2.24. THE MOVE
Ring. Ring. Ring.
“Thank you class. See you next year and enjoy your holidays.”
“””THANK YOU TEACHER!!”””
It was a Friday, the last day of school for this year. I grabbed my bag and pulled it over my shoulders.
Before I stepped away from my seat, I gave the class one final sweep.
From the perspective of Avner, many things had happened this year. His findings of creator NFTs, streamers, V-tubers, and his wish to become an independent freelancer. After that we have Shin’s interference, who somehow made his way into his mind, turning Avner into a fusion of two people.
And we also have this awakening of his demon life. Near death experience, and a whole new world to explore.
Pu’er had already left class by this point, as xe had always done since I rejected hir.
I made my way to Cain’s office.
===
“Avner, do you have everything ready?”
“If I remember everything, then yes.”
“Make sure to double check. I don’t want to hear you telling us you forgot something important later.”
So I did. I ran through my checklist and had Randell do a quick scan of the items.
[Calculated based on previous data and history, the item: inhaler, should be kept on you at all times.]
And apparently I could’ve asphyxiated.
Though I was annoyed my mom reminded me to double check my stuff using such a harsh tone, I was glad she did.
I packed the inhaler and the extra canisters into my backpack. If I ever need more, I’ll make my way to the clinic or hospital to buy the refills.
With father’s help, I heaved the boxes into the bonnet of the car. I must say, the design of the vehicle is straight out jaw dropping. I never really got to admire it.
Seeing how my father has to unhook the charger everytime we went out, I was reminded that this is powered by electricity.
I gave the house one final glance, saying goodbyes in my heart. My father made a curb at an apartment highrise, which I remembered was where Pu’er stayed. We made our way to grandma’s place.
===
“Oh, are you sure you brought enough?”
“Things like toothbrush, and mouthwash can be bought from the shopping mall.”
Most of my clothes were packed inside. In fact, I didn’t really like how I had to bring clothes that I hadn’t worn for more than a year. My mom said it was a waste and told me to use them, which I won’t due to the sheer number of choices I have.
I’m not the kind of person who likes fashion.
Let’s go back to basics and first familiarize myself with grandma and grandoa’s apartment unit. As mentioned before, it’s an apartment with a modern design. Minimalistic, some accents of wood with black and white elements complimenting each other.
The kitchen was full of vitamin supplements and food items which were relatively ‘healthy’. I was a little concerned that I would be eating ginseng porridge or plain chicken soup everyday from hereon.
Though said, seeing the electric stoves, pans and knives, I was kind of anticipating permission to cook something for myself. Shin had some basic knowledge on how to make egg dishes at least. College 101.
“Will this extra room be alright? I’m sorry we hadn’t had the time to clean it up before your arrival.”
It was located just a hall away from the living room. Further down would be the powder room, and at the end of the hallway was the storeroom. It was an empty room with a lot of boxes filled with miscellaneous items. Old televisions sets, phone boxes, laptops, cables, yoga mats, sports equipment, and even gaming consoles.
Not to mention, these aren’t your retro-old kind of artefacts. It’s modern equipment that has been phased out because of AR technology.
I examined some of the boxes. There were clear signs of someone having come here to wipe the dust by using a wet cloth.
Oh, what a find.
“Can I use some of these?”
“If you wish, why not?”
“Thanks grandma. I’ll help to clear up these items. Where should we bring them?”
“Thank you boy. Help me carry these over to the storage room over to the back there can you?”
I was beginning to sort out the items which I wish to keep from those that I would toss into the storage when my mom and aether came in to check the room.
“This is a nice place.”
“There’s no bed though, mother-in-law?”
“There’s one in the storage,” grandma said apologetically.
“Avner, you have to be responsible and help your grandma with clearing your own room okay?”
“I will.”
“What are you doing?”
“There’s stuff here I want to try to use.”
“These old things?”
“Just let the boy use whatever, it’s going to go to waste anyways.”
“Remember to clean them up properly before you use them. Especially the dust, it may cause another asthma attack.”
I nodded.
I took out two laptops, a headphone set, a drawing tablet and even the remote for it. It took me a while to find the stylus; I couldn’t find the holder unfortunately.
Whatever. This is enough.
The drawing tablet is the large kind with a true tone display. Shin’s drawing pad was the flat board kind, minus a screen. So I hadn't gotten the chance to use this type of device yet.
With this, I can polish up the colours for my previous artworks. The problem with using OptAR is that the colour display isn’t accurate. It’s the nature of semi-transparent displays. I have to set it on top of something white if not it would blend with the surrounding colours.
Grey can look red or blue depending on where you hold it up against. Thus why I was so happy when I found the drawing tablet.
Let’s pray it works when I hook it up to power later.
I began moving the box of miscellaneous items into the storage room down the hall.
Mom and aether helped with wiping and mopping.
“I don’t think we need the bed frame. I’m alright with sleeping on the floor.”
“Are you sure?”
“I think it’s only going to make things harder to clean if I had an elevated bed.”
I told my parents that I would prefer to just set a mattress on the floor. In the morning I can roll it up and place it aside for more space.
Father and I brought out the low table from the storage which I would use to do my work. I’m getting excited, just thinking about the prospects of sitting here and drawing all day long.
“I suddenly feel like staying isn’t so bad.”
“There’s no extra room anymore though,” grandoa ruffled Lia’s hair.
Lia was making a difficult expression.
In <Cookie Cult>, I remember Avner saying that his sister left with hirs mother. I probably mistook that phrase as divorse when it could’ve just meant that Lia went to Rwiel with my parents.
Now that it’s come to this, will Lia stay or go?
2.25.
We took an entire day getting my room to a livable condition. Removing cobwebs from the ceiling, replacing the lights, wiping more dust off the glass, oiling the door, oiling the wheels of the window, and airing the place with a fan and humidifier.
Since it was the beginning of winter, the wind coming in was freezing. Even more so when you take into account the fact that my grandparent’s apartment is 12 floors up.
We had a short lunch in between and continued cleaning until it was late evening. Only after that did we go for dinner at a restaurant in the shopping mall. A link bridge connected Oala mall to the condominium where the apartment unit was.
TBH, this is a very convenient place to live. An ELRT station can be found inside the shopping mall, Oala station. It only takes 2 stations, having to change the line once in between to reach Saint High. Else, there’s the option of Prochock Station across the street. I could reach Vinyl Park station within 3 stops without having to change lines.
The restaurant we went to served up something like a mix of Korean and Japanese cuisine. I don’t know what it’s called.
Kimchi and sushi, or kimbap. Not too sure which one is correct in this case.
The pickled cucumbers were surprisingly good. Part of the ingredients included insects. Grasshoppers native to the western region of the world.
Those eye sockets still get to me everytime. Whatever it is, these are good sources of protein, can’t let them go to waste, crunch.
{WARNING: YOU ARE BEING WATCHED}
Again with this.
I ate my meal in silence, carefully observing my surroundings.
The restaurant had a nice ambience to it. Not too crowded with a few people around. A small group of workers were there having a discussion, another guy over at the sofa seat typing away on his OptAR. I looked towards the open kitchen. The chefs were busy preparing the food items with skillful craftsmanship.
Radingo’s warning came to mind.
I looked to the open confines of the shopping complex. The numerous AR displays flying around the place, creating a scene of Christmas chaos.
He said something about a Seraph?
“So are you going to stay back or will you come with us? We’re fine with any choice.”
“Then wouldn’t it be great if you stayed back too, Narie?”
“Yes but..”
“Lia, what’s your decision? We’ll have to buy the airplane tickets tonight.”
I turned back to the conversation on the table.
“If you’re alright with sharing a room with your brother then we welcome you to stay.”
“Spending time with our grandirul would be nice too wouldn’t it? It’s your choice dear.”
“Big bro, should I stay?”
“Are you up to experiencing something new? Actually, it’s new whichever you choose.”
“You’re going to be able to do things without having to worry about mom, father or aei..”
“Oh, so that’s the reason eh?” My mom began to chuckle, not in a good way.
“Uh..”
“In that case..”
“Lia, that means you want to stay here?”
“By all means, I wouldn’t mind taking another one,” grandoa chuckled
If our grandparents weren’t here, I think mom would have exploded. What a life saver.
TBH, is Lia going to stick around? That’s definitely going to change the future events of this world.
“I want to stay.”
Lia finally admitted.
“There we have it.”
“You should’ve said it earlier, now we have to return to bring all your items.”
“I’m sorry..”
“Tomorrow.”
“Then will Avner be staying over for tonight at our place or will he go back home first?”
“Avner?”
“Since all my stuff is here now, I think I can stay? I’m fine with whichever.”
“I think you should sleep here for a night and tell us what you think. It’s still not too late to change your mind.”
I nodded at father’s words.
I doubt I would change.
Lia was staring at me.
“What?”
Xe said nothing and returned to sipping hirs ice tea.
===
We left the restaurant and walked around the shopping mall.
“AHHH!!!”
A shout pierced the air.
It was located on the upper floors. The bouncing of echoes along the walls made the scream distorted. I couldn’t pinpoint the actual location.
{WARNING: YOU ARE BEING WATCHED}
Something is happening.
“Father, I think I need to go to the washroom.”
“Washroom? Anyone else need to go?”
“No, I mean.. you know.”
I clutched my stomach, faking the fact that I needed to take a dump. At that time, chills began to crawl up my skin.
{WARNING: YOU ARE BEING WATCHED}
“Ah, we still need to buy your daily necessities though.”
“Then how about we do it tomorrow when we bring Lia’s stuff over? Can we return first?”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
“Let’s go, let’s go. We don’t know how long this boy’s stomach can hold.”
{WARNING: YOU ARE BEING WATCHED}
“What was that sound anyways?”
“Just be careful.”
“Must be some crazy person.”
We went back where we came, towards the path of return.
“Run! Run!”
My father shielded me from the random elf who called out to me. Xe ran past me, realizing that hirs warning wasn’t having any effect.
All the onlookers looked at hir and us in an odd way.
“Who the hell..”
“Are you alright Avner?”
“I’m alright..”
The chills were getting worse.
Crap.
Is this The Seraph?
Just now that elf tried to warn me.. was hir a demon? I couldn’t see hirs crown at all.
{WARNING: YOU ARE BEING WATCHED}
{WARNING: YOU ARE BEING WATCHED}
I only have my blue pen on me, Blue Kaizer. The yellow ribbon was left at my grandparent’s place.
We proceeded forward. Now my stomach was feeling genuinely uncomfortable.
“Sorry, let’s move a little faster,” seeing how my expression warped, my father suggested.
{WARNING: IT IS LOOKING AT YOU}
Damn. What should I do now?
Do I tell them to turn back?
That I can’t take it and need to use the washroom here as a way to hide?
{YOU HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED}
Fuck.
{WaRniNG: YOu haVE BeEN INCArCeraTED}
I was thrown out of my body.
===
dotturndot: Ah… great. Battle incoming.
