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Dawn Song
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"Soooo, Aubrey, what's it like?" You've sat back down, and Cass has a hand resting on your thigh.
"It's like... it's hard to describe. It's like having little thoughts skitter across the surface of your brain. And they sound like my voice, almost?" You think back on the past hour. "It's like - it's like I'm in a big room, and I'm talking out loud, but there are whispers all around me. Sometimes they shout and drown out my own voice, and it's kind of distracting."
Cass blinks. "That sounds like ADHD."
"Eh." You make a noncommittal motion with one hand. "I wouldn't know. Anyway," you continue, "I can actually remember everything that they've said. Which... which is weird."
"Bad weird or good weird?"
"Weird weird. Good weird a bit. And I gotta admit, the thought of countless strangers watching my every room, experiencing everything I feel,"—a sharp jab of regret for cutting the play session with Cass short—"it's a huge turn-on."
"I bet!"
"Oh! I meant to go into more detail about what I found in Quadrant Fiv—" You cut your sentence short at Cass's grin. Her eyes sparkle with mischief. "Goddammit. You totally know what it was, don't you."
"Yep!"
"And you've known for how long now?"
"Since the first alert." She tilts her head to the side and brushes a stray bit of hair back behind one ear, her grin even wider now.
You facepalm. "Right. What about the cameras? You said they didn't show anything!"
"All lies. Saw two people, figured you might get lucky and get a good humping."
"Cass!"
"What?" If there's anyone more terrible at looking innocent than Cass, you've never met them. "They didn't look dangerous! Besides, I went back and reviewed the footage after you left, and they arrived via portal. Which means they were Tourists, and thus 100% safe."
"Cass! Seriously!"
"If they looked like weirdos, then I'd have let you know, I promise!"
"Cass, I could have been accosted, or worse!" You look down at your hands, with their oversized claws. With the amount of sheer muscle you have driving them, they're perfect for fending off anyone who'd mess with you. "Okay, maybe not, but still." Resigned sigh. "Well, did you at least figure out who they were?"
"Naw, couldn't get that good of a look. If they were Tourists, though, then that means you might bump into them at Station. Ooo..." Cass's eyes go wide and she leans closer to you. "If you do, lemme know, 'kay? I don't want to have to go to TGchan and find out after the fact."
"Fine." You glance at the clock again - shift's almost over. You'll stop by your place to make sure you haven't forgotten anything (although most of your stuff's already been shipped forward to Station), after which you'll hop on the Train and start your adventure. You're nervous and excited in equal measures.
END OF CHAPTER 1
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