Back on the train, some surrounding the old man continue talking as Kassius stands there in thought.
Kassius (in head): "So this was the ACO Remus was talking about? The G8..."
As he stops zoning out, he walks back to Arnold and Ulqora, Arnold now sitting besides Ulqora.
Kassius: "You guys up?"
Arnold: "Yeah."
Ulqora nods her head.
Speaker: "Attention. We will shortly be arriving at Umoja Central Station. ATTENTION! WE WILL SHORTLY BE ARRIVING AT... UMOJA WEST STATION!"
Zooming by trees as they cross beyond the hills, they look out the window to see a city in the distance, lights shining brightly in the night. All three of them look on, astounded. To Kassius and Arnold, a grand city in a place other than Vagis. To Ulqora, a city in general. The view of all the buildings, the lights. All of this was new to her. After a few minutes, the train slowly makes a stop. The doors slide right open, people rushing out immediately. Amidst the chaos, they slide on through, following the crowd. They head up a flight of stairs, surrounded by a well carved round wall all around, like a tunnel to the sky. After reaching the top and exiting the station, they glare up at the night sky, taking a deep breath in and out.
Kassius: "Let's go look around."
He pulls out a wallet, looking through its contents.
Arnold: "That's not your wallet, right?"
Kassius: "Yep."
Arnold: "Did you..."
Kassius: "Hmm? Oh! No, this was from the forest."
Arnold: "So earlier when you asked for food, you could've just got it yourself then?"
Kassius: "Yeah, but it's like a backup fund, you know?"
Arnold, so perplexed by Kassius' words, just sighs. Suddenly, he spots a billboard up ahead and walks up to it, the other two following behind. The billboard displayed a map of the city.
Arnold: "We should be right here."
Kassius "This city is huge. You think it's bigger than the one in Vagis?"
Arnold: "Probably. But that aside, we should go find somewhere to stay for the night. Any ideas?"
Kassius looks around, seeing dozens of people walking around. Not too far from the pavement they stood on, he spots a car with someone inside on the side of the road.
Kassius: "Wait here one moment."
Kassius walks up to the car. He starts knocking on the window.
Kassius: "Hello? Can you help me?"
A girl, no older than eighteen, rolls down the window. She has strong amber eyes and white hair, only noticeable through the strings falling out of her burgundy hat. Her attire, a burgundy shirt and slacks. All of it uniform-like. Kassius noticing this, started to panic. And all it took was three letters on the badge on her chest.
Kassius (in head): "Crap! She's one of them."
Girl: "Is everything alright, sir?"
Kassius: "Oh, I uhh... I'm sorry, nevermind. I thought you were a taxi. I'll be out of your hair."
Girl: "Uhm... Ok. Have a good day, sir."
The girl, slightly suspicious of his behaviour, decides to ignore it. Too confused by the moment however, Kassius forgets to respond back and just walks away, back to Arnold and Ulqora.
Kassius: "Maybe it's a good idea if we just walk around ourselves."
They walk down through city, with fairly lit paths leading them around. After a while of walking, they spot a two-storey motel down the street and walk into it. The warmer inside gave them a toasty feeling, but the quality of the reception controlled the vibe, with it's very dim coloring.
Receptionist: "Welcome to Skyview Motel, one of the best Motels in Umoja. What can I do for you?"
Kassius: "We'd like a room. On the top floor if ithat's possible."
Receptionist: "I think that can be arranged... yes. Room 16. How many nights will you be staying?"
Kassius: "About five."
Receptionist: "It'll be 30 a night. 150 full payment."
Kassius pulls out money from the wallet and hands it to the receptionist.
Receptionist: "Here are the keys to the room. Enjoy your stay."
Kassius: "Thanks."
Kassius takes the keys and the three head up the stairs to the top floor. They walk to the room near the end and open the door. When they walk in, a strong stench quickly rushes to their noses. Ulqora holds hers immediately.
Arnold: "What is that smell?"
Kassius: "I don't know. Let me open a window."
They all walk in and close the door. As Kassius opens the window, Arnold flicks the light switch. The motel room itself was quite spacious with two rooms and a bathroom. The living room they stand in has a window, a set of sofas and a small television. Split across from the living room is a kitchen, with one refrigerator and microwave.
Kassius: "Pretty spacious, yeah?"
Kassius throws his bag down and leaps onto the single sofa while Arnold and Ulqora sit on the double sofa.
Kassius: "What should we do tomorrow?"
Arnold looks to his side, seeing Ulqora with her eyes closed and her head lying on the sofa arm.
Arnold: "It's late so I think we should try get some extra sleep."
Kassius: "I'm fine with that. Tomorrow is tomorrow's problem, I guess."
Although the rooms were available, the fatigue kicked in for those two as well. All on the couch, they all fall asleep. The night passes and the morning comes. The sunlight spearing through the window, Kassius and Arnold slowly begin to wake. The sun however, was not responsible entirely. In truth, both of them needed the bathroom. As their eyes open, they both look around and suddenly lock eyes. Both of them rise to their feet slowly. As though both knew of the other's intention, they both sprint to the bathroom. Arnold beats Kassius there and reaches the door first.
Kassius: "Shit!"
Arnold: "Don't worry. I won't take too long."
No longer than ten minutes of standing outside, Kassius as impatient as he is in the moment, begins to knock on the door.
Kassius: "Come on! I'm gonna explode!"
Hearing the lock open, the door finally opens, and a gush of hot air hits Kassius in the face. In front him, Arnold walks out, towel around his waist and holding his clothes.
Arnold: "There are towels in the top cabinet if you want to take a shower."
Kassius: "Move!"
Kassius jumps into the bathroom and finally sitting down, he— released what had to go. Kassius walks to the sink. As he brushes his teeth, a knock softly hits the door of the bathroom. Petulantly, he stops the sink and walks up to it.
Kassius: "Arnold, you just used- Oh. Do you want to shower? Clean yourself?"
Ulqora, in front of him, nods silently.
Kassius: "Alright, let me run the water for you."
In the kitchen, Arnold opens one of the top hanging cabinets.
Arnold: "There's some cereal... and it hasn't expired. Now is there..."
Arnold opens the fridge and sees some milk. He pulls it out, but a disappointed look lands on him.
Arnold: "Kas! I'm heading out to get some milk!"
Kassius: "Alright! Get some food as well! The guy's wallet is on the counter near the door!"
Changed into fresh clothes, Arnold heads to the door, grabbing the wallet.
Arnold: "Don't let her out of your sight!"
Arnold closes the door behind him and leaves. He walks down the stairs and heads back on the main road. As he walks, he looks around but doesn't see any shops.
Arnold (in head): "Where to go..."
As an old woman goes by him, Arnold walks up to her.
Arnold: "Hello. Could you uhh... help me with directions?"
Old woman: "Of course. What do you need?"
Arnold: "Do you know where the nearest place to buy food is?"
Old woman: "Uhh... I think if you take the second left down that road and go ahead, there should be a MeldMart there."
Arnold: "Thank you."
Old woman: "No problem, dear."
Arnold goes down the route and reaches MeldMart. He enters, dragging a cart with him.
Arnold (in head): "Milk... milk... There."
Arnold finds the aisle with the milk and picks one up. He places it in the cart and strolls around further, grabbing some smaller snacks. As he reaches the checkout, he pays for the groceries and leaves the supermarket, bag in hand. He continues walking further down the street. As he checks for everything, a sudden whiff of the air draws his attention so much, he almost snaps his neck as he turns to look for the source. Spotting it, Arnold strolls towards the bakery cart across the street.
Arnold: "They look as good as they smell."
Baker: "And the taste is no different. Freshly made! What would you like?"
Arnold: "What's the best one?"
Baker: "Can never go wrong with a Classic Crammer. But some say my toffee-filled hand-twisted doughnuts are the best around."
Arnold: "Can I have thre of each?"
The baker places them in a bag and hands them to him, with a huge smile on his face. Arnold pays for them and walks away.
Arnold (in head): "That should be enough for today."
Although planning to head home, Arnold suddenly stops as he notices a building in the distance. Drawn closer to it, he continues to walk in its direction, until it becomes clear to him.
Arnold (in head): "The Imperial Museum..."
Catching him in the corner of his eye, Arnold notices a man with lanyard around their neck, quickly walking towards the building.
Man: "Shit! I thought the rehearsal was earlier. I'm late!"
Arnold (in head): "Rehearsal? Maybe I could..."
Eager to go, Arnold follows them man. Although hesistant at first as his current responsibility weighed on him, he went on regardless. Just as he was responsible for Ulqora, he was responsible as a partner to help Kassius. And with an opportunity arising like this, he took it. He follows the man around to the back entrance. As the guy approaches the door, Arnold quickly rushes in and incapacitates him. He takes the lanyard off of the man's unconscious body and puts it on himself. Looking around, Arnold spots a large, empty dumpster bin. Unhappy with his choices, he picks up the man and places him inside, closing it.
Arnold: "Sorry."
Arnold places the food he bought behind the bin and walks towards the door. Opening the backdoor, Arnold walks in. The door slams behind him, spooking him a bit. After walking down a dim corridor, he opens another door and finally reaches the main section of the museum, magnificent in all its view. Pillars, ceilings, glass, carpet. All designed with a beauty fitting a place holding history. Around the large stairwell leading up to the next floor, he sees a group of people at the bottom of it. One lady spots him immediately.
Woman: "That must be him. You! Get over here quickly."
The command in her voice told Arnold all he needed to know. Sparing no time, he paces towards them. The woman leading the group is around six feet, waring black heels with a black suit. Her eyes are blue and her hair is blonde, kept in a chignon style.
Woman: "Why are you late?"
Arnold: "Um... I got lost."
Woman: "There's only one Imperial Museum in the city, so how is that the case?"
Unable to think of a response, Arnold stands there in silence.
Woman: "...Seeing as we just began, count yourself lucky this time. Get into the line."
Arnold: "Apologies, Miss..."
Woman: "Yveline. Let this be your last warning."
Arnold falls in line with the rest as they begin to walk around.
Yveline: "This exhibition will be one of the most important ones this place has had in some time..."
As she continues to speak, they head up the wide stairwell, entering into a hallway of paintings. As much as Arnold wanted to focus, he struggled. All around him, stars in a beautiful night sky. He manages to snap back after remembering the warning.
Yveline: "We'll have to be at our best. This painting room is our first display. The group must be pleased, and there's nothing that captures attention more than a beautiful piece of art."
As his focus drifts off again, he notices a venting system up in the ceiling quite far above him.
Yveline: "Two rooms have been picked for the event. Let us start in the room on the right... the ancient artifacts of Maldone. We follow the beauty with the struggle. Everything the nation was built on. Paint them a story. Over on the left side..."
They leave the right room and go over to the left one.
Yveline: "The room of sculptures. This nation has seen many important figures as time has gone by. We will remind them of these individuals. From the people at the start all the way to current day..."
Step after step, she lays out the rooms and the presentation plan, Arnold more or less gathering the gist of it. They finally walk back into the middle hallway once again.
Yveline: "For these two rooms chosen, we will split the group up and show each in the opposite order. Once they get an image of this museum's history, both groups will unite here and we'll head into the final room. Follow me."
As they reach the end of the beautiful hallway, they stop in front of large doors.
Yveline: "This room... is our closing act."
She opens the door and turns on the lights.
Yveline: "The treasury. Most important pieces this museum has will be put on display. And right over there... that podium will hold the star of the show— The Queen's Diamond!"