Aelin would enter her office, drinking a can of caramel iced coffee. Though sweat was running down her face a bit, she leaned against her desk. Letting her body rest a bit though it was clear she was rather exhausted from her work.
Suddenly, the small watch that was clipped onto her yellow tie suddenly ticked in a beeping noise. Groaning, Aelin fiddled with her tie slightly before pulling it up to look at the watch. The moment the watch had reflected off into the pupils of her eyes, she was given a vision. Sighting a crime that was rather disturbing the peace. Another attempted robbery at the same Reverie's Museum of Placid.
"Break time's over…" Aelin sighed, chugging the rest of the coffee down as quickly as she could before exiting her office.
. . .
A car quickly drove through the streets of the City of Reverie, while vehicles of ROSS were chasing after the car, it was clear the robbers weren't going to surrender. However, on top of one of the buildings just near, there stood Aelin as she watched the car attempting its escape. Without wanting to waste anymore time, Aelin quickly dashed forward, jumping off the building a bit before grabbing the ledge. With the use of her aura, she launched herself straight towards the car.
Aelin soon landed in front of the car, just moments before it could hit her. But due to her massive durability and strength, the front of the car had suddenly crashed into her. Completely wrecking the front of the car while Aelin stood still unharmed. Though ROSS had been able to catch up, they stopped their vehicles, surrounding the criminals' car while some security guards from ROSS applauded Aelin.
Yet all she thought was just resting on the couch. Only for that dream to be crushed when her watch beeped once more.
Another one? Aelin thought, fixing her tie a bit before looking at her watch once more. Thinking it couldn't hurt.
Being given another vision, she had gone on her day stopping crime in the City of Reverie. Meanwhile Zale and Xiu Lan stood in the background, they watched as Aelin continued duties she assigned to herself.
"Hmm…" Xiu Lan hums, placing a hand under her chin.
. . .
Entering Xiu-Lan's residence, Aelin is sipping another can of caramel iced coffee. Though without needing to knock, Xiu-Lan had already opened the front door.
"Thanks for coming to dinner, Aelin—"
"No problem… we always promised every Friday."
"Come inside."
. . .
Entering the dining room, Zale had also come over for dinner. Zale looked up, her eyes meeting Aelin's eyes while Aelin softly smiled under her breath.
"You're here too, Zale?" Aelin asked.
"Of course… what Xiu Lan was going to make is one of the best recipes." Zale replied.
"She is a good cook…" Aelin chuckled softly, her voice deepening while sitting down next to Zale.
"You look tired.."
"To be honest, I am."
"Why don't you take a break?"
"A break?"
"A day off."
"I couldn't Zale I—"
"Cmon. It can't be that bad. It's the whole reason why Xiu Lan asked for you to come here in the first place."
"But I have— wait what?"
Xiu Lan, peeking into the dining room before entering while carrying a plate of japanese curry.
"You heard her, Aelin." Xiu Lan chuckled, "You need a day off. And don't worry, I'll take the time to even be on watch in your time for now so you can just relax."
Now that she was caught and trapped, now she just couldn't say no. Sighing, Aelin chuckled softly as she softly smiled.
"Alright… you guys win."
. . .
With the assistance of Zale, Aelin has rested her addiction to working. Going out with Zale to cafes, malls, parks, and stores for a bit of shopping or to simply try something new. In one of the stores, the two were now looking for clothes for the fall season as though the City of Reverie had announced it would be much colder than before.
While Zale had gone looking for warmer clothes, Aelin's eyes were slowly caught in a much different set. Zale slowly glanced over, curious on what was Aelin's taste in style knowing she had only ever seen her wear her detective uniform… like she is now. But surprisingly, Zale spotted Aelin's gaze focused on a white knee long dress. It was completely plain compared to every other.
"Do you want that?" Zale asked, walking over to her.
Aelin's eyes looked over to Zale, a smile forming on her face before sighing.
"I would buy it if I wanted to.. However I would never get the chance to wear it." Aelin replied, "my work has gotten so deep I barely ever got the time to enjoy any style of clothing."
There's no way….. Zale's eyes comedically widened in shock.
Once they were done, the two headed out of the mall as it was already that the sun was setting, forming beautiful purple and orange ombre colors across the skies. Zale and Aelin held a couple of bags of their own, things that they needed, wanted or simply found interesting. On their walk back, Zale slowly remembered their conversation back at the store.
"Why… don't you let yourself give a break?" Zale asked, her tone becoming polite and gentle.
"Well, I don't exactly mind doing the work. After all, it's always been a goal of mines to bring justice."
"But it's unhealthy."
"I'm aware… but you should remember that I am an artificial human. I don't exactly need to rest or need to keep myself healthy compared to Xiu-Lan or others you call human."
"I mean, yeah. But you are still considered as one. What's the point in separating humans and artificial ones?"
"Artificial humans are specifically made to be stronger… to be more powerful than just an average human. But to be honest, it's a little sad because humanity's ego got hurt by it and so at least half of existence regrets letting such things exist."
"But you're not a thing. You're human, just like the rest of humanity."
Aelin's eyes widened a bit, slowly turning her head to look at Zale.
"We bleed red just like them, our skin, bones and organs are just as the same as theirs, and our identity, personality and emotions aren't just written by others or fate. We write our own story… just like humanity." Zale continued, her expression now rather desperate to prove her point.
Aelin couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. Looking back up at the purple ombre skies, she closed her eyes for a few seconds before sighing softly.
"Hopefully I'm not talking random shit—" Zale mumbled.
"Of course not… I understand your beliefs. Express them without fear." Aelin replied, slowly raising her hand up as she patted Zale on the head.
Zale blinked, her eyes glancing to her hand, though the warm touch left her rather feeling comforted and supported. While Aelin's smile was only more reassuring.
Though this peaceful moment was suddenly disturbed. As the sun had set, the shadows had arisen. Though they are the same beastly shadows that had continuously tried to ambush the City of Reverie, they were simply just cons.
"Uh oh." Zale murmured.
"Guess break time's over ain't it…" Aelin sighed, dropping her bags before slowly approaching the hoard of shadows. Pulling her fingerless gloves up slightly.
Wanting to assist, Zale dropped her bags as well and rushed up to Aelin. Facing the shadows who wanted their comeback after their previous battle against them.
"How about we show them how it's done."