Of all the ways the world had changed, the one Simon had the hardest time adjusting to was how bright it was all the time.
Back in Jiha, before that day when his whole life had suddenly turned upside-down, it had always been dark. With electricity such a precious commodity, the chief had never authorized building more lights than were absolutely necessary for everyone to get around; squinting through the gloom had been a habit people developed by the time they could walk. The first time he'd seen the sun, awed as he'd been by its beauty, Simon had hardly been able to keep his eyes open for more than a few seconds at a time before they'd started to sting. He'd gotten used to it soon enough, but even then, it had still gotten dark at night, the moon and stars shining just brightly enough to make him feel at home again. …show more content…
"N-no! That's not what I meant at all! Just--"
As his old teammates fell to bickering behind him, Simon chuckled at their antics, once more staring out at the city. Before long, the elevator finished its long journey, and the three men stepped out onto the ground floor of the tower. Before he could get away, Kittan leapt on him once more, leaning in to talk in his ear. "Good luck tonight, buddy," he said with another grin. "If things go well, you better tell me all about it later!" Cackling, he shoved Simon away again, heading for the doors with a spring in his step. Dayakka paused long enough to give Simon a sympathetic look and a thumbs-up before following.
Standing by the elevator door, Simon fished his phone out of his coat pocket and flipped it open, pulling up his calendar. It was, perhaps, too empty for the governor of humanity's only existing city--he'd always leaned on Rossiu to make sure he kept his appointments. One event, however, was clearly marked for that night. Nia. Park on 14th. 18:30.
He'd memorized the time and place, of course. But he found it reassuring to check it
Back in Jiha, before that day when his whole life had suddenly turned upside-down, it had always been dark. With electricity such a precious commodity, the chief had never authorized building more lights than were absolutely necessary for everyone to get around; squinting through the gloom had been a habit people developed by the time they could walk. The first time he'd seen the sun, awed as he'd been by its beauty, Simon had hardly been able to keep his eyes open for more than a few seconds at a time before they'd started to sting. He'd gotten used to it soon enough, but even then, it had still gotten dark at night, the moon and stars shining just brightly enough to make him feel at home again. …show more content…
"N-no! That's not what I meant at all! Just--"
As his old teammates fell to bickering behind him, Simon chuckled at their antics, once more staring out at the city. Before long, the elevator finished its long journey, and the three men stepped out onto the ground floor of the tower. Before he could get away, Kittan leapt on him once more, leaning in to talk in his ear. "Good luck tonight, buddy," he said with another grin. "If things go well, you better tell me all about it later!" Cackling, he shoved Simon away again, heading for the doors with a spring in his step. Dayakka paused long enough to give Simon a sympathetic look and a thumbs-up before following.
Standing by the elevator door, Simon fished his phone out of his coat pocket and flipped it open, pulling up his calendar. It was, perhaps, too empty for the governor of humanity's only existing city--he'd always leaned on Rossiu to make sure he kept his appointments. One event, however, was clearly marked for that night. Nia. Park on 14th. 18:30.
He'd memorized the time and place, of course. But he found it reassuring to check it