When We Were Set Up
Rhea's hands moved smoothly over the small, oak panel, her fingers guiding the design with a purposeful grace. The workshop was calm and warm, filled with the comforting hum of her tools.
Outside the shop windows, the evening lights of New Aros flickered on one by one. The North District never really slept. Cargo trams hummed along their rails, Hosts walked beside their wealthy owners, and the glow of Arken's towers stretched upward toward the sealed walls that kept the outside world at a distance.
The other workstations-the four that belonged to her parents and two older brothers-were empty and she was the only one left for the day. Bear, her trusty golden retriever, lay near the wall in his plush bed, his steady presence grounding her in the familiar rhythms of her craft.
Her long, ginger hair was tied back in a loose bun. Beneath the loose strands of hair behind her right ear, the faint glow of her Battery pulsed softly—steady, familiar. She barely noticed it anymore. In Arken, you didn't have to.
Each stroke of the chisel, every angle she carved into the wood, was done with intent and confidence. Rhea wasn't delicate; she was precise, methodical. Her every movement exuded the kind of assuredness that came from years of owning who she was.
The electric wood carver buzzed as it bit into the wood, filling the workshop with its droning hum. The silver ring on her finger shimmered faintly as it worked, quietly feeding the city through her Surge. Every Arkenite wore one. It wasn't something you thought about—it was just survival.
Rhea's hands were steady, her focus absolute, as she carefully guided the carver through the wood. She relished the control she had over her tools, the power she felt in creating something beautiful with her own hands, though it was not without injury on occasion. The scar on her bicep, a reminder of a time she wasn't as precise, had become just another story she wore with pride and as a reminder.
Stepping back from the table, Rhea let her fingers run along the panel's edges, feeling for any imperfections her vision might miss. The light from the setting sun filtered into the room, casting everything in a golden hue that softened the sharp edges of the day.
The sound of the doorbell chimed through the workshop, triggered by the small Holo sensor above the door—one of the many upgrades Ethan had synced to the shop's network. Bear's ears perked up, his tail wagging secretly, giving away his anticipation of whoever had come to visit.
Rhea brushed the wood dust from her hands and called out, "I'm sorry! We're closed for the day!"
"It's me!" Camille's voice rang out, playful and familiar. Bear let out an excited huff, recognizing his favorite visitor, though he didn't let himself get as excited as he wanted to be.
With a smirk tugging at her lips, Rhea turned toward the doorway after picking up Bear's lease, letting him guide her gently. Camille's bright yellow sundress caught her eye immediately—her clothes always did. It was almost a ritual for bright colors to be worn around her. It was best.
Rhea met Camille in the storefront of the workshop, their smiles mimicking each other. "Cam, what are you doing here? You're never here this late," Rhea said, her tone teasing but warm. She pulled Camille into a hug, strong and unapologetic, as if daring the world to break their connection.
Camille pulled back slightly, her eyes twinkling with a secret she couldn't wait to share. "I just had to talk to you about something. Well actually, about someone."
Rhea raised an eyebrow, intrigued but guarded. She let Camille out of her embrace, "Oh? Who's that?"
Camille leaned against the doorframe, her whole body buzzing with excitement. "There's this guy I think you should meet. His name is Kofi, and he's... well, he's pretty amazing. Like really amazing."
Rhea let out a small, skeptical laugh, crossing her arms in a way that screamed caution. "Camille, you know I'm not really into blind dates or setups. You've tried before, remember?"
Camille waved her off with a smile that said she wasn't taking no for an answer. "I know, I know. But this is different. Kofi isn't just some random guy—I really think you two would hit it off. He's got this incredible energy about him but still very inward. It's like a quiet confidence. He knows how to command a room without even saying anything. From what I've seen, he's the kind of person who would appreciate you for exactly who you are."
Rhea leaned back against the workbench, a subtle smirk playing at her lips. "You say that, but what makes you think we'd get along? Besides, I'm not really looking for anything right now anyway." She laughed at her own joke, though Camille gave her a look of distain.
"Okay... tell me more about him."
Camille's eyes lit up as she prepared her pitch, hopping up onto the counter like she always did when she was about to launch into one of her animated speeches. "Okay, let me paint you a picture. Kofi's twenty-eight. He goes by Ko sometimes. He's originally from Kelna, out in the West District. You know how the Blythes keep that place running—everything sleek and expensive. He moved to New Aros a few years ago. He lives in a penthouse in Corvus. He's a friend of Nolan's—that's how I met him. He works as a software developer in Corvus Tower, helping maintain The Holo—you know, the network that runs everything now. He's a bit of a workaholic but also loves getting out into nature. He's a big hiker. Oh, and he's jacked. Like, seriously fit, but with this whole geeky side. His eyes light up when he talks tech, like yours do when you're deep into your woodworking."
Camille continued, her enthusiasm infectious. "And he's nearly covered in tattoos-literally from his neck down to his ankles. Only his face is bare. He's got this stunning bronze complexion that just makes you want to touch him." Camille winked, her smile growing even wider. "And his face? Don't get me started. He's kinda beautiful. Don't tell Tate I said that, though."
Camille gave Rhea a playful wink. "Oh, and he's got a cybernetic arm," Camille added casually. "Top-tier replacement too—not some black market patch job. Full neural sync."
Rhea couldn't help but chuckle, her sarcasm cutting through the uncertainty. "So, let me get this straight. You're setting me up with this guy because he's also disabled? That's your plan?"
Rhea's vision had been fading since childhood—slow, stubborn, irreversible. Arken Council had long since classified her as legally blind.
Camille laughed, the sound bright and genuine. "No! Of course not. It's just... well, you know, opposites attract, but that doesn't mean the magnets aren't equal. Plus, I think you'll surprise each other."
Rhea smirked, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I'll bet."
There was an amusing silence between them for a moment. "Beautiful, huh?" Rhea teased, her skepticism softening. "Okay, so he sounds... interesting. But what if he's not into someone like me?"
Camille's expression softened but didn't lose its intensity. "Rae, you're stunning, talented, and have a personality that draws people in. Anyone who meets you would be lucky. Kofi isn't the type of guy who's going to see you as someone he'll have to deal with. He's going to see you for you, the whole package. And I think you'd be perfect for each other."
Rhea let out a slow breath, her arms still crossed but her defenses lowering slightly. "I don't know, Cam. What if we don't click?"
Camille leaned in closer, her voice dropping slightly. "Trust me, Rae. You'll click. He's got layers, just like you. There's something about him that's special. I can feel it."
Rhea looked at Camille, noting the genuine sincerity in her friend's voice. Camille had always been a trusted judge of character, but the idea of meeting someone new still made her apprehensive. She glanced at the soft glow behind Camille's ear, noting her low Battery.
"Camille, when was the last time you checked your Battery?" Rhea's concern was evident, her voice gentle yet firm.
Camille blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
Every Arkenite knew the rule—never go without Surge. The Battery behind the ear could only run so long without feeding back into the city's DNA grid.
She reached up to touch the spot behind her ear, realizing the warmth of her Battery had faded to room temperature. "Must've been a while," she admitted. "I took my Surge off earlier and must have forgotten to put it back on."
Without hesitation, Rhea retrieved an extra Surge bracelet from behind the counter, "You'd think people who grew up inside Arken would remember," Rhea added. "Outside humans get seventy-two hours after Activation," she said quietly. "We don't get resets like that."
Her family always kept extra in the storefront. They never knew when they-or anyone else would need one. She handed it to Camille with a soft smile. "Here, take this. Can't have you checking out on me before I decide whether to meet this Kofi guy or not."
Camille's face lit up with gratitude as she accepted the bracelet. "Thanks, Rae. You're a lifesaver. I promise to return it."
"Just keeping you in one piece," Rhea replied with a wry grin, though she knew the gesture meant more than just practicality. She couldn't bear the thought of losing Camille, not to a dead Battery or anything else.
As Camille slid the Surge onto her wrist, Rhea mulled over the idea of meeting Kofi. Camille's description of Kofi painted him as this perfect guy, yet Rhea remained skeptical. The thought of someone so seemingly ideal felt too good to be true.
Rhea couldn't help but smile at Camille's conviction though. Camille had always been able to talk her into things, and this time was no different. "Alright, fine. I'll meet him," she said, her voice strong and confident. "But if this goes south, you owe me big time."
Camille's grin widened into a full-on smile, and she pulled Rhea into a tight hug. "Deal! You're going to love him, Rae. I know it. Tate and I are throwing this huge pool party. Kofi will be there and so will you. I can't wait to see you hit it off with him."
Rhea rolled her eyes playfully, feeling a mix of excitement and wariness. "We'll see, Cam. We'll see."
As Camille talked about the party, Rhea absently touched the faint glow behind her ear.
The Battery flickered.
Just for a second.
That had never happened before.
