From above, the city looks remarkably small to its citizens.
The gold and ivory facades that comprise the skyline, while majestic, belie the true magnitude of this world's greatest marvel. The grand peaks with their intricate detailing are designed to reflect both the sun as well as their value, though the two are often one in the same. Everything the light touches is either worthy real estate or a very fancy landmark, depending on your rung of the social ladder.
The distinct angles on the west side of the citadel before her reminded the mechanic of her place.
Slowing down, the wind's roar was replaced with the electric hum of her craft. As the sound lowered in pitch, so did her altitude, bringing into focus the well-tanned folks around the designated landing zone. A beep, 20 feet. Two beeps, 10 feet. Three beeps marked the final warning for anyone oblivious enough to have not cleared out of the way. Just as deftly as the key was removed from the dash, it was reinserted in a similar panel in front of the carport. As the machines whirled to life, her bike descended into the garage, and a small slot spit out a piece of paper. The digits at the top of parking card served as a sudden reminder that she was running late.
With long strides, she dashed down the lightly populated market street. Throwing a wave to a familiar merchant with one pale hand, removing her goggles and fixing her wind-tossed hair with the other, she darted into a side street. The large archways overhead began to obstruct the mid-morning sun as she reached the wide downward stairwell. She was quite thankful for the admittedly overdecorated railing today, otherwise she may have tripped down the stairs.
Only one more set of stairs to go, three if you're not feeling adventurous.
The rapping of her boots against the tiled mosaic began to echo as she descended. While her running drew some of the newer residents' attention, most stood aside to make room. Carpets of light filtered through the glass above eventually broke apart into shadows cast by the citadel above the garage. She was probably at the same elevation as her bike by now.
The trail ahead thinned into a narrow bridge, less than 20 feet across. As she exited the tunnel, the sun's direct rays reconnected with her skin. She relished this part of her daily commute as it provided an emotional and biological second wind. Resisting the natural urge to sunbathe, she tightened her fists and continued briskly, parking card still in hand.
Oops. She hoped the scanner wouldn't bug out over a few wrinkles later tonight.
Pocketing the card, she braced her knees for what would follow. After a brief glance, she vaulted over the side of the bridge, falling several feet onto a rooftop. Several sprained ankles in the past was the price to pay for this shortcut. Catching her breath, she opened the balcony door and strode down the winding stairways of the apartment complex. As per usual, the desk clerk was too lazily focused on his screen to notice anything unusual. The stained glass mural depicting the sun and moon on opposite sides of a triumphant looking figure filtered the last few natural rays into shades of orange and red. One final left turn down a shaded alley marked her destination. Overhead, the clear blue sky was beginning to turn gray- rain was coming. The knowledge that she wouldn't miss anything exciting was sufficient consolation.
The door bell chimed as she walked into her family's shop. Glancing up at the clock caused a sly smile to appear. Two minutes early. She hung up her goggles on a dusty shelf and went back to work on yesterday's project, barely concerned with the pitter-patter of raindrops on the dim skylight above.
