Orientation (1)

Stroking the handle of her tachi, a young girl is seen gazing outside the tram.

There were many thoughts surfing around her mind, all of which troubled her.

A shell of her former self, shunned for breaking a taboo.

The thought of it made her blood boil to the core.

Placing her forehead against the tram's window, she let out a deep sigh: "How long must I endure this?"

After the tram passed through a tunnel, an unknown presence entered the compartment.

She reached out for her weapon in anticipation of an attack.

...

Thankfully it wasn't a sinner, and at that moment of relief, she relinquished her grip.

The stranger that had entered the same compartment as her was a black haired boy with extravagant red ear piercings wearing the same uniform as her, it seems he too is undergoing the same obligations as her.

Behind his back is an unsheathed great sword with "AIDEN" scratched on the body of the blade, a bit showy by her standards.

"Ah, finally found someone!" The boy offered a warm smile.

Shocked by his action, the girl quickly went up to him and placed her hand over his mouth, gesturing for him to be quiet.

Fortunately, he was quick to understand.

The girl tried to communicate with him by using a device strapped to her wrist.

Tapping on the screen, it lights up.

Opening an app, she typed, [Why did you break a taboo?]

The boy's face was in amazement looking at the device; this confuses her since it's an everyday essential in Paradiso, even if you consider the fact that the device she's using is a widespread model.

Thinking of it, the boy wasn't using a MED of any sort.

With one finger, the boy responded, [woah whats this]

The boy ignored her question, which annoyed her.

[It's a MED, or Multipurpose Electronic Device; without one you'll be dead quicker than a speeding bullet here in Paradiso.

[Now would you be so kind as to answer my question.]

The boy was flustered, [ah sorry sorry, i didnt know there were taboos inside here]

With every passing second inside the tram with him, her confusion only grew larger—just who is this person to be so naive?

The tram stopped at a grinding halt, signifying their time to leave.

"Feel free to talk since the tram has reached its destination."

When the doors opened, a stream of passengers entered, prompting both of them to leave the tram.

Having no intentions to humor the boy any longer, she gives him a bit of advice: "From one student to another, don't ask too many questions in Paradiso."

Smiling, the boy asked another question: "Tell me, what is your name?"

She was reluctant to answer him, "Kairi, that is all I have to say to you, Aiden."

Turning her back against him, she fades towards the crowd of people.

"Hoh~ what an interesting individual." Putting his hands in his pockets, he looked over yonder to the capital of Paradiso, where the cycle of rebirth never ends.