Alice walked through the crowded, noisy, smoky, and just generally obtrusive streets of Longnan, glaring off anybody who looked like they were about to try hawking overpriced baubles at her. It wasn’t a very successful tactic however, and the streetside vendors called out to her and indeed anything that walked to browse their merchandise. 

She mainly hoped she wouldn’t have to throw anybody this time. Last time Adela had persuaded her to go out and attempt to socialize with somebody it had ended poorly to say the least. She didn’t remember many details, though she’d managed to burn out a servo in her leg and dislocate her left shoulder.

Apparently there was a restraining order or something too.

She sighed, her mind wandering to Endolas’ suspicious lack of activity again. [i]Why aren’t they doing anything? They’re either building up their forces for an overwhelming assault, or they’re going to use actual tactics and strategy. To be honest I don’t know if we could stand against either. We weren’t ready for this war, it’s almost a miracle we didn’t end up like Malnica.[/i] She grumbled to herself, “Though they certainly were quick to become Endolas’ willing bitches.”

[i]What will they do when they attack? Simply attacking us with a human wave won’t do anything, there’s only so much pure brute force can accomplish.[/i] She fingered her phone, half tempted to draw up maps and figures and try to deduce their exact plans right in the center of the street, but decided against it, if only because the noise would be distracting. [i]It’ll be a diversionary attack probably. Big scary lump of Endolans attack somewhere and while all the real fighters are off dealing with them the crack troops show up and destroy… something. The Academy? Communications lines? Our food supplies? Release a bunch of Titans and Fae in the middle of population zones? Perhaps the-[/i]

She gave a small yelp as she walked straight into a stack of boxes arranged in a pyramid of sorts, stumbling over them and falling painfully to the ground.

“[b]And who might you be, sir?![/b] a thunderous voice boomed through what sounded like an impressive sound system.

Alice blinked, pushing herself upright and stumbling back a step or two as she righted herself. She looked in the direction of the voice and raised an eyebrow.

The gray haired man perched on the pyramid of crates certainly looked respectable enough. His hair was clean and well brushed, and he wore a suit that made her feel a physical pain in the area under the pocket she kept money in.

“I could ask you the same question.” She stated dully, fixing him with a small, temporary glare, crossing her arms at the obviously wealthy man addressing a bunch of people in the streets from a stack of boxes. She’d let him slide just once for calling her a man, next time she’d educate him on the proper pronoun.

He smiled charmingly, completely unfazed, gesturing grandiosely as he spoke, [b]My name, good sir, is Maximillian Gerard Solomon, I am here to educate you all on why you should welcome Endolas and how they shall lead us to prosperity![/b]” 

Alice’s half amused and half curious eyebrow lowered, and her usual semi-scowl took its place. “First of all,” she began, words laced with venom, “I am not a sir. Second of all, your great omniscience, please tell me why Endolas is so great, if they’re so keen on targeting civilians. Personally I’m perfectly okay with killing the ones who keep coming over here to attack us. Doesn’t seem much like they’re leading us on the road to prosperity.”

Maximillian was still completely unfazed, “[b]My apologies good lady! Please take no offense by it, my eyes do not serve me well as I age![/b]” he paused before continuing to boom, “[b]Endolas has technology the likes of which you and the other people have only dreamed! They wish to share it with Earth [i]and[/i] Clericath! Their goal of universal government is for the betterment of us all, divided we are all weak minded and isolated! Combined, imagine the heights to which we all can soar! Travel could become a non-issue! All would prosper! Everybody would be equal![/b]”

Alice’s scowl deepened, “Only some would be more equal than others.” she stepped forward, pointing a finger at Maximillian, “You sound quite wonderful, ‘Maximillian’, but I’m afraid I’ll have to pass on Utopia. After all, Utopia is a subjective thing, and to be honest I don’t much like the sound of yours.”

She shrugged, walking away from the pyramid of crates. Normally she’ve been more than willing to engage in lengthy banter with “Maximillian” for hours, but at this point she was hungry, and his calling her a man had put her in a bitter mood. She rather felt like punching something actually. 

She wandered around a different square filled with people, sitting down on a bench and glaring at her surroundings. [i]Why the fuck did I come out here? Should’a just stayed back at the Academy and slept or something.[/i]

Groups of people passed by, some of whom she even recognized from the Academy. They laughed their ways across the square, clearly enjoying themselves. One group was leading a grinning blindfolded man somewhere, from the sounds of it, it was his birthday. 

She sighed. Celica and Adela were good friends, but she couldn’t ever see herself being so carelessly happy. Something was between her and other people. Some inpenetrable barrier that she couldn’t see or feel. Mental block. Social anxiety. She didn’t know.

Maybe she just wasn’t cut out for talking with people. That might explain it. Communicating through glares was easier anyway. Couldn’t really send the wrong message with a death ray glare.

Alice pulled out her phone, content to just scroll around looking at random things for now, not like there was anything else to do. 

________________

As she flicked through another webpage laden with meaningless drivel -it was impossible to find a decent review of replica Hungarian cavalry sabers, it seemed- something caught her eye and she glanced up.

It was just an innocuous couple sitting at a fountain, apparently enjoying each other’s company. She didn’t know them from the Academy. Seemed they were just an ordinary couple enjoying the festivity.

So why did it burn at her? 

She hurriedly jumped to her feet and briskly marched away, looking for the nearest building that looked like it served food or just something consumable in general. She was hungry. She was confused. 

Alice took the emotions and crammed them down into a small cranny in her mind where they couldn’t bother her. Confusion about couples embracing during a festival wouldn’t help her determine Endolas’ plans. Certainly wouldn’t help her find food. And probably not much else either.

She caught sight of what looked like a bar. She shrugged, it was something.