Yunirith City stretched off into the distance into a massive megalopolis. Great steel walls rose up around the perimeter easily sixty feet into the air. They were outfitted with sensor arrays and gun batteries that kept the outskirts in check. Most Major Cities were like this due to the hostile nature of monsters on Dora. A Large population wouldn't be possible with out the defensive walls. These walls were manned by guards wearing white combat armor and capes that had Skyflock written down the back vertically. Each man was outfitted with a standard issue rifle, a customized side arm and a melee weapon of some kind. Many bore swords but here and there a mace or a spear could be noted. It was important that each guard had the proper tools best suited to their skill set. Inside the walls, the city had large skyscrapers that pierced the sky, and many thousands of other buildings clustered around them like an intricate tapestry of interwoven structures . At a first glance, the city layout seem like a lot of noise, but it's efficiency shined through when you studied it piece by piece. Just about every rooftop was aligned with gardens that grew trees and other plants, a stark contrast to the multi-tiered road system that climbed the city's architecture, with expressways and overpasses creating a web of transit high above the heads of pedestrians below.
High up in a lookout tower stood the lone figure of a young woman, her posture rigid with focused attention. She bore a cloak of feathers, its edges rustling softly in the wind, and a mask with the resemblance of an owl, obscuring her features. But tufts of her silver hair peaked through the sides of her hood, catching the bright late morning sunlight. Her amber eyes, sharp and unwavering, scanned the horizon, taking in every minute detail of the city's outskirts, alert for any sign of intrusion or threat.
Looking past the walls toward the main road, her gaze rested on a motorbike with two riders in the distance. focused her aura, and the distance collapsed, the scene zooming in with startling clarity. She could clearly see the faces of the riders, the wind whipping through their hair, the dust kicked up by the bike's tires even the way the wind sculpted the riders' clothes. A warmth filled her chest seeing who it was and a smile crossed her face under the mask, a rare and precious thing. Nico is home. Sitting behind him she saw a girl with pink and blue hair clinging tightly to his waist, her grip almost desperate. A girlfriend? Her head tilted slightly, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. She jumped off her tower and spread her cloak out like a set of wings, the individual feathers catching the air with surprising efficiency, allowing her to glide over the city toward the main gate with practiced grace. Not many people traveled outside the city or into it because of the hostility from monsters so it would be a bit troublesome for Nico to get in, she thought.
She gracefully descended and touched down soundlessly. Folding her cloak back around her she approached the edge of the wall looking down at the road. The nearby guards took a moment to realize she was there, but then swiftly bowed.
"Lady Trina, a pair of riders approach." The Lead guard spoke with a gruff voice, from his outward appearance you could tell he was a veteran with wrinkled and sun-bleached skin, his short hair had tufts of grey along the sides, and his armor had visible wear from many years of service.
Trina silently stared at him and pointed to the gate mechanism. The guards instantly ran over and pulled the switch, opening the doors for Nico.
Trina waited as the bike crossed under them entering the city. She channeled her aura and leapt from her position to the adjacent building darting after the bike from the rooftops above.
The veteran guard watched her leave with a serious face.
"Sir? Why did we let those two enter?"
The lead guard looked to his underling and shook his head. "Lady Trina approved that is all we need to know."
Trina soared overhead keeping her amber eyes trained on Nico and his passenger. As she followed, the joy filling her chest continued to intensify. She longed to embrace him and hear his stories. Nico pulled up to a Cafe and got off helping his lady friend off the bike. As they entered the cafe, Trina jumped down to street level surprising a few pedestrians who instantly recognized her. A few bowed, and others took pictures. She ignored them and started to cross the street as a group of men were entering the cafe in front of her. The alcohol on them assaulted her nose as she trailed just a few feet behind.
Just as she grabbed the door to enter a commotion could be heard inside. Upon entry she could see Nico with his foot on one of the thug's chest pinning him to the ground. The thugs' friends were taking careful steps back toward the door in an attempt to run away, only to turn and come face to face with Trina herself. Their faces went white seeing her in front of them.
"Th- the Owl! Please! Spare us!" The men fell to their knees visibly shaking. Trina's eyes flicked up to Nico who now noticed her, and back to the thugs.
Nico laughed, "Begging on your knee like she is some kind of tyrant is kinda cruel. Trina, call them in. I'll handle the paperwork on them." Trina flashed a smile pulling out a small device and pressing some buttons on it. She snapped her fingers and pointed to a chair and then the thugs. Obediently they sat down awaiting their arrest. Nico gestured for Trina to come over and she obliged. Stepping closer he scooped her up into a tight hug. Trina returned it enjoying his warmth.
"So little Owl, how have things been since I have been gone. Are you the only one in the city?" Nico put her down looking her in the eyes. Trina shook her head.
"I see, well, have a seat while we wait. I'll catch you up on my travels and introduce you to someone I met." Nico flicked a warning glare at the thugs who were sitting and waiting for the enforcers to arrive. He then joined Trina at a table where Hinori was already sitting.
"Who is that guy?!" One of the thugs whispered with a hushed tone.
"Noone treats the Owl like that, unless they are also a Bird of the Skyflock." His friend's deadpan tone reflected just how much trouble they were potentially in.
The leader who was finally rousing himself coughed, "The Raven. I'm sure of it...."
Trina sat across from Hinori, and Nico joined Hinori on that side of the table. Trina flicked her eyes between the two of them, her look an obvious accusation directed at Nico.
Nico laughed, "No Trina we aren't a couple. We have only just met today. This is Hinori, I rescued her from a group of people attempting to kill her. She is a newcomer to the World of Dora."
Trina's eyes widened a little. She looked at Hinori closely and then back to Nico. She threw a few signs with her hands in quick reflex.
Nico nodded, "I'm not sure how she got here but you are right."
Hinori looked confused. "What?"
Nico smiled. "Trina here is not capable of speaking Hinori. She uses a language with her hands to communicate. Everything else is body language and gestures."
Hinori's eyes lit up hearing this, "That's amazing, Lady Trina!"
Trina narrowed her eyes and signed at Nico vigorously causing him to laugh. "No, She isn't doing that, Trina." He laughed a bit more to Hinori's confusion. "Forgive me Hinori, she thinks you are making fun of her."
Hinori gasped and swiftly apologized. "I meant no offense."
Trina smiled and nodded to her.
Nico picked up where he left off telling Trina about his journey to train and where he had been. Trina listened intently, her questions flying from her hands and expressions of wonder beaming forth. Nico then began to tell her about what happened with Hinori, and Hinori filled in the gaps telling Trina about her own race.Trina was not very surprised about Hinori being a witch, she just listened intently and accepted it easily. As they began to change topics, the Enforcers arrived.
"Looks like we will have to hold for a moment. Miss Anne, can you get some food for my friend here?" The waitress nodded and swiftly walked to the back. Nico and Trina stood up and walked over to the sergeant who was already talking to the thugs and taking their accounts.
The Sergeant looked at Nico curiously and then to Trina. He nodded. "I would assume that is you, Lord Nico. If you were back in the city you should have worn a symbol of your station." Nico smiled. "I think being in the company of Trina is more than enough of a symbol."
The sergeant sighed and gripped the bridge of his nose. "Lady Trina, I am sorry that you must put up with such frivolous behavior from your compatriots." He flipped up a clipboard and started writing. "I assume you detained these gentlemen, Lord Nico?"
Nico nodded, "That's right, although I recommend light sentencing, everyone gets carried away. These gentlemen were simply drunk and let their egos get out of hand. Community service should straighten them out, and remind them that discipline is paramount in a public space."
The sergeant nodded writing on his clipboard. "I will transfer them to the custody of The Cleaners Corp. for three days of paid community service. He side eyed the three men. "You're damn lucky to live in this city boys. Any other city would have hung you out to feed the monsters outside the walls." Two officers walked over helping the men to stand up and escorting them out. As each of them passed Nico they thanked him for his leniency.
The sergeant handed the clipboard to Nico and he signed it. "I think that business is concluded. How about you join us, Sergeant Hans?" Nico urged, a welcoming smile on his face.
Hans shook his head. "Unlike you, I have work to do. Oh, I am reminded of a message for you. Lady Holly wants you back at Skyflock tower. She apparently saw you enter the city with a girl on your bike and wants to celebrate your marriage."
Trina hid a smile with her hand as Nico let out a long sigh. "That bratty little Quail."
The Sergeant raised an eyebrow, "Not your wife, huh? My report here says that she was holding you fairly tight for someone not married or otherwise engaged. It's unbecoming of you to be leading women around, Lord Nico." His smile betrayed his mischievous intent.
"Look, I'm not even going to attempt to refute this here for your amusement sergeant. Instead I'm going to head to the Roost and give Holly a good smack myself." He shook his head. "Who else is in the city right now?"
The sergeant pulled out a small device. "It seems Lady Dez, Lady Holly, and Lady Harley are currently active in the city. Lady Holly is currently at the Roost signing documents for energy expansion and Lady Dez is the Central Gardens. As per usual Lady Harley is not being tracked as per her request. She seems adamant about some ground level work with the Hunters Guild."
Nico nodded, "I'll talk to Holly about Harley when I see her, but for now I am going to enjoy a simple cup of coffee with my guest and Trina. You sure you don't want to join us, Hans?"
The sergeant shook his head, "I really wish I could, Lord Nico, but I need to finish patrols. There is a lot of work to keep up. That's why I became an Enforcer after all. Enjoy your coffee, sir." Hans gave Nico a salute and headed out the door. Nico walked back over to Hinori's table, Trina following behind swiftly. After a few minutes Anne brought out some drinks and food for them. "Bill it to Skyflock Anne, and Whatever amount you need for the lease this month." Anne gave a short bow and headed to the kitchen. Nico lifted his drink, the smooth aroma of the coffee filling his nostrils, "It's going to be a good day."