Setting
Clean streets are relatively devoid of pollution or the homeless - which are typically relocated to the outer planets to make a way for themselves - and crime is kept low through vigorous use of surveillance measures throughout the city.
However despite governmental efforts to maintain a scrutinous hold over Illumene and to stamp out crime, the exploitation of Blackout Zones, or areas of the city lacking in proper surveillance, has kept criminal activity alive albeit on a subdued level.
Illumene possesses several prominent attractions and local landmarks. Among these are the Arastel Goverment Center, Ariel Park, the Illumene Museum of History, and Atlas University.
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Sukarma's hair arched up in the air with her erratic mood, "It's the black spheres! They're silvered glass with cameras inside. I don't have people that make spells to see in mine. It's just stories. Our humans make complex machines to do special things. Like my Mom!"
She pointed a blue thumb at the circle of people,"Anyway, We're not causing trouble. The police shouldn't be too angry? I asked one where I could get a docking permit but I didn't understand why they wouldn't take my money."
She removes a small fold of US dollar bills from a pocket in her metal dress to show Reyna. Bits in her brain spark in time desperate to reconcile the abnormality of being on an alien world. Closer but still discordant the gulf of understanding remains.
The flickering black and purple returns while she stares at the fold of 100s, "Oh! I need local currency. Stupid..."
A few stiff-looking people disengaged from the crowd arrive to talk at small boxes in their hands. They have armor like Reynas but with a less metallic sheen. Sukarma wasn't together enough to notice them but an adroit mind like Reyna's might.
She couldn't say which group they belonged with though, having insufficient knowledge to recognize them.
A few of them came towards them, and she semi-crossed her arms.
Ofcourse this action was only to hide the fact that she positioned her arm in a way that made it easier to grab her sword.
One of the group tensed, probably realizing why exactly she made that movement, but as she made no attempt to actually draw it first, they gave her the benefit of the doubt.
(Part of this was due to the nature of the weapon. Swords were rather outdated, and only good at short range)
Reyna realized this too, and made to call upon the Prince of Water. However, there was only a void where their connection should have been. She could only just keep her knees from buckling as when she noticed this.
How could she not have noticed it? Making a pact was like finding a part of your soul you hadn't realized was missing. Usually this made the loss of a pact all that easier to notice. She tried again. No, she had been wrong. It was not a Void. There was still a remnant there. It just wasn't active.
She needed some time on her own to investigate this, but that time was not now, nor was it the place.
Sukarma squints at people in front of her as if unable to see them clear. Squints finally rest on armored individuals where her smile expands shimmers of impending color. She raises her hand waving at the nearest group while her skin flushes yellow pink pattern.
"Officer Cormine! Is that you? I found a friend!", she calls over with a faint hesitance in her voice.
Reyna could see the red first-aid backpack she wore emblazoned with a large green square. In it a white cross of two rectangles. There was a slot in the aluminum links just below the backpack. An elastic spring coiled around the split as if meant to stretch open.
She had mostly given up on the thought of Sukarma as a hostile entity. She was too open, too expressive. Titania above, Reyna had known her for what, 10 minutes? And already she was proclaimed a friend. Ofcourse all of this could be an act, but she didn't think so.
That didn't lessen her doubt about the new people though, even if Sukarma knew one of them.
Maybe it had to do with the 'melted brain' part, but the female was far too trusting of people she only just met.
Reyna saw the backpack, but took little note of it, simply seeing it as a novel way to transport goods. She, after all, didn't know the meaning of the its colours and symbols, being from an entirely different culture.
Sukarma's color turned brown on tan but it faded to grey in parts. As they emerged Sukarma replied, "I think so! I'm having trouble seeing his face I think I need to sleep again soon."
Her attention spaced just a moment as one of the men prepared to talk, "I brought a hurt piece of my mind back online!"
Nearby fellows emblazoned with an insignia reading the 'Joint National Police' took that moment.
"Ma'am,", he interrupted in firm voice looking at Reyna, "Identifiy yourself. You've violated Ashen space with illegal point to point travel."
The Rose Knight sighed. "I have name Reyna Riversong", she said duly, "I having had sudden transposition against my will and knowledge. But, if I have possibility I will make amends.", she shrugged helplessly, "I have things not safe what you seeing currently though."
In a sign of trust she spread her arms, clearly having nothing in her hands.
"If having detainment is required, I will have it. I have hopes we able to come to amiable solutions though."
A thought came to her, "Can Miss Sukarma Lexicon join us? While having met only just now, I would have appreciation for a...", she searched for a word, as the thought 'friendly' might be offensive, "...familiar face in these proceedings. I have knowledge little of the workings of this world."
That, and she didn't think it a good idea to have Sukarma sleep outside again. If she could do so when surrounded by these constables, all the better. It would keep her safe from hoodlums.
Reyna had completely forgotten about possible corruption for the moment.
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