part 5

(continuing from Nate and iku having breakfast)

After having breakfast, iku gets into her usual clothes, and Nate starts to think about what to show her on their walk.

iku: (“Shiiiit I didn’t think about how it literally never gets cold here, brought all my winter shit too. Like it’s feburary and it’s 15 degrees.“)

Nate: (“It’s 60 degrees and yeah today is considered cold here. People take vacations coming here to escape whatever cold hell hole they come from.”)

iku stares with disgust on her face.

Nate: (“Sorry, didn’t mean it like that.”)

iku: (“From now on you don’t correct me about any measurement be it distance or temperature; You don’t touch me, I’m not your friend. I don’t mind you eyeing me, I bet half the city will but keep it down low, I get sick thinking about you.“)

Nate: (“Yeah, uh, sorry.“)

Nate stays silent while iku puts on her waist band and her jacket.

iku: (“So are you taking me for a walk or are you going to stay there dick in hand?“)

Nate: (“Yea— Yeah let’s go.“)

Nate and iku get out of the hotel and start walking.

Nate: (“See those?“)

Nate points at a slick sign, it’s a matte gray plastic with a transparent screen in the middle, the tops are rounded. iku looks at it with curiosity.

Nate: (“Those are advertisements, but that’s not the thing you need to care about; It’s the color. There’s three types of displays in these, Amber only, White only, Full color. These are also a way to see what kind of block you’re in, Amber - the cheapest one to make is placed all over where poor-er people live, White - for middle class, well what’s left of them, and Full color for rich areas.“)

Nate: ( bit of a pause “They basically color coded the levels of poverty.”)

iku: (“The American dream, huh.” scoffs )

Nate: (“Yeah… Be careful with jabs like that, some people are still not over the U.S. splitting.”)

iku: (“Don’t worry, I’ll beat the shit out of them.“)

Nate: (“I have no doubts about your combat abilities. Come, we’ll go over a couple blocks, there’s a little square around there.“)

They make their way there, It’s a nice little square, nothing interesting but it’s a surprisingly quiet place. There’s lot’s of apparel shops, a couple food places. iku surprisingly likes it!

Nate: (“You wanna stop here? Take a moment to rest?”)

iku: (“Sure, a few minutes would be nice.“)

They sit down on a bench, in front of them there is a road that slopes way down.

iku: (“I mean I haven’t lived here at all, but it’s weird to see this place not being flat.“)

Nate: (“Yeah same, honestly I’m still conflicted about this. The Re.U.S. government was super salty about not being able to obtain LA, so they fitted parts of Florida to their image. I mean - sure, Tourism has been better than ever, considering what LA is going trough right now, but I feel like it’s a bit too fake you know. Like something is a tiny bit off. They spent so much money on raising the terrain, moving buildings out of the way for the illusion of this being natural, but I don’t know…“)

Nate: (“Ah I started rambling. I hope I’m not boring you… Actually I wanted to ask yesterday but you didn’t seem that talkative, like less than today at least; What happened back home? I mean yeah you did say they died but like, how? ‘Cause no one explained anything besides that you would be the one coming here.”)

iku: (“You don’t need to know. You’re a puppet who is close to finishing their job. I know I’m harsh, but trust me; This. Is. Beyond. You.“)

Nate: (“I’m getting worrie—”)

iku: (“I don’t like you, but you shouldn’t have baggage because of what happened. The less you know, the better.“)