The Girl Over At The Homeless Shelter

. . .

A heavy sigh parted from Ayane's lips. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she sits up from underneath the helicopter she was working on. The shirt of her uniform was tied around her waist, jacket laid out on the ground beneath her as her muscles were sore and aching, protesting quietly.

"Ahn... I could use a massage right about now- or maybe a dip at a bathhouse."

The mere thought of taking a long dip in warm waters itself sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine, yet knowing the possibilities of that happening is most likely never, although the term 'never' isn't always acquaintanced with 'forever'. It was just unlikely she'll have the chance to experience such leisurely pleasures.

Still the thought of simply unwinding down for a day, would be nice for a change. With a stretch, she rose up to her feet taking in the slightly modified attack chopper to which has been her prized possession and most commonly used air vehicle since she first started attending Abydos.

Be it for air travel, simple picks up or during missions, the dark blue Sikorsky HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter as close air support. It is armed with two M230 30mm Chain Guns mounted on the aircraft's hardpoints has been a strong point for most operations they hold.

While budget cost were extremely expensive for each round per bullet she used, they still manage to get by with what little they have, even when facing the situation about the desertification... Speak of desertification...

"Ugh, I was really hoping for some actual good ideas back at the meeting a few weeks ago... But we all can't be winners."

Fixing her uniform jacket, adjusting the collar of her shirt and pushing her glasses back up to sit comfortably on the bridge of her nose. She would decide to just simply, take her mind off of things for a bit by taking a stroll around town or until she can come up with something for their current money problem...

. . .

He, with the help of nonomi was finally able to settle in to his new apartment thanks to the girls generosity and the excessive spending they did that day. Despite him telling her to not go overboard she was more than to happy supply him with the essentials needed for his temporary home, funding with the money needed to pay for furniture, household items, etc.

The apartment itself wasn't anything too grand, nor was it anything too expensive. It was a modest space with a nice view of the city, the rent was affordable for someone who works a 9 to 5 job, with a quiet living space and a warm atmosphere.

It reminded him of the place he was staying at, back in the Gehenna District with the money he was given thanks to Yuuka- speaking of that girl, he remembers the message sent to him from her asking if it was possible for him to someday drop by millennium again for an important discussion. Apparently they had made a discovery about his existence and why he's here, and while he has yet to get back to here.

The idea of learning more about himself and his past still lingered on his mind- like... Why was he here? Why is he the only man left alive, what happened to the rest of the human race before the incident? And why did hoshino asked him if he remembered her? Did he remember her? Was he supposed to remember her? There was too many questions for one to simply answer all at once, so for now...

He can only pray that he'll get what he's looking for, till his next visit at millennium... That brings us back to his other situation. He was so caught up in furnishing the place that he had completely forgotten to stock the cabinets with food, otherwise- all those cutlery, plates, bowls, pans etc would all be a waste of nonomi's money.

Even if said girl didn't know what the budget was on that card. It still felt wrong to let those things go to waste, to just simply sit there to collect dust, unused for the remainder of its time. He would leave his apartment to head down to the nearest grocery store for food to fill up the empty and depressing cabinets.

. . .

"Thank you for coming! Please do come again!"

The voice of the girl sounded off from behind the food table she was currently working at for the time being, having seen a poster for 'open for volunteers' at a homeless for those who have either lost their homes due to the sandstorm's or the current rise in inflation, she figured she could help out a bit.

Especially when so many people were now living on the streets, it's the least she could do for the people of her hometown, the people whom she and everyone else had grown to protect over time.

"And here's your chicken parmesan sir, we hope you visit us again."

She wore a smile, not one that was too forceful or one that was too little, but a smile that was just enough to soothe a person's troubled mind and aching heart, a smile that was nothing but genuine. Watching as the corgi made its way to an empty seat with everyone else present in the shelter today, it's little stubby legs scurrying across the floor before settling down at a seat.

She wiped a sweat from her brow, elf ears twitching at the sound of someone entering the shelter and with practiced ease, she turns to face them with a warm look in her eyes and a cheerful tone.

"Welcome! How may- oh!"

She was surprised at the sight, standing before her was none other than him. A person who's recognition precedes him due to the fact that he is living proof of the opposite sex. Even if it had been three years since the world wide announcement of his existence, it was still surprising to see him in person.

Clearing her throat, she composed herself to properly address him in a more calm and measured tone.

"Sorry about that- you... Must be new here, right? To abydos? I'm Ayane, it's a pleasure to meet you."