6 Meet-Up

Izen had finally succeeded in creating her avatar and found her self at the center of the plaza, beside a large fountain. It took her more than an hour just to set up her credentials, and another half an hour to customize her avatar.

When izen finally logged in, a voice from outside her helmet was heard saying. "I apologize but if you have successfully completed your account, please vacate the room."

Izen immediately logged out of her account and stood up from where she sat.

"Apologies for my inconvenience," she said while bowing her head.

"It's alright, your initial set-up was by far the lengthiest. Besides, it's my first time having a patient with the 'High Potential' assessment to take an 'Undecided' framework."

The doctor acknowledges as he was overseeing the initial set up of the system operating system. One after another an upload and download were being performed from the server, and he had to go back and forth with his colleagues to check if there is a possible discrepancy or malfunction on the configuration. Fortunately, there is no conflict on the data structure or else they would have to promote her gear to the more expensive modules.

"Is it really that rare to see 'HP' assessment in the 'Undecided' department?" she inquired.

"Of course, most of HPA's have their own targets thus receiving the review for the particular goal. Judging by your matrix alone, you can apply it to any department. No sweat."

The high potential assessment was given only to those that excel on any of the three tests, with the above-average standard.

"Ohh... Umm... If I happen to need an update, how much would it cost?" working for her financial expenditures. She always has to ask possible fees, especially now that she is running short on credits.

"I had to monitor at least 3 system flashes on your module. If we are not going to consider a hardware upgrade, it would cost at least 8000 credits... Yeah, that's a bit expensive isn't it, but if you happen to find a department you want to join just send in a copy of your assessment sheet on their sponsorship program, I'm sure they wouldn't be able to turn a blind eye."

"Thank you for the tip Mr.?..."

"Irevin... Irevin Glades"

"Thank you, Mr. Irevin Glades, I will surely remember this," Izen said as she headed to the exit.

Outside the clinic was a corridor leading to the exit of the shop. It was already midnight when she left the building. Sai was sitting on the edge of the sidewalk, beside him was a paper bag containing a box, which Izen can only assume as his headgear.

"Thanks for waiting," Izen said.

"What took you so long?" Sai asked.

"My NPC watch module had to be accommodated so it took a lot of time to integrate. How long were you waiting there for?"

"I just got out myself. I went back in to inquire about how my equipment will affect my dormitory transfer."

"What are we going to do now? There are no busses heading out of the city at this hour."

"Lavien lives in the city. I asked him if we could stay the night and he said that it's alright. and sent me his address, he also said that since we are coming from the city center, it's better to take a cab because it's about an hour will from here."

Lavien is one of their seniors from their home town, he left the village when he was scouted as an engineering trainee and is now living a city life in Helianthus City.

"Hibiscus Building by the Fifth Flouret street. Sir." Sai said to the driver as they boarded the back seat of the taxi cab.

"You're not from around here aren't you?" Said the driver.

"Around these parts. It's hard to find our bearing since it's the middle of the night." Innocently responded Izen.

Upon hearing the driver's innuendo flags were raised in Sai's mind, the feeling that they might be robbed or assaulted crept on his spine as he scrutinizes the chauffeur's intentions. Conversely, the motorist also became weary of the two passengers but did not let the anxiety show on his face.

"Mr. Colben, how long have you been working as a driver in town?" as if not sensing the atmosphere, Izen said, while reading the name tag hanging from the rearview mirror.

"About 8 years now, and counting."

The small talk continued for half an hour until finally, the cab stopped in front of a building. The name Hibiscus was seen above the entrance, a man in his early twenties was standing upfront having a conversation with the security guard.

Paying the fair, Izen said to the driver, "We'll call you next time we're in town."

"Sure," Colben responded. It was the first that someone entertained his prying nature, and to have found an unexpected patron, plastered a big smile on his face.

Seeing Mr. Colben depart, Sai could no longer hold his thoughts and blurted out. "Wah... You can really make people talk. huh!"

"What? Do you expect me to judge the person immediately? He at least had the nuance to ask questions and we are dressed differently from the locals, what response do you expect?"

While the two we're having this argument, a man sneaked behind them and said, "What are you two talking about?"

The voice startled Izen, almost jumping out of her skin. Sai, on the other hand, responded calmly, "This lady's designs on a cab driver."

"Is he handsome, smart, stiff, or perverse? Details! Details! Quickly!" Lavien quipped.

"Yah!" Izen interrupted the men's strange conversation as she pinched the boy's ears.

"let's go inside, it's cold outside." - Lavien

"Thanks for letting us stay for the night." - Sai

"No problem, it's nice to have visitors once in a while. Anyway, did you two had dinner? I've prepared food, but if you already ate, you can just have it for breakfast." - Lavien

"Gurrrr~~~" at the mention of food Sai's stomach complained.

"Haha!!" laughter echoed on the corridors.

"Welcome to my humble abode." - Lavien

It was a Family-sized apartment, with two bedrooms, and a spacious living room. This is the perks of working in a government facility aside from a good salary.

Food was placed on a table by the kitchen. After the three had their meal, Sai and Izen went to wash their faces while Lavien prepared their beddings.

"Izen will sleep in my room, and the two of us will be sleeping in the leaving room. Is everything good?" - Lavien

"Whats in the other room?" - Sai

"That would be my roommates." - Lavien

"Ohh..." both visitors locked eyes as they gasped.

The three went to their resting spots with great caution, not to disturb their sleeping host. It was already past 1 AM when the three finally managed to sleep.

...

Lavien was the first to wake up, out of the two sleeping in the living room. When he looked at the time it read 7:39 AM, he usually wakes up earlier but because of his midnight visitors, he roused later than expected. Though Lavien work starts at 9:00, he always rises early to have an exercise and prepare breakfast.

A partition screen was positioned between the sleeping babies and the kitchen, which was not there when the people went to sleep. A sound of cooking was heard from the other side of the barrier, accompanied by a humming sound.

Listening to the pulled Lavien from his half-dreaming state. Consciously poked his head at the edge of the partition only to be greater with a lively voice.

"Good morning! Sorry did I wake you?" a deep voice sounded in a whisper assaulted the peeping tom.

"Not really. What time did you wake?" Lavien asked as he pours a glass of water to drink.

"The usual. I tried waking you up but you were in deep sleep so I didn't proceed... Go and wake up the others, so we can have breakfast."

"Sai. Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"

Sai shook himself from rest, stood up, and clean up his being with half-opened eyes, while Lavien went to knock on his door.

"Tok! Tok! Izen?! Wake up!" He repeated this 3 times when he finally heard a groaning sound from inside the room, then opened the door.

Lavien entered the room with the bundle of sheets, took his towel, and went to take a shower.

Lavien went to wake up his visitors, returned the screen, and folded his bedsheets after which he continued his morning routine.

When everyone was awake, Lavien called for everyone to the living room and introduced his roommate to his guests.

"Pip's this is my roommate; August. August, these are my neighborhood friends Sai and Izen." Lavien said as he pats the shoulders of a robust man wearing a cooking apron.

"Nice to meet you Sai, Izen. I would have greater you when you came, but this guy didn't bother waking me up." August said with a smile while reaching out to shake hands with the others.

"Nice to meet you too, August. I appreciate your concern," replied Izen.

"Same here, August. Apologies for the late notice," noted Sai.

"Please join us for breakfast." diverted August.

So the occupants had their breakfast, prepared to leave the apartment, and finally departed. Lavien drove the two to the nearest bus station and bade goodbyes.

"Sai. Can you do me a favor, bring this to my parent's house." pulling a box from the trunk of the car.

"Sure!"

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