[centre] You always heard it first, the tram. The screeching of metal brakes smouldering against aged track. Like the scream of a berserker flying into battle. The all too familiar noise pierced the air, the noise causing what little hair Arduous did have to bristle and stand on end. He blinked dully, still lifeless since the mornings excitement. He stands and starts to limber up, preparing for the tram ride ahead. He glances down at his partners pocket watch, “only ten minutes late, that's not too bad from around here actually.” The banshees call from the tram becomes ever louder, its forest green body, pocked with flecks of rust and debris, creating the look of some great gangrenous mass. A whoosh of air precedes the arrival of the green beast, which follows and instantly stops perfectly within the raised platforms as if it had suddenly buckled and died. A great hiss erupts from the beasts maw, it's doors swinging mechanically outwards, awaiting prey. Arduous looks up from his paper at the monstrosity before him, and with a sigh heaves himself up onto his feet, [i]'oh what fun'[/i] he thinks missing his car more with each passing second. A crackly speaker squeaks into existence and plays a pre-recorded “Please Mind The Gap.” He approaches the hissing doors, bracing himself to see the inside of this thing. Ignoring the inane chattering of the accented and unkempt man driving. His eyes found themselves looking upon the interior of he tram, 'what the-' his eyes widening in shock. [i]'How does it look this...this….[b]GOOD![/b]'[/i] Contrary to its aged and rusty exterior, the carriage's insides are furnished like a first class antique train. polished wooden panelling adorns the walls, plush red velvet seating, tufted with small buttons, embowered on which is the cities emblem. The three petalled fleur-de-lis. The waist high tables are accented with bronze and copper curves, and the windows are hazed as to ensure both light and privacy. Leaving 'Angelo to pay the driver Arduous quickly set about looking for a seat, but much to his chagrin it seems that, as always in the overcrowded outer regions of City U, there is barely space to stand. Shuffling over to a standing spot, Arduous finds a bronze pole gleaming in burnt umber. That seemed to have been installed after the major design work as the holes for the pole each side are a stark plastic contrast to the other metal and wood furnishings, he did note however that this tram too had the standard chrome metal flooring, with it's hash work of metal divots. As soon as he touches the smooth metal bar, the flat yet oddly intimidating voice of the driver calls out “You will be careful with Vanessa, or no ride again.”. Arduous pondered who this [i]'Vanessa'[/i] was, he didn't know anyone named Vanessa, and even if he did, why would he want to know someone who knows that old coot. Putting it into the back of his mind he grabs a hold of the smooth umber bar, a slight yet familiar shock running down his arm and into his legs, [i]'ah so this is a normal tram after all'[/i] he thinks anxiously feeling his feet sticking magnetically in place. The doors gives another louder hiss as they shake to a close, sealing with a small [i]#[color=B8860B] click [/color]#[/i] The engines roared into life, the parking brake barely holding, “Number 177: Septieme Quadrant, Bloque 48 To Premier Quadrant, Mercier Gardens.” grumbled the driver, hands a flurry of action. [i] [b]~[color=00BFFF] WHOOSH [/color]~[/b] [/i] The jolt of action was still a shock even after all these years. Even though it [i]has[/i] been five years since Arduous was forced to be on tram, and as his shoulder burned from the sudden tug of acceleration he remembered why. “You never really get used to that” he says bluntly to his shocked, but also thrilled, looking companion. Arduous looked around at the bustling tram, he caught a glimpse of a neighbouring block fliting by he window, at this speed it is hard to make out much of anything, and the hazed windows didn’t help. He found that he is drawn to a broad shouldered gentleman, sleeping back on the panelled walls. Legs outstretched, taking up at least two extra seats. His small bowler hat tipped forward obscuring his eyes but not covering the mishmash that was the man's lips, like fresh cut meat tied in twine, they criss-cross with scars, a newer still red scar protruded from the corner of his mouth, as if his cheek has been split from his mouth inward and somehow glued shut. A childish grin erupts on Arduous's face, seeing his handiwork out in the open like this is a rare treat. “oh, look isn't that one of those lads we bopped on entrance day?” he says, words dripping with fond memories... [/centre] [centre][s]-------------------------------------------------[/s][/centre] [centre][h2]CITY-U[/h2][/centre] [centre][h2]1/2/3/50[/h2][/centre] [centre][h2]OUTSIDE HERO ASSOCIATION HQ[/h2][/centre] [centre][s]-------------------------------------------------[/s][/centre] [centre] It was raining when he arrived, the mob of hopeful wannabe hero's still standing outside the dark gunmetal grey building that was the hero association HQ, 'oh why did I ever sign up for this, much less bother to show up, this can't go well' Arduous thought to himself, he looked around wondering at what the crowd were all looking at, and why they hadn't gone inside yet… [/centre]