Rufus and Ivan waved goodbye to Grace, walking out on a wide strip of Adronium that spanned dozens of meters ahead. Holding their bags, they - and many other students looking to do this mentorship - walked carefully along the metal landing.
Their steps resounded as a figure soon made itself apparent.
A dashing woman with long black hair that reached all the way down to the base of her erector spinae. She was undoubtedly a beautiful lady. Her body was clad in flexible material, fitting for combat in case of an emergency.
"My name is Jessica Parsons," she told forwardly, her eyes like steel. "I will be your mentor from today all the way until this month. Of course, I can't all simultaneously handle you children by myself. So others will also help out."
She turned around, her body guarded.
"That is all that you must hear. You all arrived late, after all." The group shuddered, remembering the incident that occurred not too long ago. But they pushed these thoughts down and they followed Jessica.
They got through their important checkpoint, various guard figures standing overhead and around the outward layer of the asylum prison. They were dressed in similar black and gray fabric, individual dimensional storage rings on their fingers.
"This place has 10 total levels with each level having various criminals in terms of danger ability. It ascends from level 1 to 10, and we are currently - as you can tell - at level 1, where the mentally deranged and low-level criminals are harbored."
Entering the inside of the mega structure, the inside of the Obsidian prison asylum greatly contrasted the black exterior that had grown used to in the short time that they were able to witness it themselves.
Inside was filled with a dull-gray - almost white - design. Luminescent lights glowed overhead, lighting the first area of the first level with an eerie brilliance.
"I'll show you to your rooms."
~~~
Once Ivan and Rufus had left the train, Grace was now left alone amongst a good number students and people. Even after a vast number of students left the cart, there was still a residual gloom that lingered.
Still, Grace found some solace in the silence. Though he did not particularly like the fact that the silence was due to the pressure of the looming death that hung over their heads.
The sun behind them slowly descended, thick curtains of night now replacing the vibrant blue sky and the white clouds. As time went on, the train was back on land and more and more people were leaving the train in order to pursue their personal affairs.
[Next Stop: Quantum City]
Hearing this, Grace instinctively looked out the train window, his eyes looking into the distant horizon. The train was barreling towards a city filled with vibrant neon lights and futuristic appliances and technology that was far more progressed than many other city in the world.
The train slowly slowed down, stopping at the first possible stop. Grace got up from his seat and walked out of the cart. He looked up, a more close-up view entering his field of vision.
Am I in Midgar? Grace almost laughed out loud.
The skyscrapers were tall and emanated a dominating presence, the hues of light green shining. Looking back down to the ground level, Grace saw a singular man leaning on a neon sign advertisement.
He was an older male, his eyes closed shut. And his beige overcoat was haggard, suiting his overall disorganized look. His hair was a dark brown. Not too short, but it was also not long. His face had various signs of aging.
Between his lips was a cigarette.
Finally, the man opened his eyes, immediately meeting Grace's gaze in an instant.
"Grace Walker," he spoke in a grumpy tone. "Took your ass long enough." His voice was filled with neither venom or contempt. Rather, it was merely the sense of tiredness that hung at the base of his throat.
Wilson Gray.
Scratching the soft stubble on his face, Wilson approached Grace.
"We have work to do, kid."
Grace raised an eyebrow, opening his phone to see the time gradually closing in on midnight.
"At this hour?"
Wilson snorted.
"The job is never done no matter the time. People like me--we're always awake." That would explain the rugged dark circles underneath the revealing brown eyes.
Grace sighed, nodding his head.
"A murder has been reported thirty minutes ago. Authorities have already taken control over the situation, but they wish for our expertise in order to track the killer down." Exhaling a plum of smoke, Wilson turned around and walked.
Following, Grace was curious.
"How long will this case take?"
Wilson stayed silent for a moment, glancing at the wide city of Quantum.
"It'll be done before morning."
After all, there was no one in this city more prolific at being a detective than Wilson Gray himself.
Walking out of the station, the world became much more beautiful than the last moment. On the streets were individuals who looked more robotic than human, having replaced some parts of their bodies with mechanical appendages.
Neon lights flashed and shone.
Arriving at a car, Wilson gestured for him to enter.
"Got a license?" Wilson asked him.
"No."
Though he knew how to drive. Wilson shook his head, scoffing. Driving off, Grace briefly stared out the window to witness the bustling activity of Quantum City.
It was a never-ending sea of people fluttering from one point to the other. They kissed, they danced, and indulged in activity that was provocative.
While on a red light, Wilson pulled out his phone and shoved it to Grace.
"This is the surface information of the victim."
Grace smirked.
"Trust me with your phone?"
"Tsk. Kid, just read it."
Taking his phone, it seemed to be a pretty new model. Which came to a surprise for Grace--he would assume that he was someone who would be hung up about the "old times."
Looking at the contents, Grace analyzed the situation.
[Emma Poy]
[Age: 21]
[A recent employee for a small tech company called: Ripple. A student at the University of Quantum; a university with a slim acceptance rate. Lives alone along the border of the main city and the Quantum City slums. Poor living situations and upbringing.]
It wasn't the most detailed of a background check, but it was still pretty useful despite the shallowness of it. But Grace figured that it was most likely at subject to change as the case prolonged itself.
Grace looked at the photo of Emma. She was indeed a beautiful lady. Her skin was of a darker tone, but her lips were full and vibrant. Her eyes shone a beautiful obsidian, and her hair was a light-brown shade.
"Did she have a significant other?"
"No. She does not."
"Would it be best to speak to members of her family before branching out?"
"Usually, yes. However, the perpetrator left too many hints behind that tracking them down would be easier rather than the hassle of talking to those grieving."
He smirked, his breath expelling an ashy scent.
"After all, I did tell you the perpetrator would be found before the sun rose."