N'Ïrk finishes his milkshake and states his terms. "Your apology is accepted. As for how to pay us, Miss Dyll'Phá. You'll have to become our Personal Body Guard".
The lady is puzzled, not following why her punishment is something so trivial.
Her naive and straightforward attitude can't see through N'Ïrk plan, who has masked the real intention with a perfect disguise slash excuse.
"Miss Dyll'Phá. You interrupted our date. It's only fair that you make sure that such event doesn't happen again. Of course. That's only half of the job. I'll leave the punishment for assaulting me, pending. My normal option would be, to execute you on the spot, but we're not in an outpost. So i'll think on a suitable solution and let you know when i reach a decision".
"I understand". The monotonous reply is an evident sign of how unaccustomed is the stern Dyll'Phá to interact with the opposite gender, an obvious fact that is remarked by her baroque and formal attire.
N'Ïrk carries the milkshake containers back to the kiosk, leaving Dyll'Phá and Gagk'Xannia to talk alone for a moment.
"Thanks for the support". Comments the young man to the barista. "You don't have to thank me, a murder around the area would be bad for the sales, besides, you left a good tip".
*Hahaha*. "Isn't that normal?. You are ensuring the food is well prepared, and not poisonous or in bad state".
The barista scoffs. "Wow, toxic food is rare here. The usual is spiting on the meals to rude customers. But that is my coworker, not me, she has short temper".
*Jha*. "Good to know. I am N'Ïrk Ignay'Thus".
"Troy Crïdre". Reply the barista, doing a bump fist with N'Ïrk. "Troy. Do you have an activity or location, as a suggestion?. I am not from the city, and is my first date".
"I got you man. The Mall is without a doubt your best option. It has many establishments that can entertain both of you, or spice up the day. You can go walking or use the subway, is just three stations away. But be careful, if you use the transport. Zones can appear down there, so an occasional, not so harmless creature can be encountered quite frequently, far more of what anyone could want or believe".
"Zone's within the city's perimeter?. What about the barriers?".
"They work fine on the surface. The real problem is the veins of quartzites. This crystalline rocks can store Empiric Energy, provoking distortions in the alignment of the barriers, causing leaps that are nor covered, and with the residual Empiric Energy, is to be expected that Zones sprout. However, some people say is a bad omen, a warning of an incoming calamity. But i say these are just the ramblings of drunkards".
*Hahaha*. "That is highly likely. People say a lot of crazy stories after drinking a few bottles of alcohol. Thanks for the advice, and the warning. I'll see you around Troy".
"Likewise, N'Ïrk".
The young man return to his date, noticing Dyll'Phá ceases her speech when he is near.
"N'Ïrk!". Jumps Gagk'Xannia forward to hold her Boyfriend's hand. "Dyll'Phá has joined the Intercultural Academy. We might be classmates!".
{It seems they got along quite well}
"Or roommates". Points out N'Ïrk, surprising Gagk'Xannia. "N'Ïrk!. My Auntie!".
"Where is she?". Looks around the young man, thinking Madame Throllüsath is hiding behind an illusion.
"No, N'Ïrk. She is not here. She is in the Academy!".
"That is what she said".
"You are not understanding me!. She talk about bureaucracy, for sure she is putting us together in the same room!".
"Oh?. I don't see how that could be a problem. It means we can spend more time together".
Gagk'Xannia's hold get stronger, obliviously crushing N'Ïrk's hand. "T-Then. C-Can we, sleep together?. In the same bed?".
"We would be a bit cramped, the mattresses are a bit too narrow for two people. Perhaps we can ask for a bigger bed, move the furniture one against the other. Or see if there is available another residence for us. I heard the Fraternities are not going to be accepting Freshmen until tomorrow. So we have time to see how to proceed".
"Only if my Auntie didn't act already, N'Ïrk".
"Right". *Sigh*. "Do you want to check that, My Lover?. Or, we can continue our date".
"Date first, please!. Can we go shopping?. Dyll'Phá was telling me that having a matching accessory between Lovers, is the norm to commemorate their union".
{That sounds like a marriage}
"Let's not waste time!". Agrees N'Ïrk. His tall Girlfriend smiling cutely and hooping around like a little bunny.
{No wonder why Madame Throllüsath said Gagk'Xannia is adorable. It is kinda difficult to take my sight out of her}
The entrance to the Subway is crossing the street, long descending staircases with five short landings lead to an elongated, vaulted underground chamber.
Three booths are embedded in the wall. Tickets and reusable cards are sold with swiftness, showing speed and efficiency is the principal motto of the staff.
"I don't see the toll booths". Comments N'Ïrk as he joins the queue to purchase his own Subway card.
"That's because those machines are not used here". Dyll'Phá answers with a surgical and stern intonation. "In the rare case of an emergency, the Subway can function as a Shelter, which is why it's built so deep. To pay for the servicez the tickets are deposited or the card is passed through a sensor at the wagon doors, an Emeneld prevents people from passing without payin"
"That is clever".
Says Gagk'Xannia with awe, Dyll'Phá is obviously more knowledgeable about the life in a city. And said Bodyguard has a gentler tone of voice while replaying to the tall but Girly Tomboy. "It is an intelligent move. But the main reason for this decision, is to allow the fast intervention of any onlooker, in case a Zone appears, and a beast comes out".
As if Dyll'Phá were a prophet, a magenta purple vortex materializes on the far side of the platform.
In fact, it's outside the structural design of the Subway. Making it clear, that building under the city is an architectural challenge, in addition, the efforts will always be hindered by the unpredictable apparitions of the Zones…