I sat back on one of the sunbeds on the balcony, legs stretched out, shoulders sinking into the cushion. It was night already, a little past seven, and the city below was wrapped in that quiet, glowing haze that only came with snowfall. The balcony was fully closed off now, floor-to-ceiling glass panels sealing it from the cold. The glass was thick and clean, curving slightly at the edges, framed with dark metal. A single control panel sat near the wall; one button and the entire structure could lift and retract, turning the space back into an open balcony whenever we wanted. Right now, though, it was warm, insulated, and calm, the hum of the city muted into something distant and harmless.
Outside, snow drifted lazily between buildings, catching neon lights and streetlamps, turning them into smeared ribbons of color. Cars moved far below like slow constellations, their headlights blurred by the glass. It felt unreal in the best way.
I pulled up my status and checked my EXP.
