Posted by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner, Quill and Parchment Books) in The Quill & Parchment- Second Chances

Posted by Civilian Rafael Torres (Resident) in The Quill & Parchment- Second Chances

Posted by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner, Quill and Parchment Books) in The Quill & Parchment- Second Chances

(snip)

Karilan smiled and said “I am happy to hear both of those things.” He took the slips, pocketed them, and the gestured to the sleek, silver slider that was parked at the curb. “Get in.” Karilan said and the hatch opened and he got inside.

Torres eyed the slider with appreciation, though a weird feeling swept over him that he brushed away and ignored. He got in.

The interior of rhe slider was a dark, soft red. Karilan leaned back in a seat as the automated vehicle pulled away. He looked at Torres and said “I’m going to show you your apartment first, then we will discuss the project. Fair enough?”

Karilan

He nodded slowly as he took in the interior and then looked out the window. “Yeah, sounds good.” He wasn’t sure what would equate to an apartment, but all he cared about was a warm and clean bed. Everything else was extra at this point. Hell, he hadn’t even really expected Dash to hear him out. Today had definitely taken a slightly bizarre turn and Raf couldn’t say he minded. At least it seemed to be going in a positive direction. “My pops would like this place. His kind of vibe.”

~Rafael Torres

“Perhaps when you get settled and get a solid routine going, you can bring him out for a visit.” Karilan said. The slider wound its way through the Oed traffic and soon they neared the area of the city where the bookstore was located. The slider pulled up about five blocks away from the store in front of a rather non-descript residential building. A single clear door showed an unoccupied, well-lit lobby inside. Karilan stepped out and then looked at Torres. “Here you go. Your biometrics have already been set. Fourth floor. Apartment 4G. When you are ready, come back down. I’ll wait.”

Karilan

Raf gave a nod and went up to the apartment. He hesitated before pressing his fingers to the scanner, but it unlocked and he went in.

The furnished apartment wasn’t huge but was clean and nicely decorated. Simple but comfortable. There was a bedroom where he set his bag, fishing out the small object from the side pocket and shoving it into his pant pocket. He grabbed his other key items and left the bag at the foot of the bed. In the living area he peered out the large window that overlooked a small park. In some ways it reminded him of the place him and Pops had had when he was really little, though the neighbourhood hadn’t been near as nice.

All of this was surreal and he had a hard time trusting it. It still felt too good to be true. Maybe it was, but his options were few and terrible. For now he would just have to trust that Karilan Massat. Easier said than done.

Heading back out, Torres approached Massat and nodded to them. “It’s a nice place, thanks,” he said quietly.

~Rafael Torres