The Edge of Oblivion // TasiaChiba & Gypsea Rose
 

The Edge of Oblivion

In the year 2298, the peoples of Teuron live in vast cities of technological marvels. They survive on clean energy systems and live in structures that tower far into the clouds, disappearing into the brilliant light of the sun. Polution seems a thing of the past, but not so with hunger for the people of Teuron have become obsessed with personal gratification. Dreams and pleasures on Teuron can be realized at their mere thought, for a price. Without the cities are harsh lands with only small, hardy vegitation or miles of desert and barren, wasted lands. Only the determined, or desperate, eke out an existence in those lands. Organized crime is unstoppable, permeating as far as the upper echelons of governments and have become an integral way of life for most of the planet's peoples. The vibrations of cold, electronics are such a normal part of their lives that they are no longer aware of the pulse.

And so it has been for nearly two millennia. All creatures alike have forgotten how their world was once covered in lush greens and real rains, unlike the bitter ones the planet now experiences, or the simulated ones within the cities that serve only to assure the minds of the citizens. Now, it is only a memory, mythological tale told to children that holds no bearing over their lives. It is a wonder they are even bothered to be taught about it shoved down, as it were, within a moments breath in a history class that is sadly lacking. Much of their world's history has long been forgotten, lost, dusted forever to the winds of time. So it was with the magic that was once such an important part of their lives. It is now gone, replaced by advanced technology and hi-tech gadgets that make their lives easier and fill the boredom of everyday tedium.

But just because something has been forgotten, doesn't always mean it's gone forever.

The dark streets glistened with the silver sheen of recently fallen rain. Bright lights lit the darkness with their myriad of colors, reflected in the mirror like surface of the drenched walkways, in the sleepless eyes of those endlessly wandering it's pathways seeking even one moment's more of all-consuming bliss. Night in Sheulo was never truely night.

Eilel stepped out of a loud night club, it's raucous music flowing into the street about him. The soles of his shoes slapped noisily in a puddle, eliciting a sharp curse from him as he felt the wetness slosh up his pant legs. He had received the notice the rain would come this evening, but hadn't thought much of it. Now he certainly was as he swiped angrily at his pant cuffs. Shaking his head, he started off for home.

He'd come to Fell House to relieve some stress and built up tension, yet his run in with the offending puddle had set him off in a foul mood once more, which only brought to mind his looming dilemma. His father wanted him to come work for him, but Eilel wanted nothing to do with politics or business. He considered himself a free spirit; doing what he wanted, when he wanted. Of course, currently he was doing nothing productive beyond enjoying his freedom. At 23 it was his right, but his father saw it differently. Was even threatening to withold his monthly allowance.

Thoroughly irritated now, Eilel grumbled to himself and continued slowly on down the street, ambling through the crowd without a care beyond himself.

Two people stumbled from a door way one of them was small and seemed to be trying to lead the larger one away. The larger one yelled at the proprietor, “we did nothing wrong, you don’t need to kick us out.” The male’s voice wavered with the sound of sudo-beer. He had been drinking and had now reached his limits, or so it sounded. The other one propped the speaker up with his arm. “Come on Jay’noren we will find some better fun.” He said a bit more loudly then need be, then turned back to the proprietor of the club. “Hear that we will find better fun!”
“sush, this is not the time Sheelatoo, you need to go home, you have work tomorrow.” The smaller one pulled at Sheelatoo’s clothes trying to get him to go with her, for Jay’noren was female. As they came under one of the lights these two radical hair colors became striking. Jay’noren’s hair was teal with a streak of yellow; Sheelatoo’s was yellow with a streak of blue. It was only recently in the cities that the bright hair colors had become popular. The older generation only shook their heads and said how it was a waste of credits.
Noticing Eilel as he walked nearby Jay’noren waved him down. “hay can you help me with my brother? He had a bit too much to drink, not like he will admit it and now needs help home. I am not strong enough to carry him myself.” She smiled up at him.

Eilel's mind was so engaged in his deep reflection that he almost didn't hear the plea from a young female near him. It took a full minute for it to register in his mind that her words were directed towards him. She saw his smile, inviting him to accept her plea for aid. She was such a slight thing and the man, her brother from what she said, so much bigger. He nearly turned away uninterested, but his sentimentalities were being tested. Females could lay him low. His bloody weak point they were, always seeming so defenseless... He was a cursed cavalier is what he was, though he despised it in himself. His lip curled a bit and his brows lowered as he thought it over. He looked away, at around them.

"I'm a bit busy," he grumbled. A lie. Though, he didn't really need to help them. There was always the potential it could be a scam. Yeah, he could see it... big man pretending to be drunk, young girl acting all innocent and imploringly... "How far away is it?" he bit out harshly.

“It’s just to J Block.” J Block was about a 15 minute walk if you did not have a drunken man hanging on you. Jay’noren staggered under her brother weight. Sheelatoo tried to push her support away from him as he tried to turn the other way. “No Shee you have to go to bed we have work in the morning, and if you don’t get there tomorrow I am not going to pay for your suto-beer.”
“I don’t need you to pay for my….” Shee stumbled into his sister. “stop pushing me!” Jay rolled her eyes.
“I am not pushing you, you big baby. Your then one stumbling.” She nudged her brothers ribs, before looking back at Eilel, that’s not too far for you is it? I just need to get him home before he drinks us out of credits.”

Eilel felt uneasy. Really, he hadn't seen the end to his night dealing with a drunken man and his pleading sister. He looked back over to the pair as they stood waiting. Well, stood wasn't quite right seeing as how the man, Jay'noren his sister called him, swayed and staggered about. Fifteen minutes wasn't really all that far away. Although, anything could happen. He shook his head irritably at himself and sighed. He prayed his luck would hold along with his decision and approached the pair.

"Fine. All right. I'll help get you there, but that's it." He looked to the brother and wondered how he would react if he went ahead and slipped an arm around his back to support him.

“oh thanks, just grab him on the other side and we can get him to where we need to go.” As Eliel got closer he would see that Jay’noren, the sister, eyes were surgically altered to look like cats eyes. It was odd that she would get her eyes made to look like an animal that had never really been on this world. Some said that the cat was a myth, others said that it was never a real animal. She smiled at him, “don’t worry he won’t bite, he is just drunk. How he can get drunk on sudo-beer I don’t know.”
Sheelatoo grumbled something unintelligent and then almost fell, pulling his sister down.

On reflex, Eilel made a grab for the man before he could potentially pull his sister down. "It makes one wonder," he grunted. 'If I'm not really getting myself into a trap, here...' he finished in his mind. He slipped an arm around the other man and adjusted himself to take as much of the weight as possible. The man was several inches taller than he and the arrangement felt awkward, but he had committed himself to the task and wasn't about to back out now. He glanced at the female and finally noted the strangely altered eyes that had at first been masked by shadows. It gave him a start; their appearance foreign and unnerving. Multi-colored lights played with the hues around them, hiding the true color of her eyes and making him wonder what they were.

Really, he shouldn't be staring so hard at her eyes and putting himself so off guard!

"By the way, the name's Eilel."

" I am Jay'noren La'tor and this is my drunk twin brother Sheelatoo La'tor, dad loved making up names before he died in the sanitation accident two years ago. Mom was ground crew for the spacestation , she disappeared four years ago.” Her voice was soft yes had a musical tone to it. When they got into the hallways near J Block the white lights showed that her eyes were a unnatural mix of blue and green. (like the robes my Avi is wearing) “You can just call me Jay and him,” she nodded at her brother who was slumped between them. “you can call Shee not like he really cares.”
“its not Shee it’z Latoo.” His voice slurred as he tried to speak. Shaking her head Jay said.
“don’t listen to him he does not know what he is saying.”
“doze toooo”

Eilel seriously doubted the other man did, but refrained from commenting on it. Rather, he readjusted his hold and said instead, "Twins, huh? Must be interesting. And how much further is it to your place?" In the brighter light the unnatural coloring of Jay's eyes began to really unsettle him. The sooner he deposited these two and high-tailed it home the better. Really, what had possessed him to assist a drunk in the first place? Oh yeah, that whole damsel in distress part. He mentally berated himself once more for his weakness. But really, what else did he have to do? He was headed home, sure, but to what? His father would probably corner him before he made it to his room and began a lecture on how his pathetic, no good son was wasting his life. He supposed he was at least being entertained somewhat by this strange pair.

“two more doors, see the one there with the red flower on it?” she pointed with her chin. “that’s the one.” As they reached the door she opened it with one of the keycards that had gone out of fashion when Eilel’s grandfather was a kid. Only those that did not have the credits to order the new voice activated ones still had the key card. It had been on the news many times about how easy it was to copy a key card and brake in. the was some legislature in the works stating that everyone had to have the new voice print doors in the next two years. Jay smiled at him over her brothers head. On the way here he had jostled back and forth his hands bumping into both of them. “do you mind helping me get him inside or is this as far as you go?”

Eilel stared at the key card Jay held in her hands. He'd never seen one before in his life, had only heard of them in passing, but it was of something that didn't concern him so he never took close notice. Yet, here he was now staring at one still in use. It was a veritable antique! He had noticed how run-down this district was but the sight of that key card really hit it home. He supposed hearing about it at school, on the news, and from his father were one thing but seeing it first hand was another. He'd purposely avoided these districts so far and had done a good job of it until now. How anyone could live like this was beyond him. Surely there were enough credits to go around to prevent this degradation.

And then it hit him. If his father kicked him out, this is precisely where he'd end up. He suppressed an involuntary shiver at the thought, thankful for Jay's words that stopped his reflection.

Of course, while he wanted to get as far away from here as fast as possible, he couldn't deny the strange curiosity that had taken hold of him now. He expected someone to jump him at any moment, yet he wanted to see how the people in this district lived, those without endless funds such as his family. He was disturbed but morbidly curious.

"Sure, I'll help you get him inside," he replied, hoping he wasn't throwing himself into an ambush. One never knew what those poverty stricken people might do....

Smiling Jay pushed open the door. “lights please.” The AI of the block turned on the rooms lights revealing a short hall that lead to a simple yet clean room. Strait in front of them was a couch set to face the door. It was a fine cheaper copy of one of the couches that Eilel might have had in his house or one of his friends might have. Behind the couch was two door that lead into two bed rooms, but the doors were shut now. To the left of the couch was another hall way that lead to the laundry/replicators room. Four other doors led off form the main room, to the left of the entry hall way was a door to the kitchen who’s wall formed on of the two entry way walls. After the kitchen came an archway that led to what looked like a dining room. There was a old beat yet well liked dinning set, in the room. To the left of the entryway hall was the door to the bathroom, who’s wall also formed part of the entry way. And a door that lead to a media room.
“you can just put him on the couch, I don’t think he would like you to see his room.” Jay said and Shee made an agreeing sound. “see what did I say, dose not want you to see his room.”

The home of the two twins was, by far, cleaner and more well taken care of than Eilel had allowed his over-active mind to imagine. It looked... homey and comfortable. A place one could relax and feel at ease in, unlike the sterile and modish atmosphere he experience in his parent's home; an atmosphere he was all too accustomed to and never thought otherwise about.

He slipped Shee to the indicated couch, stumbling and nearly falling as the other man swayed and almost fell to the floor. Finally, though, the other man was placed safely on the couch and, much to Eilel's surprise, his task was suddenly completed. Now that it was over, he felt a little sheepish over the paranoid thoughts he'd had on the way here. Still... they could have always been right... He shook his head and thrust both of his hands through his shaggy almond hair with its chocolate highlights.

He took a deep sigh and looked about the room. "Well, that's that I suppose." He felt awkaward, unsure if he should just zip out of there as quickly as he could or wait around. But for what? he wondered even as he hooked the thumb of his left hand in one of his pants pockets.

“You could always come again, I know we are not the same rank but you still could.” Making sure that Shee was safe on the couch, Jay walked back towards the kitchen. “I don’t have much but would you like something to eat or drink?” as she walked by a stack of shoes, Jay shed her shoes and walked on her toes into the kitchen. Her toes were almost paws like a cat, and as she stepped up he could see pads along her feet.

Though he really wasn't in any hurry to head home, as he kept reminding himself, he did feel a little lost suddenly. A little out of sorts, yet highly curious. He chocked it up to the novelty of the twins' home and their lifestyle, so vastly different from his own. Until now, he really hadn't thought to care how other's lived within the city. Even now he couldn't really decide where the curiosity was coming from, but he went with it.

By this point, he sincerely doubted they were serial killers or muggers and he felt ashamed for ever having thought of them in such a way. He really did have such an overactive imagination.

"Well, I suppose I wouldn't mind a drink. What do you have?" He meant to follow her into the kitchen then stopped, looking down at his own shoes. "Um, do I need to take my shoes off in your house? I mean, I wouldn't want to offend you or anything," he said weakly. He hadn't seen many of her kind and wasn't too sure about their customs.

Laughing Jay poked her head out of the kitchen. “no you do not need to take off your shoes if you don’t feel like it. I just find it more comfortable to go without shoe’s but most of the people here in the city don’t look to kindly to me walking around without shoe’s.” disappearing back into the kitchen the sounds of dish’s clacked as she looked for a drink. “Have a seat it won’t take too long.”

A crossed from the couch hidden in the shadows near the second hallway was a comfortable looking seat. After a few moments the sounds of a teapot could be heard from the kitchen. True tea was not a common thing that many people could have access to. Tea once again had become a rich men’s luxury. In recent years the replicators company had come out with a way for tea to be replicated but only in the liquid from and many who still drank tea would say it was a poor imitation.

Jay walked out of the kitchen with a tray covered in a new from tea set. It was made to work with the replicators so one did not need to spend credits on cup and pots over and over. Sitting in a nice dish were REAL tea leaves. “I did not know if you would like some hot chocolate, which is replicated, or if you would want some tea. The tea is the only plant I have ever been able to keep alive in this dark little hole that we have here. I was told by my aunt that it had been my mother’s plant.”

“lying winch.” Shee’s said sleepily before flipping over on the couch.

Deciding to keep his shoes on to feel more at ease, Eilel crossed to a clear seat and settled himself down. As he listened to the sounds of Jay working in the kitchen he looked about him, taking in the foreign, "lower class" appearance of the twin's home. He didn't really know what he was doing, but if he'd taken the time to analyze his thoughts and actions he might have realized they stemmed from a need to "escape." If he'd realized it, he may have just bolted from where he sat and raced out of that home as fast as possible. He would have told himself that he wasn't escaping because there was no need to! He was in the right, his father wrong. He was living his life how he wanted.

Instead, he remained where he was, taking in the newness of experiencing things that were not new at all. He glanced over to where he had set the man, Sheelatoo, on the couch, his shock of yellow and blue hair a blaze of color. He looked away as Jay walked into the room carrying a tray. He was about to reply to say that tea would be just fine when her brother spoke up. His comment was so sudden that Eilel jumped a bit. Unsure what to say, he looked back up at Jay. Finally, he just went with his original reply.

"Tea will be just fine," he mumbled.

Glaring over at Sheelatoo Jay handed Eilel a cup of tea. “Don’t mind my brother he has this thing against our aunt. He feel that she has been lying to us all along and I disagree.” Taking the only other seat in the room she smiled. Looking Eilel over closer now Jay saw that he was not the middle class guy she had thought he was but someone richer. He had clothes that were not made form a few credits he had wealth. oh great I am going to have to search Shee when he leave, it would just be like that stick finger to have swiped his credits. keeping the smile firmly on her face she leaned back after taking a sip of the tea. “this may sound odd but most people that help me take him home upon seeing this place flee, so I don’t get to talk to too many people. “

Eilel lifted his cup, tentatively taking a sip and marveling at the taste. It was fresh and clear, unlike the ones he was used to. He had had real tea leaves before, but there was something wholly different with these. Or maye he was deluding himself. He mentally shook himself and returned his attention to his hostess.

"Any reason why that might be?" His brow creased as he contemplated her words. "You seem nice enough, and this place... really isn't that bad..."

“I see you like my tea.” Jay blushed ever so slightly as she took a sip herself. “They usually just see the lock and run leaving me to pull my brother inside. My neighbors think my brother and I a set of lovers and wont believe other wise. They also think were a set of thieves.” And they told Jay and Shee to move out each time a robbery happened. “ it is just the way life has been for us since we were children. People saw us and our hair and thought we were bad children.” She really did not care what this man thought of her. Having him sit here and drink her tea was enough for her. She was in truth surprised that he had not run yet. Movement on the couch alerted her to her brothers want to go to his room.
Shee pushed himself up and looked groggily over at them, then grumbling something that sounded like a different language he pushed himself off the couch. That did not get him far, for the moment his legs were under him then collapsed. Grumbling to himself more then to his sister he pushed himself into a sitting position. By that time Jay was there to help him up her cup clattering where she had set it on the floor. “Stubborn that what you are Shee.” Turning to Eilel she smiled. “Don’t mind me. I think I can get him to his room.” And with that they stumbled their way into his room.

Eilel half rose to assist her, but she was so quick about taking off with her brother that Eilel was left standing where he was. Slowly he sat back down, the cup still warm in his hands. As he did so, however, the liquid splashed over the sides and onto his hands and pants. Cursing, he stood up, setting the cup on a nearby table, and brushed the liquid from his pants, flinging the moisture from his hands. Looking around, he could find nothing to dry his hands or pants. Frustrated, he gave the pants up for loss and decided to just try his hands on them. As he did so, he ran his hands over the seat of his pants and stopped.

He felt a cold chill work over him as he slowly brought one hand back up to feel his outer pants pocket where he kept his ID. Slipping the fingers of one hand inside, he search came up empty. He flushed cold then hot, his face filling with heat as his anger rushed to the surface. He stared toward the doorway where the twins had left him, his vision red.

He hesitated, only one split second to decide whether he would leave right then and there, find an enforcement officer and report the both of them or to take them both head on in a blaze of outrage.

He had let his guard down when his instincts had said otherwise. He had been right after all.

Returning from taking her brother to his room jay had her head down. “There he is down, he won’t be up till much latter.” She walked to the kitchen without looking at him. “So where in the city do you come from?” the sounds of the replicator warming up filled the room. It was an old and cheap replicator by the sound of it. Everything in the house was second hand or cheap.

There was a rumbling in Eilel's ears that matched the burning sensation he felt inside. His mind was blank as he watched her walk out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. He half turned to leave right then and there, wanting to be done with those two. But he turned back, not even aware of the action. Not even aware of the words he blurted out as a half snarl through clenched teeth.

"Lying wench!" He glared towards the kitchen. He wanted to run towards the door but he realised that he needed to get his ID back before he left. "That's what your brother called you. Filling me with some sob story... and to think I was so accepting of it!" he raged as he stalked toward the kitchen. "Where's my ID?" he howled.

“he did not call me a lying wench, he was talking about our aunt.” Jay turned to face him as he come in surprised at this attack till he said his ID was missing. “oh GODS, THAT STICKY FINGERED JURK!!!!” slipping past him she stormed towards her brothers door. “YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STICK THIS ONE ON ME SHEELATOO, GET YOUR BUTT OUT HERE RIGHT NOW!!!!” she tried the door only to find it locked. “YOUR JUST AS BAD AS DAD. HE DIED BECAUSE HE COULD NOT KEEP HIS HANDS OFF THINGS THAT DON’T BELONG TO HIM” kicking the door she yelled at her brother. “WE ARE NOT THIVES GIVE BACK THIS MAN’S ID…… NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!”