Z O L A R A
A city is never really quiet, certainly never down below, but there are moments on the Plates where it can seem to pause and a relative hush can be found. The minutes just before dawn are one of them--the deep breath before a new day screams into being.The rosy glow of the sky just before the sun peeked over the tops of buildings was reflected in the reservoir. Hazy pink and lazy blue water bordered by a nearly empty walking path and along it, perched on a bench overlooking it all was the woman determined to enjoy every quiet moment she could. Zolara was starting to make a habit of stopping here in the mornings, and in the last few weeks as the cloudy skies gave way bit by bit the frequency had increased. It was convenient. Right on the way to work, and she went in early enough that she missed most the morning commute hustle and bustle. It's no good selling your soul if you don't take the time to appreciate the rewards.
Chunky grey sweater and sleek trousers telegraphed a very business causal look but sill cozy enough for early Tanul. Steam curled from the coffee thermos clutched close and she hummed a note of approval at the smell. These were the little luxuries she'd dreamed of once, coffee and sunrises, and though the drink could easily become rote she didn't think she'd ever get used to the sun. Waiting for it to peek over the tops of the buildings of P04 was a novelty she didn't think she'd ever take for granted. As it did, she flinched, the rays that lifted just high enough to bounce along the waiting reservoir might as well have been the noonday shine, always a little too bright when the best you'd gown up with are fluorescent bulbs. Zola slid her eyes closed, tipping her face up to greet the sun and determinedly didn't think of all the reasons she didn't deserve it.
