Waking up to the sound of sirens wasn’t new for Anika. Had she not stirred from the screaming a few buildings down she would’ve slept past her usual wakeup time. Either way, she grumbled as her arms brought her off the stiff mattress into a sitting position. Her bleary eyes focused in on her surroundings from her lone backpack to the crate she had reworked into a table of such.

Taking a deep breath Anika reached into her bag for a pack of smokes, lighting a cigarette with her beaten up lighter before letting herself fall backwards. The smoke rose in spirals as she let the thick tobacco fill the air of the tent.

It took her a few moments to reconvene before freshening up and repacking her belongings so that they’d be unrecognizable to any passerby. Even a cloaking spell wasn’t sufficient enough to keep her cove away from prying eyes.

Before leaving she took a final glance at her appearance: a bit ragged but near fashionable in an oversized hoodie, wool trench coat and neutral toned boots. Her mid-length dark brown hair remained in a messy bun with her tan skin covered in a generic black mask leaving only her hazel eyes visible.

On the street Anika found little comfort passing among throngs of older residents dressed in layers of clothes to offset the near freezing temperatures. Within a few blocks residents from varying districts began to blend into each other with laborers, emerging socialites and city workers walking side-by-side. Despite this Anika knew her position among them was unrivaled as both the undesirable and desired. Her place in society was both necessary and despised.

Although knowing this she was still shocked with a pang of alienation upon reaching the main plaza of Javvi. This district’s plaza was quieter than most yet its demographic of older and slightly poorer people made it feel all the more livelier.

Anika observed as dozens of people gathered in clusters around vendors, performers and city maps while dozens more trailed in pairs and trios to the outdoor markets and within storefronts. Anika sidestepped these groups noticing how every other being was an android.

Her eyes remained forward even as some few gazes drifted to her. Her presence wasn’t needed here for now.

Anika’s destination lay just off the beaten trail, a side road that paved way to a counterculture of sorts. Among the sparsely lit buildings was a hole-in-the-wall storefront formerly called 사이버가 아닌 or Non Cyber Tech. It’s appearance wasn’t near enticing but its residents said otherwise.

Entering through the glass door, Anika greeted the front employee Mashta with a nod. The girl smiled before unlocking the back stairwell. Immediately a number appeared on the board just above showing Anika just how many people were upstairs. She guessed Danzy would have their usual spot by the window filled with plates of sweets already.

Non Cyber Tech was more than a simple cafe. It served as a restaurant, coffee shop, library, bakery, tavern and apothecary all in one. It had functions as a place of community- a safe space for more than beings of magic.

Anika called it her home. Here she felt comfortable taking off her mask and letting her hoodie fall.

Sensing her friend was already there, Anika emerged from the staircase to the expansive cafe laid out before her. On one side lay a bar of both liquors and coffee beans, shelves full of books lining the walls on either side with a kitchen and makeshift pharmacy visible through silk curtains and of course dozens of tables, chairs, couches and booths spanning the entire floor. The cafe owned a calming buzz of chatter that filled the stone walls.

Spotting Danzy’s waving hand, Anika made her way around tables and couches of awestruck diners to a couple of plush chairs next to the floor to ceiling window. Danzy had changed the view from the bleak streets below to a calming ocean view.

“Annie! Malō! It’s so nice to see you! I haven’t heard from your crazy ass in weeks it seems! Catch me up now.”

Anika laughed at her cousin’s eagerness but gladly returned the hug of her chosen confidant. The two settled down on the chairs with only smiles for each other.

“Uo, it’s been too long.”

Danzy reached over and offered Anika a marshmallow twist with a cup of warm chocolate to tuck into.

“It really has Anika, I almost thought your wildness had got you stuck in Detention again. Or worse...”

As she reached to dip the twist, Anika noticed Danzy’s fear display itself on their features. Even though the older cousin had understood their younger cousin had few ways of making ends meet they’d never understood Anika’s desire to put herself into constant danger.

“I know you worry for me and I just wish you didn’t have to anymore.”

“Never my sweet girl, I’ll always be concerned about how and where you’re off to. I know it can’t be good if you refuse to tell me what exactly you do.”

Shaking their head Danzy sipped from their mug, probably another round of gin tonic to be honest.

“It’s for the best Dan you have to trust me.”

Although Anika’s cousin brushed it off, they still seemed disappointed in the lack of information. It’s not like they’d like to hear about my gruesome endeavors on the streets anyways. Violence was not something Danzy was keen on.

“So...any developments in the life of my uo moni?”

Danzy looked almost taken aback at the question but answered anyway.

“Nothing more than the usual, y’know the routine sis. Early morning work at the Institution, lunch with my co-workers and and a night of partying at all the inclusive clubs in town. A fat bore if you ask me.”

“And just how many STDs might you be getting?”

“Oh for the love of god shut up!”

Anika smiled at the ease it took to rile her cousin up. Things always went this way however bland it seemed. Anika just couldn’t muster the courage to tell Danzy about her own life as truthfully as they told theirs. After launching into a story about their latest conquest, Danzy seemed to remember something and leaned in closer.

“So I saw something that night. It didn’t seem like much at first but after watching the newsboards today I realized it might actually be a big deal, especially in your area.”

“And...”

“They’re saying there’s a new gang in town. Called the Night Riders or some crazy shit like that. I think they came from out there. I’d be careful if I were you Anika, especially careful actually.”

Anika leaned back onto the chair letting her thoughts race to last night and her mysterious savior that had given her a big debt to pay back with a riddled threat as well. It couldn’t have been a coincidence. She might be in for more than she expected.

“Anika? You listening laitiiti?”

“I’m listening.”

“Please be careful love.”

Anika suddenly wanted to embrace Danzy. It wasn’t herself she was worried about.

“I will.”