Station, стр. 24

silently beside the chattyReena and Jonny, who were exchanging notes from late-nightSoiree engagements. Both had changed into new, equallyexciting outfits.

Reena was wearing transparent haram pants whoseshower-glass textured showed the hint of tight boy shortsunderneath. Her shoes were simple, clear sandals that showed offmanicured toes. A tight-fitting tube top finished off the look. Onthe tube top, a moving graphic image of a nude girl dancingrepeated on a loop. Her short pink hair was done up in pigtails,and her Light Crown continued to circle her head.

Jonny VV was donning bright red pants over whiteboots and a white silk hoodie under a black vest. On the back ofthe garment, a red dragon flew through the black sky, every now andthen breathing holographic red and orange breath at anyone boldenough to stare. Hadder laughed lightly, realizing that this wascasual wear for Reena and Jonny.

Taking a moment to get his bearings, Hadder realizedthat they were taking one of the major thoroughfares that fed intothe Celebration Cluster's western side. Heading west while makingsmall talk, Hadder again marveled at the sights that assaulted him.The roadway on which they walked was a busy one, so Hadder was ableto catch glimpses of many more of Station's residents.

Unsurprisingly, they all retained an air ofattractiveness, even those that looked bored to death. While notall had Jonny and Reena's continual drive for cutting-edge fashion,everyone seemed well-dressed, and most had some unique quality thatmarked them as an individual. One woman's hair stood straight up,nearly reaching the bulb-like fruit of the Monarch Trees. Anotherwent the other way, shaving her head and allowing small implantsabove each ear to beam holographic hair onto her bald pate. AsHadder watched, she went from green half-shaved bob to blue mohawkin less than 10 meters. One man who passed had knees that bent inthe opposite direction, tight shorts accentuating the irregularity,while another had skin that was decorated like a checkerboard,reminding Hadder of Helen and Nestra's modified dermis.

Jonny and Reena took no notice as they walked,leaving Hadder with his questions and childish wonder. A short timelater, the Monarch Trees ceased on their right, and a large brickbuilding came into view, simple but with impressive classicalstonework. A fountain in the front of the building demandedHadder's attention as he passed. A nude marble man scooped waterfrom the basin into an ornate pot and turned counter-clockwise,pouring the liquid into the open, waiting mouths of marble headsthat lined the circumference of the fountain. Bowl emptied, thedecorative man bent low and repeated. Hadder followed his friendspast the fountain, shivering as he felt its cold gaze penetrate histhin shirt and send an icy shard into his heart.

Exhaling as he entered The Medici, Hadderbecame aware that he had been holding his breath as he walkedthrough the building's courtyard.

As usual, Jonny stole Hadder from his dark thoughts."Welcome to The Medici, old chap. You can order food fromalmost any manikin in Station, but nothing quite matches the sheeroptions and ambiance that this place provides. Isn't that right,Reena, love?"

"He's gonna love it. Come on, I'm starving."

Crossing under the archway that framed TheMedici's large front doors, Hadder entered an impressive hall,the center of which was filled with long dining tables and asmattering of more personal round tables. The hall's sidesregistered like any cafeteria in the Before, counter upon counterof food with manikins attending each station.

Starting on their left, they grabbed crystallinetrays from the corner and began to investigate the offerings.Holding onto the tray at first, Hadder soon saw that this wasunnecessary, as Jonny and Reena had released theirs, which glidedeffortlessly in front of their two users, shifting to accommodatetheir movements.

Hadder was floored by the quantity and apparentquality of the food provided. Rare prime rib sat across fromlobster bisque, which lay only two dishes away from whole roastedchicken. Hadder's stomach roared to life, reminding him loudly thatit had been more than a day since he had eaten, and years since hehad eaten properly.

Reena took half a roasted chicken alongside seasonedrice, asparagus, and a beautiful fruit medley, comprised of severalfruits he did not recognize. Jonny went a heartier route, selectinga cream pasta topped with a cornucopia of seafood. Hadder'sappetite demanded variety, so he piled a sirloin steak, Frenchfries, and cream spinach alongside a lobster tail, clam chowder,and mini creme brûlée. No one seemed put off by his gluttony.

Despite The Medici's general fullness, Jonny,Reena, and Hadder were able to secure a personal table in thecorner, each of them receiving greetings from around the hall asthey made towards their seats. As they sat, Jonny commented, "Youwere a big hit last night, Hadder, old chap." He leanedconspiratorially. "There's good buzz surrounding you, which shouldswell your prospects."

Hadder screwed his face in confusion. "Prospects forwhat?"

Jonny fell back, no longer in tryst-mode. "Forhaving fun, next-level fun, old boy! People are gonna want to spendtime with you - people of repute, with access to some of Station'smore restricted events."

"I don't understand. I didn't do anythingspectacular last night."

Reena put her hand on his own, tried to explain."Station is a crazy place, Hadder. Beautiful and exhilarating andorgasmic - yes. But it's also crazy, especially given the makeup ofits residency."

"Current company excluded I'll assume, love," cut inJonny. Reena ignored him and continued.

"None of us would have blamed you if you had lost itlast night."

"Lost it, how?"

"I don't know. Maybe throw up all over yourself. Imean, these aren't run of the mill drugs we're doing here. Maybeact like a madman, trying to fight some and fuck others. Maybe rundown the thoroughfare screaming, curling up in the fetal positionat the bottom of a Monarch Tree. But you didn't do any of thosethings. You handled yourself but still gave in completely to theexperience. That took a lot of us a long time to accomplish."

Jonny took it from there. "People noticed, Hadder.It didn't look it, but everyone at The Soiree had their eyeon you, waiting for reactions, hoping to judge a misstep anddeclare you a square or a lush or a nutter or a Weep or even a spyfor Rott. But you didn't give it to them, did you, old chap. Youhad a damn fine showing, and lord