May 2, 328 AC

New York City, a domed citiplex built on the ruins of the original metropolis, was a thrumming oasis of modern convenience in the eastern desert of the Northern continent. It was the crown jewel of the Republic of America, and the birthplace and home of Momoko Hitsuragi, an up and coming star in the sports world.

She began this Tuesday like any other, going through the motions of her morning routine. She was about half-way through eating her high-fiber cereal for breakfast when the door chimed. She popped up from the kitchen table to peek at the viewer by the door that revealed a delivery man at the door. She typed in her acceptance code and the man left the package at the door, tipping his hat as he left. Momoko opened the door and picked up the small box, excitement lighting up her emerald eyes.

Momoko ripped through the cardboard, eager to reveal the box's contents. A small, slim pink headband with an earpiece slipped out into her hand.

"The new M-band 6!" she squealed with delight, tossing the box on the kitchen table and running her hands over the sleek design. She marveled how slimmer it was to the M-band 5, but the control panel looked the same. She dug into the box for the instructions and remote.

The doorbell chimed.

"Coming!" Momoko called, slipping on her new accessory and mentally reminding herself to transfer everything from the old band after breakfast.

"Oh, Momoko." a feminine voice called from behind arm loads of bags and a large box when she opened the door wide. "Thank you, I got a little carried away at the street market."

"I'd say!" Momoko laughed, pulling one of the heavy bags that were loaded with books out of her legal guardian's arms. "Why do you collect all these old dusty things?"

Sylvia Moon-White laughed, her blue eyes twinkling. "These 'dusty old things' as you put it, are the product on man's return to the age of enlightenment. They remind us of who we are, and where we come from. They deserve our respect and preservation."

"Are you sure it's not just that you're addicted to the smell of moth balls?" Momoko joked, helping her carry the bags to the room Sylvia used as her study on the second floor of their townhome.

"Ha, ha. So, what are you up to today, my budding comedian? There's no Rolequet practice today, right?"

"Yeah, but there's a conference at the stadium—" Momoko glanced at the kitchen clock. "oh, I need to get ready and get over there!"

"Sounds like fun, I know how much you like those press meetings. Well, if you don't mind, can you stop at mama-san on 12th and bring me one of those red bean rice cakes of hers?"

"Sure, no problem." Momoko planted a quick kiss on her guardian's pale cheek and hurried to her room to get dressed, the new m-band on her head all but forgotten.

It took a while to settle on an outfit that was flirty yet sensible. She slipped on a short puffy black skirt and a black and white-striped tank with a loud red flower print overlay. She accented the outfit with red hoops and strappy ankle-boots. She took a moment to study herself in the mirror, admiring a job well done. The outfit really made her lime green shoulder-length hair and emerald eyes stand out from her round face and soft features. Satisfied, she blew a kiss to her reflection and headed downstairs, swapping out the new m-band for the one that still worked before bouncing happily to the door and out to hail a cab.