding to instead look around to find new supplies. She'd probably need the time to cool down a bit. She and her uncle will meet up later. She'll have to have to go and wait til another opening in the informant's schedule is open again. For now, she'll just.. attempt to calm down.

The girl walked around aimlessly, taking her time as she observed people, and then merely stared at a Sector stand of books, making her way over. Their research material was becoming low in supply. Perhaps she should comb through to see if there's any that she hasn't read yet? Sunnie walked on over, picked up some book in interest, eyes darting across pages as she rapidly looked through them all while she remained silent, ignoring the staring of the seller or of the other interested consumers beside her while she traced through her memory to see if she and her uncle already had this book or the other.

Oh. Dr. Suess. She spotted a pile of the colorful books separate from the growing pile she was making of various, complicated subjects. She kept an eye on them, tempted to take a peek, but her hands were stuck on the history book that seemed to have information about what the Earth used to be like before North was established and the trade started. It was thick, around 5 inches at least, with an old spine, and she kept thinking of whether or not this was in the inventory they have, but the colorful titles of Suess were distracting, and she didn't know if she had any money. Her left hand began rummaging through her bag while the other was still holding the book, her reading slowing down as she felt around the bag for any spare change she may have left in there.

The male seller of the Sector's stand seemed to have gave out a sigh of relief as Sunnie slowed her reading, because the pile was beginning to get too tall and her rapid pace of looking through books was beginning to mess up the organization as he began to quietly put them place back in their original positions. When he asked her if she was going to buy the book, she merely darkly glared at him for breaking her concentration, and with that fierce look that the seller knew was not worth rising an argument about, he then decided to allow the girl to be left alone as she looked through his merchandise, and attended to the other costumers beside her. Sunnie kept combing through the long chapters.